NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
485APOS, 1997-02-28
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<PAGE>   1
   
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON February 28, 1997.
    



                                                       Registration No. 33-76684


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM N-4

             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
   
                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 3
    
                                                      
                              NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                           (Exact name of Registrant)

                 NORTH AMERICAN SECURITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                               (Name of Depositor)

                              116 Huntington Avenue
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02116
              (Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices)

                                 (617) 266-6008
               (Depositor's Telephone Number Including Area Code)


              James D. Gallagher, Esq.
            Vice President, Secretary                   Copy to:
                and General Counsel               J. Sumner Jones, Esq.
             North American Security                 Jones & Blouch
                Life Insurance Company       1025 Thomas Jefferson Street, N.W.
               116 Huntington Avenue               Washington, DC 20007
           Boston, Massachusetts 02116
      (Name and Address of Agent for Service)


   
     Registrant has registered an indefinite amount of securities under the
Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Rule 24f-2. The notice required pursuant to
Rule 24f-2 for the year ended December 31, 1996 was filed on February 27, 1997.
    



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

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

     ___ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) 
     ___ on _________, 1996 pursuant to paragraph (b)
    
     ___ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)
    


<PAGE>   2

   
      X    on May 1, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485
    
    

*The Prospectus contained in this registration statement also relates to
variable annuity contracts no longer being sold but for which additional
purchase payments are accepted and which are covered by a earlier registration
statement under File No. 33-49604.




<PAGE>   3


                              NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT

                  CROSS REFERENCE TO ITEMS REQUIRED BY FORM N-4


N-4 Item              Caption in Prospectus
Part A                ---------------------
- ------

1...............Cover Page
2...............Special Terms
3...............Summary
4...............Performance Data;Financial Statements
5...............General Information about North American Security Life 
                Insurance Company, NASL Variable Account and NASL Series Trust
6...............Charges and Deductions; Withdrawal Charge; Reduction or 
                Elimination of Withdrawal Charge; Administration Fees; 
                Reduction or Elimination of Annual Administration Fee; 
                Mortality and Expense Risk Charge; Taxes; Appendix A; Appendix B
7...............Accumulation Provisions; Company Approval Purchase Payments; 
                Accumulation Units; Net Investment Factor; Transfers Among 
                Investment Options; Telephone Transactions; Special Transfer 
                Services-Dollar Cost Averaging; Withdrawals; Special Withdrawal
                Services Systematic Withdrawal Plan; Owner Inquiries; Other 
                Contract Provisions; Ownership; Beneficiary; Modification;
8...............Annuity Provisions; General; Annuity Options; Determination of 
                Amount of the First Variable Annuity Payment; Annuity Units and
                the Determination of Subsequent Variable Annuity Payments; 
                Transfers After Maturity Date
9...............Accumulation Provisions; Death Benefit Before Maturity Date; 
                Annuity Provisions; Death Benefit After Maturity Date
10..............Accumulation Provisions; Purchase Payments; Accumulation Units;
                Value of Accumulation Units; Net Investment Factor; Distribution
                of Contracts
11 .............Withdrawals; Restrictions under the Texas Optional Retirement 
                Program; Accumulation Provisions; Purchase Payments; Other 
                Contract Provisions; Ten Day Right to Review
12..............Federal Tax Matters; Introduction; The Company's Tax Status; 
                Taxation of Annuities in General; Diversification Requirements; 
                Qualified Retirement Plans
13..............Legal Proceedings
14..............Statement of Additional Information - Table of Contents


Part B                Caption in Statement of
- ------                Additional Information
                      ----------------------

15..............Cover Page
16..............Table of Contents


<PAGE>   4

17..............General Information and History
18..............Services-Accountants;  Services-Servicing Agent
19..............Not Applicable
20..............Services-Principal Underwriter
21..............Performance Data
22..............Not Applicable
23..............Financial Statements


<PAGE>   5
























                                     PART A


                      INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS















<PAGE>   6


       Annuity Service Office                                Mailing Address
        116 Huntington Avenue                             Post Office Box 9230
     Boston, Massachusetts 02116                          Boston, Massachusetts
           (617) 266-6008                                       02205-9230
           (800) 344-1029

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       OF

                 NORTH AMERICAN SECURITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                      FLEXIBLE PAYMENT DEFERRED COMBINATION
                    FIXED AND VARIABLE GROUP ANNUITY CONTRACT
                                NON-PARTICIPATING

     This Prospectus describes a flexible purchase payment deferred combination
fixed and variable group annuity contract (the "contract") issued by North
American Security Life Insurance Company ("the Company"), a stock life insurance
company, the ultimate parent of which is The Manufacturers Life Insurance
Company ("Manulife"). The contract is designed for use in connection with
retirement plans which may or may not qualify for special federal income tax
treatment. Prior to February, 1995, the Company issued a class of variable
annuity contract which is no longer being issued but under which purchase
payments may continue to be made ("prior contract"--"Ven 8" contracts), which
were sold during the period from September 1992 until February, 1995. This
prospectus principally describes the contract but also describes the Ven 8
contracts. The principal difference between the contract offered by this
Prospectus and the Ven 8 contract relate to the investment options available
under the contracts, a minimum interest rate to be credited for any guarantee
period under the fixed portion of the contracts, the charges made by the Company
and the death benefit provisions. See "Appendix D - Prior Contracts."

   
     The contract provides for the accumulation of contract values and the
payment of annuity benefits on a variable and/or fixed basis. The contract
offers thirty-eight investment options: thirty-four variable and four fixed. The
variable portion of the contract value and annuity payments, if selected on a
variable basis, will vary according to the investment performance of the
sub-accounts of NASL Variable Account (the "Variable Account"). The Variable
Account is a separate account established by the Company. Purchase payments and
earnings on those purchase payments may be allocated to and transferred among
one or more of thirty-four sub-accounts of the Variable Account. The assets of
each sub-account are invested in shares of NASL Series Trust (the "Trust"), a
mutual fund having an investment portfolio for each sub-account of the Variable
Account (see the accompanying Prospectus of the Trust). Fixed contract values
may be accumulated under one, three, five and seven year fixed account
investment options. Except as specifically noted herein and as set forth under
the caption "FIXED ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTIONS" below, this Prospectus describes
only the variable portion of the contract.
    

     Shares of the Trust are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or
endorsed by, any bank, and the shares are not federally insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency.

   
     Additional information about the variable portion of the contract and
Variable Account is contained in a Statement of Additional Information, dated
the same date as this Prospectus, which has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Statement of Additional Information is available without charge upon request
by writing the Company at the above address or telephoning (617) 266-6008. In
addition, the Commission maintains a Web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains
the Statement of Additional Information, material incorporated bye reference,
and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the
Commission. The table of contents for the Statement of Additional Information is
included on page __ of this Prospectus.
    

PLEASE READ THIS PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY AND KEEP IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. IT
CONTAINS INFORMATION ABOUT THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT AND THE VARIABLE PORTION OF THE
CONTRACT AND CERTIFICATE THAT A PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER SHOULD KNOW BEFORE
INVESTING.

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

   
                   The date of this Prospectus is May 1, 1997.

V22/23.PRO597
    


<PAGE>   7


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS






   
SPECIAL TERMS ............................................
SUMMARY ..................................................
TABLE OF ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUES.........................
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT NORTH 
AMERICAN SECURITY LIFE INSURANCE 
COMPANY, NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT AND
NASL SERIES TRUST ........................................
     North American Security Life Insurance Company.......
     NASL Variable Account................................
     NASL Series Trust....................................
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT ..............................
   ELIGIBLE GROUPS .......................................
   ACCUMULATION PROVISIONS ...............................
     Purchase Payments ...................................
     Accumulation Units ..................................
     Value of Accumulation Units .........................
     Net Investment Factor ...............................
     Transfers Among Investment Options ..................
     Maximum Number of Investment Options.................
     Telephone Transactions ..............................
     Special Transfer Services - Dollar Cost Averaging....
     Asset Rebalancing Program............................
     Withdrawals..........................................    
     Special Withdrawal Services - Income Plan............
     Loans................................................
     Death Benefit Before Maturity Date...................
    ANNUITY PROVISIONS ...................................
     General .............................................
     Annuity Options .....................................
     Determination of Amount of the First Variable
        Annuity Payment...................................
     Annuity Units and the Determination of Subsequent
        Variable Annuity Payments ........................
     Transfers After Maturity Date .......................
     Death Benefit on or After Maturity Date .............
   OTHER CONTRACT PROVISIONS .............................
     Ten Day Right to Review .............................
     Ownership............................................
     Beneficiary .........................................
     Annuitant............................................
     Modification ........................................
     Discontinuance of New Owners ........................
     Misstatement and Proof of Age, Sex or Survival.......
  FIXED ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTIONS........................
  CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS .................................
     Withdrawal Charges...................................
     Reduction or Elimination of Withdrawal Charges.......
     Administration Fees..................................
     Reduction or Elimination of Annual
        Administration Fee................................
     Mortality and Expense Risk Charge ...................
     Taxes ...............................................
    


   
FEDERAL TAX MATTERS ......................................
  INTRODUCTION ...........................................
  THE COMPANY'S TAX STATUS ...............................
  TAXATION OF ANNUITIES IN GENERAL .......................
     Tax Deferral During Accumulation Period .............
     Taxation of Partial and Full Withdrawals ............
     Taxation of Annuity Payments ........................
     Taxation of Death Benefit Proceeds ..................
     Penalty Tax on Premature Distributions ..............
     Aggregation of Contracts ............................
  QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS..............................
     Qualified Plan Types ................................
     Direct Rollovers ....................................
  FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING..........................
GENERAL MATTERS...........................................
     Tax Deferral.........................................
     Performance Data.....................................
     Financial Statements.................................
     Asset Allocation and Timing Services.................
     Restrictions Under the Texas Optional
     Retirement Program ..................................
     Distribution of Contracts ...........................
     Owner Inquiries......................................
     Legal Proceedings ...................................
EXCHANGE OFFER AND ENHANCED DEATH
BENEFIT OPTION............................................
     Exchange Offer ......................................
     Enhanced Death Benefit Option .......................
OTHER INFORMATION ........................................
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-
  TABLE OF CONTENTS.......................................
APPENDIX A:  EXAMPLES OF CALCULATION OF
  WITHDRAWAL CHARGE.......................................
APPENDIX B:  STATE PREMIUM TAXES..........................
APPENDIX C:  PENNSYLVANIA MAXIMUM
  MATURITY AGE............................................
APPENDIX D:  PRIOR CONTRACTS (VEN 8)......................
    


                                       2
<PAGE>   8




                                  SPECIAL TERMS

     The following terms as used in this Prospectus have the indicated meanings:

     Accumulation Unit - A unit of measure that is used to calculate the value
of an owner's variable investment account before the maturity date.

     Annuitant - Any natural person or persons whose life is used to determine
the duration of annuity payments involving life contingencies. The "annuitant"
is as designated on the certificate specifications page or in the application,
unless changed.

     Annuity Option - The method selected by each owner for annuity payments
made by the Company. At the maturity date, the Company will provide an annuity
with payments guaranteed for 10 years and for the lifetime of the annuitant, if
the annuitant lives more than 10 years. This will be the annuity option unless
changed.

     Annuity Service Office - The service office of the Company is P.O. Box
9230, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9230.

     Annuity Unit - A unit of measure that is used after the maturity date to
calculate variable annuity payments.

     Application - The document signed by each owner that serves as his or her
application for participation under the contract.

     Beneficiary - The person, persons or entity entitled to the death benefit
under the contract upon the death of an owner or, in certain circumstances, the
annuitant. If there is a surviving owner, that person will be deemed to be the
beneficiary.

     Certificate - The document issued to each owner which summarizes the rights
and benefits of the owner under the contract.

     Certificate Anniversary - The anniversary of the certificate date.

     Certificate Date - The date of issue of a certificate under the contract.

     Certificate Year - The period of twelve consecutive months beginning on the
certificate date or any anniversary thereof.

     Contingent Beneficiary - The person, persons or entity to become the
beneficiary if the beneficiary is not alive. The contingent beneficiary is as
specified in the application, unless changed.

     Contract Application - The document signed by the Group Holder that
evidences the Group Holder's application for a Contract.

     Contract Value - The total of an owner's investment account values and, if
applicable, any amount in the loan account attributable to that owner.

     Debt - Any amounts in an owner's loan account plus any accrued loan
interest. The loan provision is available only under contracts or certificates
issued in connection with Section 403(b) qualified plans that are not subject to
Title I of ERISA.

     Due Proof of Death - Due Proof of Death is required upon the death of the
owner or annuitant, as applicable. One of the following must be received at the
Annuity Service Office within one year of the date of death:

     (a)  A certified copy of a death certificate;
     (b)  A certified copy of a decree of a court of competent jurisdiction as
          to the finding of death; or
     (c)  Any other proof satisfactory to us.

Death benefits will be paid within 7 days of receipt of due proof of death and
all required claim forms by the Company's Annuity Service Office.

     Fixed Annuity - An annuity option with payments which are predetermined and
guaranteed as to dollar amount.



                                       3
<PAGE>   9

     General Account - All the assets of the Company other than assets in
separate accounts.

     Group Holder - The person, persons or entity to whom the contract is
issued.

     Investment Account - An account established by the Company which represents
an owner's interest in an investment option prior to the maturity date.

     Investment Account Value - The value of an owner's investment in an
investment account.

   
     Investment Options - The investment choices available to owners. Currently,
there are thirty-four variable and four fixed investment options under the
contract.
    

     Loan Account - The portion of the general account that is used for
collateral when a loan is taken by an owner.

     Market Value Charge - A charge that may be assessed if amounts are
withdrawn or transferred from the three, five or seven year investment options
prior to the end of the interest rate guarantee period.

     Maturity Date - The date on which annuity benefits commence. The maturity
date is the date specified on the certificate specifications page and is
generally the first day of the month following the later of the annuitant's 85th
birthday or the tenth contract anniversary, unless changed. See Appendix D for
information on the Maturity Date applicable to certain contracts which are no
longer being issued (Ven 8 contracts).

     Net Purchase Payment - The purchase payment paid by or on behalf of an
owner less the amount of premium tax, if any.

     Non-Qualified Certificates - Certificates issued under non-qualified
Contracts.

     Non-Qualified Contracts - Contracts which are not issued under qualified
plans.

     Owner - The person, persons or entity named in a certificate and entitled
to all of the ownership rights under the contract not expressly reserved to the
group holder. The owner is specified in the application, unless changed.

     Portfolio or Trust Portfolio - A separate investment portfolio of the
Trust, a mutual fund in which the Variable Account invests, or of any successor
mutual fund.

     Purchase Payment - An amount paid by or on behalf of an owner to the
Company as consideration for the benefits provided by the contract.

     Qualified Certificates - Certificates issued under qualified contracts.

     Qualified Contracts - Contracts issued under qualified plans.

     Qualified Plans - Retirement plans which receive favorable tax treatment
under Section 401, 403, 408 or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.

     Separate Account - A segregated account of the Company that is not
commingled with the Company's general assets and obligations.

     Sub-Account(s) - One or more of the sub-accounts of the Variable Account.
Each sub-account is invested in shares of a different Trust portfolio.

     Valuation Date - Any date on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for
business and the net asset value of a Trust portfolio is determined.

     Valuation Period - Any period from one valuation date to the next, measured
from the time on each such date that the net asset value of each portfolio is
determined.



                                       4
<PAGE>   10

     Variable Account - The Variable Account, which is a separate account of the
Company.

     Variable Annuity - An annuity option with payments which: (1) are not
predetermined or guaranteed as to dollar amount, and (2) vary in relation to the
investment experience of one or more specified sub-accounts.

                                     SUMMARY

     The Contract. The contract offered by this Prospectus is a flexible
purchase payment deferred combination fixed and variable group annuity contract.
Specific accounts are maintained under the contract for each member of the
eligible group participating in the contract as evidenced by the issuance of
certificates. The contract provides for the accumulation of contract values and
the payment of annuity benefits on a variable and/or fixed basis. Except as
specifically noted herein and as set forth under the caption "FIXED ACCOUNT
INVESTMENT OPTIONS" below, this Prospectus describes only the variable portion
of the contract.

     Eligible Groups. The contract may be issued to fund either non-qualified
retirement plans or plans qualifying for special income tax treatment under the
Internal Revenue Code, such as individual retirement accounts and annuities,
pension and profit-sharing plans for corporations and sole
proprietorships/partnerships ("H.R. 10" and "Keogh" plans), tax-sheltered
annuities, and state and local government deferred compensation plans. (See
"QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS")

   
     Purchase Payments. Effective October 1, 1996, the minimum initial purchase
payment is $5,000 for non-qualified retirement plans and $2,000 for retirement
plans qualifying for special income tax treatment under the Internal Revenue
Code. Prior to October 1, 1996, the minimum initial purchase payment was $30
with the additional requirement that at least $300 be paid during the first
contract year. Purchase payments may be made at any time, except that if a
purchase payment would cause the owner's contract value to exceed $1,000,000, or
the owner's contract value already exceeds $1,000,000, additional purchase
payments will be accepted only with the prior approval of the Company. The
Company may, at its option, cancel a certificate and an owner's participation
under a contract at the end of any two consecutive certificate years in which no
purchase payments by or on behalf of the owner have been made, if both (i) the
total purchase payments made for the certificate, less any withdrawals, are less
than $2,000; and (ii) the contract value for the owner at the end of such two
year period is less than $2,000. The cancellation of contract privileges may
vary in certain states in order to comply with the requirements of insurance
laws and regulations in such state. (See "PURCHASE PAYMENTS")
    

   
     Investment Options. Purchase payments may be allocated among the
thirty-eight investment options currently available under the contract:
thirty-four variable account investment options and four fixed account
investment options. Due to current administrative capabilities, a contract owner
is limited to a maximum of seventeen investment options (including all fixed
account investment options) during the period prior to the maturity date of the
contract. The thirty-four variable account investment options are the
thirty-four sub-accounts of the Variable Account, a separate account established
by the Company. The sub-accounts invest in corresponding portfolios of the
Trust: the Pacific Rim Emerging Markets Trust, the Science & Technology Trust,
the International Small Cap Trust, the Emerging Growth Trust, the Pilgrim Baxter
Growth Trust, the Small/Mid Cap Trust, the International Stock Trust, the
Worldwide Growth Trust, the Global Equity Trust, the Growth Trust, the Equity
Trust, the Quantitative Equity Trust, the Blue Chip Growth Trust, the Real
Estate Securities Trust, the Value Trust, the International Growth and Income
Trust, the Growth and Income Trust, the Equity-Income Trust, the Balanced Trust,
the Aggressive Asset Allocation Trust, the High Yield Trust, the Moderate Asset
Allocation Trust, the Conservative Asset Allocation Trust, the Strategic Bond
Trust, the Global Government Bond Trust, the Capital Growth Bond Trust, the
Investment Quality Bond Trust, the U.S. Government Securities Trust, the Money
Market Trust, the Lifestyle Aggressive 1000 Trust, the Lifestyle Growth 820
Trust, the Lifestyle Balanced 640 Trust, the Lifestyle Moderate 460 Trust and
the Lifestyle Conservative 280 Trust (see the accompanying Prospectus of the
Trust). The portion of an owner's contract value in the Variable Account and
monthly annuity payments, if selected on a variable basis, will reflect the
investment performance of the sub-accounts selected. (See "NASL VARIABLE
ACCOUNT") Purchase payments may also be allocated to the four fixed account
investment options: one, three, five and seven year guaranteed investment
accounts. Under the fixed account investment options, the Company guarantees the
principal value of purchase payments and the rate of interest credited to the
investment account for the term of the guarantee period. The portion of an
owner's contract value in the fixed account investment options and monthly
annuity payments, if selected on a fixed basis, will reflect such interest and
principal guarantees. (See "FIXED ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTIONS") Subject to
certain regulatory limitations, the Company may elect to add, subtract or
substitute investment options.
    

     Transfers. Prior to the maturity date, amounts may be transferred among an
owner's variable account investment options 




                                       5
<PAGE>   11

and from the owner's variable account investment options to his or her fixed
account investment options without charge. In addition, amounts may be
transferred prior to the maturity date among the owner's fixed account
investment options and from the owner's fixed account investment options to his
or her variable account investment options, subject to a one year holding period
requirement and a market value charge which may apply to such a transfer. (See
"FIXED ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTIONS") After the maturity date, transfers are not
permitted from variable annuity options to fixed annuity options or from fixed
annuity options to variable annuity options. Transfers from any investment
account must be at least $300 or, if less, the entire balance in the investment
account. If, after the transfer the amount remaining in the investment account
from which the transfer is made is less than $100, then we will transfer the
entire amount instead of the requested amount. The Company may impose certain
additional limitations on transfers. (See "TRANSFERS AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS"
and "TRANSFERS AFTER MATURITY DATE") Transfer privileges may also be used under
a special service offered by the Company to dollar cost average an investment in
the contract. (See "SPECIAL TRANSFER SERVICES - DOLLAR COST AVERAGING")

     Withdrawals. Prior to the earlier of the maturity date or the death of an
owner, the owner may withdraw all or a portion of his or her contract value. The
amount withdrawn from any investment account must be at least $300 or, if less,
the entire balance of the investment account. If a partial withdrawal plus any
applicable withdrawal charge would reduce the owner's contract value to less
than $300, the withdrawal request will be treated as a request to withdraw the
owner's entire contract value. A withdrawal charge and an administration fee may
be imposed. (See "WITHDRAWALS") A withdrawal may be subject to a penalty tax.
(See "FEDERAL TAX MATTERS") Withdrawal privileges may also be exercised pursuant
to the Company's systematic withdrawal plan service. (See "SPECIAL WITHDRAWAL
SERVICES - SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN")

     Loans. The Company offers a loan privilege under contracts or certificates
issued in connection with Section 403(b) qualified plans that are not subject to
Title I of ERISA. Where available, owners may obtain loans using their contract
value as the only security for the loan. The effective cost of a loan is 2% per
year of the amount borrowed. (See "LOANS")

     Death Benefits. The Company will pay the death benefit described below
(which, as defined, is net of any debt) to the beneficiary if any owner dies
before the maturity date. If there is a surviving owner, that owner will be
deemed to be the beneficiary. No death benefit is payable on the death of any
annuitant, except that if any owner is not a natural person, the death of any
annuitant will be treated as the death of an owner. The death benefit will be
determined as of the date on which written notice and proof of death and all
required claim forms are received at the Company's Annuity Service Office.

     If any owner dies on or prior to his or her 85th birthday and the oldest
owner had an attained age of less than 81 years on the certificate date, the
death benefit will be determined as follows: During the first certificate year,
the death benefit will be the greater of: (a) the contract value or (b) the sum
of all purchase payments made, less any amounts deducted in connection with
partial withdrawals made by or on behalf of the owner. During any subsequent
certificate year, the death benefit will be the greater of: (a) the contract
value or (b) the death benefit on the last day of the previous certificate year,
plus any purchase payments made and less any amounts deducted in connection with
partial withdrawals made by or on behalf of the owner since then.

     If any owner dies after his or her 85th birthday and the oldest owner had
an attained age of less than 81 years on the certificate date, the death benefit
will be the greater of: (a) the contract value or (b) the excess of (i) the sum
of all purchase payments made by or on behalf of the owner over (ii) the sum of
any amounts deducted in connection with partial withdrawals made by or on behalf
of the owner. If any owner dies and the oldest owner had an attained age greater
than 80 on the certificate date, the death benefit will be the contract value
less any applicable withdrawal charges at the time of payment of benefits. (See
"DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE MATURITY DATE") If the annuitant dies after the maturity
date and annuity payments have been selected based on an annuity option
providing for payments for a guaranteed period, the Company will make the
remaining guaranteed payments to the beneficiary. (See "DEATH BENEFIT ON OR
AFTER MATURITY DATE")

     Annuity Payments. The Company offers a variety of fixed and variable
annuity options. Periodic annuity payments will begin on the maturity date. The
owner selects the maturity date, frequency of payment and annuity option. (See
"ANNUITY PROVISIONS")

     Ten Day Review. Within 10 days of receipt of his or her certificate, an
owner may cancel the certificate by returning it to the Company. The ten day
right to review may vary in certain states in order to comply with the
requirements of insurance laws and regulations in such states. (See "TEN DAY
RIGHT TO REVIEW")

     Modification. The contract or any certificate may not be modified by the
Company without the consent of the group holder 



                                       6
<PAGE>   12

or the owner, as applicable, except as may be required to make it conform to any
law or regulation or ruling issued by a governmental agency. However, on 60
days' notice to the group holder, the Company may change the withdrawal charges,
administration fees, mortality and expense risk charges, free withdrawal
percentage, annuity purchase rates and the market value charge as to any
certificates issued after the effective date of the modification. (See
"MODIFICATION")

     Discontinuance of New Owners. On thirty days' notice to the group holder,
the Company may limit or discontinue acceptance of new applications and the
issuance of new certificates under a contract. (See "DISCONTINUANCE OF NEW
OWNERS")

     Charges and Deductions. The following table and Example are designed to
assist group holders and owners in understanding the various costs and expenses
to which they are subject directly and indirectly. The table reflects expenses
of the separate account and the underlying portfolio company. In addition to the
items listed in the following table, premium taxes may be applicable to certain
owners. The items listed under "Transaction Expenses" and "Separate Account
Annual Expenses" are more completely described in this Prospectus (see "CHARGES
AND DEDUCTIONS") The items listed under "Trust Annual Expenses" are described in
detail in the accompanying Trust Prospectus to which reference should be made.

TRANSACTION EXPENSES

     Deferred sales load (as percentage of purchase payments)

     NUMBER OF COMPLETE YEARS                   WITHDRAWAL CHARGE
        PURCHASE PAYMENT IN                         PERCENTAGE
              CONTRACT
     ------------------------------------------------------------
                 0                                      6%
                 1                                      6%
                 2                                      5%
                 3                                      5%
                 4                                      4%
                 5                                      3%
                 6                                      2%
                 7+                                     0%


ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION FEE.........................................      $30(1)

SEPARATE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average account value)

Mortality and expense risk fees...................................     1.25%
Administration fee  - asset based.................................     0.15%

Total Separate Account Annual Expenses...........................      1.40%

TRUST ANNUAL EXPENSES
(as a percentage of Trust average net assets)
   
                                      MANAGEMENT      OTHER       TOTAL TRUST
TRUST PORTFOLIO                          FEES        EXPENSES    ANNUAL EXPENSES
================================================================================

Pacific Rim Emerging Markets .......    0.850%        0.300%         1.150%

- -------------------- 
     (1)The $30 annual administration fee will not be assessed prior to the
maturity date if at the time of its assessment the sum of all the owner's
investment accounts is equal to or greater than $100,000. See Appendix D for
information on the administration fee applicable to certain contracts which are
no longer being issued (Ven 8 contracts).

 




                                       7
<PAGE>   13

Science & Technology ...............    1.100%        0.100%*        1.200%
International Small Cap ............    1.100%        0.190%*        1.290%
Emerging Growth ....................    1.050%        0.100%*        1.150%
Pilgrim Baxter Growth ..............    1.050%        0.300%*        1.350%
Small/Mid Cap ......................    1.000%        0.100%*        1.100%
International Stock ................    1.050%        0.200%*        1.250%
Worldwide Growth ...................    1.000%        0.300%         1.300%
Global Equity ......................    0.900%        0.110%         1.010%
Growth .............................    0.850%        0.160%*        1.010%
Equity .............................    0.750%        0.050%         0.800%
Quantitative Equity** ..............    0.700%**      0.060%         0.760%**
Blue Chip Growth ...................    0.925%        0.050%         0.975%
Real Estate Securities** ...........    0.700%**      0.100%         0.800%**
Value ..............................    0.800%        0.050%*        0.850%
International Growth and Income ....    0.950%        0.160%         1.110%
Growth and Income ..................    0.750%        0.050%         0.800%
Equity-Income ......................    0.800%        0.050%         0.850%
Balanced ...........................    0.800%        0.150%*        0.950%
Aggressive Asset Allocation ........    0.750%        0.150%         0.900%
High Yield .........................    0.775%        0.145%*        0.920%
Moderate Asset Allocation ..........    0.750%        0.090%         0.840%
Conservative Asset Allocation ......    0.750%        0.120%         0.870%
Strategic Bond .....................    0.775%        0.085%         0.860%
Global Government Bond .............    0.800%        0.100%         0.900%
Capital Growth Bond** ..............    0.650%**      0.100%         0.750%**
Investment Quality Bond ............    0.650%        0.080%         0.730%
U.S. Government Securities .........    0.650%        0.060%         0.710%
Money Market .......................    0.500%        0.050%         0.550%


                                     MINIMUM TOTAL TRUST     MAXIMUM TOTAL TRUST
                                     ANNUAL EXPENSES***      ANNUAL EXPENSES****
                                                                   
Lifestyle Aggressive 1000#                 0.760%                  1.350%
Lifestyle Growth 820#                      0.720%                  1.260%
Lifestyle Balanced 640#                    0.680%                  1.180%
Lifestyle Moderate 460#                    0.630%                  1.090%
Lifestyle Conservative 280#                0.590%                  1.010%

*Based on estimates of payments to be made during the current fiscal year.

** "Total Trust Annual Expenses" for the Quantitative Equity, Real Estate
Securities and Capital Growth Bond Trusts do not reflect an agreement by NASL
Financial Services, Inc. ("NASL Financial") voluntarily to waive fees payable to
it and/or reimburse expenses for a period of one year commencing January 1, 1997
to the extent necessary to prevent "Total Trust Annual Expenses" for each such
Trust from exceeding .50% of average net assets. "Management Fees" for each such
Trust do not reflect estimated fee waivers by NASL Financial pursuant to such
agreement. If such waivers were reflected "Management Fees" would be 0.440%,
0.400% and 0.400% for the Quantitative Equity Trust, Real Estate Securities
Trust and the Capital Growth Bond Trust, respectively.

*** Minimum Fees are determined assuming the following allocation for the
Underlying Portfolios: Lifestyle Aggressive 1000 Trust, 100% Quantitative Equity
Trust; Lifestyle Growth 820 Trust, 80% Quantitative Equity Trust, 20% Money
Market Trust; Lifestyle Balanced 640 Trust, 60% Quantitative Equity Trust, 40%
Money Market Trust; Lifestyle Moderate 460 Trust, 40% Quantitative Equity Trust,
60% Money Market Trust; Lifestyle Conservative 280 Trust, 20% Quantitative
Equity Trust, 80% Money Market Trust.

**** Maximum Fees are determined assuming the following allocation for the
Underlying Portfolios: Lifestyle Aggressive 1000 Trust, 100% Pilgrim Baxter
Growth Trust; Lifestyle Growth 820 Trust, 80% Pilgrim Baxter Growth Trust, 20%
High Yield Trust; 



                                       8
<PAGE>   14

Lifestyle Balanced 640 Trust, 60% Pilgrim Baxter Growth Trust, 40% High Yield
Trust; Lifestyle Moderate 460 Trust, 40% Pilgrim Baxter Growth Trust, 60% High
Yield Trust; Lifestyle Conservative 280 Trust, 20% Pilgrim Baxter Growth Trust,
80% High Yield Trust.

#Each Lifestyle Trust will invest in shares of the Underlying Portfolios.
Therefore, each Lifestyle Trust will, in addition to its own expenses, such as
certain Other Expenses, bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses
incurred by the Underlying Portfolios and the investment return of each
Lifestyle Trust will be net of the Underlying Portfolio expenses. NASL Financial
has voluntarily agreed to pay the expenses of each Lifestyle Trust (excluding
the expenses of the Underlying Portfolios). This expense reimbursement may be
terminated at any time after December 31, 1997. If such expense reimbursement
was not in effect, Total Trust Annual Expenses would be .04% higher (based on
estimates of the expenses of the Lifestyle Trusts for the current fiscal year)
as noted in the chart below:


                                     Minimum Total Trust     Maximum Total Trust
                                     Annual Expenses***      Annual Expenses****
                                     ------------------      -------------------
Lifestyle Aggressive 1000 Trust            0.800%                  1.390%
Lifestyle Growth 820 Trust                 0.760%                  1.300%
Lifestyle Balanced 640 Trust               0.720%                  1.220%
Lifestyle Moderate 460 Trust               0.670%                  1.130%
Lifestyle Conservative 280 Trust           0.630%                  1.050%

    
















                                       9
<PAGE>   15

<TABLE>
EXAMPLE
   
A contract owner would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment,
assuming 5% annual return on assets, if the owner withdrew all of his or her
contract value at the end of the applicable time period:
=====================================================================================
<CAPTION>
TRUST PORTFOLIO                            1 YEAR   3 YEARS   5 YEARS+     5 YEARS*   10 YEARS*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>      <C>       <C>          <C>        <C>
Pacific Rim Emerging Markets ...........     $82      $131      $170         $180       $297
Science & Technology ...................      83       132
International Small Cap ................      83       135       177          187        311
Emerging Growth ........................      82       131
Pilgrim Baxter Growth ..................      84       136
Small/Mid Cap ..........................      82       129       167          177        292
International Stock ....................      83       133
Worldwide Growth .......................      83       135
Global Equity ..........................      81       127       163          173        283
Growth .................................      81       127       163          173        283
Equity .................................      79       121       152          162        262
Quantitative Equity ....................      78       119       150          160        258
Blue Chip Growth .......................      80       126       161          171        280
Real Estate Securities .................      79       121       152          162        262
Value ..................................      79       122
Int'l Growth and Income ................      82       129       168          178        293
Growth and Income ......................      79       121       152          162        262
Equity-Income ..........................      79       122       155          165        267
Balanced ...............................      80       125
Aggressive Asset Allocation ............      80       123       157          167        272
High Yield .............................      80       124
Moderate Asset Allocation ..............      79       122       154          164        266
Conservative Asset Allocation ..........      79       123       156          166        269
Strategic Bond .........................      79       122       155          165        268
Global Government Bond .................      80       123       157          167        272
Capital Growth Bond ....................      78       119       150          160        257
Investment Quality Bond ................      78       119       149          159        255
U.S. Government Securities .............      78       118       148          158        253
Money Market ...........................      76       113       140          150        236
Lifestyle Aggressive 1000** ............      81       128
Lifestyle Growth 820** .................      81       126
Lifestyle Balanced 640** ...............      80       124
Lifestyle Moderate 460** ...............      79       122
Lifestyle Conservative 280** ...........      79       121

<FN>
+For prior contracts no longer issued, Ven 8 contracts, (as described in
Appendix D) only. The difference in numbers is attributable to the different
withdrawal charges. See Appendix D.

* The example of expenses for certain Trusts contains only one year and three
year examples since they are newly formed Trusts.

** The example of expenses for the Lifestyle Trusts is calculated using the
midpoint of the minimum and maximum fees set forth under Trust Annual Operating
Expenses.
</TABLE>
    

<TABLE>
   
     A contract owner would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment,
assuming 5% annual return on assets, if the contract owner annuitized as
provided in the contract or did not surrender the contract at the end of the
applicable time period:

<CAPTION>

TRUST PORTFOLIO                            1 YEAR   3 YEARS   5 YEARS+     5 YEARS*   10 YEARS*
<S>                                          <C>      <C>       <C>          <C>        <C>
    
</TABLE>
                                       10
<PAGE>   16

<TABLE>
   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>      <C>       <C>          <C>        <C>
Pacific Rim Emerging Markets........         $27      $82       $140         $140       $297
Science & Technology................          27       83
International Small Cap.............          28       86        147          147        311
Emerging Growth.....................          27       82
Pilgrim Baxter Growth...............          29       88
Small/Mid Cap.......................          26       80        137          137        292
International Stock.................          28       85
Worldwide Growth....................          28       86
Global Equity.......................          25       78        133          133        283
Growth..............................          25       78        133          133        283
Equity..............................          23       71        122          122        262
Quantitative Equity.................          23       70        120          120        258
Blue Chip Growth....................          25       77        131          131        280
Real Estate Securities..............          23       71        122          122        262
Value...............................          24       73
Int'l Growth and Income.............          26       81        138          138        293
Growth and Income...................          23       71        122          122        262
Equity-Income.......................          24       73        125          125        267
Balanced............................          25       76
Aggressive Asset Allocation.........          24       74        127          127        272
High Yield..........................          24       75
Moderate Asset Allocation...........          24       73        124          124        266
Conservative Asset Allocation.......          24       74        126          126        269
Strategic Bond......................          24       73        125          125        268
Global Government Bond..............          24       74        127          127        272
Capital Growth Bond.................          23       70        120          120        257
Investment Quality Bond.............          22       69        119          119        255
U.S. Government Securities..........          22       69        118          118        253
Money Market........................          21       64        110          110        236
Lifestyle Aggressive 1000*..........          26       79
Lifestyle Growth 820*...............          25       77
Lifestyle Balanced 640*.............          24       75
Lifestyle Moderate 460*.............          24       73
Lifestyle Conservative 280*.........          23       71

<FN>
+For prior contracts no longer issued, Ven 8 contracts, (as described in
Appendix D) only. The difference in numbers is attributable to the different
withdrawal charges. See Appendix D.

* The example of expenses for certain Trusts contains only one year and three
year examples since they are newly formed Trusts.

** The example of expenses for the Lifestyle Trusts is calculated using the
midpoint of the minimum and maximum fees set forth under Trust Annual Operating
Expenses.
    
</TABLE>

     For purposes of presenting the foregoing Example, the Company has made
certain assumptions mandated by the Commission. The Company has assumed that,
where applicable, the maximum sales load is deducted, that there are no
transfers or other transactions and that the "Other Expenses" line item under
"Trust Annual Expenses" will remain the same. Such assumptions, which are
mandated by the Commission in an attempt to provide prospective investors with
standardized data with which to compare various annuity contracts, do not take
into account certain features of the contract and prospective changes in the
size of the Trust which may operate to change the expenses borne by contract
owners. Consequently, the amounts listed in the Example above should not be
considered a representation of past or future expenses and actual expenses borne
by contract owners may be greater or lesser than those shown.

   
     In addition, for purposes of calculating the values in the above Example,
the Company has translated the $30 annual administration charge listed under
"Annual Administration Fee" to a 0.086% annual asset charge based on the $35,000
approximate 
    


                                       11
<PAGE>   17

   
average size of certificates of this series issued during 1996 by the Company
comparable to the certificates offered by this Prospectus. So translated, such
charge would be higher for smaller contract values and lower for larger contract
values.
    

                                 * * * * * * * *

     The above summary is qualified in its entirety by the detailed information
appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information
and the accompanying Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for the
Trust, to which reference should be made. This Prospectus generally describes
only the variable aspects of the contract, except where fixed aspects are
specifically mentioned.





























                                       12
<PAGE>   18


<TABLE>
   
                     TABLE OF ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUES+


<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 SUB-ACCOUNT                      UNIT VALUE AT START OF YEAR*     UNIT VALUE AT END OF YEAR        NUMBER OF UNITS AT END OF YEAR
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 <S>                              <C>                              <C>                              <C>
 International Small Cap
 1996                             $12.500000                       $13.493094                         265,493.981
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 Small/Mid Cap
 1996                             $12.500000                       $13.215952                         684,451.580
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 Global Equity
 1994                             $16.715126                       $15.500933                         171,668.821
 1995                              15.500933                        16.459655                         583,284.547
 1996                              16.459655                        18.276450                         923,612.249
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 Growth
 1996                             $12.500000                       $13.727312                         252,538.943
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 Blue Chip
 1994                             $ 8.699511                       $ 8.837480                          67,651.751
 1995                               8.837480                        11.026969                         532,417.987
 1996                              11.026969                        13.688523                       1,036,815.886
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 Equity
 1994                             $14.381312                       $14.786831                         156,302.930
 1995                              14.786831                        20.821819                         761,321.040
 1996                              20.821819                        24.664354                       1,637,731.552
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 Value Equity
 1994                             $11.375744                       $11.107620                         147,434.130
 1995                              11.107620                        13.548849                         816,934.091
 1996                              13.548849                        16.011513                       1,486,734.204
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 Growth and Income
 1994                             $13.239339                       $13.076664                         147,028.139
 1995                              13.076664                        16.660889                         916,107.230
 1996                              16.660889                        20.178770                       2,035,385.742
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 International Growth and Income
 1995
 1996                             $10.000000                       $10.554228                         403,796.120
                                   10.554228                        11.718276                         783,705.750
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 Strategic Bond
 1994                             $10.192707                       $ 9.965972                          17,448.655
 1995                               9.965972                        11.716972                         276,219.578
 1996                              11.716972                        13.250563                         696,578.665
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 Global Government Bond
 1994                             $14.734788                       $14.630721                          46,005.023
 1995                              14.630721                        17.772344                         117,694.301
 1996                              17.772344                        19.803954                         194,577.024
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 Investment Quality Bond
 1994                             $14.307698                       $14.216516                          15,254.616
 1995                              14.216516                        16.751499                         118,436.044
 1996                              16.751499                        16.943257                         276,418.440
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 U.S. Government Securities
 1994                             $14.188969                       $14.111357                          14,981.455
 1995                              14.111357                        16.083213                         136,450.591
 1996                              16.083213                        16.393307                         299,784.238
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 Money Market
 1994                             $13.453100                       $13.623292                          57,620.649
 1995                              13.623292                        14.190910                         218,876.370
    
</TABLE>


                                       13
<PAGE>   19

<TABLE>

 <S>                              <C>                              <C>                              <C>
   
 1996                              14.190910                        14.699636                         436,831.126
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 Aggressive Asset Allocation
 1994                             $12.538660                       $12.381395                          41,051.814
 1995                              12.381395                        14.990551                         102,929.895
 1996                              14.990551                        16.701647                         162,245.394
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 Moderate Asset Allocation
 1994                             $12.522239                       $12.396295                          98,925.767
 1995                              12.396295                        14.752561                         312,206.344
 1996                              14.752561                        15.995076                         518,913.471
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
 Conservative Asset Allocation
 1994                             $12.378545                       $12.298940                          33,929.162
 1995                              12.298940                        14.320582                         127,957.567
 1996                              14.320582                        15.113142                         174,512.432
- --------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
<FN>
* Units under this series of contracts were first credited under the sub-accounts on August 9, 1994, except in the case of 
International Growth and Income where units were first credited under the sub-accounts on January 9, 1995, Small/Mid Cap and 
International Small Cap where units were first credited March 4, 1996 and growth where units were first credited July 15, 1996.

+See Appendix D for the TABLE of ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUES for certain contracts which are no longer being issued (Ven 8 contracts).
    
</TABLE>


                    GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT NORTH AMERICAN
                         SECURITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                   NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT AND NASL SERIES TRUST

NORTH AMERICAN SECURITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

     North American Security Life Insurance Company ("the Company") is a stock
life insurance company organized under the laws of Delaware in 1979. The
Company's principal office is located at 116 Huntington Avenue, Boston,
Massachusetts. The ultimate parent of the Company is The Manufacturers Life
Insurance Company ("Manulife"), a Canadian mutual life insurance company based
in Toronto, Canada. Prior to January 1, 1996, the Company was a wholly owned
subsidiary of North American Life Assurance Company ("NAL"), a Canadian mutual
life insurance company. On January 1, 1996 NAL and Manulife merged with the
combined company retaining the Manulife name.


NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT

     The Company established the Variable Account on August 24, 1984 as a
separate account under Delaware law. The income, gains and losses, whether or
not realized, from assets of the Variable Account are, in accordance with the
contracts, credited to or charged against the Variable Account without regard to
other income, gains or losses of the Company. Nevertheless, all obligations
arising under the contracts are general corporate obligations of the Company.
Assets of the Variable Account may not be charged with liabilities arising out
of any other business of the Company.

     The Variable Account is registered with the Commission under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act") as a unit investment trust. A unit
investment trust is a type of investment company which invests its assets in
specified securities, such as the shares of one or more investment companies.
Registration under the 1940 Act does not involve supervision by the Commission
of the management or investment policies or practices of the Variable Account.
If deemed by the Company to be in the best interests of persons having voting
rights under the contracts, the Variable Account may be operated as a management
company under the 1940 Act or it may be deregistered under such Act in the event
such registration is no longer required.

   
     There are currently thirty-four sub-accounts within the Variable Account.
The Company reserves the right to add other sub-accounts, eliminate existing
sub-accounts, combine sub-accounts or transfer assets in one sub-account to
another sub-account established by the Company or an affiliated company. The
Company will not eliminate existing sub-accounts or combine sub-accounts without
obtaining any necessary approval of the appropriate state or federal regulatory
authorities.
    



                                       14
<PAGE>   20

NASL SERIES TRUST

   
The assets of each available sub-account of the Variable Account are invested in
shares of a corresponding portfolio of the Trust. A description of each
portfolio is set forth below. The Trust is registered under the 1940 Act as an
open-end management investment company. Each of the portfolios is diversified
for purposes of the 1940 Act, except for the Global Government Bond Trust,
Emerging Growth Trust and the five Lifestyle Trusts which are non-diversified.
The Trust receives investment subadvisory services from NASL Financial Services,
Inc.
    

<TABLE>
   
     The Trust currently has fourteen subadvisers who manage all of the
portfolios:

<CAPTION>
       SUBADVISER                                      SUBADVISER TO
       ----------                                      -------------
       <C>                                             <C>
       Fred Alger Management, Inc.                     Small/Mid Cap Trust

       Founders Asset Management, Inc.                 Growth Trust
                                                       Worldwide Growth Trust
                                                       Balanced Trust
                                                       International Small Cap Trust

       Oechsle International Advisors, L.P.            Global Government Bond Trust

       Fidelity Management Trust Company               Equity Trust
                                                       Conservative Asset Allocation Trust
                                                       Moderate Asset Allocation Trust
                                                       Aggressive Asset Allocation Trust

       Wellington Management Company, LLP              Growth and Income Trust
                                                       Investment Quality Bond Trust

       Salomon Brothers Asset Management, Inc.         U.S. Government Securities Trust
                                                       Strategic Bond Trust

       J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.          International Growth and Income Trust

       T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.                  Science & Technology Trust
                                                       Blue Chip Growth Trust
                                                       Equity-Income Trust

       Rowe Price-Fleming International, Inc.          International Stock Trust

       Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc.            Global Equity Trust

       Miller Anderson & Sherrerd, LLP                 Value Trust
                                                       High Yield Trust

       Warburg, Pincus Counsellors, Inc.               Emerging Growth Trust

       Pilgrim Baxter & Associates, Ltd.               Pilgrim Baxter Growth Trust

       Manufacturers Adviser Corporation               Pacific Rim Emerging Markets Trust
                                                       Quantitative Equity Trust
                                                       Real Estate Securities Trust
                                                       Capital Growth Bond Trust
                                                       Money Market Trust
                                                       Lifestyle Trusts
    
</TABLE>

     The following is a brief description of each portfolio:

   
     The PACIFIC RIM EMERGING MARKETS TRUST seeks long-term growth of capital by
investing in a diversified 
    



                                       15
<PAGE>   21

   
portfolio that is comprised primarily of common stocks and equity-related
securities of corporations domiciled in countries in the Pacific Rim region.

     The SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY TRUST seeks long-term growth of capital. Current
income is incidental to the portfolio's objective.

     The INTERNATIONAL SMALL CAP TRUST seeks capital appreciation by investing
primarily in securities issued by foreign companies which have total market
capitalization or annual revenues of $1 billion or less. These securities may
represent companies in both established and emerging economies throughout the
world.

     The EMERGING GROWTH TRUST seeks maximum capital appreciation by investing
primarily in a portfolio of equity securities of domestic companies. The
Emerging Growth Trust ordinarily will invest at least 65% of its total assets in
common stocks or warrants of emerging growth companies that represent attractive
opportunities for maximum capital appreciation.

     The PILGRIM BAXTER GROWTH TRUST seeks capital appreciation by investing in
companies believed by the subadviser to have an outlook for strong earnings
growth and the potential for significant capital appreciation.

     The SMALL/MID CAP TRUST seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
at least 65% of its total assets (except during temporary defensive periods) in
small/mid cap equity securities. As used herein small/mid cap equity securities
are equity securities of companies that, at the time of purchase, have total
market capitalization between $500 million and $5 billion.

     The INTERNATIONAL STOCK TRUST seeks long-term growth of capital by
investing primarily in common stocks of established, non-U.S. companies.

     The WORLDWIDE GROWTH TRUST seeks long-term growth of capital by normally
investing at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of growth
companies in a variety of markets throughout the world.

     The GLOBAL EQUITY TRUST seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
primarily in equity securities throughout the world, including U.S. issuers and
emerging markets.

     The GROWTH TRUST seeks long-term growth of capital by investing at least
65% of the portfolio's total assets in the common stocks of well-established,
high-quality growth companies that the subadviser believes have the potential to
increase earnings faster than the rest of the market.

     The EQUITY TRUST seeks growth of capital by investing primarily in common
stocks of United States issuers and securities convertible into or carrying the
right to buy common stocks.

     The QUANTITATIVE EQUITY TRUST seeks to achieve intermediate and long-term
growth through capital appreciation and current income by investing in common
stocks and other equity securities of well established companies with promising
prospects for providing an above average rate of return.

     The BLUE CHIP GROWTH TRUST seeks to achieve long-term growth of capital
(current income is a secondary objective) and many of the stocks in the
portfolio are expected to pay dividends.

     The REAL ESTATE SECURITIES TRUST seeks to achieve a combination of
long-term capital appreciation and satisfactory current income by investing in
real estate related equity and debt securities.

     The VALUE TRUST seeks to realize an above-average total return over a
market cycle of three to five years, consistent with reasonable risk, by
investing primarily in common and preferred stocks, convertible securities,
rights and warrants to purchase common stocks, ADRs and other equity securities
of companies with equity capitalizations usually greater than $300 million.

     The INTERNATIONAL GROWTH AND INCOME TRUST seeks long-term growth of capital
and income by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 65% of its total
assets in equity securities of foreign issuers. The portfolio may also invest in
debt securities of corporate or sovereign issuers rated A or higher by Moody's
or S&P or, if unrated, of equivalent credit quality as determined by the
subadviser. Under normal circumstances, the portfolio will be invested
approximately 85% in equity securities 

    


                                       16
<PAGE>   22
   
and 15% in fixed income securities.

     The GROWTH AND INCOME TRUST seeks long-term growth of capital and income,
consistent with prudent investment risk, by investing primarily in a diversified
portfolio of common stocks of United States issuers which the subadviser
believes are of high quality.

     The EQUITY-INCOME TRUST seeks to provide substantial dividend income and
also long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in dividend-paying
common stocks, particularly of established companies with favorable prospects
for both increasing dividends and capital appreciation.

     The BALANCED TRUST seeks current income and capital appreciation by
investing in a balanced portfolio of common stocks, U.S. and foreign government
obligations and a variety of corporate fixed-income securities.

     The HIGH YIELD TRUST seeks to realize an above-average total return over a
market cycle of three to five years, consistent with reasonable risk, by
investing primarily in high yield debt securities, including corporate bonds and
other fixed-income securities.

     The AUTOMATIC ASSET ALLOCATION TRUSTS seek the highest potential total
return consistent with a specified level of risk tolerance -- conservative,
moderate or aggressive -- by investing primarily in the kinds of securities in
which the Equity, Investment Quality Bond, U.S. Government Securities and Money
Market Trusts may invest.

     * The AGGRESSIVE ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST seeks the highest total return
consistent with an aggressive level of risk tolerance. This Trust attempts to
limit the decline in portfolio value in very adverse market conditions to 15%
over any three year period.

     * The MODERATE ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST seeks the highest total return
consistent with a moderate level of risk tolerance. This Trust attempts to limit
the decline in portfolio value in very adverse market conditions to 10% over any
three year period.

     * The CONSERVATIVE ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST seeks the highest total return
consistent with a conservative level of risk tolerance. This Trust attempts to
limit the decline in portfolio value in very adverse market conditions to 5%
over any three year period.

     The STRATEGIC BOND TRUST seeks a high level of total return consistent with
preservation of capital by giving its subadviser broad discretion to deploy the
portfolio's assets among certain segments of the fixed-income market as the
subadviser believes will best contribute to achievement of the portfolio's
investment objective.

     The GLOBAL GOVERNMENT BOND TRUST seeks a high level of total return by
placing primary emphasis on high current income and the preservation of capital
by investing primarily in a global portfolio of high-quality, fixed-income
securities of foreign and United States governmental entities and supranational
issuers.

     The CAPITAL GROWTH BOND TRUST seeks to achieve growth of capital by
investing in medium-grade or better debt securities, with income as a secondary
consideration. The Capital Growth Bond Trust differs from most "bond" funds in
that its primary objective is capital appreciation, not income.

     The INVESTMENT QUALITY BOND TRUST seeks a high level of current income
consistent with the maintenance of principal and liquidity, by investing
primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment grade corporate bonds and
U.S. Government bonds with intermediate to longer term maturities. The portfolio
may also invest up to 20% of its assets in non-investment grade fixed income
securities.

     The U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES TRUST seeks a high level of current income
consistent with preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity, by
investing in debt obligations and mortgage-backed securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and
derivative securities such as collateralized mortgage obligations backed by such
securities.
    


                                       17
<PAGE>   23

   

     The MONEY MARKET TRUST seeks maximum current income consistent with
preservation of principal and liquidity by investing in high quality money
market instruments with maturities of 397 days or less issued primarily by
United States entities.

     The LIFESTYLE AGGRESSIVE 1000 TRUST seeks to provide long-term growth of
capital (current income is not a consideration) by investing 100% of the
Lifestyle Trust's assets in other portfolios of the Trust ("Underlying
Portfolios") which invest primarily in equity securities.

     The LIFESTYLE GROWTH 820 TRUST seeks to provide long-term growth of capital
with consideration also given to current income by investing approximately 20%
of the Lifestyle Trust's assets in Underlying Portfolios which invest primarily
in fixed income securities and approximately 80% of its assets in Underlying
Portfolios which invest primarily in equity securities.

     The LIFESTYLE BALANCED 640 TRUST seeks to provide a balance between a high
level of current income and growth of capital with a greater emphasis given to
capital growth by investing approximately 40% of the Lifestyle Trust's assets in
Underlying Portfolios which invest primarily in fixed income securities and
approximately 60% of its assets in Underlying Portfolios which invest primarily
in equity securities.

     The LIFESTYLE MODERATE 460 TRUST seeks to provide a balance between a high
level of current income and growth of capital with a greater emphasis given to
high income by investing approximately 60% of the Lifestyle Trust's assets in
Underlying Portfolios which invest primarily in fixed income securities and
approximately 40% of its assets in Underlying Portfolios which invest primarily
in equity securities.

     The LIFESTYLE CONSERVATIVE 280 TRUST seeks to provide a high level of
current income with some consideration also given to growth of capital by
investing approximately 80% of the Lifestyle Trust's assets in Underlying
Portfolios which invest primarily in fixed income securities and approximately
20% of its assets in Underlying Portfolios which invest primarily in equity
securities.

     In pursuing the Strategic Bond, High Yield and Investment Quality Bond
Trusts' investment objective, each portfolio expects to invest a portion of its
assets in high yield securities, commonly known as "junk bonds" which also
present a high degree of risk. The risks of these securities include price
volatility and risk of default in the payment of interest and principal. See
"Risk Factors Relating to High Yield Securities" contained in the NASL Series
Trust prospectus before investing in either Trust.

     In pursuing the Pacific Rim Emerging Markets, International Stock,
Worldwide Growth, International Small Cap, Global Equity, Strategic Bond,
International Growth and Income, High Yield and Global Government Bond Trusts'
investment objective, each portfolio may invest up to 100% of its assets in
foreign securities which may present additional risks. See "Foreign Securities"
in the NASL Series Trust prospectus before investing in any of these Trusts.
    

     If the shares of a Trust portfolio are no longer available for investment
or in the Company's judgment investment in a Trust portfolio becomes
inappropriate in view of the purposes of the Variable Account, the Company may
eliminate the shares of a portfolio and substitute shares of another portfolio
of the Trust or another open-end registered investment company. Substitution may
be made with respect to both existing investments and the investment of future
purchase payments. However, no such substitution will be made without notice to
the contract owner and prior approval of the Commission to the extent required
by the 1940 Act.

     The Company will vote shares of the Trust portfolios held in the Variable
Account at meetings of shareholders of the Trust in accordance with voting
instructions received from the persons having the voting interest under the
contracts. The number of portfolio shares for which voting instructions may be
given will be determined by the Company in the manner described below, not more
than 90 days prior to the meeting of the Trust. Trust proxy material will be
distributed to each person having the voting interest under the contract
together with appropriate forms for giving voting instructions. Portfolio shares
held in the Variable Account that are attributable to contract owners and as to
which no timely instructions are received and portfolio shares held in the
Variable Account that are beneficially owned by the Company will be voted by the
Company in proportion to the instructions received.

     Prior to the maturity date, the person having the voting interest under a
contract is the contract owner and the number of votes as to each portfolio for
which voting instructions may be given is determined by dividing the value of
the investment account corresponding to the sub-account in which such portfolio
shares are held by the net 




                                       18
<PAGE>   24

asset value per share of that portfolio. After the maturity date, the person
having the voting interest under a contract is the annuitant and the number of
votes as to each portfolio for which voting instructions may be given is
determined by dividing the reserve for the contract allocated to the sub-account
in which such portfolio shares are held by the net asset value per share of that
portfolio. Generally, the number of votes tends to decrease as annuity payments
progress since the amount of reserves attributable to a contract will usually
decrease after commencement of annuity payments. The Company reserves the right
to make any changes in the voting rights described above that may be permitted
by the federal securities laws or regulations or interpretations of these laws
or regulations.

     A full description of the Trust, including the investment objectives,
policies and restrictions of each of the portfolios, is contained in the
Prospectus for the Trust which accompanies this Prospectus and should be read by
a prospective purchaser before investing.























                                       19
<PAGE>   25




                           DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT

ELIGIBLE GROUPS

     The contract may be issued to fund plans qualifying for special income tax
treatment under the Internal Revenue Code, such as individual retirement
accounts and annuities, pension and profit-sharing plans for corporations and
sole proprietorships/partnerships ("H.R. 10" and "Keogh" plans), tax-sheltered
annuities, and state and local government deferred compensation plans. (See
"QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS") The contract is also designed so that it may be
used with non-qualified retirement plans, such as deferred compensation and
payroll savings plans and such other groups (trusteed or non-trusteed) as may be
eligible under applicable law. Contracts have been issued to the Security Life
Trust, a trust established with United Missouri Bank, N.A., Kansas City,
Missouri, as group holder for groups comprised of persons who have brokerage
accounts with brokers having selling agreements with NASL Financial Services,
Inc., the principal underwriter of the contracts.

     An eligible member of a group to which a contract has been issued may
become an owner under the contract by submitting a completed application, if
required by the Company, and a minimum purchase payment. A certificate
summarizing the rights and benefits of the owner under the contract will be
issued to an applicant acceptable to the Company. The Company reserves the right
to decline to issue a certificate to any person in its sole discretion. All
rights and privileges under the contract may be exercised by each owner as to
his or her interest unless expressly reserved to the group holder. However,
provisions of any plan in connection with which the contract was issued may
restrict an owner's ability to exercise such rights and privileges.

ACCUMULATION PROVISIONS

PURCHASE PAYMENTS

   
     Purchase payments are paid to the Company at its Annuity Service Office.
Effective October 1, 1996, the minimum initial purchase payment is $5,000 for
non-qualified retirement plans and $2,000 for retirement plans qualifying for
special income tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code. Prior to October
1, 1996, the minimum initial purchase payment was $30 with the additional
requirement that at least $300 be paid during the first contract year. Purchase
payments may be made at any time. The Company may provide by separate agreement
for purchase payments to be automatically withdrawn from an owner's bank account
on a periodic basis. If a purchase payment would cause the contract value for an
owner to exceed $1,000,000 or the owner's contract value already exceeds
$1,000,000, additional purchase payments will be accepted only with the prior
approval of the Company.
    

     The Company may, at its option, cancel a certificate and an owner's
participation under a contract at the end of any two consecutive certificate
years in which no purchase payments by or on behalf of the owner have been made,
if both (i) the total purchase payments made for the certificate, less any
withdrawals, are less than $2,000; and (ii) the contract value for the owner at
the end of such two year period is less than $2,000. The cancellation of
contract privileges may vary in certain states in order to comply with the
requirements of insurance laws and regulations in such state. Upon cancellation
the Company will pay the owner his or her contract value computed as of the
valuation period during which the cancellation occurs less any debt and less the
annual $30 administration fee. The amount paid will be treated as a withdrawal
for Federal tax purposes and thus may be subject to income tax and to a 10%
penalty tax. (See "FEDERAL TAX MATTERS")

     Purchase payments are allocated among the investment options in accordance
with the percentages designated by the owner. In addition, owners have the
option to participate in the Guarantee Plus Program administered by the Company.
Under the Guarantee Plus Program the initial purchase payment is split between
the fixed and variable investment options. A percentage of the initial purchase
payment is allocated to the chosen fixed account, such that at the end of the
guaranteed period the fixed account will have grown to an amount at least equal
to the total initial purchase payment. The percentage depends upon the current
interest rate of the fixed investment option. The balance of the initial
purchase payment is allocated among the variable investment options as indicated
on the certificate application. Owners may elect to participate in the Guarantee
Plus Program and may obtain full information concerning the program and its
restrictions from their securities dealers or the Annuity Service Office. An
owner may change the allocation of subsequent purchase payments at any time upon
written notice to the Company or by telephone in accordance with the Company's
telephone transfer procedures.

ACCUMULATION UNITS



                                       20
<PAGE>   26

     The Company will establish an investment account for each owner for each
variable account investment option to which such owner allocates purchase
payments. Purchase payments are credited to such investment accounts in the form
of accumulation units. The following discussion of accumulation units, the value
of accumulation units and the net investment factor formula pertains only to the
accumulations in the variable account investment options. The parallel
discussion regarding accumulations in the fixed account investment options
appears elsewhere in this Prospectus. (See "FIXED ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTIONS")

     The number of accumulation units to be credited to each investment account
is determined by dividing the net purchase payment allocated to that investment
account by the value of an accumulation unit for that investment account for the
valuation period during which the purchase payment is received at the Company's
Annuity Service Office complete with all necessary information or, in the case
of the first purchase payment for a certificate, pursuant to the procedures
described below.

     Initial purchase payments for a certificate received by mail will usually
be credited in the valuation period during which received at the Annuity Service
Office, and in any event not later than two business days after receipt of all
information necessary for processing issuance of the certificate. The applicant
will be informed of any deficiencies preventing processing if the certificate
cannot be issued and the purchase payment credited within two business days
after receipt. If the deficiencies are not remedied within five business days,
the purchase payment will be returned promptly to the applicant, unless the
applicant specifically consents to the Company's retaining the purchase payment
until all necessary information is received. Initial purchase payments received
by wire transfer from broker-dealers will be credited in the valuation period
during which received where such broker-dealers have made special arrangements
with the Company.

VALUE OF ACCUMULATION UNITS

     The value of accumulation units will vary from one valuation period to the
next depending upon the investment results of the particular sub-accounts to
which purchase payments are allocated. The value of an accumulation unit for
each sub-account was arbitrarily set at $10 for the first valuation period under
contracts similar to the contracts described in this Prospectus. The value of an
accumulation unit for any subsequent valuation period is determined by
multiplying the value of an accumulation unit for the immediately preceding
valuation period by the net investment factor for such sub-account (described
below) for the valuation period for which the value is being determined.

NET INVESTMENT FACTOR

     The net investment factor is an index used to measure the investment
performance of a sub-account from one valuation period to the next. The net
investment factor for each sub-account for any valuation period is determined by
dividing (a) by (b) and subtracting (c) from the result:

     Where (a) is:

          (1) the net asset value per share of a portfolio share held in the
     sub-account determined at the end of the current valuation period, plus

          (2) the per share amount of any dividend or capital gain distributions
     made by the portfolio on shares held in the sub-account if the
     "ex-dividend" date occurs during the current valuation period.

          Where (b) is:

          the net asset value per share of a portfolio share held in the
     sub-account determined as of the end of the immediately preceding valuation
     period.

          Where (c) is:

          a factor representing the charges deducted from the sub-account on a
     daily basis for administrative expenses and mortality and expense risks.
     Currently, such factor is equal on an annual basis to 1.4% (0.15% for
     administrative expenses and 1.25% for mortality and expense risks).

     The net investment factor may be greater or less than or equal to one;
therefore, the value of an accumulation unit may 




                                       21
<PAGE>   27

increase, decrease or remain the same.

TRANSFERS AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS

     Before the maturity date an owner may transfer amounts among his or her
variable account investment options and from such investment options to his or
her fixed account investment options at any time and without charge upon written
notice to the Company or by telephone if the owner authorizes the Company in
writing to accept telephone transfer requests. Accumulation units will be
canceled from the investment account from which amounts are transferred and
credited to the investment account to which amounts are transferred. The Company
will effect such transfers so that the contract value for a certificate on the
date of the transfer will not be affected by the transfer. The owner must
transfer at least $300 or, if less, the entire value of the investment account.
If after the transfer the amount remaining in the investment account is less
than $100, then the Company will transfer the entire amount instead of the
requested amount. The Company reserves the right to limit, upon notice, the
maximum number of transfers an owner may make to one per month or six at any
time within a certificate year. In addition, the Company reserves the right to
defer the transfer privilege at any time that the Company is unable to purchase
or redeem shares of the Trust portfolios. The Company also reserves the right to
modify or terminate the transfer privilege at any time in accordance with
applicable law.

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF INVESTMENT OPTIONS

     Due to current administrative capabilities, a contract owner is limited to
a maximum of 17 investment options (including all fixed account investment
options) during the period prior to the maturity date of the contract (the
"Contract Period"). In calculating this limit for each contract owner,
investment options to which the contract owner has allocated purchased payments
at any time during the Contract Period will be counted toward the 17 maximum
even if the contract owner no longer has contract value allocated to these
investment options.

TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS

     Owners are permitted to request transfers/redemptions by telephone. The
Company will not be liable for following instructions communicated by telephone
that it reasonably believes to be genuine. To be permitted to request a
transfer/redemption by telephone, an owner must elect the option. The Company
will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by
telephone are genuine and may only be liable for any losses due to unauthorized
or fraudulent instructions where it fails to employ its procedures properly.
Such procedures include the following. Upon telephoning a request, owners will
be asked to provide their account number, and if not available, their social
security number. For the owner's and Company's protection, all conversations
with owners will be tape recorded. All telephone transactions will be followed
by a confirmation statement of the transaction.

SPECIAL TRANSFER SERVICES - DOLLAR COST AVERAGING

     The Company administers a Dollar Cost Averaging ("DCA") program which
enables an owner to pre-authorize a periodic exercise of the contractual
transfer rights described above. Owners entering into a DCA agreement instruct
the Company to transfer monthly a predetermined dollar amount from any
sub-account or the one year fixed account investment option to other
sub-accounts until the amount in the sub-account from which the transfer is made
or one year fixed account investment option is exhausted. The DCA program is
generally suitable for owners making a substantial deposit and who desire to
control the risk of investing at the top of a market cycle. The DCA program
allows such investments to be made in equal installments over time in an effort
to reduce such risk. Owners interested in the DCA program may elect to
participate in the program on the application or by separate application. Owners
may obtain a separate application and full information concerning the program
and its restrictions from their securities dealer or the Annuity Service Office.

ASSET REBALANCING PROGRAM

   
     The Company administers an Asset Rebalancing Program which enables a
contract owner to indicate to the Company the percentage levels he or she would
like to maintain in particular portfolios. The contract owner's contract value
will be automatically rebalanced pursuant to the schedule described below to
maintain the indicated percentages by transfers among the portfolios. The entire
contract value must be included in the Asset Rebalancing Program. Other
investment programs, such as the DCA program, or other transfers or withdrawals
may not work in concert with the Asset Rebalancing Program. Therefore, contract
owners should monitor their use of these other programs and any other transfers
or withdrawals while the Asset Rebalancing Program is being 
    



                                       22
<PAGE>   28

   
used. Contract owners interested in the Asset Rebalancing Program may obtain a
separate application and full information concerning the program and its
restrictions from their securities dealer or the Annuity Service Office.

     For rebalancing programs begun on or after October 1, 1996 asset
rebalancing will only be permitted on the following time schedules:

     (i) quarterly on the 25th day of the last month of the quarter (or the next
     business day if the 25th is not a business day);
     (ii) semi-annually on June 25th or December 26th (or the next business day
     if these dates are not business days); or
     (iii) annually on December 26th (or the next business day if December 26th
     is not a business day).

Rebalancing will continue to take place on the last business day of every
calendar quarter for rebalancing programs begun prior to October 1, 1996.
    

WITHDRAWALS

     Prior to the earlier of the maturity date or the death of an owner, an
owner may withdraw all or a portion of his or her contract value upon written
request complete with all necessary information to the Company's Annuity Service
Office. For certain qualified contracts, exercise of the withdrawal right may
require the consent of the qualified plan participant's spouse under the
Internal Revenue Code and regulations promulgated by the Treasury Department. In
the case of a total withdrawal, the Company will pay the owner's contract value
as of the date of receipt of the request at its Annuity Service Office, less the
annual $30 administration fee if applicable, any debt and any applicable
withdrawal charge, and the owner's certificate will be canceled. In the case of
a partial withdrawal, the Company will pay the amount requested and cancel that
number of accumulation units credited to each investment account necessary to
equal the amount withdrawn from each investment account plus any applicable
withdrawal charge deducted from such investment account. (See "CHARGES AND
DEDUCTIONS")

     When making a partial withdrawal, the owner should specify the investment
options from which the withdrawal is to be made. The amount requested from an
investment option may not exceed the value of that investment option less any
applicable withdrawal charge. If the owner does not specify the investment
options from which a partial withdrawal is to be taken, a partial withdrawal
will be taken from the variable account investment options until exhausted and
then from the fixed account investment options, beginning with the shortest
guarantee period first and ending with the longest guarantee period last. If the
partial withdrawal is less than the total value in the variable account
investment options, the withdrawal will be taken pro rata from the variable
account investment options: taking from each such variable account investment
option an amount which bears the same relationship to the total amount withdrawn
as the value of such variable account investment option bears to the total value
of all the owner's investments in variable account investment options.

     For the rules governing the order and manner of withdrawals from the fixed
account investment options, see "FIXED ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTIONS."

     There is no limit on the frequency of partial withdrawals; however, the
amount withdrawn must be at least $300 or, if less, the entire balance in the
investment option. If after the withdrawal (and deduction of any withdrawal
charge) the amount remaining in the investment option is less than $100, the
Company will treat the partial withdrawal as a withdrawal of the entire amount
held in the investment option. If a partial withdrawal plus any applicable
withdrawal charge would reduce the owner's contract value to less than $300, the
Company will treat the partial withdrawal as a total withdrawal of the owner's
contract value.

     The amount of any withdrawal from the variable account investment options
will be paid promptly, and in any event within seven days of receipt of the
request, complete with all necessary information at the Company's Annuity
Service Office, except that the Company reserves the right to defer the right of
withdrawal or postpone payments for any period when: (1) the New York Stock
Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), (2)
trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted, (3) an emergency exists as
a result of which disposal of securities held in the Variable Account is not
reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable to determine the
value of the Variable Account's net assets, or (4) the Commission, by order, so
permits for the protection of security holders; provided that applicable rules
and regulations of the Commission shall govern as to whether the conditions
described in (2) and (3) exist.



                                       23
<PAGE>   29


     Withdrawals from the contract may be subject to income tax and a 10%
penalty tax. Withdrawals are permitted from contracts or certificates issued in
connection with Section 403(b) qualified plans only under limited circumstances.
(See "FEDERAL TAX MATTERS")

     TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS. The owner may request the option to withdraw a
portion of his or her contract value by telephone by completing a separate
application. The Company reserves the right to impose maximum withdrawal amounts
and procedural requirements regarding this privilege. For additional information
on Telephone Redemptions see "Telephone Transactions" above.

SPECIAL WITHDRAWAL SERVICES - INCOME PLAN

     The Company administers an Income Plan ("IP") which enables an owner to
pre-authorize a periodic exercise of the contractual withdrawal rights described
above. Owners entering into an IP agreement instruct the Company to withdraw a
level dollar amount from specified investment options on a periodic basis. The
total of IP withdrawals in a certificate year is limited to not more than 10% of
the purchase payments made by or on behalf of the owner to ensure that no
withdrawal or market value charge will ever apply to an IP withdrawal. If an
additional withdrawal is made by an owner participating in an IP, the IP will
terminate automatically and may be reinstated only on or after the next
certificate anniversary. The IP is not available to owners participating in the
dollar cost averaging program or for which purchase payments are being
automatically deducted from a bank account on a periodic basis. IP withdrawals
will be free of withdrawal and market value charges. IP withdrawals may,
however, be subject to income tax and a 10% penalty tax. (See "FEDERAL TAX
MATTERS") Owners interested in an IP may elect to participate in this program
may obtain a separate application and full information concerning the program
and its restrictions from their securities dealer or the Annuity Service Office.

LOANS

     The Company offers a loan privilege only under contracts or certificates
issued in connection with Section 403(b) qualified plans that are not subject to
Title I of ERISA. Where available, owners may obtain loans using their contract
value as the only security for the loan. Loans are subject to provisions of the
Code and to applicable retirement program rules (collectively, "loan rules").
Tax advisers and retirement plan fiduciaries should be consulted prior to
exercising loan privileges.

     Under the terms of the contract, the maximum loan value is equal to 80% of
an owner's contract value, although loan rules may serve to reduce such maximum
loan value in some cases. The amount available for a loan at any given time is
the loan value less any outstanding debt. Debt equals the amount of any loans
taken by the owner plus accrued interest. Loans will be made only upon written
request from the owner. The Company will make loans within seven days of
receiving a properly completed loan application (applications are available from
the Annuity Service Office), subject to postponement under the same
circumstances that payment of withdrawals may be postponed. (See "WITHDRAWALS")

     When an owner requests a loan, the Company will reduce the owner's
investment in the investment accounts and transfer the amount of the loan to the
owner's loan account, a part of the Company's general account. The owner may
designate the investment accounts from which the loan is to be withdrawn. Absent
such a designation, the amount of the loan will be withdrawn from the owner's
investment accounts in accordance with the rules for making partial withdrawals.
(See "WITHDRAWALS") The contract provides that owners may repay contract debt at
any time. Under applicable loan rules, loans generally must be repaid within
five years, repayments must be made at least quarterly and repayments must be
made in substantially equal amounts. When a loan is repaid, the amount of the
repayment will be transferred from the owner's loan account to the investment
accounts. The owner may designate the investment accounts to which a repayment
is to be allocated. Otherwise, the repayment will be allocated in the same
manner as the owner's most recent purchase payment. On each certificate
anniversary, the Company will transfer from the owner's investment accounts to
his or her loan account the amount by which the owner's debt exceeds the balance
in his or her loan account. 

     The Company charges interest of 6% per year on contract loans. Loan 
interest is payable in arrears and, unless paid in cash, the accrued loan
interest is added to the amount of the owner's debt and bears interest at 6% as
well. The Company credits interest with respect to amounts held in the owner's
loan account at a rate of 4% per year. Consequently, the net cost of loans
under the contract is 2%. If on any date an owner's debt exceeds his or her
contract value, there will be a default as to the owner. In such case the owner
will receive a notice indicating the payment needed to cure the default and
will have a thirty-one day grace period within which to pay the default amount.
If the required payment is not made within the grace period, the contract may
be foreclosed as to that owner (terminated without value) and the certificate
canceled.



                                      24








<PAGE>   30
     The amount of an owner's debt will be deducted from the death benefit
otherwise payable to the beneficiary. (See "DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE MATURITY DATE")
In addition, debt, whether or not repaid, will have a permanent effect on an
owner's contract value because the investment results of the investment accounts
will apply only to the unborrowed portion of the contract value. The longer debt
is outstanding, the greater the effect is likely to be. The effect could be
favorable or unfavorable. If the investment results are greater than the rate
being credited on amounts held in the loan account while the debt is
outstanding, the owner's contract value will not increase as rapidly as it would
have if no debt were outstanding. If investment results are below that rate, the
contract value will be higher than it would have been had no debt been
outstanding.

DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE MATURITY DATE

     In General. The following discussion applies principally to contracts and
certificates that are not issued in connection with qualified plans, i.e., a
"non-qualified" contract or certificate. The requirements of the tax law
applicable to qualified plans, and the tax treatment of amounts held and
distributed under such plans, are quite complex. Accordingly, a prospective
purchaser of a contract or certificate to be used in connection with a qualified
plan should seek competent legal and tax advice regarding the suitability of the
contract or certificate for the situation involved and the requirements
governing the distribution of benefits, including death benefits, from a
contract or certificate used in the plan. In particular, a prospective purchaser
who intends to use the contract or certificate in connection with a qualified
plan should consider that the contract provides a death benefit (described
below) that could be characterized as an incidental death benefit. There are
limits on the amount of incidental benefits that may be provided under certain
qualified plans and the provision of such benefits may result in currently
taxable income to plan participants. (See "FEDERAL TAX MATTERS"). See APPENDIX D
for information on death benefit provisions applicable to certain contracts
which are no longer being issued (Ven 8 contracts).

     Amount of Death Benefit. If any owner dies on or prior to his or her 85th
birthday and the oldest owner had an attained age of less than 81 years on the
certificate date, the death benefit will be determined as follows: During the
first certificate year, the death benefit will be the greater of: (a) the
contract value or (b) the sum of all purchase payments made, less any amounts
deducted in connection with partial withdrawals made by or on behalf of the
owner. During any subsequent certificate year, the death benefit will be the
greater of: (a) the contract value or (b) the death benefit on the last day of
the previous certificate year, plus any purchase payments made and less any
amounts deducted in connection with partial withdrawals made by or on behalf of
the owner since then.

     If any owner dies after his or her 85th birthday and the oldest owner had
an attained age of less than 81 years on the certificate date, the death benefit
will be the greater of: (a) the contract value or (b) the excess of (i) the sum
of all purchase payments made by or on behalf of the owner over (ii) the sum of
any amounts deducted in connection with partial withdrawals made by or on behalf
of the owner. If any owner dies and the oldest owner had an attained age greater
than 80 on the certificate date, the death benefit will be the contract value
less any applicable withdrawal charges at the time of payment of benefits.

     The determination of the death benefit will be made on the date written
notice and proof of death, as well as all required claims forms, are received at
the Company's Annuity Service Office. No person is entitled to the death benefit
until this time. In addition, partial withdrawals include amounts applied under
an annuity option under the contract. Also, amounts deducted in connection with
partial withdrawals include charges imposed on a partial withdrawal, but not
amounts charged in payment of the annual administration fee. If the owner has
any debt under the contract, the death benefit equals the death benefit, as
described above, less such debt.

     Payment of Death Benefit. The Company will pay the death benefit (which, as
defined above, is net of any debt) to the beneficiary if any owner dies before
the maturity date. If there is a surviving owner, that owner will be deemed to
be the beneficiary. No death benefit is payable on the death of any annuitant,
except that if any owner is not a natural person, the death of any annuitant
will be treated as the death of an owner. On the death of the last surviving
annuitant, the owner, if a natural person, will become the annuitant unless the
owner designates another person as the annuitant.

     The death benefit may be taken in the form of a lump sum immediately. If
not taken immediately, the certificate will continue subject to the following:
(1) The beneficiary will become the owner. (2) Any excess of the death benefit
over the contract value will be allocated to the owner's investment accounts in
proportion to their relative values on the date of the Company's receipt at its
Annuity Service Office of written notice and proof of death and all required
claim forms. (3) No additional purchase payments may be made. (4) If the
beneficiary is not the deceased's owner spouse, distribution of the owner's
entire interest in the certificate must be made within five years of the owner's
death, or alternatively, distribution may be made as an annuity, under one of
the 




                                       25
<PAGE>   31

annuity options described below, which begins within one year of the owner's
death and is payable over the life of the beneficiary or over a period not
extending beyond the life expectancy of the beneficiary. Upon the death of the
beneficiary, the death benefit will equal the contract value which must be
distributed immediately in a single sum. (5) If the owner's spouse is the
beneficiary, the certificate will continue with the spouse as the new owner. In
such a case, the distribution rules described in "(4)" applicable when an owner
dies will apply when the spouse, as the owner, dies. (6) If any owner dies and
the oldest owner had an attained age of less than 81 on the certificate date,
withdrawal charges are not applied on payment of the death benefit (whether
taken through a partial or total withdrawal or applied under an annuity option).
If any owner dies and the oldest owner had an attained age greater than 80 on
the certificate date, withdrawal charges will be assessed only upon payment of
the death benefit (if such charges are otherwise applicable), so that if the
death benefit is paid in a subsequent year, a lower withdrawal charge will be
applicable.

   
     If the annuitant is changed and the contract owner is not a natural person,
the entire interest in the contract must be distributed to the contract owner
within five years. The amount distributed will be reduced by charges which would
otherwise apply upon withdrawal.
    

     A substitution or addition of any owner may result in resetting the death
benefit to an amount equal to the contract value as of the date of the change
and treating such value as a payment made on that date for purposes of computing
the amount of the death benefit. In addition, all purchase payments made and all
amounts deducted in connection with partial withdrawals prior to the date of the
change of owner will not be considered in the determination of the death
benefit. Furthermore, the death benefit on the last day of the previous contract
year shall be set to zero as of the date of the owner change. No such change in
death benefit will be made if the individual whose death will cause the death
benefit to be paid is the same after the change in ownership or if ownership is
transferred to the owner's spouse.

     Death benefits will be paid within seven days of the date the amount of the
death benefit is determined, as described above, subject to postponement under
the same circumstances that payment of withdrawals may be postponed. (See
"WITHDRAWALS")

ANNUITY PROVISIONS

GENERAL

     Proceeds payable on death, withdrawal or the maturity date may be applied
to the annuity options described below, subject to the distribution of death
benefits provisions. ( See "DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE MATURITY DATE")

     Generally, annuity benefits under the contract will begin on the maturity
date of the certificate. The maturity date is the date specified on the
certificate specifications page, unless changed. If no date is specified, the
maturity date is the maximum maturity date described below. The maximum maturity
date is the first day of the month following the later of the 85th birthday of
the annuitant or the tenth contract anniversary. An owner may specify a
different maturity date at any time by written request at least one month before
both the previously specified and the new maturity date. The new maturity date
may not be later than the maximum maturity date unless the Company consents.
Maturity dates which occur at advanced ages, e.g., past age 85, may in some
circumstances have adverse income tax consequences. See "FEDERAL TAX MATTERS"
Distributions from qualified contracts may be required before the maturity date.

     An owner may select the frequency of annuity payments. However, if the
owner's contract value at the maturity date is such that a monthly payment would
be less than $20, the Company may pay the contract value, less any debt, in one
lump sum to the annuitant on the maturity date.

ANNUITY OPTIONS

     Annuity benefits are available under the contract on a fixed or variable
basis, or any combination of fixed and variable bases. On or before the maturity
date, an owner may select one or more of the annuity options described below on
a fixed and/or variable basis (except Option 5 which is available on a fixed
basis only) or choose an alternate form of settlement acceptable to the Company.
If an annuity option is not selected, the Company will provide as a default
option annuity payments on a fixed, variable or combined fixed and variable
basis in proportion to the Investment Account Value of each investment option at
the maturity date. Annuity payments will continue for 10 years or the life of
the annuitant, if longer. Treasury Department regulations may preclude the
availability of certain annuity options in connection with certain qualified
contracts.



                                       26
<PAGE>   32

     The following annuity options are guaranteed in the contract:

     Option 1(a):   Non-Refund Life Annuity - An annuity with payments during 
                    the lifetime of the annuitant. No payments are due after the
                    death of the annuitant.  Since there is no guarantee that 
                    any minimum number of payments will be made, an annuitant 
                    may receive only one payment if the annuitant dies prior to
                    the date the second payment is due.


































                                       27
<PAGE>   33

     Option 1(b):   Life Annuity with Payments Guaranteed for 10 Years - An
annuity with payments guaranteed for 10 years and continuing thereafter during
the lifetime of the annuitant. Since payments are guaranteed for 10 years,
annuity payments will be made to the end of such period if the annuitant dies
prior to the end of the tenth year.

     Option 2(a):   Joint & Survivor Non-Refund Life Annuity - An annuity with
payments during the lifetimes of the annuitant and a designated co-annuitant. No
payments are due after the death of the last survivor of the annuitant and
co-annuitant. Since there is no guarantee that any minimum number of payments
will be made, an annuitant or co-annuitant may receive only one payment if the
annuitant and co-annuitant die prior to the date the second payment is due.

     Option 2(b):   Joint & Survivor Life Annuity with Payments Guaranteed for 
10 Years - An annuity with payments guaranteed for 10 years and continuing
thereafter during the lifetimes of the annuitant and a designated co-annuitant.
Since payments are guaranteed for 10 years, annuity payments will be made to the
end of such period if both the annuitant and the co-annuitant die prior to the
end of the tenth year.

     In addition to the foregoing annuity options which the Company is
contractually obligated to offer at all times, the Company currently offers the
following annuity options. The Company may cease offering the following annuity
options at any time and may offer other annuity options in the future.

          Option3:  Life annuity with Payments Guaranteed for 5, 15 or 20
                    Years - An annuity with payments guaranteed for 5, 15 or 20
                    years and continuing thereafter during the lifetime of the
                    annuitant. Since payments are guaranteed for the specific
                    number of years, annuity payments will be made to the end of
                    the last year of the 5, 15 or 20 year period.

          Option 4: Joint & Two-Thirds Survivor Non-Refund Life Annuity - An
                    annuity with full payments during the joint lifetime of the
                    annuitant and a designated co-annuitant and two-thirds
                    payments during the lifetime of the survivor. Since there is
                    no guarantee that any minimum number of payments will be
                    made, an annuitant or co-annuitant may receive only one
                    payment if the annuitant and co-annuitant die prior to the
                    date the second payment is due.

          Option 5: Period Certain Only Annuity for 5, 10, 15 or 20 years -
                    An annuity with payments for a 5, 10, 15 or 20 year period
                    and no payments thereafter.

DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT OF THE FIRST VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENT

     The first variable annuity payment is determined by applying that portion
of the contract value for a certificate used to purchase a variable annuity,
measured as of a date not more than ten business days prior to the maturity date
(minus any applicable premium taxes), to the annuity tables contained in the
contract and the certificate. The rates contained in such tables depend upon the
annuitant's age (as adjusted depending on the annuitant's year of birth) and the
annuity option selected. Under such tables, the longer the life expectancy of
the annuitant under any life annuity option or the duration of any period for
which payments are guaranteed under the option, the smaller will be the amount
of the first monthly variable annuity payment. The rates are based on the 1983
Table A projected at Scale G, assume births in year 1942 and reflect an assumed
interest rate of 3% per year. See Appendix D for information on assumed interest
rates applicable to certain contracts which are no longer being issued (Ven 8
contracts).

ANNUITY UNITS AND THE DETERMINATION OF SUBSEQUENT VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS

     Variable annuity payments subsequent to the first will be based on the
investment performance of the sub-accounts selected by the owner. The amount of
such subsequent payments is determined by dividing the amount of the first
annuity payment from each sub-account by the annuity unit value of such
sub-account (as of the same date the contract value used to effect annuity
payments under a certificate was determined) to establish the number of annuity
units which will thereafter be used to determine payments. This number of
annuity units for each sub-account is then multiplied by the appropriate annuity
unit value as of a uniformly applied date not more than ten business days before
the annuity payment is due, and the resulting amounts for each sub-account
selected by the owner are then totaled to arrive at the amount of the payment to
be made. The number of annuity units remains constant during the annuity payment
period. A pro-rata portion of the administration fee will be deducted from each
annuity payment.



                                       28
<PAGE>   34

     The value of an annuity unit for each sub-account for any valuation period
is determined by multiplying the annuity unit value for the immediately
preceding valuation period by the net investment factor for that sub-account
(see "NET INVESTMENT FACTOR") for the valuation period for which the annuity
unit value is being calculated and by a factor to neutralize the assumed
interest rate.

     A 3% assumed interest rate is built into the annuity tables in the contract
used to determine the first variable annuity payment. A higher assumption would
mean a larger first annuity payment, but more slowly rising subsequent payments
when actual investment performance exceeds the assumed rate, and more rapidly
falling subsequent payments when actual investment performance is less than the
assumed rate. A lower assumption would have the opposite effect. If the actual
net investment performance is 3% annually, annuity payments will be level.

TRANSFERS AFTER MATURITY DATE

     Once variable annuity payments have begun, an owner may transfer all or
part of the investment upon which such payments are based from one sub-account
to another. Transfers will be made upon notice to the Company at least 30 days
before the due date of the first annuity payment to which the change will apply.
Transfers after the maturity date will be made by converting the number of
annuity units being transferred by the owner to the number of annuity units of
the sub-account to which the transfer is made, so that the next annuity payment
if it were made at that time would be the same amount that it would have been
without the transfer. Thereafter, annuity payments will reflect changes in the
value of the new annuity units. Once annuity payments have commenced, no
transfers may be made from a fixed annuity option to a variable annuity option
or from a variable annuity option to a fixed annuity option. The Company
reserves the right to limit, upon notice, the maximum number of transfers an
owner may make per certificate year to four. In addition, the Company reserves
the right to defer the transfer privilege at any time that the Company is unable
to purchase or redeem shares of the Trust portfolios. The Company also reserves
the right to modify or terminate the transfer privilege at any time in
accordance with applicable law.

DEATH BENEFIT ON OR AFTER MATURITY DATE

     If annuity payments have been selected based on an annuity option providing
for payments for a guaranteed period, and the annuitant dies on or after the
maturity date, the Company will make the remaining guaranteed payments to the
beneficiary. Any remaining payments will be made as rapidly as under the method
of distribution being used as of the date of the annuitant's death. If no
beneficiary is living, the Company will commute any unpaid guaranteed payments
to a single sum (on the basis of the interest rate used in determining the
payments) and pay that single sum to the estate of the last to die of the
annuitant and the beneficiary.

OTHER CONTRACT PROVISIONS

TEN DAY RIGHT TO REVIEW

     An owner may return his or her certificate to the Company's Annuity Service
Office or agent at any time within 10 days after receipt of the certificate.
Within 7 days of receipt of the certificate by the Company, the Company will pay
the owner's contract value, less any debt, computed at the end of the valuation
period during which the certificate is received by the Company, to the owner.

     No withdrawal charge is imposed upon return of the certificate within the
ten day right to review period. The ten day right to review may vary in certain
states in order to comply with the requirements of insurance laws and
regulations in such states. When the certificate is issued as an individual
retirement annuity under Internal Revenue Code section 408, during the first 7
days of the 10 day period, the Company will return all purchase payments if this
is greater than the amount otherwise payable.

OWNERSHIP

     The contract is owned by the group holder. However, all contract rights and
privileges not expressly reserved to the group holder may be exercised by each
owner as to his or her interests as specified in his or her certificate. Prior
to the maturity date, an owner is the person designated on the certificate
specifications page or as subsequently named. On and after a certificate's
maturity date, the annuitant is the owner. If amounts become payable under the
certificate to any beneficiary, the beneficiary is the owner.



                                       29
<PAGE>   35

     In the case of non-qualified contracts, an owner's interest in the contract
may be changed, or the certificate may be collaterally assigned, at any time
prior to the maturity date, subject to the rights of any irrevocable
beneficiary. Ownership of the contract may be assigned at any time by the group
holder. Assigning a contract or interest therein, or changing the ownership of a
contract or certificate, may be treated as a distribution of the contract value
for Federal tax purposes. A change of any owner may result in resetting the
death benefit to an amount equal to the contract value as of the date of the
change and treating such value as a purchase payment made on that date for
purposes of computing the amount of the death benefit. See "DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE
MATURITY DATE"

     Any change of ownership or assignment must be made in writing. Any change
must be approved by the Company. Any assignment and any change, if approved,
will be effective as of the date the Company receives the request at its Annuity
Service Office. The Company assumes no liability for any payments made or
actions taken before a change is approved or an assignment is accepted or
responsibility for the validity or sufficiency of any assignment. An absolute
assignment will revoke the interest of any revocable beneficiary.

     In the case of qualified contracts, ownership of the contract or an owner's
interest in the contract generally may not be transferred except to the trustee
of an exempt employees' trust which is part of a retirement plan qualified under
Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code or as otherwise permitted by applicable
IRS regulations. Subject to the foregoing, an owner's interest in a qualified
contract may not be sold, assigned, transferred, discounted or pledged as
collateral for a loan or as security for the performance of an obligation or for
any other purpose to any person other than the Company.

     See Appendix D for information on ownership applicable to certain contracts
which are no longer being issued (Ven 8 contracts).

BENEFICIARY

     The beneficiary is the person, persons or entity designated on the
certificate specifications page or as subsequently named. However, if there is a
surviving owner, that person will be treated as the beneficiary. The beneficiary
may be changed subject to the rights of any irrevocable beneficiary. Any change
must be made in writing, approved by the Company and if approved, will be
effective as of the date on which written. The Company assumes no liability for
any payments made or actions taken before the change is approved. If no
beneficiary is living, the contingent beneficiary will be the beneficiary. The
interest of any beneficiary is subject to that of any assignee. If no
beneficiary or contingent beneficiary is living, the beneficiary is the estate
of the deceased owner. In the case of certain qualified contracts or
certificates, regulations promulgated by the Treasury Department prescribe
certain limitations on the designation of a beneficiary.

     See Appendix D for information on ownership applicable to certain contracts
which are no longer being issued (Ven 8 contracts).

ANNUITANT

     The annuitant is any natural person or persons whose life is used to
determine the duration of annuity payments involving life contingencies. If the
owner names more than one person as an "annuitant," the second person named
shall be referred to as "co-annuitant." The annuitant is as designated on the
contract specifications page or in the application, unless changed.

     On the death of the annuitant, the co-annuitant, if living, becomes the
annuitant. If there is no living co-annuitant, the owner becomes the annuitant.
In the case of certain qualified contracts, there are limitations on the ability
to designate and change the annuitant and the co-annuitant.

MODIFICATION

     The contract or any certificate may not be modified by the Company without
the consent of the group holder or the owner, as applicable, except as may be
required to make it conform to any law or regulation or ruling issued by a
governmental agency. However, on 60 days' notice to the group holder, the
Company may change the withdrawal charges, administration fees, mortality and
expense risk charges, free withdrawal percentage, annuity purchase rates and the
market value charge as to any certificates issued after the effective date of
the modification. The provisions of the contract shall be interpreted so as to
comply with the requirements of Section 72(s) of the Internal Revenue Code.



                                       30
<PAGE>   36

     See Appendix D for information on ownership applicable to certain contracts
which are no longer being issued (Ven 8 contracts).

DISCONTINUANCE OF NEW OWNERS

     On thirty days' notice to the group holder, the Company may limit or
discontinue acceptance of new applications and the issuance of new certificates
under a contract.

MISSTATEMENT AND PROOF OF AGE, SEX OR SURVIVAL

     The Company may require proof of age, sex or survival of any person upon
whose age, sex or survival any payment depends. If the age or sex of the
annuitant has been misstated, the benefits will be those that would have been
provided for the annuitant's correct age and sex. If the Company has made
incorrect annuity payments, the amount of any underpayment will be paid
immediately and the amount of any overpayment will be deducted from future
annuity payments.

FIXED ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTIONS

   
     Due to certain exemptive and exclusionary provisions, interests in the
fixed account investment options are not registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended ("1933 Act") and the Company's general account is not
registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. Accordingly, neither
interests in the fixed account investment options nor the general account are
subject to the provisions or restrictions of the 1933 Act or the 1940 Act and
the staff of the Commission has not reviewed the disclosures in this Prospectus
relating thereto. Disclosures relating to interests in the fixed account
investment options and the general account, however, may be subject to certain
generally applicable provisions of the federal securities laws relating to the
accuracy of statements made in a registration statement.

     Pursuant to a Guarantee Agreement dated March 31, 1996, Manulife, the
ultimate parent of the Company, unconditionally guarantees to the Company on
behalf of and for the benefit of the Company and owners and groupholders of
fixed annuity contracts issued by the Company that it will, on demand, make
funds available to the Company for the timely payment of contractual claims
under fixed annuity contracts issued after June 27, 1984. This Guarantee covers
the fixed portion of the contracts described by this Prospectus. This Guarantee
may be terminated by Manulife on notice to the Company. Termination will not
affect Manulife's continuing liability with respect to all fixed annuity
contracts issued prior to the termination of the Guarantee except if: (i) the
liability to pay contractual claims under the contracts is assumed by another
insurer or (ii) the Company is sold and the buyer's guarantee is substituted for
the Manulife guarantee.
    

     Effective June 30, 1995, the "Company entered into a Reinsurance Agreement
with Peoples Security Life Insurance Company ("Peoples") pursuant to which
Peoples reinsures certain amounts with respect to the fixed account portion of
the contract described in this Prospectus. Under this Reinsurance Agreement, the
Company remains liable for the contractual obligations of the contracts' fixed
account and Peoples agrees to reimburse the Company for certain amounts and
obligations in connection with the fixed account. Peoples contractual liability
runs solely to the Company, and no contract owner shall have any right of action
against Peoples. Peoples is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Louisville, Kentucky
based Providian Corporation, a diversified financial services corporation.

     Investment Options. Currently there are four fixed account investment
options under the contract: one, three, five and seven year investment accounts.
The Company may offer additional fixed account investment options for any yearly
period from two to ten years. Fixed investment accounts provide for the
accumulation of interest on purchase payments at guaranteed rates for the
duration of the guarantee period. The guaranteed interest rates on new amounts
allocated or transferred to a fixed investment account are determined from
time-to-time by the Company in accordance with market conditions. In no event
will the guaranteed rate of interest be less than 3%. Once an interest rate is
guaranteed for a fixed investment account, it is guaranteed for the duration of
the guarantee period and may not be changed by the Company. See Appendix D for
information on fixed account investment options and the guaranteed rate of
interest applicable to certain contracts which are no longer being issued (Ven 8
contracts).

     Investment Accounts. Owners may allocate purchase payments, or make
transfers from their variable investment options, to fixed account investment
options at any time prior to the maturity date. The Company establishes a
separate investment account each time an owner allocates or transfers amounts to
a fixed account investment option, except that amounts allocated or transferred
to the same fixed account investment option on the same day will establish a
single investment account. Amounts may not be 



                                       31
<PAGE>   37

allocated to a fixed account investment option that would extend the guarantee
period beyond the maturity date.

     Renewals. At the end of a guarantee period, an owner may establish a new
investment account with the same guarantee period at the then current interest
rate, select a different fixed account investment option or transfer the amounts
to a variable account investment option, all without the imposition of any
charge. An owner may not select a guarantee period that would extend beyond the
maturity date. In the case of renewals within one year of the maturity date, the
only fixed account investment option available is to have interest accrued up to
the maturity date at the then current interest rate for one year guarantee
periods.

     If an owner does not specify the renewal option desired, the Company will
select the same guarantee period as has just expired, so long as such period
does not extend beyond the maturity date. In the event a renewal would extend
beyond the maturity date, the Company will select the longest period that will
not extend beyond such date, except in the case of a renewal within one year of
the maturity date in which case the Company will credit interest up to the
maturity date at the then current interest rate for one year guarantee periods.

     Market Value Charge. Any amount withdrawn, transferred or borrowed from an
investment account prior to the end of the guarantee period may be subject to a
market value charge. A market value charge will be calculated separately for
each investment account affected by a transaction to which a market value charge
may apply. The market value charge for an investment account will be calculated
by multiplying the amount withdrawn or transferred from the investment account
by the adjustment factor described below. The Company reserves the right to
modify the market value charge as to any certificates issued after the effective
date of a charge specified in written notice to the group holder.

     The adjustment factor is determined by the following formula:
0.75x(B-A)xC/12 where:

     A -    The guaranteed interest rate on the investment account.
     B -    The guaranteed interest rate available, on the date the request is
            processed, for amounts allocated to a new investment account with 
            the same length of guarantee period as the investment account from 
            which the amounts are being withdrawn.
     C -    The number of complete months remaining to the end of the guarantee
            period.

     For purposes of applying this calculation, the maximum difference between
"B" and "A" will be 3%. The adjustment factor may never be less than zero.

     The total market value charge will be the sum of the market value charges
for each investment account being withdrawn. Where the guaranteed rate available
on the date of the request is less than the rate guaranteed on the investment
account from which the amounts are being withdrawn (B-A in the adjustment factor
is negative), there is no market value charge. There is only a market value
charge when interest rates have increased (B-A in the adjustment factor is
positive).

     There will be no market value charge on withdrawals from the fixed account
investment options in the following situations: (a) death of the owner: (b)
amounts withdrawn to pay fees or charges; (c) amounts applied at the maturity
date to purchase an annuity at the guaranteed rates provided in the certificate;
(d) amounts withdrawn from investment accounts within one month prior to the end
of the guarantee period; (e) amounts withdrawn from a one-year fixed investment
account; and (f) amounts withdrawn in any certificate year that do not exceed
10% of (i) total purchase payments less (ii) any prior partial withdrawals in
that certificate year.

     Notwithstanding application of the foregoing formula, in no event will the
market value charge (i) be greater than the amount by which the earnings
attributable to the amount withdrawn or transferred from an investment account
exceed an annual rate of 3%, (ii) together with any withdrawal charges for an
investment account be greater than 10% of the amount transferred or withdrawn,
or (iii) reduce the amount payable on withdrawal or transfer below the amount
required under the non-forfeiture laws of the state with jurisdiction over the
contract. The cumulative effect of the market value and withdrawal charges (or
the effect of the withdrawal charge itself) could, however, result in an owner
receiving total withdrawal proceeds of less than the owner's investment in the
contract. See Appendix D for information on the market value charge applicable
to certain contracts which are no longer being issued (Ven 8 contracts).

     Transfers. Prior to the maturity date, an owner may transfer amounts among
his or her fixed account investment options and from the fixed account
investment options to his or her variable account investment options, subject to
the following conditions. 




                                       32
<PAGE>   38

An amount in a fixed investment account may not be transferred until held in
such account for at least one year, except transfers may be made pursuant to the
Dollar Cost Averaging program. Consequently, except as noted above, amounts in
one year investment accounts effectively may not be transferred prior to the end
of the guarantee period. Amounts in any other investment accounts may be
transferred after the one year holding period has been satisfied, but the market
value charge described above may apply to such a transfer. The market value
charge, if applicable, will be deducted from the amount transferred.

     An owner must specify the fixed account investment option from or to which
a transfer is to be made. Where there are multiple investment accounts within a
fixed account investment option, amounts must be withdrawn from the fixed
account investment option on a first-in-first-out basis.

     Withdrawals. An owner may make total and partial withdrawals of amounts
held in his or her fixed account investment options at any time prior to the
earlier of the death of an owner or the maturity date. Withdrawals from fixed
account investment options will be made in the same manner and be subject to the
same limitations as set forth under "WITHDRAWALS" plus the following provisions
also apply to withdrawals from fixed account investment options: (1) the Company
reserves the right to defer payment of amounts withdrawn from fixed account
investment options for up to six months from the date it receives the written
withdrawal request and certificate if required (if a withdrawal is deferred for
more than 30 days pursuant to this right, the Company will pay interest on the
amount deferred at a rate not less than 3% per year); (2) if there are multiple
investment accounts under a fixed account investment option, amounts must be
withdrawn from such accounts on a first-in-first-out basis; and (3) the market
value charge described above may apply to withdrawals from any investment option
except for a one year investment option. In the event a market value charge
applies to a withdrawal from a fixed investment account, it will be calculated
with respect to the full amount in the investment account and deducted from the
amount payable in the case of a total withdrawal. In the case of a partial
withdrawal, the market value charge will be calculated on the amount requested
and deducted, if applicable, from the remaining investment account value.

     Where an owner requests a partial withdrawal in excess of his or her
amounts in the variable account investment options and does not specify the
fixed account investment options from which the withdrawal is to be made, such
withdrawal will be made from his or her investment options beginning with the
shortest guarantee period. Within such sequence, where there are multiple
investment accounts within a fixed account investment option, withdrawals will
be made on a first-in-first-out basis.

     Withdrawals from the contract may be subject to income tax and a 10%
penalty tax, and withdrawals are permitted from contracts and certificates
issued in connection with Section 403(b) qualified plans only under limited
circumstances. (See "FEDERAL TAX MATTERS")

     Loans. The Company offers a loan privilege only under contracts or
certificates issued in connection with Section 403(b) qualified plans that are
not subject to Title I of ERISA. Where available, owners may obtain loans using
their contract value as the only security for the loan. Owners may borrow
amounts allocated to their fixed investment accounts in the same manner and
subject to the same limitations as set forth under "LOANS." The market value
charge described above may apply to amounts transferred from the fixed
investment accounts to the loan account in connection with such loans and, if
applicable, will be deducted from the amount so transferred.

     Fixed Annuity Options. Subject to the distribution of death benefits
provisions (see "DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE MATURITY DATE)", on death, withdrawal or
the maturity date, the proceeds may be applied to a fixed annuity option. (See
"ANNUITY OPTIONS") The amount of each fixed annuity payment is determined by
applying the portion of the proceeds (less any applicable premium taxes) applied
to purchase the fixed annuity to the appropriate table in the contract. If the
table in use by the Company is more favorable to the owner, the Company will
substitute that table. The Company guarantees the dollar amount of fixed annuity
payments.


                             CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS

     Charges and deductions are assessed against purchase payments, contract
values or annuity payments. Currently, there are no deductions made from
purchase payments, except for premium taxes in certain states. In addition,
there are deductions from and expenses paid out of the assets of the Trust
portfolios that are described in the accompanying Prospectus of the Trust.

WITHDRAWAL CHARGES



                                       33
<PAGE>   39

     If a withdrawal is made from the contract by an owner before the maturity
date of the certificate, a withdrawal charge (contingent deferred sales charge)
may be assessed against amounts withdrawn attributable to purchase payments that
have been in the contract for the owner less than seven complete years. There is
never a withdrawal charge with respect to earnings accumulated for an owner in
the contract, certain other free withdrawal amounts described below or purchase
payments by or on behalf of the owner that have been in the contract more than
seven complete years. In no event may the total withdrawal charges exceed 6% of
the total purchase payments made by or on behalf of the owner. The amount of the
withdrawal charge and when it is assessed is discussed below:

     1. Each withdrawal is allocated first to the "free withdrawal amount" and
second to "unliquidated purchase payments" for each certificate. In any
certificate year, the free withdrawal amount for that year is the greater of (1)
the excess of the owner's contract value on the date of withdrawal over the
unliquidated purchase payments made by or on behalf of the owner (the
accumulated earnings on the owner's certificate) or (2) the excess of (i) over
(ii), where (i) is 10% of total purchase payments made by or on behalf of the
owner and (ii) is all prior partial withdrawals made by or on behalf of the
owner in that certificate year. Withdrawals allocated to the free withdrawal
amount may be withdrawn without the imposition of a withdrawal charge.

   
     2. If an owner makes a withdrawal for an amount in excess of the free
withdrawal amount, the excess will be allocated to purchase payments made by or
on behalf of the owner which will be liquidated on a first-in first-out basis.
On any withdrawal request, the Company will liquidate purchase payments made by
or on behalf of the owner equal to the amount of the withdrawal request which
exceeds the free withdrawal amount in the order such purchase payments were
made: the oldest unliquidated purchase payment first, the next purchase payment
second, etc. until all purchase payments have been liquidated.
    

<TABLE>
     3. Each purchase payment or portion thereof liquidated in connection with a
withdrawal request is subject to a withdrawal charge based on the length of time
the purchase payment has been in the contract. The amount of the withdrawal
charge is calculated by multiplying the amount of the purchase payment being
liquidated by the applicable withdrawal charge percentage obtained from the
table below.

<CAPTION>
       NUMBER OF COMPLETE YEARS
         PURCHASE PAYMENT IN                           WITHDRAWAL CHARGE
              CONTRACT                                   PERCENTAGE
       -----------------------------------------------------------------
                  <C>                                         <C>
                  0                                           6%
                  1                                           6%
                  2                                           5%
                  3                                           5%
                  4                                           4%
                  5                                           3%
                  6                                           2%
                  7+                                          0%

</TABLE>

     The total withdrawal charge will be the sum of the withdrawal charges for
the purchase payments being liquidated.

     4. The withdrawal charge is deducted from the owner's contract value
remaining after the owner is paid the amount requested, except in the case of a
complete withdrawal when it is deducted from the amount otherwise payable. In
the case of a partial withdrawal, the amount requested from an investment
account may not exceed the value of that investment account less any applicable
withdrawal charge plus market value charge.

     5. There is generally no withdrawal charge on distributions made as a
result of the death of the owner or, if applicable, annuitant (see "Death
Benefit Before Maturity Date - Amount of Death Benefit) and no withdrawal
charges are imposed on the maturity date if the owner annuitizes as provided in
the contract.

     The amount collected from the withdrawal charge will be used to reimburse
the Company for the compensation paid to cover selling concessions to
broker-dealers, preparation of sales literature and other expenses related to
sales activity.

     For examples of calculation of the withdrawal charge, see Appendix A. See
APPENDIX D for information on withdrawal 




                                       34
<PAGE>   40

charges applicable to certain contracts which are no longer being issued (Ven 8
contracts). Withdrawals from the fixed account investment options may be subject
to a market value charge in addition to the withdrawal charge described above.
(See "FIXED ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTIONS") The Company reserves the right to
modify the withdrawal charge as to certificates issued after the effective date
of a change specified in written notice to the group holder.

REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF WITHDRAWAL CHARGES

     The amount of the withdrawal charge on a contract or certificate may be
reduced or eliminated when some or all of the certificates are to be sold to a
group of individuals in such a manner that results in savings of sales expenses.
The entitlement to such a reduction in the withdrawal charge will be determined
by the Company in the following manner:

     1. The size and type of group to which the sales are to be made will be
considered. Generally, sales expenses for a larger group are smaller than for a
smaller group because of the ability to implement large numbers of sales with
fewer sales contacts.

     2. The total amount of purchase payments to be received will be considered.
Per dollar sales expenses are likely to be less on larger purchase payments than
on smaller ones.

     3. Any prior or existing relationship with the Company will be considered.
Certificate sales expenses are likely to be less when there is a prior or
existing relationship because of the likelihood of implementing more sales with
fewer sales contacts.

     4. The level of commissions paid to selling broker-dealers will be
considered. Certain broker-dealers may offer certificates in connection with
financial planning programs offered on a fee for service basis. In view of the
financial planning fees, such broker-dealers may elect to receive lower
commissions for sales of the certificates, thereby reducing the Company's sales
expenses.

     5. There may be other circumstances of which the Company is not presently
aware, which could result in reduced sales expenses.

     If, after consideration of the foregoing factors, it is determined that
there will be a reduction in sales expenses, the Company will provide a
reduction in the withdrawal charge. The withdrawal charge will be eliminated
when a certificate is issued to an officer, director or employee (or a relative
thereof) of the Company, Manulife, the Trust or any of their affiliates. In no
event will reduction or elimination of the withdrawal charge be permitted where
such reduction or elimination will be unfairly discriminatory to any person.

ADMINISTRATION FEES

     Except as noted below, the Company will deduct each year an annual
administration fee of $30 from each owner's contract value as partial
compensation for the cost of providing all administrative services attributable
to the contracts and certificates and the operations of the Variable Account and
the Company in connection with the contracts and certificates. However, if prior
to the maturity date the contract value is greater than or equal to $100,000 at
the time of the fee's assessment, the fee will be waived. Prior to the maturity
date, this administration fee is deducted on the last day of each certificate
year. It is withdrawn from each investment option in the same proportion that
the value of such investment option bears to the sum of the investments options.
If an owner's entire contract value is withdrawn on other than the last day of
any certificate year, the $30 administration fee will be deducted from the
amount paid. During the annuity period, the fee is deducted on a pro-rata basis
from each annuity payment. See Appendix D for the administration fee applicable
to certain contracts which are no longer being issued (Ven 8 contracts).

     A daily charge in an amount equal to 0.15% of the value of each variable
investment account on an annual basis is also deducted from each sub-account to
reimburse the Company for administrative expenses. This asset-based
administrative charge will not be deducted from the fixed account investment
options. The charge will be reflected in each owner's contract value as a
proportionate reduction in the value of each variable investment account.
Because this portion of the administrative fee is a percentage of assets rather
than a flat amount, larger contract values will in effect pay a higher
proportion of this portion of the administrative expense than smaller contract
values.

     The Company does not expect to recover from such fees any amount in excess
of its accumulated administrative expenses. Even though administrative expenses
may increase, the Company guarantees that it will not increase the amount of the
administration fees as to any certificates issued prior to the effective date of
the Company's modification of such fees. There is no 




                                       35
<PAGE>   41

necessary relationship between the amount of the administrative charge imposed
on a given certificate and the amount of the expense that may be attributed to
that certificate.

REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION FEE

     The amount of the annual administration fee on a contract or a certificate
may be reduced or eliminated when some or all of the certificates are to be sold
to a group of individuals in such a manner that results in savings of
administration expenses. The entitlement to such a reduction or elimination of
the administration charges will be determined by the Company in the following
manner:

     1. The size and type of group to which administrative services are to be
provided will be considered.

     2. The total amount of purchase payments to be received will be considered.

     3. There may be other circumstances of which the Company is not presently
aware, which could result in reduced administrative expense.

     If, after consideration of the foregoing factors, it is determined that
there will be a reduction or elimination of administration expenses, the Company
will provide a reduction in the annual administration fee. In no event will
reduction or elimination of the administration fees be permitted where such
reduction or elimination will be unfairly discriminatory to any person. The
Company may waive all or a portion of the administration fee when a certificate
is issued to an officer, director or employee, or relative thereof, of the
Company, Manulife, the Trust or any of their affiliates.

MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE

     The mortality risk assumed by the Company is the risk that annuitants may
live for a longer period of time than estimated. The Company assumes this
mortality risk by virtue of annuity rates incorporated into the contract which
cannot be changed with respect to existing certificates. This assures each
annuitant that his longevity will not have an adverse effect on the amount of
annuity payments. Also, the Company guarantees that if an owner dies before the
maturity date, it will pay a death benefit. (See "DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE MATURITY
DATE") The expense risk assumed by the Company is the risk that the
administration charges or withdrawal charge may be insufficient to cover actual
expenses.

     To compensate it for assuming these risks, the Company currently deducts
from each of the sub-accounts a daily charge in an amount equal to 1.25% of the
value of the variable investment accounts on an annual basis, consisting of .8%
for the mortality risk and .45% for the expense risk. The charge will be
reflected in each owner's contract value as a proportionate reduction in the
value of each variable investment account. The rate of the mortality and expense
risk charge can be increased, but only as to certificates issued after the
effective date of the increase and upon 60 days' prior written notice to the
group holder. The Company may issue contracts and certificates with a mortality
or expense risk charge at rates less than those set out above, if it concludes
that the mortality or expense risks of the groups involved are less than the
risks it has determined for persons for whom the contracts and certificates have
been generally designed. If the charge is insufficient to cover the actual cost
of the mortality and expense risks undertaken, the Company will bear the loss.
Conversely, if the charge proves more than sufficient, the excess will be profit
to the Company and will be available for any proper corporate purpose including,
among other things, payment of distribution expenses. On the Period Certain Only
Annuity Option, where an owner elects benefits payable on a variable basis, the
mortality and expense risk charge is assessed although the Company bears only
the expense risk and not any mortality risk. The mortality and expense risk
charge is not assessed against the fixed account investment options.

TAXES

     The Company reserves the right to charge, or provide for, certain taxes
against purchase payments (either at the time of payment or liquidation),
contract values, payment of death benefit or annuity payments. Such taxes may
include premium taxes or other taxes levied by any government entity which the
Company determines to have resulted from the (i) establishment or maintenance of
the Variable Account, (ii) receipt by the Company of purchase payments, (iii)
issuance of the contracts or certificates, or (iv) commencement or continuance
of annuity payments under the contracts or certificates. In addition, the
Company will withhold taxes to the extent required by applicable law.



                                       36
<PAGE>   42

   
         Except for residents in Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Kentucky and
Wyoming, premium taxes will be deducted from the contract value used to provide
for fixed or variable annuity payments unless required otherwise by applicable
law. The amount deducted will depend on the premium tax assessed in the
applicable state. State premium taxes currently range from 0% to 3.5% depending
on the jurisdiction and the tax status of the contract and certificate and are
subject to change by the legislature or other authority. (See "APPENDIX B: STATE
PREMIUM TAXES") FOR RESIDENTS OF PENNSYLVANIA , SOUTH DAKOTA, KENTUCKY OR
WYOMING, THE FOLLOWING PREMIUM TAX ASSESSMENT WILL APPLY: A premium tax will be
assessed against all non-qualified purchase payments received from owners who
are residents of South Dakota. The rate of tax is 1.25% for South Dakota
residents. A premium tax will be assessed against all non-qualified purchase
payments received on or after March 1, 1997 from contract owners who are
residents of Kentucky or Wyoming. A premium tax will be assessed against all
qualified purchase payments received on or after March 1, 1997 from contract
owners who are residents of Kentucky. The rate of tax is 2.00% for Kentucky
residents and 1.00% for Wyoming residents. Purchase payments received for the
period October 1, 1992 through September 7, 1995 for non-qualified contracts of
Pennsylvania residents will be assessed a 2.00% premium tax; purchase payments
received on or after September 8, 1995 will not be assessed a premium tax. For
purchase payments received on or after October 1, 1992 (March 1, 1997 for
Kentucky and Wyoming), the state premium tax will be collected upon payment of
any withdrawal benefits, upon any annuitizatoin or payments or death benefits.
For payments received prior to October 1, 1992 (March 1, 1997 for Kentucky and
Wyoming) the premium tax will deducted upon annuitization only. In the states of
Pennsylvania,Wyoming and South Dakota, purchase payments received in connection
with the funding of a qualified plan are exempt from state premium tax.
    

                               FEDERAL TAX MATTERS


INTRODUCTION

     The following discussion of the federal income tax treatment of the
contract or certificate is not exhaustive, does not purport to cover all
situations, and is not intended as tax advice. The federal income tax treatment
of a group annuity contract is unclear in certain circumstances, and a qualified
tax adviser should always be consulted with regard to the application of law to
individual circumstances. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury Department regulations, and
interpretations existing on the date of this Prospectus. These authorities,
however, are subject to change by Congress, the Treasury Department, and
judicial decisions.

   
     This discussion does not address state or local tax consequences associated
with the purchase of a contract or certificate. In addition, THE COMPANY MAKES
NO GUARANTEE REGARDING ANY TAX TREATMENT -- FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL -- OF ANY
CONTRACT OR CERTIFICATE OR OF ANY TRANSACTION INVOLVING A CONTRACT OR
CERTIFICATE.
    

THE COMPANY'S TAX STATUS

   
     The Company is taxed as a life insurance company under the Code. Since the
operations of the Variable Account are a part of, and are taxed with, the
operations of the Company, the Variable Account is not separately taxed as a
"regulated investment company" under the Code. Under existing federal income tax
laws, investment income and capital gains of the Variable Account are not taxed
to the extent they are applied under a contract. The Company does not anticipate
that it will incur any federal income tax liability attributable to such income
and gains of the Variable Account, and therefore the Company does not intend to
make provision for any such taxes. If the Company is taxed on investment income
or capital gains of the Variable Account, then the Company may impose a charge
against the Variable Account in order to make provision for such taxes.
    

TAXATION OF ANNUITIES IN GENERAL

TAX DEFERRAL DURING ACCUMULATION PERIOD

   
     Under existing provisions of the Code, except as described below, any
increase in an owner's contract value is generally not taxable to the owner or
annuitant until received, either in the form of annuity payments as contemplated
by the certificate, or in some other form of distribution. However, certain
requirements must be satisfied in order for this general rule to apply,
including: (1) the certificate must be owned by an individual (or treated as
owned by an individual), (2) the investments of the Variable Account must be
"adequately diversified" in accordance with Treasury Department regulations, (3)
the Company, rather than the owner, must be 
    



                                       37
<PAGE>   43
   
considered the owner of the assets of the Variable Account for federal tax
purposes, and (4) the certificate must provide for appropriate amortization,
through annuity payments, of the certificate's purchase payments and earnings,
e.g., the maturity date must not occur at too advanced an age.
    

     Non-Natural Owners. As a general rule, deferred annuity contracts (or
certificates) held by "non-natural persons" such as a corporation, trust or
other similar entity, as opposed to a natural person, are not treated as annuity
contracts for federal tax purposes. The investment income on such contracts (or
certificates) is taxed as ordinary income that is received or accrued by the
owner during the taxable year. There are several exceptions to this general rule
for non-natural owners. First, contracts will generally be treated as held by a
natural person if the nominal owner is a trust or other entity which holds the
contract as an agent for a natural person. Thus, if a group annuity contract is
held by a trustee, certificate owners who are individuals should be treated as
owning an annuity contract for federal tax purposes. However, this special
exception will not apply in the case of any employer who is the nominal owner of
an annuity contract under a non-qualified deferred compensation arrangement for
its employees.

   
     In addition, exceptions to the general rule for non-natural owners will
apply with respect to (1) certificates acquired by an estate of a decedent by
reason of the death of the decedent, (2) certain qualified contracts or
certificates, (3) certain annuities purchased by employers upon the termination
of certain qualified plans, (4) certain annuities used in connection with
structured settlement agreements, and (5) annuities purchased with a single
premium when the annuity starting date (as defined in the tax law) is no later
than a year from purchase of the annuity and substantially equal periodic
payments are made, not less frequently than annually, during the annuity period.

     Diversification Requirements. For a contract to be treated as an annuity
contract for federal income tax purposes, the investments of the Variable
Account must be "adequately diversified" in accordance with Treasury Department
regulations. The Secretary of the Treasury has issued regulations which
prescribe standards for determining whether the investments of the Variable
Account are "adequately diversified." If the Variable Account failed to comply
with these diversification standards, a certificate would not be treated as an
annuity contract for federal income tax purposes and an owner would be taxable
currently on the excess of his or her contract value over the premiums he or she
paid for the certificate.
    

     Although the Company does not control the investments of the NASL Series
Trust, it expects that the Trust will comply with such regulations so that the
Variable Account will be considered "adequately diversified."

   
     Ownership Treatment. In certain circumstances, a variable annuity owner may
be considered the owner, for federal income tax purposes, of the assets of the
separate account used to support his or her contract. In those circumstances,
income and gains from such separate account assets would be includible in the
variable annuity owner's gross income. The Internal Revenue Service (the
"Service") has stated in published rulings that a variable annuity owner will be
considered the owner of separate account assets if the owner possesses incidents
of ownership in those assets, such as the ability to exercise investment control
over the assets. In addition, the Treasury Department announced, in connection
with the issuance of regulations concerning investment diversification, that
those regulations "do not provide guidance concerning the circumstances in which
investor control of the investments of a separate asset account may cause the
investor, rather than the insurance company, to be treated as the owner of the
assets in the account." This announcement also stated that guidance would be
issued by way of regulations or rulings on the "extent to which policyholders
may direct their investments to particular sub-accounts [of a separate account]
without being treated as owners of the underlying assets." As of the date of
this Prospectus, no such guidance has been issued.

     The ownership rights under this certificate are similar to, but different
in certain respects from, those described by the Service in rulings in which it
was determined that policyholders were not owners of separate account assets.
For example, an owner under this certificate has the choice of many more
investment options to which to allocate premiums and contract values, and may be
able to transfer among investment options more frequently than in such rulings.
These differences could result in the owner being treated as the owner of the
assets of the Variable Account and thus subject to current taxation on the
income and gains from those assets. In addition, the Company does not know what
standards will be set forth in the regulations or rulings which the Treasury
Department has stated it expects to issue. The Company therefore reserves the
right to modify the contract and certificate as necessary to attempt to prevent
owners from being considered the owners of the assets of the Variable Account.

     Delayed Maturity Dates. If the maturity date occurs (or is scheduled to
occur) at a time when the annuitant has reached an advanced age, e.g., past age
85, it is possible that the certificate would not be treated as an annuity for
federal income tax purposes. In that event, the income and gains under the
certificate could be currently includible in the owner's income.
    

     The remainder of this discussion assumes that the contract will be treated
as an annuity contract for federal income tax 


                                       38
<PAGE>   44

purposes and that the Company will be treated as the owner of the Variable
Account assets.

TAXATION OF PARTIAL AND FULL WITHDRAWALS

     In the case of a partial withdrawal, amounts received are includible in
income to the extent the owner's contract value before the withdrawal exceeds
his or her "investment in the contract." In the case of a full withdrawal,
amounts received are includible in income to the extent they exceed the
"investment in the contract." For these purposes the investment in the contract
any time equals the total of the purchase payments made under the certificate to
that time (to the extent such payments were neither deductible when made nor
excludible from income as, for example, in the case of certain contributions to
qualified plans) less any amounts previously received from the certificate which
were not included in income.

   
     Other than in the case of certain qualified contracts or certificates, any
amount received as a loan under a contract, and any assignment or pledge (or
agreement to assign or pledge) any portion of the contract value, is treated as
a withdrawal of such amount or portion. (Loans, assignments and pledges are
permitted only in limited circumstances under qualified contracts.) The
investment in the contract is increased by the amount includible in income with
respect to such assignment or pledge, though it is not affected by any other
aspect of the assignment or pledge (including its release). If an individual
transfers a certificate without adequate consideration to a person other than
the owner's spouse (or to a former spouse incident to divorce), the owner will
be taxed on the difference between his or her contract value and the "investment
in the contract" at the time of transfer. In such case, the transferee's
investment in the contract will be increased to reflect the increase in the
transferor's income.
    

     The certificate provides a death benefit that in certain circumstances may
exceed the greater of the purchase payments made by or on behalf of an owner and
the contract value. As described elsewhere in this prospectus, the Company
imposes certain charges with respect to the death benefit. It is possible that
those charges (or some portion thereof) could be treated for federal income tax
purposes as a partial withdrawal from the certificate.

   
     There may be special income tax issues present in situations where the
owner and the annuitant are not the same person and are not married to one
another. A tax advisor should be consulted in those situations.
    

TAXATION OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS

     Normally, the portion of each annuity payment taxable as ordinary income is
equal to the excess of the payment over the exclusion amount. In the case of
variable annuity payments, the exclusion amount is the "investment in the
contract" (defined above) allocated to the variable annuity option, adjusted for
any period certain or refund feature, when payments begin to be made divided by
the number of payments expected to be made (determined by Treasury Department
regulations which take into account the annuitant's life expectancy and the form
of annuity benefit selected). In the case of fixed annuity payments, the
exclusion amount is the amount determined by multiplying (1) the payment by (2)
the ratio of the investment in the contract allocated to the fixed annuity
option, adjusted for any period certain or refund feature, to the total expected
value of annuity payments for the term of the contract (determined under
Treasury Department regulations).

     Once the total amount of the investment in the contract is excluded using
these ratios, annuity payments will be fully taxable. If annuity payments cease
because of the death of the annuitant and before the total amount of the
investment in the contract is recovered, the unrecovered amount generally will
be allowed as a deduction to the annuitant in his or her last taxable year.

TAXATION OF DEATH BENEFIT PROCEEDS

   
     Amounts may be distributed from a certificate because of the death of an
owner or an annuitant. Prior to the maturity date, such death benefit proceeds
are includible in income as follows: (1) if distributed in a lump sum, they are
taxed in the same manner as a full withdrawal, as described above, or (2) if
distributed under an annuity option, they are taxed in the same manner as
annuity payments, as described above. After the maturity date, where a
guaranteed period exists under an annuity option and the annuitant dies before
the end of that period, payments made to the beneficiary for the remainder of
that period are includible in income as follows: (1) if received in a lump sum,
they are includible in income to the extent that they exceed the unrecovered
investment in the contract at that time, or (2) if distributed in accordance
with the existing annuity option selected, they are fully excludable from income
until the remaining investment in the contract is deemed to be recovered, and
all annuity payments thereafter are fully includible in income.
    



                                       39
<PAGE>   45

PENALTY TAX ON PREMATURE DISTRIBUTIONS

   
     There is a 10% penalty tax on the taxable amount of any payment from a
non-qualified certificate unless the payment is: (a) received on or after the
owner reaches age 59 1/2; (b) attributable to the owner's becoming disabled (as
defined in the tax law); (c) made to a beneficiary on or after the death of the
owner or, if the owner is not an individual, on or after the death of the
primary annuitant (as defined in the tax law); (d) made as a series of
substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) for
the life (or life expectancy) of the annuitant or for the joint lives (or joint
life expectancies) of the annuitant and designated beneficiary (as defined in
the tax law), (e) made under a certificate purchased with a single premium when
the annuity starting date (as defined in the tax law) is no later than a year
from purchase of the certificate and substantially equal periodic payments are
made, not less frequently than annually, during the annuity period; or (f) made
with respect to certain annuities issued in connection with structured
settlement agreements. (A similar penalty tax, applicable to distributions from
certain qualified contracts, is discussed below.)
    

AGGREGATION OF CONTRACTS

   
     In certain circumstances, the amount of an annuity payment or a withdrawal
from a certificate that is includible in income may be determined by combining
some or all of the non-qualified certificates and annuity contracts owned by an
individual. For example, if a person purchases a certificate offered by this
Prospectus and also purchases at approximately the same time an immediate
annuity, the Service may treat the two contracts as one contract. In addition,
if a person purchases two or more deferred annuity contracts or certificates
from the same insurance company (or its affiliates) during any calendar year,
all such contracts will be treated as one contract. The effects of such
aggregation are not clear; however, it could affect the amount of a withdrawal
or an annuity payment that is taxable and the amount which might be subject to
the penalty tax described above.
    

QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS

   
     The certificates are also designed for use in connection with certain types
of retirement plans which receive favorable treatment under the Code. Numerous
special tax rules apply to the participants in such qualified plans and to the
contracts used in connection with such qualified plans. Therefore, no attempt is
made in this Prospectus to provide more than general information about use of
the certificate with the various types of qualified plans.

     The tax rules applicable to qualified plans vary according to the type of
plan and the terms and conditions of the plan itself. For example, for both
withdrawals and annuity payments under certain qualified contracts, there may be
no "investment in the contract" and the total amount received may be taxable.
Also, loans from qualified contracts (or certificates), where allowed, are
subject to a variety of limitations, including restrictions as to the amount
that may be borrowed, the duration of the loan, and the manner in which the loan
must be repaid. (Owners should always consult their tax advisors and retirement
plan fiduciaries prior to exercising their loan privileges.) Both the amount of
the contribution that may be made, and the tax deduction or exclusion that the
owner may claim for such contribution, are limited under qualified plans. If
this certificate is used in connection with a qualified plan, the owner and
annuitant must be the same individual. If a co-annuitant is named, all
distributions made while the annuitant is alive must be made to the annuitant.
Also, if a co-annuitant is named who is not the annuitant's spouse, the annuity
options which are available may be limited, depending on the difference in ages
between the annuitant and co-annuitant. Furthermore, the length of any guarantee
period may be limited in some circumstances to satisfy certain minimum
distribution requirements under the Code.

     In addition, special rules apply to the time at which distributions must
commence and the form in which the distributions must be paid. For example,
failure to comply with minimum distribution requirements applicable to qualified
plans will result in the imposition of an excise tax. This excise tax generally
equals 50% of the amount by which a minimum required distribution exceeds the
actual distribution from the qualified plan. In the case of IRAs, distributions
of minimum amounts (as specified in the tax law) must generally commence by
April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the owner
attains age 70 1/2. In the case of certain other qualified plans, distributions
of such minimum amounts generally must commence by the later of this date or
April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the employee
retires.

     There is also a 10% penalty tax on the taxable amount of any payment from
certain qualified contracts (but not section 457 plans). (The amount of the
penalty tax is 25% of the taxable amount of any payment received from a "SIMPLE
retirement account" during the 2 year period beginning on the date the
individual first participated in any qualified salary reduction agreement (as
defined in the tax law) maintained by the individual's employer.) There are
exceptions to this penalty tax which vary depending on 
    



                                       40
<PAGE>   46

   
the type of qualified plan. In the case of an "Individual Retirement Annuity"
("IRA"), including a "SIMPLE IRA," exceptions provide that the penalty tax does
not apply to a payment (a) received on or after the owner reaches age 59 1/2,
(b) received on or after the owner's death or because of the owner's disability
(as defined in the tax law), or (c) made as a series of substantially equal
periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) for the life (or life
expectancy) of the owner or for the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of
the owner and designated beneficiary (as defined in the tax law). These
exceptions, as well as certain others not described herein, generally apply to
taxable distributions from other qualified plans (although, in the case of plans
qualified under sections 401 and 403, exception "c" above for substantially
equal periodic payments applies only if the owner has separated from service).
    

     When issued in connection with a qualified plan, a contract and certificate
will be amended as generally necessary to conform to the requirements of the
type of plan. However, owners, annuitants, and beneficiaries are cautioned that
the rights of any person to any benefits under qualified plans may be subject to
the terms and conditions of the plans themselves, regardless of the terms and
conditions of the contract and certificate. In addition, the Company shall not
be bound by terms and conditions of qualified plans to the extent such terms and
conditions contradict the contract or certificate, unless the Company consents.

QUALIFIED PLAN TYPES

     Following are brief descriptions of various types of qualified plans in
connection with which the Company may issue a certificate.

     Individual Retirement Annuities. Section 408 of the Code permits eligible
individuals to contribute to an individual retirement program known as an
"Individual Retirement Annuity" or "IRA." IRAs are subject to limits on the
amounts that may be contributed, the persons who may be eligible and on the time
when distributions may commence. Also, distributions from certain other types of
qualified retirement plans may be "rolled over" on a tax-deferred basis into an
IRA.

   
     IRAs generally may not provide life insurance, but they may provide a death
benefit that equals the greater of the premiums paid and the contract's cash
value. The contract provides a death benefit that in certain circumstances may
exceed the greater of the purchase payments and the contract value. It is
possible that the certificate's death benefit could be viewed as providing life
insurance coverage with the result that the certificate would not be viewed as
satisfying the requirements of an IRA.

     Simplified Employee Pensions (SEP-IRAs). Section 408(k) of the Code allows
employers to establish simplified employee pension plans for their employees,
using the employees' IRAs for such purposes, if certain criteria are met. Under
these plans the employer may, within specified limits, make deductible
contributions on behalf of the employees to IRAs. As discussed above (see
Individual Retirement Annuities), there is some uncertainty regarding the tax
treatment of the certificate's death benefit for purposes of the tax rules
governing IRAs (which would include SEP-IRAs). Employers intending to use the
contract or certificates in connection with such plans should seek competent
advice.

     SIMPLE IRAs. Section 408(p) of the Code permits certain small employers to
establish "SIMPLE retirement accounts," including SIMPLE IRAs, for their
employees. Under SIMPLE IRAs, certain deductible contributions are made by both
employees and employers. SIMPLE IRAs are subject to various requirements,
including limits on the amounts that may be contributed, the persons who may be
eligible, and the time when distributions may commence. As discussed above (see
Individual Retirement Annuities), there is some uncertainty regarding the proper
characterization of the certificate's death benefit for purposes of the tax
rules governing IRAs (which would include SIMPLE IRAs). Employees intending to
use the contract in connection with such plans should seek competent advice.

     Corporate and Self-Employed ("H.R. 10" and "Keogh") Pension and
Profit-Sharing Plans. Sections 401(a) and 403(a) of the Code permit corporate
employers to establish various types of tax-favored retirement plans for
employees. The Self-Employed Individuals' Tax Retirement Act of 1962, as
amended, commonly referred to as "H.R. 10" or "Keogh," permits self-employed
individuals also to establish such tax-favored retirement plans for themselves
and their employees. Such retirement plans may permit the purchase of the
contract or certificates in order to provide benefits under the plans. The
contract provides a death benefit that in certain circumstances may exceed the
greater of the purchase payments made by or on behalf of an owner and the
contract value. It is possible that such death benefit could be characterized as
an incidental death benefit. There are limitations on the amount of incidental
death benefits that may be provided under pension and profit sharing plans. In
addition, the provision of such benefits may result in currently taxable income
to participants. Employers intending to use the contract or certificates in
connection with such plans should seek competent advice.
    



                                       41
<PAGE>   47

     Tax-Sheltered Annuities. Section 403(b) of the Code permits public school
employees and employees of certain types of charitable, educational and
scientific organizations specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code to have
their employers purchase annuity contracts for them and, subject to certain
limitations, to exclude the amount of purchase payments from gross income for
tax purposes. These annuity contracts are commonly referred to as "tax-sheltered
annuities." Purchasers of the contracts or certificates for such purposes should
seek competent advice as to eligibility, limitations on permissible amounts of
purchase payments and other tax consequences associated with the contracts or
certificates. In particular, purchasers should consider that the contract
provides a death benefit that in certain circumstances may exceed the greater of
the purchase payments made by or on behalf of an owner and the contract value.
It is possible that such death benefit could be characterized as an incidental
death benefit. If the death benefit were so characterized, this could result in
currently taxable income to purchasers. In addition, there are limitations on
the amount of incidental death benefits that may be provided under a
tax-sheltered annuity. Even if the death benefit under the contract were
characterized as an incidental death benefit, it is unlikely to violate those
limits unless the purchaser also purchases a life insurance contract as part of
his or her tax-sheltered annuity plan.

   
     Tax-sheltered annuity contracts must contain restrictions on withdrawals of
(i) contributions made pursuant to a salary reduction agreement in years
beginning after December 31, 1988, (ii) earnings on those contributions, and
(iii) earnings after 1988 on amounts attributable to salary reduction
contributions (and earnings on those contributions) held as of the last day of
the year beginning before January 1, 1989. These amounts can be paid only if the
employee has reached age 59 1/2, separated from service, died, or become
disabled (within the meaning of the tax law), or in the case of hardship (within
the meaning of the tax law). Amounts permitted to be distributed in the event of
hardship are limited to actual contributions; earnings thereon cannot be
distributed on account of hardship. Amounts subject to the withdrawal
restrictions applicable to section 403(b)(7) custodial accounts may be subject
to more stringent restrictions. (These limitations on withdrawals do not apply
to the extent the Company is directed to transfer some or all of the contract
value to the issuer of another tax-sheltered annuity or into a section 403(b)(7)
custodial account.)
    

     Deferred Compensation Plans of State and Local Governments and Tax-Exempt
Organizations. Section 457 of the Code permits employees of state and local
governments and tax-exempt organizations to defer a portion of their
compensation without paying current taxes. The employees must be participants in
an eligible deferred compensation plan. Generally, a contract or certificate
purchased by a state or local government or a tax-exempt organization will not
be treated as an annuity contract for federal income tax purposes. Those who
intend to use the contracts or certificates in connection with such plans should
seek competent advice.

DIRECT ROLLOVERS

   
     If the certificate is used in connection with a retirement plan that is
qualified under sections 401(a), 403(a), or 403(b) of the Code, any "eligible
rollover distribution" from the certificate will be subject to "direct rollover"
and mandatory withholding requirements. An eligible rollover distribution
generally is any taxable distribution from such qualified plans, excluding
certain amounts such as (i) minimum distributions required under section
401(a)(9) of the Code, and (ii) certain distributions for life, life expectancy,
or for 10 years or more which are part of a "series of substantially equal
periodic payments."

     Under these requirements, federal income tax equal to 20% of the eligible
rollover distribution will be withheld from the amount of the distribution.
Unlike withholding on certain other amounts distributed from the certificate,
discussed below, the owner cannot elect out of withholding with respect to an
eligible rollover distribution. However, this 20% withholding will not apply if,
instead of receiving the eligible rollover distribution, the distributee elects
to have it directly transferred to certain qualified plans. Prior to receiving
an eligible rollover distribution, a notice will be provided explaining
generally the direct rollover and mandatory withholding requirements and how to
avoid the 20% withholding by electing a direct rollover.
    

FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING

   
     The Company will withhold and remit to the U.S. government a part of the
taxable portion of each distribution made under a certificate unless the
distributee notifies the Company at or before the time of the distribution that
he or she elects not to have any amounts withheld. In certain circumstances, the
Company may be required to withhold tax, as explained above. The withholding
rates applicable to the taxable portion of periodic annuity payments (other than
eligible rollover distributions) are the same as the withholding rates generally
applicable to payments of wages. In addition, the withholding rate applicable to
the taxable portion of non-periodic payments (including withdrawals prior to the
maturity date) is 10%. As discussed above, the withholding rate applicable to
eligible rollover distributions is 20%.
    


                                       42
<PAGE>   48

                                 GENERAL MATTERS

TAX DEFERRAL

     The status of the contract as an annuity generally allows all earnings on
the underlying investments to be tax-deferred until withdrawn or until annuity
payments begin. (See "FEDERAL TAX MATTERS") This tax deferred treatment may be
beneficial to owners in building assets in a long-term investment program.

PERFORMANCE DATA

     From time to time the Variable Account may publish advertisements
containing performance data relating to its sub-accounts. For periods prior to
August 9, 1994, performance data will be hypothetical figures based on the
assumption that a contract offered by this Prospectus was issued when the
sub-accounts first became available for investment under other contracts offered
by the Company. Hypothetical performance figures will also be furnished for
sub-accounts investing in NASL Series Trust portfolios established on December
31, 1996 in connection with the merger of Manulife Series Fund, Inc. with and
into NASL Series Trust. Such figures are based on the assumption that the
sub-accounts had been available for investment under a contract offered by this
Prospectus when the applicable Manulife Series Fund, Inc. portfolio first became
available under contracts issued by affiliates of the Company. The sub-accounts
may advertise both "standardized" and "non-standardized" total return figures,
although standardized figures will always accompany non-standardized figures.
Standardized performance data will consist of total return quotations, which
will always include quotations for recent one year and, when applicable, five
and ten year periods and, where less than ten years, for the period subsequent
to the date each sub-account first became available for investment. Such
quotations for such periods will be the average annual rates of return required
for an initial purchase payment of $1,000 to equal the actual contract value
attributable to such purchase payment on the last day of the period, after
reflection of all charges. Standardized total return figures will be quoted
assuming redemption at the end of the period. Such figures may be accompanied by
non-standardized total return figures that are calculated on the same basis as
the standardized returns except that the calculations (i) assume no redemption a
the end of the period and (ii) do not reflect imposition of the $30 per contract
charge inasmuch as the impact of such charge varies by contract size. In
addition to the non-standardized returns, each of the sub-accounts may from time
to time quote aggregate non-standardized total returns for other time periods.
Except as noted above, performance figures used by the Variable Account are
based on the actual historical performance of its sub-accounts for specified
periods, and the figures are not intended to indicate future performance. More
detailed information on the computations is set forth in the Statement of
Additional Information.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     Financial Statements for the Variable Account and the Company are contained
in the Statement of Additional Information.




















                                       43
<PAGE>   49




ASSET ALLOCATION AND TIMING SERVICES

     The Company is aware that certain third parties are offering asset
allocation and timing services in connection with the contracts. In certain
cases the Company has agreed to honor transfer instructions from such asset
allocation and timing services where it has received powers of attorney, in a
form acceptable to it, from the owners participating in the service. THE COMPANY
DOES NOT ENDORSE, APPROVE OR RECOMMEND SUCH SERVICES IN ANY WAY AND
GROUPHOLDERS/OWNERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT FEES PAID FOR SUCH SERVICES ARE
SEPARATE AND IN ADDITION TO FEES PAID UNDER THE CONTRACTS AND CERTIFICATES.

RESTRICTIONS UNDER THE TEXAS OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM

     Section 830.105 of the Texas Government Code permits participants in the
Texas Optional Retirement Program ("ORP") to withdraw their interest in a
variable annuity contract issued under the ORP only upon (1) termination of
employment in the Texas public institutions of higher education, (2) retirement,
(3) death, or (4) the participant's attainment of age 70 1/2. Accordingly,
before any amounts may be distributed from the contract, proof must be furnished
to the Company that one of the four events has occurred. The foregoing
restrictions on withdrawal do not apply in the event a participant in the ORP
transfers his or her contract value to another contract or another qualified
custodian during the period of participation in the ORP. Loans are not available
under contracts issued under the ORP.

DISTRIBUTION OF CONTRACTS

     NASL Financial Services, Inc. ("NASL Financial"), 116 Huntington Avenue,
Boston, Massachusetts 02116, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is the
principal underwriter of the contracts and certificates in addition to providing
advisory services to the Trust. NASL Financial is a broker-dealer registered
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934 Act") and a member of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"). NASL Financial has
entered into an exclusive promotional agent agreement with Wood Logan
Associates, Inc. ("Wood Logan"). Wood Logan is a broker-dealer registered under
the 1934 Act and a member of the NASD. Wood Logan is a wholly owned subsidiary
of a holding company that is 85% owned by Manulife and approximately 15% owned
by the principals of Wood Logan. Sales of the contracts and certificates will be
made by registered representatives of broker-dealers authorized by NASL
Financial to sell them. Such registered representatives will also be licensed
insurance agents of the Company. Under the promotional agent agreement, Wood
Logan will recruit and provide sales training and licensing assistance to such
registered representatives. In addition, Wood Logan will prepare sales and
promotional materials for the Company's approval. NASL Financial will pay
distribution compensation to selling brokers in varying amounts which under
normal circumstances are not expected to exceed 6% of purchase payments. In
addition, NASL Financial may pay trail compensation after the first certificate
year, which under normal circumstances will not exceed 0.75% of contract value
per year. NASL Financial may from time to time pay additional compensation
pursuant to promotional contests. Additionally, in some circumstances, NASL
Financial will provide reimbursement of certain sales and marketing expenses.
NASL Financial will pay the promotional agent for providing marketing support
for the distribution of the contracts and certificates.

OWNER INQUIRIES

     All owner inquiries should be directed to the Company's Annuity Service
Office at P.O. Box 9230, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9230.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     There are no legal proceedings to which the Variable Account is a party or
to which the assets of the Variable Account are subject. Neither the Company nor
NASL Financial are involved in any litigation that is of material importance in
relation to their total assets or that relates to the Variable Account.













                                       44
<PAGE>   50



EXCHANGE OFFER AND ENHANCED DEATH BENEFIT OPTION

EXCHANGE OFFER

   
     The certificates under Contracts described in this Prospectus ("New
Certificates") may be issued in exchange for certificates under certain group
annuity contracts previously issued by the Company ("Ven 8 contracts"). The Ven
8 contracts are described in Appendix D. New Certificates may also be issued in
exchange for certain individual annuity contracts ("Old Contracts") previously
issued by the Company in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and issued prior to
August 15, 1994 in Washington, which are substantially similar to the New
Certificates except as noted below. Ven 8 contracts and Old Contracts are
collectively referred to as "Old Certificates."
    

     The Company will permit an owner of an outstanding Old Certificate to
exchange the Old Certificate for a New Certificate without surrender charge,
except a possible market value charge, as described below. For purposes of
computing the applicable surrender charge upon any withdrawals made subsequent
to the exchange, the New Certificate will be deemed to have been issued on the
date the Old Certificate was issued, and any purchase payment credited to the
Old Certificate will be deemed to have been credited to the New Certificate on
the date it was credited under the Old Certificate. The death benefit under the
New Certificate on the date of its issue will be the greater of the minimum
death benefit under the Old Certificate or the contract value on the date of
exchange and will "step up" annually thereafter as described in paragraph "2."
below.

   
     Ven 8 contract owners interested in a possible exchange should carefully
review both Appendix D and the remainder of this Prospectus before deciding to
make an exchange. Old Contract owners interested in a possible exchange should
carefully review both the Old Contract prospectus and the remainder of this
Prospectus before deciding to make an exchange.

     An exchange may not be in the best interests of an owner of an Old
Certificate, particularly in light of the availability of the Enhanced Death
Benefit endorsement described below. Further, under Old Certificates, a market
value charge may apply to any amounts transferred from a three or six year
investment account in connection with an exchange. (Reference should be made to
the discussion of the market value charge in Appendix D in the case of Ven 8
contracts and under "Fixed Account Investment Options" in the Old Contract
prospectus in the case of Old Contract owners.) The Company believes that an
exchange of Certificates will not be a taxable event for Federal tax purposes;
however, any owner considering an exchange should consult a tax adviser. The
Company reserves the right to terminate this exchange offer or to vary its terms
at any time.
    

     The principal differences between the Old and New Certificates are as
follows:

     1. The death benefit of the New Certificate will be payable upon the death
of the owner (or first owner to die if there is more than one owner). The death
benefit of the Old Certificate is payable on the death of the annuitant (or last
annuitant to die if there is more than one annuitant); if the owner predeceases
the annuitant, the Old Certificate contract value is paid, which may be a lesser
amount than the death benefit payable on the death of the annuitant.

     2. The guaranteed death benefit payable under the New Certificate will be
in most circumstances more favorable. If an owner dies on or prior to his or her
85th birthday and the oldest owner had an attained age of less than 81 years on
the certificate date, the death benefit will be the greater of (i) the contract
value or (ii) the sum of all purchase payments made less any amounts deducted in
connection with certain withdrawals. The New Certificate will step up the
measure of clause (ii) every year, so that clause (ii) will be the greater of
clause (i) or (ii) on the last day of the previous certificate year period plus
any purchase payments made and less any amounts deducted in connection with
certain withdrawals since then. Under the Old Certificate, the death benefit is
stepped up every six years instead of every year.

     Under the New Certificate, if an owner dies after his or her 85th birthday
and the oldest owner had an attained age of less than 81 years on the
certificate date, the death benefit will be the greater of the contract value or
the excess of the sum of all purchase payments made by the owner less the sum of
any amounts deducted in connection with certain withdrawals by the owner. If an
owner dies and the oldest owner had an attained age greater than 80 on the
certificate date, the death benefit will be the contract value less any
applicable withdrawal charges at the time of payment. Under the Old Certificate,
if the annuitant dies after the first of the month following his or her 85th
birthday, the minimum death benefit will be the contract value. Also, if the
owner is not the annuitant and dies before the maturity date and before the
annuitant, an amount equal to the amount payable on total withdrawal, without
reduction for any withdrawal charge, will be paid.



                                       45
<PAGE>   51

     3. The New Certificate will waive the $30 annual administration fee prior
to the maturity date if the contract value is equal to or greater than $100,000
at the time the fee is be assessed.

     4. The surrender charges under the New Certificate will be higher in
certain cases. The surrender charges are the same under both Old and New
Certificates for the first three certificate years, but thereafter the charges
under the New Certificate are 5%, 4%, 3% and 2% for withdrawals made during
certificate years four, five, six and seven, respectively, while under the Old
Certificate the charges for such years are 4%, 3%, 2% and 0%, respectively.

         5. The minimum interest rate to be credited for any guarantee period
under the fixed portion of the New Certificate will be three percent as opposed
to four percent under the Old Certificate. The market value charge under the New
Certificate will be limited so as to only affect accumulated earnings in excess
of three percent, whereas under the Old Certificate the market value charge is
limited so as to not invade principal.

     6. The annuity purchase rates guaranteed in the New Certificate have been
determined using 3% as opposed to 4% under the Old Certificate.

   
     7. (Old Contracts only) Old Contracts are individual deferred annuity
contracts whereas the New Certificates are group deferred annuity certificates.
Ownership of an individual contract is evidenced by the issuance of an
individual annuity contract whereas participation in a group contract is
separately accounted for by the issuance of a certificate evidencing the owner's
interest under the contract. Under the group contract, contracts have been
issued to the Security Life Trust, a trust established with United Missouri
Bank, N.A., Kansas City, Missouri, as group holder for groups comprised of
persons who have brokerage accounts with brokers having selling agreements with
NASL Financial.
    

     Certificate owners who do not wish to exchange their Old Certificates for
the New Certificates may continue to make purchase payments to their Old
Certificates. Or, they can keep their Old Certificates and buy a New Certificate
to which to apply additional purchase payments.

     The above comparison does not take into account differences between the Old
Certificates, as amended by qualified plan endorsements, and the New
Certificates, as amended by similar qualified plan endorsements. Owners using
their Old Certificate in connection with a qualified plan should consult a tax
advisor. See also the Federal Tax Matters section of the prospectus.

   
(Old Contracts Only) Additional Considerations for Ven 1 and Ven 3 Contract
Owners

     The comparison of Old Contract and New Certificate provisions set forth
above does not include the Ven 1 and Ven 3 contracts (which are no longer being
issued and which are described in Appendix C to the Old Contract prospectus).
These contracts will also be eligible for voluntary exchange for the New
Contracts. Ven 3 and Ven 1 contract owners should in particular consider the
following differences between the Ven 3 and Ven 1 contracts and the New
Certificate.

1.   In general, the death benefit of the New Certificate will be payable on the
     death of the owner (or first owner to die if there is more than one owner).
     The death benefit of the Ven 3 and Ven 1 contracts is generally payable on
     the death of the annuitant (or last annuitant to die if there is more than
     one annuitant); if the owner predeceases the annuitant, the Ven 3 or Ven 1
     contract value (as applicable) is paid, which may be a lesser amount than
     the death benefit payable on the death of the annuitant.

2.   The guaranteed death benefit payable under the New Certificate will in most
     circumstances be more favorable. The minimum death benefit for the Ven 1
     contract is the greater of (a) the contract value or (b) the sum of all
     purchase payments made, less any amount deducted in connection with partial
     withdrawals. The minimum death benefit for the Ven 3 contract is described
     below under "Enhanced Death Benefit Additional Considerations for Ven 3
     Contract Owners." The minimum death benefit for the New Certificate is as
     described above in this "Exchange Offer" section. Ven 3 contract owners
     should also note that the New Certificate contains additional provisions
     which limit the death benefit paid if an owner dies after his or her 85th
     birthday and the oldest owner had an attained age of less than 81 years on
     the contract date, to the greater of the contract value or the excess of
     the sum of all purchase payments less the sum of any amounts deducted in
     connection with certain withdrawals . Ven 3 contract owners should also
     note that the New Certificate contains a provision which limits the death
     benefit paid to the contract value less any applicable withdrawal charges
     at the time of payment if the owner dies and the oldest owner had an
     attained age greater than 80 on the contract date. These provisions may not
     be as favorable to Ven 3 contract owners.
    



                                       46
<PAGE>   52

   
3.   The New Certificate will waive the $30 annual administration fee prior to
     the maturity date if the contract value is equal to or greater than
     $100,000 at the time the fee is to be assessed.

4.   The surrender charges under the New Certificate are higher in certain
     cases. The New Certificate surrender charges are 6%, 6%, 5%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%
     for withdrawals made within one, two, three, four, five, six and seven,
     respectively, of payment. The surrender charges for the Ven 3 and Ven 1
     contract is 5% for withdrawals made within five years of payment (certain
     exceptions apply to the withdrawal charge as described in Appendix C) to
     the Old Contract.

5.   The New Certificate provides for thirty-eight investment options
     (thirty-four variable and four fixed). Neither the Ven 3 contract nor the
     Ven 1 contract provide for fixed investment options. In addition, the Ven 1
     contract offers only three variable investment options.

6.   The New Certificate provides for the deduction from each sub-account each
     valuation period of a charge at an effective annual rate of 1.40% (1.25%
     for mortality and expense risk fees and 0.15% for administration fees) of
     the contract reserves allocated to such subaccount. The Ven 1 contract
     provides for the deduction from each sub-account each valuation period of a
     charge at an effective annual rate of 1.30% (for mortality and expense
     risk) of the contract reserves allocated to such subaccount. The Ven 3
     charges are the same as those for the New Certificate.

7.   The annuity purchase rates guaranteed in the New Certificate have been
     determined using 3% as opposed to 4% under the Ven 1 and Ven 3 contracts.

8.   Certain Ven 3 and Ven 1 contracts may not be subject to some changes in the
     Federal tax law that have occurred since the contracts were issued, i.e.,
     the contract were "grandfathered." If such a grandfathered contract is
     exchanged, the New Certificate is likely to be subject to the changes in
     the law. For example, annuity contract issued on or prior to April 22, 1987
     are generally not subject to Federal tax rules treating transferred of
     annuity contracts for inadequate consideration as taxable events. See
     "Taxation of Partial and Full Withdrawals" in the Federal Tax Matters
     section of the prospectus. A New Certificate received in exchange for a Ven
     3 or Ven 1 contract would, however, typically be subject to these rules.
    


ENHANCED DEATH BENEFIT OPTION

     As an alternative to the exchange privilege described above, the Company is
offering an Enhanced Death Benefit to any owner of an Old Certificate in the
states of Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington having a certificate date not later
than August 15, 1994. The Enhanced Death Benefit Option is not available in
South Carolina. The Enhanced Death Benefit Option is available as an endorsement
to such Certificates only upon the payment of an additional purchase payment of
at least 10% of all purchase payments made to the Old Certificate through August
15, 1994 or $10,000, whichever is greater. Old Certificates dated subsequent to
August 15 will not be eligible for the Enhanced Death Benefit endorsement.

     The Enhanced Death Benefit, as described below, will provide an annual
step-up in death benefit comparable to the New Certificate death benefit
described in the prospectus under "Death Benefit Before Maturity Date," except
that the death benefit under the endorsement will be payable on the death of the
last surviving annuitant as opposed to the death of the first owner as provided
in the New Certificate.

     The Enhanced Death Benefit provided by the endorsement will always be equal
to or better than the death benefit of an Old Certificate issued without the
endorsement. In the case of the death of the annuitant on or prior to the first
of the month following his or her 85th birthday, the minimum death benefit is as
described under the caption "Prior Contract Death Benefit Provision" in Appendix
D in the case of Ven 8 contracts and under "Death Benefit Before Maturity Date"
in the Old Contract prospectus in the case of the Old Contract, except that the
death benefit is stepped up each certificate year instead of each six
certificate year period. In the case of the death of the annuitant after the
first of the month following his or her 85th birthday, the minimum death benefit
is the greater of the contract value or the excess of the sum of all purchase
payments less the sum of any amounts deducted in connection with certain
withdrawals. Under an Old Certificate issued without the endorsement, if the
annuitant dies after the first of the month following his or her 85th birthday,
the death benefit is the contract value only. For purposes of computing the
Enhanced Death Benefit under an Old Certificate issued without the endorsement,
the death benefit will be computed as if the Enhanced Death Benefit endorsement
had been a part of the Old Certificate on the certificate date.



                                       47
<PAGE>   53

     The Company believes that the addition of the Enhanced Death Benefit
endorsement to an Old Certificate will not be treated as a taxable event for
Federal tax purposes; however, any owner considering the addition of the
endorsement should consult a tax advisor.

   
(Old Contracts Only) Ven 1 Contract Owners

     The Enhanced Death Benefit described above is not available for the Ven 1
contract.

(Old Contracts Only) Additional Considerations for Ven 3 Contract Owners

     The Enhanced Death Benefit described above is available for the Ven 3
contract. For Ven 3 contracts, the Enhanced Death Benefit provided by the
endorsement will always be equal to or better than the death benefit of the Ven
3 contract issued without the endorsement . The Enhanced Death Benefit provides
that upon the death of the annuitant, the death benefit, during the first
contract year, will be the greater of (a) the contract value or (b) the sum of
all the purchase payments made, less any amount deducted in connection with
partial withdrawals and, during any subsequent year, will be (a) the contract
value or (b) the death benefit on the last day of the previous contract year
plus any purchase payments made and less any amounts deducted in connection with
partial withdrawals since then. As described in Appendix C of the Old Contract
prospectus, upon the death of the annuitant, the minimum death benefit for the
Ven 3 contract, during the first five contract years, will be the greater of (a)
the contract value or (b) the sum of all purchase payments made, less any amount
deducted in connection with partial withdrawals and, during any subsequent five
contract year period, will be the greater of (a) the contract value or (b) the
minimum death benefit determined in accordance with these provisions as of the
last day of the previous five contract year period plus any purchase payments
made and less any amount deducted in connection with partial withdrawals since
then.

         Ven 3 contracts may not be subject to some changes in the Federal tax
law that have occurred since the contracts were issued, i.e., the contracts were
"grandfathered". If the Enhanced Death Benefit endorsement is added to such a
grandfathered contract, the amended contract is likely to be subject to the
changes in the law. For example, annuity contracts issued on or prior to April
22, 1987 are generally not subject to Federal tax rules treating transfers of
annuity contracts for inadequate consideration as taxable events. See Taxation
of Partial and Full Withdrawals in the Federal Tax Matters section of the
prospectus. A contract to which the Enhanced Death Benefit endorsement is added
may, however, be subject to these rules.
    











                                       48

<PAGE>   54




OTHER INFORMATION

     A registration statement has been filed with the Commission under the 1933
Act, as amended, with respect to the variable portion of the contracts discussed
in this Prospectus. Not all the information set forth in the registration
statement, amendments and exhibits thereto has been included in this Prospectus.
Statements contained in this Prospectus or the Statement of Additional
Information concerning the content of the contracts and other legal instruments
are only summaries. For a complete statement of the terms of these documents,
reference should be made to the instruments filed with the Commission.


                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
General Information and History ............................................   3
Performance Data ...........................................................   3
Services
       Independent Auditors ................................................   6
       Servicing Agent .....................................................   6
       Principal Underwriter ...............................................   6
       Cancellation of Certificate .........................................   6
Financial Statements .......................................................   7
    

















                                       49
<PAGE>   55

                                   APPENDIX A

EXAMPLES OF CALCULATION OF WITHDRAWAL CHARGE

<TABLE>
Example 1 - Assume a single payment of $50,000 is made by an owner into the
contract and a certificate is issued. No transfers are made, no additional
payments are made and there are no partial withdrawals. The table below
illustrates four examples of the withdrawal charges that would be imposed if the
contract value of the certificate were completely withdrawn. This illustration
is based on hypothetical contract values.

<CAPTION>
   CERTIFICATE         HYPOTHETICAL             FREE                                  WITHDRAWAL
      YEAR               CONTRACT            WITHDRAWAL           PAYMENTS              CHARGE
                           VALUE               AMOUNT            LIQUIDATED  --------------------------
                                                                               PERCENT       AMOUNT
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        <S>               <C>                  <C>                 <C>            <C>        <C>
        2                 55,000                5,000(a)           50,000         6%         3,000
        4                 50,500                5,000(b)           45,500         5%         2,275
        6                 60,000               10,000(c)           50,000         3%         1,500
        8                 70,000               20,000(d)           50,000         0%             0

- ----------

<FN>
(a)  During any certificate year the free withdrawal amount is the greater of
     accumulated earnings, or 10% of the total payments made by the owner less
     any prior partial withdrawals in that certificate year. In the second
     certificate year the earnings under the contract and 10% of payments both
     equal $5,000. Consequently, on total withdrawal $5,000 is withdrawn free of
     the withdrawal charge, the entire $50,000 payment is liquidated and the
     withdrawal charge is assessed against such liquidated payment (contract
     value less free withdrawal amount).

(b)  In the example for the fourth certificate year, the accumulated earnings of
     $500 is less than 10% of payments, therefore the free withdrawal amount is
     equal to 10% of payments ($50,000 X 10% = $5,000) and the withdrawal charge
     is only applied to payments liquidated (contract value less free withdrawal
     amount).

(c)  In the example for the sixth certificate year, the accumulated earnings of
     $10,000 is greater than 10% of payments ($5,000), therefore the free
     withdrawal amount is equal to the accumulated earnings of $10,000 and the
     withdrawal charge is applied to the payments liquidated (contract value
     less free withdrawal amount).

(d)  There is no withdrawal charge on any payments liquidated that have been in
     the contract for at least 7 years.
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
         Example 2 - Assume a single payment of $50,000 is made by an owner into
the contract and a certificate is issued. No transfers are made, no additional
payments are made and there are a series of four partial withdrawals made during
the third certificate year of $2,000, $5,000, $7,000, and $8,000. The
illustration below is based on hypothetical contract values.

<CAPTION>
     HYPOTHETICAL    PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL         FREE                                 WITHDRAWAL
       CONTRACT           REQUESTED          WITHDRAWAL          PAYMENTS              CHARGE
         VALUE                                 AMOUNT           LIQUIDATED   --------------------------
                                                                               PERCENT        AMOUNT
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        <S>                <C>                 <C>                  <C>           <C>          <C>
        65,000             2,000               15,000(a)                0         5%             0
        49,000             5,000                3,000(b)            2,000         5%           100
        52,000             7,000                4,000(c)            3,000         5%           150
        44,000             8,000                    0(d)            8,000         5%           400

- ----------

<FN>
(a)  The free withdrawal amount during any certificate year is the greater of
     the contract value less the unliquidated payments (accumulated earnings),
     or 10% of payments less 100% of all prior withdrawals in that certificate
     year. For the first example, accumulated earnings of $15,000 is the free
     withdrawal amount since it is greater than 10% of payments less prior
     withdrawals ($5,000-0). The amount requested ($2,000) is less than the free
     withdrawal amount so no payments are liquidated and no withdrawal charge
     applies.

</TABLE>


                                       50
<PAGE>   56

(b)  The contract has negative accumulated earnings ($49,000-$50,000), so the
     free withdrawal amount is limited to 10% of payments less all prior
     withdrawals. Since $2,000 has already been withdrawn in the current
     certificate year, the remaining free withdrawal amount during the third
     certificate year is $3,000. The $5,000 partial withdrawal will consist of
     $3,000 free of withdrawal charge, and the remaining $2,000 will be subject
     to a withdrawal charge and result in payments being liquidated. The
     remaining unliquidated payments are $48,000.

(c)  The contract has increased in value to $52,000. The unliquidated payments
     are $48,000 so the accumulated earnings are $4,000, which is greater than
     10% of payments less prior withdrawals ($5,000-$2,000-$5,000 0). Hence the
     free withdrawal amount is $4,000. Therefore, $3,000 of the $7,000 partial
     withdrawal will be subject to a withdrawal charge and result in payments
     being liquidated. The remaining unliquidated payments are $45,000.

(d)  The free withdrawal amount is zero since the contract has negative
     accumulated earnings ($44,000-$45,000) and the full 10% of payments
     ($5,000) has already been withdrawn. The full amount of $8,000 will result
     in payments being liquidated subject to a withdrawal charge. At the
     beginning of the next certificate year the full 10% of payments would be
     available again for withdrawal requests during that year.



                                   APPENDIX B

STATE PREMIUM TAXES

     Premium taxes vary according to the state and are subject to change. In
many jurisdictions there is no tax at all. For current information, a tax
adviser should be consulted.

                                                           TAX RATE

                                                   QUALIFIED       NON-QUALIFIED
STATE                                              CONTRACTS         CONTRACTS
================================================================================
CALIFORNIA ...................................       .50%               2.35%
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA .........................      2.25%               2.25%
KANSAS .......................................       .00%               2.00%
KENTUCKY .....................................      2.00%               2.00%
MAINE ........................................       .00%               2.00%
NEVADA .......................................       .00%               3.50%
PUERTO RICO ..................................      1.00%               1.00%
SOUTH DAKOTA .................................       .00%               1.25%
TEXAS ........................................       .04%                .04%
WEST VIRGINIA ................................      1.00%               1.00%
WYOMING ......................................       .00%               1.00%


















                                       51
<PAGE>   57

                                   APPENDIX C

For all certificates issued in Pennsylvania the maximum maturity age based upon
the issue age of the annuitant is as follows:


         ISSUE AGE                                    MAXIMUM MATURITY AGE

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

         70 or less                                         85
         71-75                                              86
         76-80                                              88
         81-85                                              90
         86-90                                              93
         91-93                                              96
         94-95                                              98
         96-97                                              99
         98-99                                             101
         100-101                                           102
         102                                               103
         103                                               104
         104                                               105
         105                                               106

     It is required that the annuitant exercise a settlement annuity option no
later than the maximum maturity age stated above. For example an annuitant age
60 at issue must exercise a settlement option prior to the attainment of age 86.
The Company will use the issue age of the youngest named annuitant in the
determination of the required settlement option date.

     If certificates are issued with annuitants over age 84, a withdrawal charge
could be imposed if they terminate the certificate rather than elect a
settlement option upon attainment of the maximum maturity age. This is a result
of the restrictions by Pennsylvania in combination with the 7-year withdrawal
charge schedule of the certificate.

                                   APPENDIX D

PRIOR CONTRACTS

     Prior to February, 1995, the Company issued a class of variable annuity
contract which is no longer being issued but under which purchase payments may
continue to be made ("prior contract") -- "Ven 8" contracts, which were sold
during the period from September 1992 until February, 1995.

     The principal differences between the contract offered by this Prospectus
and the prior contract relate to the investment options available under the
contracts, a minimum interest rate to be credited for any guarantee period under
the fixed portion of the contracts, the charges made by the Company and the
death benefit provisions.

INVESTMENT OPTIONS

     The investment options under the prior contract differ as follows from the
investment options described in this Prospectus. The prior contract does not
allow for investments in the five and seven year fixed account investments
options. The prior contract allows investments in a six year fixed account
investment option not available under the contract offered by this Prospectus.
The prior contract does not provide the Company the authority to offer
additional fixed account investment options for any yearly period from two to
ten years.

FIXED ACCOUNT MINIMUM INTEREST GUARANTEE

     The minimum interest rate to be credited for any guarantee period under the
fixed portion of the prior contract is 4%.

MARKET VALUE CHARGE

     For purposes of calculating the market value adjustment factor (see "Fixed
Account Investment Options - Market Value Charge") 




                                       52
<PAGE>   58

the maximum difference between "B" and "A" will be 3%. The adjustment factor
will never be greater than 2x(A-4%) and never less than zero. ("A" is the
guaranteed interest rate on the investment account. "B" is the guaranteed
interest rate available, on the date the request is processed, for amounts
allocated to a new investment account with the same length of guarantee period
as the investment account from which the amounts are being withdrawn.)

     There will be no market value charge on withdrawals from the fixed account
investment options in the following situations: (a) death of the annuitant; (b)
amounts withdrawn to pay fees or charges; (c) amounts applied at the maturity
date to purchase an annuity as provided in the certificate; (d) amounts
withdrawn from three and six year investment accounts within one month prior to
the end of the guarantee period; and (e) amounts withdrawn in any year that do
not exceed 10% of total purchase payments less any prior partial withdrawals in
that certificate year.

     Notwithstanding application of the market value adjustment formula, in no
event will the market value charge (i) exceed the earnings attributable to the
amount withdrawn from an investment account, (ii) together with any withdrawal
charges for an investment account be greater than 10% of the amount transferred
or withdrawn, or (iii) reduce the amount payable on withdrawal or transfer below
the amount required under the non-forfeiture laws of the state with jurisdiction
over the contract. The cumulative effect of the market value and withdrawal
charges (or the effect of the withdrawal charge itself) could, however, result
in a owner receiving total withdrawal proceeds of less than the owner's
investment in the contract.

WITHDRAWAL CHARGES

     The withdrawal charges under the prior contract differ from the withdrawal
charges described in this Prospectus.

Prior Contract Withdrawal Charge

     The withdrawal charge assessed under the prior contract is as follows:

     If a withdrawal is made from the contract by an owner before the maturity
date of the certificate, a withdrawal charge (contingent deferred sales charge)
may be assessed against amounts withdrawn attributable to purchase payments that
have been in the contract for the owner less than six complete years. There is
never a withdrawal charge with respect to earnings accumulated for an owner in
the contract, certain other free withdrawal amounts described below or purchase
payments by or on behalf of the owner that have been in the contract more than
six complete years. In no event may the total withdrawal charges exceed 6% of
the total purchase payments made by or on behalf of the owner. The amount of the
withdrawal charge and when it is assessed is discussed below:

     1. Each withdrawal is allocated first to the "free withdrawal amount" and
second to "unliquidated purchase payments" for each certificate. In any
certificate year, the free withdrawal amount for that year is the greater of (1)
the excess of the owner's contract value on the date of withdrawal over the
unliquidated purchase payments made by or on behalf of the owner (the
accumulated earnings on the owner's certificate) or (2) 10% of total purchase
payments made by or on behalf of the owner less any prior partial withdrawals by
the owner in that certificate year. Withdrawals allocated to the free withdrawal
amount may be withdrawn without the imposition of a withdrawal charge.

     2. If an owner makes a withdrawal for an amount in excess of the free
withdrawal amount, the excess will be allocated to purchase payments which will
be liquidated on a first-in first-out basis. On any withdrawal request, the
Company will liquidate purchase payments equal to the amount of the withdrawal
request which exceeds the free withdrawal amount in the order such purchase
payments were made: the oldest unliquidated purchase payment first, the next
purchase payment second, etc. until all purchase payments have been liquidated.

     3. Each purchase payment or portion thereof liquidated in connection with a
withdrawal request is subject to a withdrawal charge based on the length of time
the purchase payment has been in the contract. The amount of the withdrawal
charge is calculated by multiplying the amount of the purchase payment being
liquidated by the applicable withdrawal charge percentage obtained from the
table below.













                                       53
<PAGE>   59


      NUMBER OF COMPLETE YEARS                      WITHDRAWAL CHARGE
    PURCHASE PAYMENT IN CONTRACT                       PERCENTAGE
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
               0                                           6%
               1                                           6%
               2                                           5%
               3                                           4%
               4                                           3%
               5                                           2%
               6+                                          0%

     The total withdrawal charge will be the sum of the withdrawal charges for
the purchase payments being liquidated.

     4. The withdrawal charge is deducted from the owner's contract value
remaining after the owner is paid the amount requested, except in the case of a
complete withdrawal when it is deducted from the amount otherwise payable. In
the case of a partial withdrawal, the amount requested from an investment
account may not exceed the value of that investment account less any applicable
withdrawal charge and market value charge.

     5. There is generally no withdrawal charge on distributions made as a
result of the death of the annuitant or owner and no withdrawal charges are
imposed on the maturity date if the owner annuitizes as provided in the
contract.

OTHER CONTRACT CHARGES

     The prior contract makes no provision for the waiver of the $30 annual
administration fee when prior to the maturity date the contract value equals or
exceeds $100,000 at the time of the fee's assessment.

DEATH BENEFIT PROVISIONS

Prior Contract Death Benefit Provisions

     The provisions governing the death benefit prior to the maturity date under
the prior contract are as follows:

     Death of Annuitant who is not the Owner. The Company will pay the minimum
death benefit, less any debt, to the beneficiary if the owner is not the
annuitant and the annuitant dies before the owner and before the maturity date.
If there is more than one such annuitant, the minimum death benefit will be paid
on the death of the last surviving co-annuitant. The minimum death benefit will
be paid either as a lump sum or in accordance with any of the annuity options
available under the contract. An election to receive the death benefit under an
annuity option must be made within 60 days after the date on which the death
benefit first becomes payable. Rather than receiving the minimum death benefit,
the beneficiary may elect to continue his or her participation under the
contract as a new owner. (In general, a beneficiary who makes such an election
will nonetheless be treated for federal income tax purposes as if he or she had
received the minimum death benefit.)

     Death of Annuitant who is the Owner. The Company will pay the minimum death
benefit, less any debt, to the beneficiary if the owner is the annuitant, dies
before the maturity date and is not survived by a co-annuitant. If the
certificate is a non-qualified certificate, the owner is the annuitant and the
owner dies before the maturity date survived by a co-annuitant, the Company,
instead of paying the minimum death benefit to the beneficiary, will pay to the
successor owner an amount equal to the amount payable on total withdrawal
without reduction for any withdrawal charge. If the certificate is a
non-qualified certificate, distribution of the minimum death benefit to the
beneficiary (or of the amount payable to the successor owner) must be made
within five years after the owner's death. If the beneficiary or successor
owner, as appropriate, is an individual, in lieu of distribution within five
years of the owner's death, distribution may be made as an annuity which begins
within one year of the owner's death and is payable over the life of the
beneficiary (or the successor owner, as appropriate) or over a period not in
excess of the life expectancy of the beneficiary (or the successor owner, as
appropriate). If the owner's spouse is the beneficiary (or the successor owner,
as appropriate) that spouse may elect to continue his or her participation under
the contract as a new owner in lieu of receiving the distribution. In such a
case, the distribution rules applicable when a owner dies generally will apply
when that spouse, as the owner, dies.

     Death of Owner who is not the Annuitant. If the owner is not the annuitant
and dies before the maturity date and before the 




                                       54
<PAGE>   60

annuitant, the successor owner shall have the ownership rights of the owner and
will be entitled to the owner's interest in the contract. If the certificate is
a nonqualified contract, an amount equal to the amount payable on total
withdrawal, without reduction for any withdrawal charge, will be paid to the
successor owner. Distribution of the amount to the successor owner must be made
within five years of the owner's death. If the successor owner is an
individual, in lieu of distribution within five years of the owner's death,
distribution may be made as an annuity which begins within one year of the
owner's death and is payable over the life of the successor owner (or over a
period not greater than the successor owner's life expectancy). If the owner's
spouse is the successor owner, that spouse may elect to continue his or her
participation under the contract as a new owner in lieu of receiving the
distribution. In such a case, the distribution rules applicable when an owner
dies generally will apply when that spouse, as the owner, dies.

     For purposes of these death benefit provisions applicable on an owner's
death (whether or not such owner is an annuitant), if a non-qualified
certificate has more than one individual owner, death benefits must be paid as
provided in the contract upon the death of any such owner. If both owners are
individuals, the distributions will be made to the remaining owner rather than
to the successor owner.

     Entity as Owner. In the case of a non-qualified certificate where the owner
is not an individual (for example, the owner is a corporation or a trust), the
special rules stated in this paragraph apply. For purposes of distributions of
death benefits before the maturity date, any annuitant under the certificate
will be treated as the owner, and a change in the annuitant or any co-annuitant
shall be treated as the death of the owner. In the case of distributions which
result from a change in an annuitant when the annuitant does not actually die,
the amount distributed will be reduced by charges which would otherwise apply
upon withdrawal.

     If a non-qualified certificate has both an individual and a non-individual
owner, death benefits must be paid as provided in the contract upon the death of
any annuitant, a change in any annuitant, or the death of any individual owner,
whichever occurs earlier.

     The minimum death benefit during the first six certificate years will be
equal to the greater of: (a) the owner's contract value on the date due proof of
death and all required claim forms are received at the Company's Annuity Service
Office, or (b) the sum of all purchase payments made by or on behalf of the
owner, less any amount deducted in connection with partial withdrawals made by
the owner. During any subsequent six contract year period, the minimum death
benefit will be the greater of (a) the owner's contract value on the date due
proof of death and all required claim forms are received at the Company's
Annuity Service Office, or (b) the minimum death benefit on the last day of the
previous six certificate year period plus any purchase payments made by or on
behalf of the owner and less any amount deducted in connection with partial
withdrawals made by the owner since then. If the annuitant dies after the first
of the month following his or her 85th birthday, the minimum death benefit will
be the owner's contract value on the date due proof of death and all required
claim forms are received at the Company' Annuity Service Office.

     Death benefits will be paid within seven days of receipt of due proof of
death and all required claim forms at the Company's Annuity Service Office,
subject to postponement under the same circumstances that payment of withdrawals
may be postponed.

Prior Contract Enhanced Death Benefit Option

     The Company is offering an Enhanced Death Benefit Option to any owner of a
certificate ("Certificate") issued under a prior contract having a certificate
date not later than August 15, 1994. The Enhanced Death Benefit Option is
available as an endorsement to such Certificates only upon the payment of an
additional purchase payment of at least 10% of all purchase payments made to the
Certificate through August 15, 1994 or $10,000, whichever is greater.
Certificates dated subsequent to August 15 will not be eligible for the Enhanced
Death Benefit endorsement. (An owner of a Certificate may also exchange the
Certificate for the Certificate described in the Prospectus, see "Exchange Offer
and Enhanced Death Benefit Option" in the Prospectus.)

     The Enhanced Death Benefit, as described below, will provide an annual
step-up in death benefit comparable to the death benefit described in this
Prospectus under "Death Benefit Before Maturity Date," except that the death
benefit under the endorsement will be payable on the death of the last surviving
annuitant as opposed to the death of the first owner as provided in this
Prospectus.

     The Enhanced Death Benefit provided by the endorsement will always be equal
to or better than the death benefit of a Certificate issued without the
endorsement. In the case of the death of the annuitant on or prior to the first
of the month following his or her 85th birthday, the minimum death benefit is as
described in Appendix D under the caption "Prior Contract Death Benefit
Provisions" except that the death benefit is stepped up each certificate year
instead of each six certificate year period. In the case of the death of the
annuitant after the first of the month following his or her 85th birthday, the
minimum death benefit is the greater of the contract value or the excess of the
sum of all purchase payments less the sum of any amounts deducted in connection
with certain withdrawals. Under a Certificate issued without the endorsement, if
the annuitant dies after the first of the month following his or her 85th
birthday, the death benefit is the contract 




                                       55
<PAGE>   61

value only. For purposes of computing the Enhanced Death Benefit under a
Certificate issued without the endorsement, the death benefit will be computed
as if the Enhanced Death Benefit endorsement had been a part of the Certificate
on the certificate date.

OTHER CONTRACT PROVISIONS

Contract Maturity Date

     Under the prior contract, the contract maturity date is the later of the
first day of the month following the 85th birthday of the annuitant or the sixth
certificate anniversary. The prior contract allows the owner to specify a
different maturity date at any time by written request at least one month before
both the previously specified and the new maturity date. The new maturity date
must be the first day of a month no later than the first day of the month
following the 85th birthday of the annuitant.

Annuity Tables Assumed Interest Rate

     A 4% assumed interest rate is built into the annuity tables in the prior
contract used to determine the first variable annuity payment to be made under
that contract.

Beneficiary

     Under the prior contract certain provisions relating to beneficiary are as
follows:

     The beneficiary is the person, persons or entity designated in the
application or as subsequently named to whom benefits will be paid on the death
of the annuitant. The beneficiary may be changed by the owner during the
lifetime of the annuitant and prior to the maturity date subject to the rights
of any irrevocable beneficiary. Any change must be made in writing, approved by
the Company and if approved, will be effective as of the date on which written.
The Company assumes no liability for any payments made or actions taken before
the change is approved. Prior to the maturity date, if no beneficiary survives
the annuitant, the owner or the owner's estate will be the beneficiary. The
interest of any beneficiary is subject to that of any assignee. In the case of
certain qualified contracts or certificates, regulations promulgated by the
Treasury Department prescribe certain limitations on the designation of a
beneficiary.

Ownership

     Under the prior contract certain provisions relating to ownership are as
follows:

     The contract is owned by the group holder. However, all contract rights and
privileges not expressly reserved to the group holder may be exercised by each
owner as to his or her interests as specified in his or her certificate. Prior
to the maturity date, an owner is the person designated in an application or as
subsequently named. On and after a certificate's maturity date, the annuitant is
the owner and after the death of the annuitant, the beneficiary is the owner.

     In the case of non-qualified contracts, ownership of the contract may be
changed at any time. In the case of non-qualified certificates, an owner may
assign his or her interest in the contract during the lifetime of the annuitant
prior to the maturity date, subject to the rights of any irrevocable
beneficiary. Assigning a contract or interest therein, or changing the ownership
of a contract or certificate, may be treated as a distribution of all or a
portion of the contract value for Federal tax purposes. Any change of ownership
or assignment must be made in writing. Any change must be approved by the
Company. Any assignment and any change, if approved, will be effective as of the
date on which written. The Company assumes no liability for any payments made or
actions taken before a change is approved or assignment is accepted or
responsibility for the validity or sufficiency of any assignment.


Modification

     The prior contract does not include "free withdrawal percentage" among
contract terms the Company is authorized to change on 60 days' notice to the
group holder.










                                       56
<PAGE>   62


<TABLE>
                        TABLE OF ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUES

<CAPTION>

                                             UNIT VALUE
                                              AT START           UNIT VALUE AT          NUMBER OF UNITS
SUB-ACCOUNT                                    OF YEAR            END OF YEAR            AT END OF YEAR
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>                   <C>                    <C>
   
International Small Cap****
  1996.....................                  $12.500000            $13.493094               165,593.884
Small/Mid Cap****
  1996.....................                  $12.500000            $13.215952               293,815.378
Global Equity
  1992.....................                  $12.003976            $11.790318                28,203.763
  1993.....................                   11.790318             15.450341               985,277.929
  1994.....................                   15.450341             15.500933             2,268,423.530
  1995.....................                   15.500933             16.459655             2,132,127.330
  1996.....................                   16.459655             18.276450             1,785,966.081
Growth***** 
  1996.....................                  $12.500000            $13.727312                98,424.809
Blue Chip (formerly called Pasadena Growth)
  1992*....................                  $10.000000            $ 9.923524                58,049.495
  1993.....................                    9.923524            $ 9.413546               707,931.534
  1994.....................                    9.413546              8.837480             1,001,113.147
  1995.....................                    8.837480             11.026969             1,257,014.677
  1996.....................                   11.026969             13.688523             1,223,305.806
Equity
  1992.....................                  $12.386657            $13.143309               122,807.657
  1993.....................                   13.143309             15.075040             1,315,253.114
  1994.....................                   15.075040             14.786831             1,958,082.571
  1995.....................                   14.786831             20.821819             2,278,573.962
  1996.....................                   20.821819             24.664354             2,007,082.996
Value Equity
  1993**...................                  $10.000000            $11.175534               715,700.792
  1994.....................                   11.175534             11.107620             1,432,473.155
  1995.....................                   11.107620             13.548849             1,741,975.072
  1996.....................                   13.548849             16.011513             1,661,006.752
Growth and Income
  1992.....................                  $10.942947            $11.927411               149,476.889
  1993.....................                   11.927411             12.893007             1,610,454.400
  1994.....................                   12.893007             13.076664             2,142,828.604
  1995.....................                   13.076664             16.660889             2,230,320.953
  1996.....................                   16.660889             20.178770             2,214,190.721
International Growth and Income***
  1995.....................                  $10.000000            $10.554228               100,475.374
  1996.....................                   10.554228             11.718276               223,718.019
Strategic Bond
  1993**...................                  $10.000000            $10.750617               381,406.287
  1994.....................                   10.750617              9.965972               564,406.390
  1995.....................                    9.965972             11.716972               682,547.892
  1996.....................                   11.716972             13.250563               797,845.050
Global Government Bond
  1992.....................                  $13.322602            $13.415849                56,786.509
  1993.....................                   13.415849             15.741586               745,370.831
  1994.....................                   15.741586             14.630721               694,644.982
  1995.....................                   14.630721             17.772344               586,608.921
  1996.....................                   17.772344             19.803954               494,576.435

    
</TABLE>


                                       57
<PAGE>   63

<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>                   <C>                    <C>
   
Investment Quality Bond (formerly called Bond Sub-account)
  1992.....................                  $13.147350            $13.936240                59,746.432
  1993.....................                   13.936240             15.118716               319,417.770
  1994.....................                   15.118716             14.216516               384,804.353
  1995.....................                   14.216516             16.751499               371,328.627
  1996.....................                   16.751499             16.943257               361,839.590
U.S. Gov. Securities (formerly called U.S. Gov. Bond  Sub-account)
  1992.....................                  $13.015785            $13.651495               212,815.440
  1993.....................                   13.651495             14.490734               783,550.472
  1994.....................                   14.490734             14.111357               585,709.535
  1995.....................                   14.111357             16.083213               494,142.862
  1996.....................                   16.083213             16.393307               390,696.559
Money Market
  1992.....................                  $12.892485            $13.137257                28,928.622
  1993.....................                   13.137257             13.303085               331,225.229
  1994.....................                   13.303085             13.623292             1,079,557.666
  1995.....................                   13.623292             14.190910               530,610.979
  1996.....................                   14.190910             14.699636               846,105.590
Aggressive Asset Allocation
  1992.....................                  $10.880194            $11.623893                21,660.089
  1993.....................                   11.623893             12.642493               244,300.482
  1994.....................                   12.642493             12.381395               395,864.362
  1995.....................                   12.381395             14.990551               422,911.593
  1996.....................                   14.990551             16.701647               365,478.331
Moderate Asset Allocation
  1992 ....................                  $11.012835            $11.772128               120,020.418
  1993.....................                   11.772128             12.775798             1,245,900.794
  1994.....................                   12.775798             12.396295             1,690,801.919
  1995.....................                   12.396295             14.752561             1,435,414.191
  1996.....................                   14.752561             15.995078             1,266,755.972
Conservative Asset Allocation
  1992.....................                  $11.102574            $11.821212                56,414.765
  1993.....................                   11.821212             12.705196               330,900.271
  1994.....................                   12.705196             12.298940               478,239.388
  1995.....................                   12.298940             14.320582               415,991.541
  1996.....................                   14.320582             15.113142               325,608.369

<FN>
*     This Sub-account commenced operations on December 11, 1992.
**    This Sub-account commenced operations on February 19, 1993.
***   This Sub-account commenced operations on January 9, 1995.
****  This Sub-account commenced operations on March 4, 1996.
***** This Sub-account commenced operations on July 15, 1996.

    
</TABLE>


























                                       58
<PAGE>   64
                                     PART B

                           INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A
                      STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION



<PAGE>   65
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                              NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                       OF



                             NORTH AMERICAN SECURITY
                             LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY


                      FLEXIBLE PAYMENT DEFERRED COMBINATION
                    FIXED AND VARIABLE GROUP ANNUITY CONTRACT
                                NON-PARTICIPATING











         This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. It
contains information in addition to that described in the Prospectus and should
be read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated the same date as this Statement
of Additional Information. The Prospectus may be obtained by writing North
American Security Life Insurance Company (the "Company") at the Annuity Service
Office, P.O. Box 9230, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9230 or telephoning (617)
266-6008.

   
      The date of this Statement of Additional Information is May 1, 1997.
    



                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
                              116 Huntington Avenue
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02116
                                 (617) 266-6008



   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
V22/23.SAI597
    


                                       1
<PAGE>   66


<TABLE>
                                                STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                                         TABLE OF CONTENTS
<CAPTION>


<S>                                                                                                                        <C>
General Information and History....................................................................................        3
Performance Data...................................................................................................        3
Services
   
       Independent Auditors........................................................................................        6
    
            Servicing Agent........................................................................................        6
       Principal Underwriter.......................................................................................        6
   
       Cancellation of Certificate.................................................................................        7
    
   
Financial Statements...............................................................................................        8
    

</TABLE>


                                       2
<PAGE>   67


                         GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY

         The NASL Variable Account ("Variable Account") is a separate investment
account of the Company, a stock life insurance company organized under the laws
of Delaware in 1979. The ultimate parent of the Company is The Manufacturers
Life Insurance Company ("Manulife"), a Canadian mutual life insurance company
based in Toronto, Canada. Prior to January 1, 1996, the Company was a wholly
owned subsidiary of North American Life Assurance Company ("NAL"), a Canadian
mutual life insurance company. On January 1, 1996 NAL and Manulife merged with
the combined company retaining the Manulife name.

                                PERFORMANCE DATA

   
         Each of the sub-accounts may in its advertising and sales materials
quote total return figures. For periods prior to August 9, 1994, performance
data will be hypothetical figures based on the assumption that a contract
offered by the Prospectus was issued when the sub-accounts first became
available for investment under other contracts offered by the Company.
Hypothetical performance figures will also be furnished for sub-accounts
investing in NASL Series Trust portfolios established on December 31, 1996 in
connection with the merger of Manulife Series Fund, Inc. with and into NASL
Series Trust. Such figures are based on the assumption that the sub-accounts had
been available for investment under a contract offered by this Prospectus when
the applicable Manulife Series Fund, Inc. portfolio first became available under
contracts issued by affiliates of the Company. The sub-accounts may advertise
both "standardized" and "non-standardized" total return figures, although
standardized figures will always accompany non-standardized figures. Such
figures will always include the average annual total return for recent one year
and, when applicable, five and ten year periods and, where less than ten years,
the period since the sub-account first became available for investment. Where
the period since inception is less than one year, the total return quoted will
be the aggregate return for the period. The average annual total return is the
average annual compounded rate of return that equates a purchase payment to the
market value of such purchase payment on the last day of the period for which
such return is calculated. The aggregate total return is the percentage change
(not annualized) that equates a purchase payment to the market value of such
purchase payment on the last day of the period for which such return is
calculated. For purposes of the calculations it is assumed that an initial
payment of $1,000 is made on the first day of the period for which the return is
calculated. In calculating standardized return figures, all recurring charges
(all asset charges (mortality and expense risk fees and administration fees) and
the $30 administration fee) are reflected, the asset charges are reflected in
changes in unit values and the $30 administration fee is deducted as a dollar
amount based on the approximate average contract size of contracts of this
series issued by the Company in 1996 of $35,000. Standardized total return
figures will be quoted assuming redemption at the end of the period. Such
figures may be accompanied by non-standardized total return figures that are
calculated on the same basis as the standardized returns except that the
calculations (i) assume no redemption at the end of the period and (ii) do not
reflect imposition of the $30 administration fee inasmuch as the impact of such
charge varies in relation to contract value. The Company believes such
non-standardized figures are useful to owners who wish to assess the performance
of an ongoing contract of the size that is meaningful to the individual owner.
    


                                       3
<PAGE>   68


   
<TABLE>
                                          STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN FIGURES
                                                 CALCULATED AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
<CAPTION>


 ==================================================================================================================
 TRUST PORTFOLIO                      1 YEAR               5 YEAR          SINCE INCEPTION OR      INCEPTION DATE
                                                                           10 YEARS, WHICHEVER
                                                                               IS SHORTER
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                         <C>                  <C>                    <C>                <C>
 Pacific Rim Emerging                         2.31%                  N/A                  2.42%             10/4/94
 Markets*
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 International Small Cap                        N/A                  N/A                  1.99%              3/4/96
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Small/Mid Cap                                  N/A                  N/A                 -0.10%              3/4/96
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Global Equity                                4.95%                8.04%                  6.99%             3/18/88
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Growth                                         N/A                  N/A                  3.75%             7/15/96
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Equity                                      12.37%               14.30%                 12.25%             6/18/85
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Quantitative Equity*                        10.20%                9.25%                  9.06%             4/30/87
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Blue Chip Growth                            18.05%                  N/A                  7.17%            12/11/92
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Real Estate Securities*                     26.73%               15.39%                 11.72%             4/30/87
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Int'l Growth & Income                        4.94%                  N/A                  5.42%             1/09/95
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Growth and Income                           15.03%               12.39%                 12.75%             4/23/91
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Equity-Income                               12.09%                  N/A                 11.95%             2/19/93
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Aggressive Asset Allocation                  5.33%                8.28%                  7.35%             8/03/89
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Moderate Asset Allocation                    2.44%                7.05%                  6.61%             8/03/89
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Conservative Asset                          -0.28%                5.53%                  5.70%             8/03/89
 Allocation
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Strategic Bond                               7.00%                  N/A                  6.40%             2/19/93
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Global Government Bond                       5.35%                7.62%                  7.97%             3/18/88
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Capital Growth Bond*                        -4.49%                4.40%                  5.88%             6/26/84
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Investment Quality Bond**                   -4.40%                4.40%                  6.25%             4/23/91
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 U.S. Government                             -3.67%                3.93%                  6.28%             5/01/89
 Securities***
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Money Market                                -2.11%                1.85%                  4.01%             6/18/85
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    

                                       4
<PAGE>   69

   
<TABLE>
                                        NON-STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN FIGURES
                                                 CALCULATED AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
<CAPTION>

 ==================================================================================================================
 TRUST PORTFOLIO                      1 YEAR               5 YEAR          SINCE INCEPTION OR      INCEPTION DATE
                                                                           10 YEARS, WHICHEVER
                                                                               IS SHORTER
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                         <C>                  <C>                    <C>                <C>
 Pacific Rim Emerging                         8.28%                  N/A                  4.66%             10/4/94
 Markets*
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 International Small Cap                        N/A                  N/A                  7.94%              3/4/96
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Small/Mid Cap                                  N/A                  N/A                  5.73%              3/4/96
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Global Equity                               11.04%                8.70%                  7.06%             3/18/88
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Growth                                         N/A                  N/A                  9.82%             7/15/96
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Equity                                      18.45%               14.84%                 12.30%             6/18/85
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Quantitative Equity*                        16.28%               10.36%                  9.12%             4/30/87
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Blue Chip Growth                            24.14%                  N/A                  8.05%            12/11/92
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Real Estate Securities*                     32.82%               15.90%                 11.77%             4/30/87
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Int'l Growth & Income                       11.03%                  N/A                  8.35%             1/09/95
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Growth and Income                           21.11%               12.96%                 13.12%             4/23/91
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Equity-Income                               18.18%                  N/A                 12.95%             2/19/93
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Aggressive Asset Allocation                 11.41%                8.93%                  7.43%             8/03/89
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Moderate Asset Allocation                    8.42%                7.73%                  6.69%             8/03/89
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Conservative Asset                           5.53%                6.24%                  5.78%             8/03/89
 Allocation
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Strategic Bond                              13.09%                  N/A                  7.55%             2/19/93
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Global Government Bond                      11.43%                8.28%                  8.04%             3/18/88
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Capital Growth Bond*                         1.06%                5.14%                  5.95%             6/26/84
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Investment Quality Bond**                    1.14%                5.15%                  6.71%             4/23/91
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 U.S. Government                              1.93%                4.69%                  6.35%             5/01/89
 Securities***
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Money Market                                 3.58%                2.66%                  4.08%             6/18/85
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>

* On December 31, 1996, Manulife Series Fund, Inc. merged with NASL Series
Trust. Performance presented for these sub-accounts is based upon the
performance of the respective predecessor Manulife Series Fund portfolio for
periods to December 31, 1996. Performance for each of these sub-accounts is
based on the historical performance of the predecessor Manulife Series Fund
portfolio and reflects the current expenses that an investor would have incurred
as a holder of units of the sub-account.
</TABLE>
    


 

                                      5

<PAGE>   70

   
**       Because the Investment Quality Bond Trust changed its subadviser and
investment objective effective April 23, 1991, the Company has elected to quote
performance for the Investment Quality Bond Sub-account only since the date of
change in order to quote returns representative of its current objective and
produced by its current portfolio manager. Per share information concerning the
period prior to the change appears in the Trust's Prospectus. Average annual
total rates of return for the one, five, and ten year periods for the
sub-account are available upon request.

***      The U.S. Government Securities Sub-account commenced operations on 
March 18, 1988 by investing in shares of the Convertible Securities Trust. That
Trust changed its investment objective and its investment Subadviser effective
May 1, 1989, pursuant to a vote of its shareholders. In view of the change in
investment objective and portfolio manager, the U.S. Government Securities
Sub-account has elected to quote performance only since the date of the change
in order to quote returns representative of its current objective and produced
by its current portfolio manager. Per share information concerning the period
prior to the change appears in the Trust's Prospectus. Average annual total
rates of return for the one, five, and ten year periods for the sub-account are
available upon request.

                                    * * * * *
    

         In addition to the non-standardized returns quoted above, each of the
sub-accounts may from time to time quote aggregate non-standardized total
returns calculated in the same manner as set forth above for other time periods.
From time to time the Trust may include in its advertising and sales literature
general discussions of economic theories, including but not limited to,
discussions on how demographic and political trends can affect the financial
markets. Further, the Trust may also include in its advertising and sales
literature specific information on each of the Trust's subadvisers, including
but not limited to, research capabilities of a subadviser, assets under
management, information relating to other clients of a subadviser, and other
generalized information.

                                    SERVICES

   
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

         The financial statements of the Company and the Variable Account at
December 31, 1996 and for the year then ended appearing in this Statement of
Additional Information have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors, as set forth in their reports thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and
is included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm
as experts in accounting and auditing.

         The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1995 and the
consolidated statements of operations, capital surplus, and cash flows for each
of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1995, appearing in this
Statement of Additional Information have been included herein in reliance on
the report, which includes language explaining the basis of accounting used and
whose opinion is modified in consideration of the fact that such basis of
accounting after 1996 (upon issuance of 1996 financial statements) differs
from generally accepted accounting principles, of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.,
independent accountants given on the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
    

         The financial statements of the Company which are included in the
Statement of Additional Information should be considered only as bearing on the
ability of the Company to meet its obligations under the contracts. They should
not be considered as bearing on the investment performance of the assets held in
the Variable Account.

SERVICING AGENT

   
         Vantage Computer Systems, Inc. ("Vantage") provides to the Company a
computerized data processing recordkeeping system for variable annuity
administration. Vantage provides various daily, semimonthly, monthly, semiannual
and annual reports including: daily updates on accumulation unit values,
variable annuity participants and transactions, agent production and
commissions; semimonthly commission statements; monthly summaries of agent
production and daily transaction reports; semiannual statements for contract
owners; and annual contract owner tax reports. Vantage receives approximately
$7.50 per policy per year, plus certain other fees paid by the Company for the
services provided.
    


                                       6
<PAGE>   71
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

   
         NASL Financial Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company, serves as principal underwriter of the contracts. Contracts are offered
on a continuous basis. The aggregate dollar amount of underwriting commissions
paid to NASL Financial Services, Inc. in 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $83,031,288,
$68,782,161 and $69,999,469 respectively. The amounts retained by NASL Financial
Services, Inc. during such periods were $0, $0 and $0, respectively.
    

CANCELLATION OF CERTIFICATE

         The Company may, at its option, a certificate and an owner's
participation under a contract at the end of any two consecutive certificate
years in which no purchase payments by or on behalf of the owner have been made,
if both (i) the total purchase payments made for the certificate, less any
withdrawals, are less than $2,000; and (ii) the contract value for the owner at
the end of such two year period is less than $2,000. The Company, as a matter of
administrative practice, will attempt to notify a certificate owner prior to
such cancellation in order to allow the certificate owner to make the necessary
purchase payment to keep the certificate in force. The cancellation of
certificate provisions may vary in certain states in order to comply with the
requirements of insurance laws and regulations in such states.




                                       7
<PAGE>   72















                                             AUDITED STATUTORY-BASIS
                                             FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

                                             NORTH AMERICAN SECURITY
                                             LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                             (A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF
                                             NAWL HOLDING COMPANY, INC.)

                                             Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995
                                             and 1994


<PAGE>   73


                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)

                  Audited Statutory-Basis Financial Statements


                  Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994




                                    CONTENTS

Report of Independent Auditors.................................................1

Audited Statutory-Basis Financial Statements

Balance Sheets-Statutory-Basis.................................................2
Statements of Operations-Statutory-Basis.......................................3
Statement of Changes in Capital and Deficit-Statutory-Basis....................4
Statements of Cash Flows-Statutory-Basis.......................................5
Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements..................................6






<PAGE>   74


                         Report of Independent Auditors


Board of Directors and Shareholder
North American Security Life Insurance Company

We have audited the accompanying statutory-basis balance sheet of North American
Security Life Insurance Company (a wholly-owned subsidiary of NAWL Holding
Company, Inc.) as of December 31, 1996, and the related statutory-basis
statements of operations, changes in capital and deficit and cash flows for the
year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As described in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company presents its
financial statements in conformity with accounting practices prescribed or
permitted by the Insurance Department of the State of Delaware, which practices
differ from generally accepted accounting principles. The variances between such
practices and generally accepted accounting principles are also described in
Note 1. The effects on the financial statements of these variances are not
reasonably determinable but are presumed to be material.

In our opinion, because of the effects of the matter described in the preceding
paragraph, the financial statements referred to above do not present fairly, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, the financial position
of North American Security Life Insurance Company at December 31, 1996, or the
results of its operations or its cash flows for the year then ended.

Also, in our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of North American Security Life
Insurance Company at December 31, 1996 and the results of its operations and its
cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting practices
prescribed or permitted by the Insurance Department of the State of Delaware.

                                                            Ernst & Young LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
February 25, 1997

<PAGE>   75
                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS




To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
North American Security Life Insurance Company:


We have audited the accompanying statutory statements of admitted assets,
liabilities, capital and surplus of North American Security Life Insurance
Company (a wholly-owned subsidiary of North American Life Assurance Company of
New York, Canada) as of December 31, 1995 and the related statutory statements
of operations, capital and surplus, and cash flows for the two years in the
period ended December 31, 1995. These statutory financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

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

As described 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 Delaware (SAP), which
practices after 1996 (upon issuance of 1996 financial statements) differ from
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The effects on the financial
statements of the variances between SAP and GAAP are not currently determinable.

In our report dated February 23, 1996, we expressed our opinion that the 1995
and 1994 financial statements, prepared using SAP, presented fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of North American Security Life
Insurance Company as of December 31, 1995 and the results of its operations, and
its cash flows for the two years in the period ended December 31, 1995 in
conformity with GAAP. As described in Note 1 to the financial statements,
financial statements of wholly-owned stock life subsidiaries of mutual life
insurance enterprises prepared in accordance with SAP are no longer considered
to be presented in conformity with GAAP. Accordingly, our present opinion on the
1995 and 1994 financial statements as presented herein is different from that
expressed in our previous report.



<PAGE>   76




In our opinion, because of the effects of the matter discussed in the two
preceding paragraphs, the financial statements referred to above do not present
fairly in conformity with GAAP, the financial position of North American
Security Life Insurance Company as of December 31, 1995, or the results of its
operations or its cash flows for the two years in the period ended December 31,
1995.

In our opinion, the statutory financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects the financial condition of North American
Security Life Insurance Company as of December 31, 1995, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for the two years in the period ended December 31,
1995, on the basis of accounting described in Note 1.





                                                     COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


Boston, Massachusetts
February 23, 1996, except for the information 
in Note 1 - "Basis of Presentation", for which 
the date is February 21, 1997



<PAGE>   77
<TABLE>
                         North American Security Life Insurance Company
                     (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


                                  Balance Sheets--Statutory-Basis
  
<CAPTION>

                                                                              DECEMBER 31
                                                                        1996               1995
                                                                  ---------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>                <C>
ADMITTED ASSETS
Investments:
   Bonds                                                          $   13,848,316     $   16,281,452
   Common stocks                                                      30,305,498         20,097,789
   Real estate                                                         2,268,120          4,847,164
   Cash and short-term investments                                     7,321,515          1,797,230
   Policy loans                                                          454,026
                                                                  ---------------------------------
Total investments                                                     54,197,475         43,023,635

Accrued investment income                                                278,106            431,415
Other assets                                                           4,008,003          4,320,909
Separate account assets                                            6,459,289,860      4,914,727,917
                                                                  ---------------------------------

Total admitted assets                                             $6,517,773,444     $4,962,503,876
                                                                  =================================

LIABILITIES, CAPITAL AND DEFICIT
Liabilities:
   Aggregate reserves                                             $    3,674,617     $    1,931,894
   Payable to parent, subsidiaries and affiliates                        405,711          3,033,665
   Funds held account from reinsurers                                  6,000,000          9,000,000
   Amount payable on reinsurance ceded                                 8,122,060          7,256,229
   Transfers from separate accounts, net                            (188,238,440)      (156,458,903)
   Borrowed money                                                    138,200,680        107,865,148
   Accrued interest on surplus note                                    1,591,232          3,248,219
   Asset valuation reserve                                             2,089,490          2,895,914
   Bank overdraft                                                      7,598,444          8,606,730
   Other liabilities                                                   9,486,084         10,239,069
   Separate account liabilities                                    6,459,289,860      4,914,727,917
                                                                  ---------------------------------
Total liabilities                                                  6,448,219,738      4,912,345,882

Capital and deficit:
   Surplus note payable to Parent                                     20,000,000         20,000,000
   Common stock (par value $1,000 per share--authorized, 
     3,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 2,600 shares)               2,600,000          2,600,000
   Paid-in capital in excess of par value                            128,633,000        110,633,000
   Unassigned deficit                                                (81,679,294)       (83,075,006)
                                                                  ---------------------------------
Total capital and deficit                                             69,553,706         50,157,994
                                                                  ---------------------------------

Total liabilities, capital and deficit                            $6,517,773,444     $4,962,503,876
                                                                  =================================

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.


                                                                               2


<PAGE>   78


<TABLE>
                           North American Security Life Insurance Company
                      (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


                              Statements of Operations--Statutory-Basis

<CAPTION>

                                                                        YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                               1996                 1995                 1994
                                                           -------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>                  <C>                 <C>
Revenues:
   Premiums, annuity considerations and 
     deposits
                                                           $1,027,373,531       $  991,551,945      $1,139,953,302
   Net investment income                                        5,172,160           35,909,722          30,559,559
   Commissions and expense allowances on 
     reinsurance ceded                                         25,222,953           14,676,544           7,019,266
   Experience refunds on reinsurance ceded                      3,880,075            3,901,633           4,967,753
   Reserve adjustments on reinsurance                         (16,460,475)         (48,222,552)         (6,023,746)
                                                           -------------------------------------------------------
Total revenues                                              1,045,188,244          997,817,292       1,176,476,134

Expenses:
   Annuity benefits                                           381,764,918          269,688,906         206,710,232
   Increase (decrease) in reserves                              1,742,723         (517,160,712)        146,552,124
   Increase in separate account liability                     525,172,444          415,529,185         732,768,257
   Commissions                                                 82,257,073           73,593,478          81,981,046
   General expenses                                            27,587,265           22,872,812          19,253,764
   Interest expense                                             9,822,477            8,980,132           4,599,441
   Recapture fee on reinsurance ceded                          11,160,053            1,445,889           8,029,909
   Initial consideration on reinsurance ceded                   3,204,498          727,522,634
                                                           -------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses                                              1,042,711,451        1,002,472,324       1,199,894,773

Gain (loss) before federal income tax provision 
   and realized capital gains (losses)                          2,476,793           (4,655,032)        (23,418,639)
Federal income tax provision                                       85,252                                    6,415
                                                           -------------------------------------------------------
Gain (loss) after federal income tax provision                  2,391,541           (4,655,032)        (23,425,054)
Net realized capital gains (losses)                               675,367           (2,632,953)         (7,029,018)
                                                           -------------------------------------------------------

Net income (loss)                                          $    3,066,908       $   (7,287,985)     $  (30,454,072)
                                                           =======================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.


                                                                               3

<PAGE>   79

<TABLE>
                                  North American Security Life Insurance Company
                             (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


                           Statements of Changes in Capital and Deficit--Statutory-Basis

<CAPTION>

                                                                     PAID-IN
                                                                   CAPITAL IN
                                      SURPLUS                     EXCESS OF PAR     UNASSIGNED      TOTAL CAPITAL
                                        NOTE       COMMON STOCK      VALUE           DEFICIT         AND DEFICIT
                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>             <C>            <C>               <C>              <C>
Balances at January 1, 1994         $20,000,000     $2,000,000     $ 81,233,000      $(51,510,475)    $ 51,722,525
Net loss                                                                              (30,454,072)     (30,454,072)
Issuance of common stock                               600,000                                             600,000
Paid-in capital in excess of par                                     29,400,000                         29,400,000
Increase in non-admitted assets                                                        (1,859,181)      (1,859,181)
Initial commission allowance on
   reinsurance ceded                                                                    4,508,719        4,508,719
Decrease in asset valuation
   reserves                                                                             1,976,033        1,976,033
Change in net realized gains and
   losses                                                                               3,514,108        3,514,108
                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balances at December 31, 1994        20,000,000      2,600,000      110,633,000       (73,824,868)      59,408,132
Net loss                                                                               (7,287,985)      (7,287,985)
Increase in non-admitted assets                                                          (958,941)        (958,941)
Initial commission allowance on
   reinsurance ceded                                                                   (3,007,823)      (3,007,823)
Decrease in asset valuation
   reserves                                                                             2,640,946        2,640,946
Change in net realized gains and
   losses                                                                                (636,335)        (636,335)
                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balances at December 31, 1995        20,000,000      2,600,000      110,633,000       (83,075,006)      50,157,994
Net income                                                                              3,066,908        3,066,908
Paid-in capital in excess of par                                     18,000,000                         18,000,000
Decrease in non-admitted assets                                                         1,619,796        1,619,796
Initial commission allowance on
   reinsurance ceded                                                                   (3,280,000)      (3,280,000)
Decrease in asset valuation
   reserves                                                                               806,424          806,424
Change in net realized gains and
   losses                                                                                (817,416)        (817,416)
                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balances at December 31, 1996       $20,000,000     $2,600,000     $128,633,000      $(81,679,294)    $ 69,553,706
                                    ==============================================================================
</TABLE>


                                                                               4




<PAGE>   80


<TABLE>
                                  North American Security Life Insurance Company
                             (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc


                                  Statements of Cash Flows--Statutory-Basis

<CAPTION>

                                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                             1996                 1995                1994
                                                        -----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>                  <C>               <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Annuity considerations and deposits                     $1,027,373,531       $ 991,551,945     $1,139,953,302
Net investment income                                        2,264,748          32,128,833         28,230,341
Allowances and reserve adjustments on
   reinsurance ceded                                         8,762,478         (33,546,008)         1,140,018
Experience refund on reinsurance ceded                       3,880,075           3,901,633          4,967,753
Surrender benefits and other fund withdrawals paid        (350,317,143)       (232,650,150)      (175,523,156)
Other benefits paid to policyholders                       (32,009,867)        (36,860,052)       (30,555,923)
Commissions, other expenses and taxes paid                (109,382,073)        (97,024,418)      (100,210,171)
Net transfers to separate account                         (556,059,964)       (423,952,090)      (768,208,239)
Other operating expenses paid                              (25,079,045)       (737,948,655)       (12,780,263)
                                                        -----------------------------------------------------
Net cash (used for) provided by operating                  
   activities                                              (30,567,260)       (534,398,962)        87,013,662

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from investments sold, matured or repaid:
   Bonds                                                     9,607,009         763,005,273        112,385,919
   Stocks                                                   12,737,781           5,080,010          5,805,050
   Mortgage loans                                                              110,791,047         14,076,659
   Real estate                                               1,602,063             860,375          5,950,412
   Net gains on cash and short term investments                    408 
Cost of investments acquired:
   Bonds                                                    (6,890,585)       (441,405,890)      (232,208,934)
   Stocks                                                  (19,333,533)        (10,137,862)          (488,212)
   Mortgage loans                                                                 (136,101)        (4,301,717)
   Policy loans                                               (454,026)          2,579,308           (791,723)
                                                        -----------------------------------------------------
Net cash (used for) provided by investing                   
   activities                                               (2,730,883)        430,636,160        (99,572,546)

OTHER CASH PROVIDED (APPLIED)
   Capital and surplus paid-in                              18,000,000                             30,000,000
   Borrowed  money                                          30,864,052           7,000,000         70,000,000
   Other sources                                             4,194,113          11,380,829         17,892,210
   Other applications                                      (14,235,737)        (14,398,973)      (103,250,950)
                                                        -----------------------------------------------------
Net other cash provided                                     38,822,428           3,981,856         14,641,260
                                                        -----------------------------------------------------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and short-term
   investments                                               5,524,285         (99,780,946)         2,082,376
Cash and short-term investments at beginning of
   year                                                      1,797,230         101,578,176         99,495,800
                                                        -----------------------------------------------------

Cash and short-term investments at end of year          $    7,321,515       $   1,797,230     $  101,578,176
                                                        =====================================================

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.



                                                                               5
<PAGE>   81
                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


                  Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements


1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

North American Security Life Insurance Company (the Company) is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company Inc. (NAWL). NAWL holds all the outstanding
shares of the Company and Wood Logan Associates, Inc. (WLA). Manufacturers Life
Insurance Company (MLI) owns all Class A shares of NAWL, representing 85% of the
voting shares of NAWL. Certain employees of WLA own all Class B shares, which
represent the remaining 15% voting interest in NAWL.

On January 1, 1996, North American Life Assurance Company, (NAL), the Company's
previous owner, merged with MLI. Effective January 1, 1996, immediately
following the merger, the Company's Parent went through a corporate
restructuring which resulted in the formation of a newly organized holding
corporation, NAWL.

The Company issues fixed and variable annuity contracts (the contracts). Amounts
invested in the fixed portion of the contracts are allocated to the General
Account of the Company (see Note 6 on fixed annuity reinsurance). Amounts
invested in the variable portion of the contracts are allocated to the separate
accounts of the Company. The separate account assets are invested in shares of
the NASL Series Trust, a no-load, open-end management investment company
organized as a Massachusetts business trust.

On June 19, 1992, the Company formed First North American Life Assurance Company
(FNA). Subsequently, on July 22, 1992, FNA was granted a license by the New York
State Insurance Department. FNA issues variable and fixed annuity contracts in
the State of New York.

NASL Financial Services Inc. (NASL Financial), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company, acts as investment adviser to the NASL Series Trust and as principal
underwriter of the annuity and variable life contracts issued by the Company 
and annuity contracts issued by FNA. NASL Financial has a promotional agreement
with WLA to act as the promotional agent for the sale of annuity and variable 
life contracts.



                                                                               6
<PAGE>   82



                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


            Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements (continued)


1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Such estimates and assumptions could change in the future as
more information becomes known which would impact the amounts reported and
disclosed herein.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Insurance Department of the
State of Delaware, which practices differ from generally accepted accounting
principals (GAAP).

The 1995 financial statements presented for comparative purposes were previously
described as being prepared in accordance with GAAP for stock life insurance
subsidiaries of a mutual life parent. Pursuant to FASB Interpretation 40,
Applicability of Generally Accepted Accounting Principals to Mutual Life
Insurance and Other Enterprises (FIN 40), as amended, which is effective for
1996 annual financial statements, financial statements based on statutory
accounting practices can no longer be described as prepared in conformity with
GAAP. Furthermore, financial statements prepared in conformity with statutory
accounting practices for periods prior to the effective date of FIN 40 are not
considered GAAP presentations when presented in comparative form with the
financial statements for periods subsequent to the effective date. Accordingly,
the 1995 financial statements are no longer considered to be presented in
conformity with GAAP.

The more significant variances from GAAP are as follows:

Investments: Investments in bonds are reported at amortized cost based on their
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) rating; for GAAP, such
fixed maturity investments would be designated at purchase as held-to-maturity,
trading, or available-for-sale. Held-to-maturity fixed investments would be
reported at amortized cost, and the remaining fixed maturity investments are
reported at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in
operations for those designated as trading and as a separate component of
shareholders' equity for those designated as available-for-sale.



                                                                               7
<PAGE>   83


                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


            Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements (continued)


1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Investments in real estate are reported net of related obligations rather than
on a gross basis. Changes between cost and admitted asset investment amounts are
credited or charged directly to unassigned surplus rather than to a separate
surplus account.

The "asset valuation reserve" is determined by an NAIC prescribed formula and is
reported as a liability rather than unassigned surplus. Under GAAP, realized
capital gains and losses would be reported in the income statement on a pretax
basis in the period that the asset giving rise to the gain or loss is sold and
valuation allowances would be provided when there has been a decline in value
deemed other than temporary, in which case, the provision for such declines
would be charged to earnings.

Subsidiaries: The accounts and operations of the Company's subsidiaries are not
consolidated with the accounts and operations of the Company as would be
required under GAAP.

Policy Acquisition Costs: The costs of acquiring and renewing business are
expensed when incurred. Under GAAP, acquisition costs related to investment
products, to the extent recoverable from future gross profits, are amortized
generally in proportion to the present value of expected gross profits from
surrender charges and investment, mortality, and expense margins.

Nonadmitted Assets: Certain assets designated as "nonadmitted," principally
agents' debit balances and furniture and equipment, are excluded from the
accompanying balance sheets and are charged directly to unassigned surplus.

Annuity Considerations and Deposits: Revenues for annuity considerations and
deposits consist of the entire premium received and annuity benefits represent
the death benefits, annuitizations and withdrawals and surrenders paid and the
change in policy reserves. Under GAAP, annuity considerations and deposits
received in excess of policy charges would not be recognized as premium revenue
and annuity benefits would represent the excess of benefits paid over the policy
account value and interest credited to the account values.

Aggregate Reserves: Certain policy reserves are calculated based on statutorily
required interest and mortality assumptions rather than on estimated expected
experience or actual account balances as would be required under GAAP.



                                                                               8
<PAGE>   84



                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


            Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements (continued)


1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Reinsurance: Policy and contract liabilities ceded to reinsurers have been
reported as reductions of the related reserves rather than as assets as would be
required under GAAP.

Commissions allowed by reinsurers on business ceded are reported as income when
received rather than being deferred and amortized with deferred policy
acquisition costs.

Federal Income Taxes: Deferred federal income taxes are not provided for
differences between the financial statement amounts and tax bases of assets and
liabilities.

Surplus Notes: Surplus notes are reported as surplus rather than as liabilities.

The effects of the foregoing variances from GAAP on the accompanying
statutory-basis financial statements have not been determined, but are presumed
to be material.

Other significant accounting policies are as follows:

INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT INCOME

Investments are valued in accordance with rules promulgated by the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Bonds not backed by loans are
valued at amortized cost using the constant yield method.

Loan-backed bonds and structured securities are valued at amortized cost using
the constant yield method including anticipated prepayments. Prepayment
assumptions are obtained from broker dealer survey values. These assumptions are
consistent with the current interest rate and economic environment. The
retrospective method is being used to value all securities.

Investment income is recognized on the accrual basis. Unrealized gains or losses
on investments are recorded in unassigned deficit. Realized gains or losses on
investments sold are determined on the basis of the specific identification
method.

Common stocks, excluding investments in subsidiaries, are valued at market
value. The Company's insurance subsidiary is reported at equity in the
underlying statutory-basis of its net assets, and the Company's noninsurance
subsidiary is reported at the GAAP-basis of its net assets. Real estate acquired
in satisfaction of debt is stated at the lower of the appraised market value or
the outstanding principal loan balance plus accrued interest and foreclosed
costs.



                                                                               9
<PAGE>   85


                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


            Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements (continued)


1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

In 1996, 1995 and 1994, the Company transferred, in satisfaction of debt,
mortgages with statement values of $0, $2,405,052 and $6,407,174, respectively,
to foreclosed real estate. Subsequently, in 1996, 1995 and 1994, the Company
wrote-down $929,713, $1,360,620, and $0, respectively, on these properties to
reflect the carrying value at the lower of the current market valuation or the
value transferred at the time of foreclosure. At year end, the Company held
$2,268,120 of foreclosed real estate at adjusted book value which approximates
market value.

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

Short-term investments generally consist of treasury bills, commercial paper and
money market instruments whose maturities at the time of acquisition are one
year or less. Short-term instruments are valued at cost, which approximates
market value.

ASSET VALUATION RESERVE AND INTEREST MAINTENANCE RESERVE

The Asset Valuation Reserve (AVR) is designed to mitigate the effect of
valuation and credit related losses on all invested assets with risk of loss
including mortgages, real estate, fixed income securities, and common stocks.
Changes in the AVR are accounted for as a direct increase or decrease in
unassigned surplus.

The Interest Maintenance Reserve (IMR) captures realized capital gains and
losses which result from changes in interest rate for all fixed income
securities and amortizes these capital gains and losses into investment income
over the original life of the investments sold. During 1995, the cumulative net
gains were released from IMR in connection with a reinsurance treaty whereby the
Company reinsured all of its fixed annuity business (see Note 6). This
accounting was approved by the State of Delaware Department of Insurance as a
permitted practice. Total net gains (losses) of $(59,933) were transferred into
IMR and $541,484 was amortized and included in net investment income in 1994.



                                                                              10
<PAGE>   86


                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


            Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements (continued)


1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

PREMIUMS, ANNUITY CONSIDERATIONS AND DEPOSITS AND RELATED EXPENSES

Premiums, annuity considerations and deposits are recognized as revenue when    
received. Expenses, including acquisition costs such as commissions and other
costs in connection with acquiring new business, are charged to operations as
incurred.

AGGREGATE RESERVES

The reserves, developed using accepted actuarial methods, have been established
and maintained on the basis of published mortality tables and prescribed
interest rates per the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' standard
valuation law, as adopted by the State of Delaware. The method used for the
valuation of annuities is the Commissioner's Annuity Reserve Valuation Method
(CARVM). Under this method the reserve is the highest present value of all
future guaranteed cash surrender values.

Surrender values on policies do not exceed the corresponding reserves.
Additional reserves are established when the results of cash flow testing under
various interest rate scenarios indicate the need for such reserves.

SEPARATE ACCOUNT

Separate account assets and liabilities reported in the accompanying balance
sheets represent mutual funds that are separately administered for the
exclusive benefit of variable annuity and variable life contractholders and are
reported at fair market value. Since the contractholders receive the full
benefit and bear the full risk of the separate account investments, the income,
realized and unrealized gains and losses from such investments, is offset by an
equivalent change in the liabilities related to the separate accounts.
Transfers from separate account, net, primarily represents the difference
between the contract owner's account value and the CARVM reserve. There are no
reconciling items between the increase in separate account liability as shown
on the statement of operations and the transfers as reported in the Summary of
Operations of the Separate Account Statement. Fees charged on separate account
deposits are included in other income.



                                                                              11
<PAGE>   87


                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


            Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements (continued)


1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Annuity and variable life premiums, considerations and deposits for the separate
accounts, net of reinsurance, are $1,027,373,531, $728,682,163 and $975,538,582
for 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

UNCONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

The Company records its equity in the earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries as
net investment income. The Company owns 100% of the outstanding common stock of
First North American Life Assurance Company and NASL Financial Services, Inc.

<TABLE>
Summarized financial data for unconsolidated subsidiaries at December 31, 1996
and 1995 is shown below:

<CAPTION>
                                                    1996         1995
                                                  ----------------------
                                                       (In thousands)
      <S>                                         <C>           <C>
      Total assets at year end                    $471,166      $318,326
      Total liabilities at year end                440,862       304,409
      Net income                                     3,175         1,220
</TABLE>

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

The Company will participate as a member of the NAWL affiliated group, filing a
consolidated federal income tax return. The Company will file separate state
returns.

The method of allocation between companies is subject to a tax sharing
agreement. The tax liability is allocated to each member on a pro rata basis
based on the relationship the member's tax liability (computed on a separate
return basis) bears to the tax liability of the consolidated group. The tax
charge to the Company shall not be more than the Company would have paid on a
separate return basis.

Income before federal income taxes differs from taxable income principally due
to policy acquisition costs, differences in annuity reserves for tax and
financial reporting purposes, the equity earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries
and reinsurance allowances.



                                                                              12
<PAGE>   88


                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


            Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements (continued)


2. PERMITTED STATUTORY ACCOUNTING PRACTICES

The Company's statutory-basis financial statements are prepared in accordance
with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Insurance Department of
the State of Delaware. "Prescribed" statutory accounting practices include state
laws, regulations, and general administrative rules, as well as a variety of
publications of the NAIC. "Permitted" statutory accounting practices encompass
all accounting practices that are not prescribed, such practices may differ from
state to state, may differ from company to company within a state, and may
change in the future. The NAIC currently is in the process of recodifying
statutory accounting practices, the result of which is expected to constitute
the only source of "prescribed" statutory accounting practices. Accordingly,
that project, which is expected to be completed in 1997, will likely change, to
some extent, prescribed statutory accounting practices, and may result in
changes to the accounting practices that the Company uses to prepare its
statutory financial statements. The impact of any such changes on the Company's
statutory-surplus cannot be determined at this time and could be material.

3. INVESTMENTS

<TABLE>
The major components of investment income are as follows:

<CAPTION>
                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                        1996            1995            1994
                                    -------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>             <C>             <C>
Amortization of IMR                                 $11,040,025     $   541,484
Equity in undistributed income
  (loss) of subsidiaries            $ 3,086,798        (482,580)        737,688
Bonds                                   719,462      18,046,504      16,182,157
Common stock                             34,993         137,862         498,222
Short-term investments                  199,114       2,642,678       1,664,563
Mortgage loans                                        5,420,613      12,026,724
Real estate                             774,673       1,071,080       1,248,043
Policy loan interest                                    (32,300)         10,658
Interest rate swap                    1,632,000
Investment expenses                  (1,274,880)     (1,934,160)     (2,349,980)
                                    -------------------------------------------

Net investment income               $ 5,172,160     $35,909,722     $30,559,559
                                    ===========================================

</TABLE>




                                                                              13
<PAGE>   89



                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


            Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements (continued)


3. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
The amortized and estimated fair value of investments in debt securities at
December 31, 1996 and 1995 are as follows:

<CAPTION>
                                                         GROSS      GROSS      ESTIMATED
                                           AMORTIZED  UNREALIZED  UNREALIZED     FAIR
                                              COST       GAINS      LOSSES       VALUE
                                           ---------------------------------------------
                                                            (In thousands)
<S>                                        <C>           <C>       <C>         <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1996:
U.S. Treasury securities and
   obligations of U.S. Government
   agencies
                                           $ 6,916       $144      $   27      $ 7,033
Corporate debt securities                    6,009          2          17        5,994
Mortgage-backed securities                     923         19           4          938
                                           -------------------------------------------

Totals                                     $13,848       $165      $   48      $13,965
                                           ===========================================

DECEMBER 31, 1995:
U.S. Treasury securities and
   obligations of U.S. Government
   agencies
                                           $ 8,998       $362      $    3      $ 9,357
Corporate debt securities                    3,672        125           3        3,794
Mortgage-backed securities                   3,611        195                    3,806
                                           -------------------------------------------

Totals                                     $16,281       $682      $    6      $16,957
                                           ===========================================

</TABLE>








                                                                              14

<PAGE>   90

                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


            Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements (continued)


3. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities at December 31,
1996 by the contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will
differ from contractual maturities because borrowers or lenders may have the
right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment
penalties.

<CAPTION>
                                                   AMORTIZED         ESTIMATED
                                                     COST           FAIR VALUE
                                                   ---------------------------
                                                          (In thousands)
<S>                                                <C>                 <C>
Due in one year or less                            $ 7,136             $ 7,156
Due after one year through five years                3,494               3,539
Due after five years through ten years               1,938               1,914
Due after ten years                                    357                 418
Mortgage-backed securities                             923                 938
                                                   ---------------------------

Total                                              $13,848             $13,965
                                                   ===========================
</TABLE>

The proceeds from sales of debt securities for the years ended December 31,
1996, 1995 and 1994 were $8,593,009, $743,955,966 and $74,622,566, respectively.
In 1996, gross gains and losses recognized on the sales were $338,975 and
$1,775, respectively. In 1995, gross gains and losses on the sales were
$10,452,916 and $2,035,657, respectively. In 1994, gross gains and losses on the
sales were $1,600,852 and $1,660,785, respectively. Net realized gains (losses)
of $0, $8,417,259 and $(59,933) for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
1994, respectively, were transferred to IMR.

Debt securities with a carrying value of $5,458,635 and $5,600,444 at December
31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, were on deposit with, or in custody accounts on
behalf of certain state insurance departments.

4. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company had operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $32,000,000 and $36,000,000, respectively, which expire between
2007 and 2010. During 1996, the Company utilized approximately $4,000,000 in net
operating loss carryforwards to reduce taxable income.



                                                                              15
<PAGE>   91


                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


            Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements (continued)


5. LIFE AND ANNUITY ACTUARIAL RESERVES

The Company issues flexible premium deferred combination fixed and variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance contracts. Reserves for these
contracts are established using the Commissioners Annuity Reserve Valuation
Method (CARVM) and the Commissioner's Reserve Valuation Method (CRVM) as
adopted by the State of Delaware Insurance Department. The reserves for the
fixed portion of the contracts are subject to an indemnity reinsurance
agreement and the reserves for the variable portion of the contracts are held
in the separate account. The Company has reinsured its Minimum Guaranteed Death
Benefit risks, and accordingly, is holding no reserve for this risk, which
relates to the excess of Death Benefit over policyholder Account Value. The
Company does not offer surrender values in excess of the reserves.

<TABLE>
Withdrawal characteristics of Annuity Actuarial Reserves and Deposit Liabilities
are as follows:
<S>                                                    <C>                <C>
Subject to discretionary withdrawal with market 
   value adjustment
                                                       $  385,506,134      5.64%
Subject to discretionary withdrawal at book value 
   less surrender charge (5% or more)                     139,439,719      2.04
Subject to discretionary withdrawal at market value     6,269,263,219     91.75
Subject to discretionary withdrawal at book value          18,704,535       .27
                                                       ------------------------
Subtotal                                                6,812,913,607     99.70

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal provision          20,342,476       .30
                                                       ------------------------
Total annuity actuarial reserve and deposit fund 
   liabilities
                                                        6,833,256,083       100%
Expense gap reserve                                         1,298,797
Reinsurance ceded                                        (559,828,843)
                                                       ------------------------

Total net annuity actuarial reserves and deposit 
   funds liabilities                                   $6,274,726,037
                                                       ========================
</TABLE>

6. REINSURANCE

Reinsurance premiums and benefits paid or provided are accounted for on bases
consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and
the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Reinsurance transactions have been
entered into primarily to improve cash flow and statutory capital.




                                                                              16
<PAGE>   92


                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


            Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements (continued)


6. REINSURANCE (CONTINUED)

Effective June 30, 1995, an indemnity coinsurance agreement was entered into
between the Company and Peoples Security Life Insurance Company (Peoples or the
Reinsurer), a AAA rated subsidiary of the Providian Corporation, to reinsure
both in force and new fixed annuity business written by the Company.

The indemnity aspects of the agreement provide that the Company remains liable
for the contractual obligations whereas the Reinsurer agrees to indemnify the
Company for any contractual claims incurred. The coinsurance aspects of the
agreement require the Company to transfer all assets backing the fixed annuity
obligations to the Reinsurer together with all future fixed premiums received by
the Company for fixed annuity contracts. Once transferred, the assets belong to
the Reinsurer. In exchange, the Reinsurer reimburses the Company for all claims
and provides expense allowances to cover commissions and other costs associated
with the fixed annuity business.

The Reinsurer is responsible for investing the asset and is at risk for any
potential investment gains and losses. There is no recourse back to the Company
if investment losses are incurred. Under this agreement, the Company will
continue to administer the fixed annuity business for which it will earn an
expense allowance. The Company has set up a reserve of $1,298,797 and $1,931,894
at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, to recognize that expense
allowances received from Providian under this indemnity coinsurance agreement do
not fully reimburse the Company for overhead expenses allocated to the fixed
annuity line of business.

The reinsurance agreement required the Company to transfer to the Reinsurer a
consideration of $726.7 million in cash or securities, to cover all in force
business as of June 30, 1995.

<TABLE>
The financial impact of the reinsurance agreement was as follows (in millions):
<S>                                                                    <C>
Net loss from operations:
   Consideration paid to reinsurer                                     $(726.7)
   Net reserves reinsured                                                725.1
   Expense gap reserve                                                    (1.9)
                                                                       -------
                                                                          (3.5)
Capital and surplus adjustments:
   Release of IMR                                                         11.0
   Market loss on sale of mortgages                                       (2.2)
   Release of bond and mortgage asset valuation reserve                    4.7
                                                                       -------

Net impact on surplus                                                  $  10.0
                                                                       =======

</TABLE>



                                                                              17
<PAGE>   93


                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


            Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements (continued)


6. REINSURANCE (CONTINUED)

Effective July 1, 1995 and August 1, 1995, the Company entered into treaties
with the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CIGNA) and Swiss Re Life
Insurance Company, respectively, to reinsure its Minimum Death Benefit Guarantee
risks. Each company has assumed 50% of the risk. In addition, the Company
reinsured 50% of its risk related to the waiving of surrender charges at death
with CIGNA. The Company is paying the reinsurers an asset based premium, the
level of which varies with both the amount of exposure to this risk and the
realized experience.

Effective November 1, 1995, the Company entered into a treaty with Transamerica
Occidential Life Insurance Company. Transamerica will reinsure a 50% quota share
of the variable portion of the Company's VLI contracts. In addition,
Transamerica will also reinsure 80% of this product's net amount at risk in
excess of the Company's retention limit of $100,000 on a YRT basis.

During 1984, the Company assumed from its Parent, NAL, approximately 26% of
NAL's ordinary and group vested annuity contracts issued in the United States
prior to 1983. In December 1989, the percentage assumed was increased to 90%. On
March 31, 1995, this agreement was 100% recaptured. To effect this recapture,
the Company paid NAL $1,445,889. At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company had
no liability for future policy benefits under this contract.

Effective October 1, 1988, the Company ceded 18% of its variable annuity
contracts (policy from 203-VA) to its parent NAL under a modified coinsurance
agreement. Under this agreement, NAL provides the Company with an expense
allowance on reinsured premiums which is repaid out of a portion of future
profits on the business reinsured. The agreement provides full risk transfer of
mortality, persistency and investment performance to the reinsurer with respect
to the portion reinsured. Effective July 1, 1992, the quota share percentage was
increased to 36%.

On December 31, 1993, the Company entered into a modified coinsurance agreement
with an ITT Lyndon Life, a non-related third party to cede the remaining 64% of
the Company's variable annuity contracts (policy form 203-VA) and 95% of the
Company's new variable annuity contract series issued in 1994 (policy form Ven
10). The Company received approximately $25 million in cash representing
withheld premiums of $15 million and $10 million ceding commission. The amounts
of withheld premiums will be repaid with interest over five years. The ceding
commission is payable out of future profits generated by the business reinsured.



                                                                              18
<PAGE>   94


                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


            Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements (continued)


6. REINSURANCE (CONTINUED)

Effective December 31, 1994, the Company recaptured its reinsurance with NAL.
Upon recapture, 1994 operating results were negatively impacted by a one-time
recapture fee of approximately $6.5 million. Concurrent with this transaction,
the Company ceded 31% of the recaptured contracts (policy form 203-VA) to ITT
Lyndon Life bringing the portion of these contracts reinsured by ITT Lyndon to
95%. In return, the Company received consideration of $5.2 million which is
reflected as a surplus adjustment to be amortized into income in future years.
During 1996, $3.0 million was amortized into income.

Effective December 31, 1994, the Company entered into an indemnity reinsurance
agreement with Paine Webber Life to reinsure a portion of its policy forms
207-VA, VFA, VENTURE.001, and VENTURE.003. The quota share percentage varies
between 15% and 35% depending on the policy form. The form of reinsurance is
modified coinsurance and only covers the variable portion of contracts written
by Paine Webber brokers. The Company received an allowance of $1,580,896 to
complete this transaction. All elements of risk (including mortality,
persistency, investment performance) have been transferred with the exception of
the minimum death benefit guarantee. The Company receives an allowance to cover
the expected cost of the minimum death benefit guarantee.

In the event of insolvency of a reinsurer, the Company remains primarily liable
to its policyholders. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could
result in losses to the Company and, accordingly, the Company periodically
monitors the financial condition of its reinsurers.

The Company has not entered into any reinsurance agreements in which the
reinsurer may unilaterally cancel any reinsurance for reasons other than
nonpayment of premiums or other similar credits or a significant change in the
ownership of the Company. The Company does not have any reinsurance agreements
in effect in which the amount of losses paid or accrued through December 31,
1996 would result in a payment to the reinsurer of amounts which, in the
aggregate and allowing for offset of mutual credits from other reinsurance
agreements with the same reinsurer, exceed the total direct premiums collected
under the reinsured policies.

The Company has estimated that the aggregate reduction in surplus that would
occur if all reinsurance agreements currently in effect were terminated would be
$14,178,002 at December 31, 1996.




                                                                              19
<PAGE>   95

                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


                  Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements


7. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

In connection with the fixed annuity indemnity coinsurance agreement entered
into in 1995 (see Note 6), the Company pooled its mortgage portfolio (book value
of approximately $106 million) and transferred a senior participation interest
to an affiliate of the reinsurer. The senior interest was transferred for a
purchase price of approximately $72 million and entitles an affiliate of the
reinsurer to 100% of the cash flows produced by the portfolio until they recover
in full the purchase price with interest at a rate of 7.52%. The remaining
residual interest was transferred to First North American Realty, Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the former Parent for a purchase price of $33
million. As a result of the sale of the senior and residual interests in the
Company's mortgages, the Company has no further economic interest in any
mortgages and hence has reported zero mortgage loan assets on its balance sheet
as of December 31, 1995.

The Company utilizes various services administered by MLI in 1996 and NAL for
1995 and 1994, such as payroll and investment accounting. The charges for these
services were approximately $6,053,000, $295,000 and $234,000 in 1996, 1995 and
1994, respectively. During 1996, MLI changed the allocation method of expenses
subsequent to the merger with NAL. At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company 
had a net liability to MLI of $4,348,511 and NAL of $5,928,889, respectively.

The Company's annuity and insurance contracts are distributed through NASL
Financial pursuant to an underwriting agreement. NASL Financial has entered into
an agreement with Wood Logan Associates, an affiliate, to act as the promotional
agent for the sale of annuity and variable life contracts. At December 31, 1996,
the Company had a payable to NASL Financial for $999,328 and at December 31,
1995, the Company had a receivable from NASL Financial for $881,119.

The Company provides various services and personnel to FNA for accounting,
actuarial, administration and systems support. These services are allocated on a
pro rata basis and charged as incurred. The total costs allocated for these
services in 1996, 1995 and 1994 were approximately $661,000, $456,000 and
$418,000, respectively. At December 31, 1996, the Company had a net receivable
from FNA for $1,336,725.

The financial statements have been prepared from the records maintained by the
Company and may not necessarily be indicative of the financial conditions or
results of operations that would have occurred if the Company had been operated
as an unaffiliated corporation (see also Notes 1, 3, 6, 8, 9 and 12 for
additional related-party transactions).



                                                                              20
<PAGE>   96


                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


                  Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements


8. BORROWED MONEY

The Company has an unsecured line of credit with State Street Bank and Trust in
the amount of $10,000,000, bearing interest based on the bank's money market
rate plus 50 basis points. There were no outstanding balances at December 31, 
1996 and December 31, 1995. Interest expense was approximately $244,000, 
$76,000 and $81,600 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

The Company has a revolving credit line with MLI. The original term of the
agreement was seven years. Each additional borrowing under the agreement has a
seven year term from the date of each additional borrowing. The balance
outstanding at December 31, 1996 is $137,864,052. Principal and interest is
payable in quarterly installments. The interest rate is Libor plus 32.5 basis
points. Accrued interest at December 31, 1996 is $336,627.

During 1995, the Company had a $150 million revolving credit and term loan
agreement (the Loan) with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and Deutsche
Bank AG. The amount outstanding at December 31, 1995 was in the form of a term
loan of $107 million. In April of 1996, the loan was paid in full and the credit
line with MLI described above was established.

On December 20, 1994, the Company received $20,000,000 from its former Parent in
the form of a surplus note agreement with interest at 8%. This surplus note
agreement was assumed by the Parent upon the merger described in Note 1. The
note and accrued interest are subordinated to payments due to policyholders and
other claimants. Principal and interest payments can be made only upon prior
approval of the Insurance Department of the State of Delaware. Interest accrued
at December 31, 1996 and 1995 was $1,591,232 and $3,248,219, respectively.
Interest accrued at December 31, 1995 was paid during 1996.

9. DEFERRED COMPENSATION AND RETIREMENT PLANS

Prior to December 31, 1995, NAL maintained the NALACO Pension Plan (the Plan), a
defined benefit pension plan for all U.S. employees which vests at five years of
service. Sponsorship of this plan was assumed by MLI at the time of the merger.
Benefit payout is a function of years of service and average earnings during the
employee's last five years of service. MLI's funding policy is to contribute
annually the normal cost up to the maximum amount that can be deducted for
federal income tax purposes and to charge each subsidiary for its allocable
share of such contributions based on a percentage of payroll. No pension cost
was allocated to the Company in 1996 or 1995 as the plan was subject to the full
funding limitation under the Internal Revenue Code. At December 31,




                                                                              21
<PAGE>   97



                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


                  Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements


9. DEFERRED COMPENSATION AND RETIREMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)

1996, the Plan's total accumulated benefit obligation determined in accordance
with SFAS No. 87 and valued at January 1, 1996 based on an assumed interest rate
of 7% was $10,183,862, including vested benefits of $10,094,294 and fair value
of assets of $24,427,811.

The Company sponsors a defined contribution retirement plan pursuant to
regulation 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. All employees on September 1,
1990 were eligible to participate. Employees hired after September 1, 1990 will
be eligible after one year of service and attaining age 21. The Company
contributes two percent of base pay plus fifty percent of the employee savings
contribution. The employee savings contribution is limited to six percent of
base pay. The Company contributed $298,997, $203,248 and $167,148 in 1996, 1995
and 1994, respectively.

10. LEASES

The Company leases its office space and various office equipment under operating
lease agreements. For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the
Company incurred rent expense of $1,144,402, $1,388,780 and $840,233,
respectively. The Company negotiated a ten-year lease for new office space which
commenced in March 1992. In connection with the lease, the Company was required
to deposit $1,500,000 in an escrow account as security toward fulfilling the
future lease commitment. The balance of the escrow at December 31, 1996 is
$900,000.

<TABLE>
The minimum lease payments associated with the office space and various office
equipment under operating lease agreements is as follows:

<CAPTION>
                                           MINIMUM 
                                            LEASE
                                          PAYMENTS
                                         ----------
     <S>                                 <C>
     Year ended:
        1997                             $1,180,993
        1998                              1,204,160 
        1999                              1,199,923
        2000                              1,197,368
        2001                              1,197,368
     Remaining years                      1,185,908
                                         ----------

     Total                               $7,165,720
                                         ==========

</TABLE>



                                                                              22
<PAGE>   98

                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


                  Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements


10. LEASES (CONTINUED)

The Company also guarantees FNA's office space lease which has an annual cost to
FNA of approximately $80,000.

11. INTEREST RATE SWAP

The Company entered into an interest rate swap in 1995 with Canadian Imperial
Bank of Commerce and Deutsche AG for the purpose of minimizing exposure to 
fluctuations in interest rates on a portion of the debt outstanding at that
time. During 1996, the Company terminated this agreement and recognized a gain
of $1.6 million which is recorded as a component of investment income.

12. GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

A guarantee agreement continues in effect, whereby the Parent has agreed to
unconditionally guarantee that it will, on demand, make funds available to the
Company for the timely payment of contractual claims made under fixed annuity
and variable life contracts issued by the Company. The guarantee covers all 
outstanding fixed annuity contracts, including those issued prior to the date 
of the guarantee agreement.

13. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the
"fair value" disclosures for financial instruments in the accompanying financial
statements and notes thereto:

Cash and Short-term investments: The carrying amounts reported in the
accompanying balance sheets for these financial instruments approximate their
fair values.

Bonds: Fair values for bonds are based on quoted market prices or dealer quotes,
where applicable. For bonds not actively traded, fair values are estimated using
values obtained from independent pricing services.

Assets and Liabilities of Separate Accounts: Separate account assets and
liabilities are reported at estimated fair value in the Company's balance
sheets.




                                                                              23
<PAGE>   99

                 North American Security Life Insurance Company
            (a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.)


                  Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements


13. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

Aggregate Reserves: Fair values of the Company's liabilities under contracts not
involving significant mortality risk (deferred annuities) are stated at the cost
the Company would incur to extinguish the liability, i.e., the cash surrender
value.

<TABLE>
The following sets forth a comparison of the carrying values and fair values of
the Company's financial instruments at December 31, 1996 and 1995:

<CAPTION>
                                                  DECEMBER 31, 1996                    DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                            CARRYING             FAIR             CARRYING             FAIR
                                              VALUE             VALUE              VALUE               VALUE
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>               <C>                 <C>                <C>
ASSETS:
Bonds                                    $   13,848,316    $   13,965,000      $   16,281,452     $   16,957,000
Common stocks                                30,305,498        30,305,498          20,097,789         20,097,789
Cash and short-term investments               7,321,515         7,321,515           1,797,230          1,797,230
Assets held in separate accounts          6,459,289,860     6,459,289,860       4,914,727,917      4,914,727,917

LIABILITIES:
Aggregate reserves for deferred
   annuities                                  3,674,617         3,674,617           1,931,894          1,931,894
Borrowed money                              138,200,680       138,200,680         107,865,148        107,865,148
Liabilities held in separate
   accounts                               6,271,051,420     6,459,289,860       4,758,269,014      4,914,727,917

</TABLE>










                                                                              24
<PAGE>   100

                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



To the Contract Owners of
 NASL Variable Account of North American Security Life Insurance Company:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and contract owners' equity
of NASL Variable Account of North American Security Life Insurance Company (the
Company) as of December 31, 1996, and the related statement of operations and
changes in net assets for the year then ended. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. 

We conducted our audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the 1996 financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of NASL Variable Account of
North American Security Life Insurance Company at December 31, 1996, and the
results of its operations and the changes in its net assets for the year then
ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.



Boston, Massachusetts
February 14, 1997
                                                Ernst & Young LLP
<PAGE>   101
                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS




To the Contract Owners of
   NASL Variable Account:


We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities for the
sub-accounts comprising NASL Variable Account (consisting of the Equity,
Investment Quality Bond, Growth and Income, Blue Chip Growth, Money Market,
Global Equity, Global Government Bond, U.S. Government Securities, Conservative
Asset Allocation, Moderate Asset Allocation, Aggressive Asset Allocation,
Equity-Income, Strategic Bond and International Growth and Income sub-accounts)
of North American Security Life Insurance Company as of December 31, 1995, and
the related statements of operations and changes in net assets of the Equity,
Investment Quality Bond, Growth and Income, Blue Chip Growth, Money Market,
Global Equity, Global Government Bond, U.S. Government Securities, Conservative
Asset Allocation, Moderate Asset Allocation, Aggressive Asset Allocation,
Equity-Income and Strategic Bond sub-accounts for the year then ended and the
related statement of operations and changes in net assets of the International
Growth and Income sub-account for the period January 9, 1995 (date of
commencement of operations) to December 31, 1995. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the aforementioned sub-accounts
comprising NASL Variable Account of North American Security Life Insurance
Company as of December 31, 1995, and the results of their operations and the
changes in their net assets for the year then ended or the period indicated, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.





Boston, Massachusetts
February 23, 1996                               Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

<PAGE>   102
<TABLE>
NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY -- December 31, 1996
<CAPTION>


<S>                                                                                                <C>           
ASSETS
Investments at market value:
Sub-accounts:
    Equity Portfolio - 55,659,921 Shares (Cost $1,027,235,347)                                     $1,259,027,422
    Investment Quality Bond Portfolio - 12,225,550 Shares (Cost $140,464,480)                         145,361,793
    Growth and Income Portfolio - 49,632,317 Shares (Cost $725,093,543)                               961,874,305
    Blue Chip Growth Portfolio - 27,761,111 Shares (Cost $313,639,693)                                397,261,501
    Money Market Portfolio - 29,541,451 Shares (Cost $295,414,513)                                    295,414,513
    Global Equity Portfolio - 38,398,475 Shares (Cost $619,556,808)                                   685,028,787
    Global Government Bond Portfolio - 16,035,832 Shares (Cost $215,737,660)                          240,056,406
    U.S. Government Securities Portfolio - 14,062,113 Shares (Cost $182,722,170)                      187,307,348
    Conservative Asset Allocation Portfolio - 17,212,472 Shares (Cost $184,856,560)                   200,353,173
    Moderate Asset Allocation Portfolio - 47,922,107 Shares (Cost $530,263,317)                       598,547,112
    Aggressive Asset Allocation Portfolio - 15,783,046 Shares (Cost $182,854,406)                     212,281,966
    Equity-Income Portfolio - 34,629,206 Shares (Cost $449,113,434)                                   533,636,063
    Strategic Bond Portfolio - 16,510,403 Shares (Cost $180,942,271)                                  197,299,313
    International Growth and Income Portfolio - 14,792,022 Shares (Cost $160,071,003)                 174,102,095
    Growth Portfolio - 3,959,258 Shares (Cost $53,307,696)                                             54,360,608
    Small/Mid Cap Portfolio - 12,220,796 Shares (Cost $160,214,651)                                   163,392,042
    International Small Cap Portfolio - 6,684,989 Shares (Cost $87,430,362)                            90,915,849
                                                                                                   --------------
                                                                                                                     
          Total assets...................................................................          $6,396,220,296
                                                                                                   ==============
                                                                                                                     



CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
    Variable annuity contracts...........................................................          $6,392,622,652
    Annuity reserves.....................................................................               3,597,644
                                                                                                   --------------
           Total contract owners' equity.................................................          $6,396,220,296
                                                                                                   ==============
                                                                                                                     
</TABLE>







                             See accompanying notes.

                                        2
<PAGE>   103
<TABLE>

NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

<CAPTION>

                                                                                 Sub-Account
                                         ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                  Investment
                                                    Equity                       Quality Bond               Growth and Income
                                         -----------------------------   ---------------------------   ---------------------------

                                            Year Ended December 31          Year Ended December 31        Year Ended December 31
                                         -----------------------------   ---------------------------   ---------------------------

                                              1996             1995           1996           1995          1996             1995
                                          -------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                      <C>              <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>         
Income:
 Dividends ...........................   $   98,211,395   $  3,952,413   $  8,112,676   $  6,801,549   $ 26,099,422   $ 12,295,900
Expenses:
  Mortality & expense risk and
    administrative charges ............      15,742,214     10,216,686      2,029,392      1,667,841     11,270,881      7,054,820
                                         --------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
Net investment income (loss) ..........      82,469,181     (6,264,273)     6,083,284      5,133,708     14,828,541      5,241,080
Net realized gain (loss) ..............      70,538,266     29,102,556      1,866,806     (1,374,226)    26,208,114     11,439,262
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    during the period .................      30,086,166    208,487,783     (6,225,133)    15,585,843    114,578,536    101,632,851
                                         --------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
Net increase in net assets                                
    from operations ...................     183,093,613    231,326,066      1,724,957     19,345,325    155,615,191    118,313,193
                                         --------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                          
Changes from principal transactions:
  Purchase payments ...................     176,179,265    152,243,325     26,033,539     20,615,193    156,149,545    105,864,684
  Transfers between sub-accounts
    and the Company ...................      21,282,426     91,976,289     (7,603,590)       610,884     62,642,334     53,438,203
  Withdrawals .........................     (70,974,645)   (41,022,073)   (12,418,477)    (9,834,428)   (50,384,807)   (30,901,300)
  Annual contract fee .................        (593,891)      (453,864)       (62,358)       (63,118)      (378,803)      (286,289)
                                         --------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
    from principal transactions .......     125,893,155    202,743,677      5,949,114     11,328,531    168,028,269    128,115,298
                                         --------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
Total increase (decrease) in net assets     308,986,768    434,069,743      7,674,071     30,673,856    323,643,460    246,428,491

Net assets at beginning of period .....     950,040,654    515,970,911    137,687,722    107,013,866    638,230,845    391,802,354
                                         --------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
Net assets at end of period ...........  $1,259,027,422   $950,040,654   $145,361,793   $137,687,722   $961,874,305   $638,230,845
                                         ==============   ============   ============   ============   ============   ============
</TABLE>


                            See accompanying notes.

                                       3
<PAGE>   104
<TABLE>

NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)


<CAPTION>
                                                                               Sub-Account
                                           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                  Blue Chip Growth            Money Market                  Global Equity
                                           --------------------------   --------------------------   -----------------------------

                                             Year Ended December 31       Year Ended December 31        Year Ended December 31
                                           --------------------------   --------------------------   -----------------------------

                                               1996          1995          1996           1995             1996            1995
                                           ------------  ------------  ------------   ------------     ------------   ------------
<S>                                      <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Income:
  Dividends ...........................  $    856,382   $    786,320   $ 14,797,551    $ 13,942,901    $ 10,705,346    $ 28,730,987
Expenses:
  Mortality & expense risk and
    administrative charges ............     4,643,767      2,893,560      4,282,556       3,608,339       9,354,676       8,281,164
                                         ------------   ------------   ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------

Net investment income (loss) ..........    (3,787,385)    (2,107,240)    10,514,995      10,334,562       1,350,670      20,449,823
Net realized gain (loss) ..............    27,835,505      2,658,959              0               0      12,381,732      18,159,858
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    during the period .................    44,603,170     41,777,908              0               0      53,342,983      (3,640,061)
                                         ------------   ------------   ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------

Net increase in net assets
    from operations ...................    68,651,290     42,329,627     10,514,995      10,334,562      67,075,385      34,969,620
                                         ------------   ------------   ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------


Changes from principal transactions:
  Purchase payments ...................    56,773,858     48,522,911    162,757,808     126,215,692      69,961,326      73,846,536
  Transfers between sub-accounts
    and the Company ...................    28,258,477     39,579,399    (52,784,116)   (105,785,452)    (21,060,694)    (41,016,819)
  Withdrawals .........................   (18,836,850)    (9,818,260)   (72,134,469)    (52,028,607)    (48,301,849)    (39,666,888)
  Annual contract fee .................      (167,159)      (124,885)      (142,787)       (109,865)       (393,841)       (410,630)
                                         ------------   ------------   ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------

Net increase (decrease) in net assets
    from principal transactions .......    66,028,326     78,159,165     37,696,436     (31,708,232)        204,942      (7,247,801)
                                         ------------   ------------   ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------

Total increase (decrease) in net assets   134,679,616    120,488,792     48,211,431     (21,373,670)     67,280,327      27,721,819

Net assets at beginning of period .....   262,581,885    142,093,093    247,203,082     268,576,752     617,748,460     590,026,641
                                         ------------   ------------   ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------

Net assets at end of period ...........  $397,261,501   $262,581,885   $295,414,513    $247,203,082    $685,028,787    $617,748,460
                                         ============   ============   ============    ============    ============    ============
</TABLE>




                             See accompanying notes.

                                        4

<PAGE>   105
<TABLE>




NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)

<CAPTION>

                                                                               Sub-Account
                                           ---------------------------   ---------------------------   ---------------------------

                                                      Global                       U.S.                   Conservative
                                                 Government Bond            Government Securities        Asset Allocation
                                           ---------------------------   ---------------------------   ---------------------------

                                              Year Ended December 31       Year Ended December 31        Year Ended December 31
                                           ---------------------------   ---------------------------   ---------------------------

                                               1996           1995           1996           1995           1996           1995
                                           ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>         
Income:
  Dividends .............................  $ 20,353,777   $ 11,134,112   $ 12,043,963   $ 11,234,073   $ 13,280,150   $ 10,694,769
Expenses:
  Mortality & expense risk and
    administrative charges ..............     3,326,805      3,009,593      2,858,553      2,655,339      3,018,397      3,052,427
                                           ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

Net investment income (loss) ............    17,026,972      8,124,519      9,185,410      8,578,734     10,261,753      7,642,342
Net realized gain (loss) ................     2,366,669      2,214,020     (1,404,574)        75,470      5,557,130      5,148,076
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    during the period ...................     6,050,899     31,070,281     (4,741,349)    15,587,098     (4,550,061)    19,853,900
                                           ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

Net increase in net assets
    from operations .....................    25,444,540     41,408,820      3,039,487     24,241,302     11,268,822     32,644,318
                                           ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------


Changes from principal transactions:
  Purchase payments .....................    24,992,816     19,314,715     49,371,308     41,695,417     15,327,057     17,444,784
  Transfers between sub-accounts
    and the Company .....................   (19,896,239)   (18,811,224)   (49,747,858)   (24,365,001)   (17,748,883)   (12,482,271)
  Withdrawals ...........................   (18,086,875)   (15,701,657)   (19,777,598)   (16,213,816)   (28,016,444)   (31,190,237)
  Annual contract fee ...................      (114,090)      (127,214)       (82,721)       (90,102)      (128,219)      (146,082)
                                           ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

Net increase (decrease) in net assets
    from principal transactions .........   (13,104,388)   (15,325,380)   (20,236,869)     1,026,498    (30,566,489)   (26,373,806)
                                           ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

Total increase (decrease) in net assets .    12,340,152     26,083,440    (17,197,382)    25,267,800    (19,297,667)     6,270,512

Net assets at beginning of period .......   227,716,254    201,632,814    204,504,730    179,236,930    219,650,840    213,380,328
                                           ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

Net assets at end of period .............  $240,056,406   $227,716,254   $187,307,348   $204,504,730   $200,353,173   $219,650,840
                                           ============   ============   ============   ============   ============   ============
</TABLE>




                             See accompanying notes.

                                        5

<PAGE>   106
<TABLE>

NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)

<CAPTION>

                                                                                 Sub-Account
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                       Moderate                 Aggressive                        Equity-
                                                   Asset Allocation           Asset Allocation                    Income
                                           ---------------------------   ---------------------------   ----------------------------

                                               Year Ended December 31      Year Ended December 31         Year Ended December 31
                                           ---------------------------   ---------------------------   ----------------------------

                                               1996            1995          1996           1995           1996             1995
                                           ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------    ------------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>         
Income:
  Dividends .............................  $ 51,330,043   $ 28,759,406   $ 15,310,582   $ 11,134,600   $ 27,996,391    $  3,410,640
Expenses:
  Mortality & expense risk and
    administrative charges ..............     8,696,227      8,527,910      2,962,896      2,650,794      6,323,456       3,916,735
                                           ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------    ------------

Net investment income (loss) ............    42,633,816     20,231,496     12,347,686      8,483,806     21,672,935        (506,095)
Net realized gain (loss) ................    24,021,437     15,018,509      7,692,646      7,897,507     14,248,677       5,501,447
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    during the period ...................   (17,357,736)    70,271,801      2,609,570     19,421,882     38,129,341      45,616,955
                                           ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------    ------------

Net increase in net assets
    from operations .....................    49,297,517    105,521,806     22,649,902     35,803,195     74,050,953      50,612,307
                                           ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------    ------------


Changes from principal transactions:
  Purchase payments .....................    42,525,583     42,501,661     18,402,805     22,202,012     89,722,422      78,127,224
  Transfers between sub-accounts
    and the Company .....................   (46,406,195)   (26,640,289)    (9,078,642)   (10,804,739)    35,937,790      45,625,228
  Withdrawals ...........................   (79,658,173)   (79,543,856)   (23,728,286)   (22,397,713)   (24,729,054)    (12,728,807)
  Annual contract fee ...................      (437,374)      (485,596)      (187,171)      (195,083)      (204,474)       (140,801)
                                           ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------    ------------

Net increase (decrease) in net assets
    from principal transactions .........   (83,976,159)   (64,168,080)   (14,591,294)   (11,195,523)   100,726,684     110,882,844
                                           ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------    ------------

Total increase (decrease) in net assets .   (34,678,642)    41,353,726      8,058,608     24,607,672    174,777,637     161,495,151

Net assets at beginning of period .......   633,225,754    591,872,028    204,223,358    179,615,686    358,858,426     197,363,275
                                           ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------    ------------

Net assets at end of period .............  $598,547,112   $633,225,754   $212,281,966   $204,223,358   $533,636,063    $358,858,426
                                           ============   ============   ============   ============   ============    ============

</TABLE>




                             See accompanying notes.

                                        6

<PAGE>   107
<TABLE>



NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)


<CAPTION>
                                                                   Sub-Account
                                           --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                               Strategic                           International
                                                  Bond                          Growth and Income               Growth (1)
                                           ----------------------------    ----------------------------  ------------------------

                                            Year Ended December 31            Year Ended December 31     Period Ended December 31
                                           ----------------------------    ----------------------------  ------------------------

                                                1996           1995             1996           1995            1996       1995
                                           ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------  ------  
<S>                                        <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Income:
  Dividends .............................  $  9,643,463    $  3,783,473    $    190,489    $  1,766,390    $    341,211    $0
Expenses:
  Mortality & expense risk and
    administrative charges ..............     2,160,517       1,283,369       1,849,647         606,981         188,200     0
                                           ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    --

Net investment income (loss) ............     7,482,946       2,500,104      (1,659,158)      1,159,409         153,011     0
Net realized gain (loss) ................     2,988,289          41,813       4,120,040         502,507         291,191     0
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    during the period ...................     8,247,559      12,274,700      12,154,473       1,876,619       1,052,912     0
                                           ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    --

Net increase in net assets
    from operations .....................    18,718,794      14,816,617      14,615,355       3,538,535       1,497,114     0
                                           ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    --


Changes from principal transactions:
  Purchase payments .....................    46,182,825      21,970,895      46,387,432      36,977,061      18,581,188     0
  Transfers between sub-accounts
    and the Company .....................    30,347,502       3,987,010      36,418,911      45,342,755      34,906,152     0
  Withdrawals ...........................    (9,790,056)     (5,783,698)     (6,777,863)     (2,331,931)       (620,165)    0
  Annual contract fee ...................       (58,212)        (45,959)        (52,870)        (15,290)         (3,681)    0
                                           ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    --

Net increase (decrease) in net assets
    from principal transactions .........    66,682,059      20,128,248      75,975,610      79,972,595      52,863,494     0
                                           ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    --

Total increase (decrease) in net assets .    85,400,853      34,944,865      90,590,965      83,511,130      54,360,608     0

Net assets at beginning of period .......   111,898,460      76,953,595      83,511,130               0               0     0
                                           ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------    --

Net assets at end of period .............  $197,299,313    $111,898,460    $174,102,095    $ 83,511,130    $ 54,360,608    $0
                                           ============    ============    ============    ============    ============    ==

- ----------
<FN>
(1) From commencement of operations July 15, 1996

</TABLE>



                             See accompanying notes.

                                        7
<PAGE>   108
<TABLE>


NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)

<CAPTION>

                                                                Sub-Account
                                           ---------------------------------------------------
                                                      Small/Mid             International
                                                      Cap (2)               Small Cap (2)           Total              Total
                                           ------------------------   ------------------------   -------------    ---------------
                                           
                                           
                                           Period Ended December 31   Period Ended December 31   Period Ended      Period Ended
                                           ------------------------   ------------------------  -------------     ------------- 
                                                                                                 December 31,      December 31,
                                                1996        1995          1996        1995           1996               1995
                                           ------------    -------    -----------    ------     --------------    --------------
<S>                                         <C>              <C>      <C>              <C>      <C>               <C>        
Income:                                                                                        
  Dividends .............................  $          0      $0       $   333,347      $0       $  309,606,188    $  148,427,533
Expenses:                                                                                      
  Mortality & expense risk and                                                                 
    administrative charges ..............     1,004,534       0           599,718       0           80,312,436        59,425,556
                                           ------------      --       -----------      --       --------------    --------------
                                                                                               
Net investment income (loss) ............    (1,004,534)      0          (266,371)      0          229,293,752        89,001,977
Net realized gain (loss) ................        78,950       0           544,789       0          199,335,667        96,385,758
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                                                         
    during the period ...................     3,177,391       0         3,485,487       0          284,644,208       579,817,560
                                           ------------      --       -----------      --       --------------    --------------
                                                                                               
Net increase in net assets                                                                     
    from operations .....................     2,251,807       0         3,763,905       0          713,273,627       765,205,295
                                           ------------      --       -----------      --       --------------    --------------
                                                                                               
                                                                                               
Changes from principal transactions:                                                           
  Purchase payments .....................    62,148,022       0        30,573,571       0        1,092,070,370       807,542,109
  Transfers between sub-accounts                                                               
    and the Company .....................   102,797,240       0        58,323,270       0          186,587,885        40,653,975
  Withdrawals ...........................    (3,784,793)      0        (1,732,325)      0         (489,752,729)     (369,163,272)
  Annual contract fee ...................       (20,234)      0           (12,572)      0           (3,040,457)       (2,694,779)
                                           ------------      --       -----------      --       --------------    --------------
                                                                                               
Net increase (decrease) in net assets                                                          
    from principal transactions .........   161,140,235       0        87,151,944       0          785,865,069       476,338,034
                                           ------------      --       -----------      --       --------------    --------------
                                                                                               
Total increase (decrease) in net assets .   163,392,042       0        90,915,849       0        1,499,138,696     1,241,543,328
                                                                                               
Net assets at beginning of period .......             0       0                 0       0        4,897,081,600     3,655,538,273
                                           ------------      --       -----------      --       --------------    --------------
                                                                                               
Net assets at end of period .............  $163,392,042      $0       $90,915,849      $0       $6,396,220,296    $4,897,081,600
                                           ============      ==       ===========      ==       ==============    ==============
                                                                                               
- ----------
<FN>
(2) From commencement of operations March 4, 1996

</TABLE>


                             See accompanying notes.

                                        8
<PAGE>   109

                              NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                DECEMBER 31, 1996

1. ORGANIZATION:

The NASL Variable Account (the "Account") is a separate account established by
North American Security Life Insurance Company (the "Company"). The Company
established the Account on August 24, 1984 as a separate account under Delaware
law. The Account operates as a Unit Investment Trust under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, and invests in the NASL Series Trust (the
"Trust") which currently consists of seventeen sub-accounts. The Account is a
funding vehicle for variable annuity contracts (the "Contracts") issued by the
Company. The Account includes 12 contracts, distinguished principally by the
level of expenses and surrender charges. These 12 contracts are as follows:
Venture Variable Annuity 1, 3, 7, 8, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22 and 23 ("VEN 1, 3, 7, 8,
17, 18, 20, 21, 22 and 23") and Venture Vision Variable Annuity 5 and 25 ("VIS 5
and 25"). The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NAWL Holding Company, Inc.
("NAWL"). NAWL holds all the outstanding shares of the Company and Wood Logan
Associates, Inc. ("WLA"). Manufacturers Life Insurance Company ("MLI") owns all
class A shares of NAWL, representing 85% of the voting shares of NAWL. Certain
employees of WLA own all class B shares, which represent the remaining 15%
voting interest in NAWL. Prior to January 1, 1996, The Company was a
wholly-owned subsidiary of North American Life Assurance Company (NAL), a
Canadian mutual life insurance company. NAL merged with the Manufacturers Life
Insurance Company of Canada effective January 1, 1996. The surviving company
will conduct business under the name "Manufacturers Life Insurance Company."

On March 4, 1996, two new sub-accounts, Small/Mid Cap and International Small 
Cap, commenced operations. On July 15, 1996, the Growth sub-account commenced
operations. Effective October 1, 1996, the name of Pasadena Growth was changed
to Blue Chip Growth. Effective December 31, 1996, the name of Value Equity was
changed to Equity-Income.

Effective after the close of business on December 31, 1996, the portfolios of
the Manulife Series Funds, Inc. (a series trust of MLI) were merged with the
NASL Series Trust. As a result of this merger, eight additional sub-accounts
will be available as investment options to the contract owners of the Account
beginning in 1997. Also, effective after the close of business on December 31,
1996, ten new sub-accounts were created which will be available as investment
options for contract owners in 1997. The merger and the creation of the new
funds had no effect on the statement of assets and contract owners' equity as of
December 31, 1996 nor the statement of operations and changes in net assets for
the year then ended.


2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

Investments are made in the portfolios of the Trust and are valued at the
reported net asset values of such portfolios. Transactions are recorded on the
trade date. Income from dividends is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Realized
gains and losses on the sales of investments are computed on the basis of the
identified cost of the investment sold.

In addition to the Account, a contract holder may also allocate funds to the
Fixed Account, which is part of the Company's general account. Because of
exemptive and exclusionary provisions, interests in the Fixed Account have not
been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Company's general
account has not been registered as an investment company under the Investment
Company act of 1940.

Annuity reserves are computed for contracts in the income stage according to the
1983a Individual Annuitant Mortality Table. The assumed investment return is 4%,
as regulated by the laws of the respective states. The mortality risk is fully
borne by the Company and may result in additional amounts being transferred into
the account by the Company.


                                       9

<PAGE>   110


                              NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT

                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
                                DECEMBER 31, 1996



The operations of the Account are included in the federal income tax return of
the Company, which is taxed as a Life Insurance Company under the provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). Under the current provisions of the
Code, the Company does not expect to incur federal income taxes on the earnings
of the Account to the extent the earnings are credited under the contracts.
Based on this, no charge is being made currently to the Account for federal
income taxes. The Company will review periodically the status of such decision
based on changes in the tax law. Such a charge may be made in future years for
any federal income taxes that would be attributable to the contract.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.


3.  AFFILIATED COMPANY TRANSACTIONS:

Administrative services necessary for the operation of the Account are borne by
the Company. The Company has an underwriting agreement with its wholly-owned
subsidiary, NASL Financial Services, Inc. ("NASL Financial"). NASL Financial has
a promotional agent agreement with Wood Logan Associates, Inc., an affiliate of
the Company, to promote the sales of annuity contracts.
Certain officers of the Account are officers and directors of the Company or the
Trust.


4.  CONTRACT CHARGES:

There are no deductions made from purchase payments for sales charges at the
time of purchase. In the event of a surrender, a contingent deferred sales
charge may be charged by the Company to cover sales expenses. An annual
administrative fee of $30 is deducted from each contract owners' account on the
contract anniversary date to cover contract administration costs. This charge is
waived on certain contracts.

Deductions from each sub-account are made daily for administrative fees and for
the assumption of mortality and expense risk charges as follows:

               (i) Prior Contract Series (VEN 1): deductions from each
sub-account are made daily for the assumption of mortality and expense risks
equal to an effective annual rate of 1.30% of the contract value.

               (ii) Current Contract Series (VEN 3, 7, 8, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22,
23): deductions from each sub-account are made daily for administration and for
the assumption of mortality and expense risks equal to an effective annual rate
of 0.15% and 1.25% of the contract value, respectively.

               (iii) Current Contract Series (VIS 5, 25): deductions from each
sub-account are made daily for distribution fees, administration and for the
assumption of mortality and expense risks equal to an effective annual rate of
0.15%, 0.25% and 1.25% of the contract value, respectively.


                                       10


<PAGE>   111
                              NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT

                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
                                DECEMBER 31, 1996



<TABLE>

5. PURCHASES AND SALES OF INVESTMENTS:

The following table shows aggregate cost of shares purchased and proceeds from
sales of each sub-account for the year ended December 31, 1996.

<CAPTION>
                                               Purchases         Sales
                                               ---------         -----

<S>                                        <C>             <C>           
Equity Portfolio                           $  467,405,983  $  259,043,647
Investment Quality Bond Portfolio              64,645,420      52,613,022
Growth and Income Portfolio                   259,950,675      77,093,865
Blue Chip Growth Portfolio                    165,496,643     103,255,702
Money Market Portfolio                        597,672,257     549,460,826
Global Equity Portfolio                       149,900,726     148,345,114
Global Government Bond Portfolio               65,936,774      62,014,190
U.S. Government Securities Portfolio           82,405,509      93,456,968
Conservative Asset Allocation Portfolio        40,082,371      60,387,107
Moderate Asset Allocation Portfolio            95,496,874     136,839,217
Aggressive Asset Allocation Portfolio          41,420,547      43,664,155
Equity-Income Portfolio                       190,949,872      68,550,253
Strategic Bond Portfolio                      125,776,519      51,611,514
International Growth and Income Portfolio     141,683,563      67,367,111
Growth Portfolio                               57,792,998       4,776,493
Small/Mid Cap Portfolio                       187,118,411      26,982,710
International Small Cap Portfolio              97,579,108      10,693,535
                                           --------------  --------------
Total                                      $2,831,314,250  $1,816,155,429
                                           ==============  ==============

</TABLE>


                                       11
<PAGE>   112
                            NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
                              DECEMBER 31, 1996



                 
6. UNIT VALUES:
<TABLE>
     A summary of the accumulation unit values at December 31, 1995 and 1996 and the
     accumulation units and dollar value outstanding at December 31, 1996 are as follows:
<CAPTION>

                 

                                               1995                             1996                   
                                            ----------      -------------------------------------------------
                                               Unit            Unit
                                              Value           Value             Units              Dollars
                                            ----------      ----------       ----------        --------------

<S>                                         <C>             <C>              <C>               <C>           
Equity sub-account
   VEN 1 Contracts..................        $34.164256      $40.513296           18,984        $      769,089
   VEN 3 Contracts..................         20.821819       24.664354        2,175,656            53,661,159
   VEN 7 Contracts..................         20.821819       24.664354       29,034,186           716,109,434
   VEN 8 Contracts..................         20.821819       24.664354        1,984,712            48,951,639
   VIS 5 and 25 Contracts...........         15.402975       18.199588        3,896,591            70,916,345
   VEN 17 Contracts.................         20.821819       24.664354        1,122,373            27,682,597
   VEN 18 Contracts.................         20.821819       24.664354           22,371               551,771
   VEN 20 Contracts.................         20.821819       24.664354        8,994,443           221,842,130
   VEN 21 Contracts.................         20.821819       24.664354        3,147,370            77,627,845
   VEN 22 Contracts.................         20.821819       24.664354        1,316,312            32,465,974
   VEN 23 Contracts.................         20.821819       24.664354          321,421             7,927,629
                                                                             ----------        --------------
                                                                             52,034,419         1,258,505,612
                                                                                                
                                                                                                
Investment Quality Bond sub-account
   VEN 1 Contracts..................         19.318272       19.560775           11,513               225,199
   VEN 3 Contracts..................         16.751499       16.943257          593,352            10,053,318
   VEN 7 Contracts..................         16.751499       16.943257        4,569,524            77,422,614
   VEN 8 Contracts..................         16.751499       16.943257          352,757             5,976,846
   VIS 5 and 25 Contracts...........         11.417606       11.519237        1,084,870            12,496,880
   VEN 17 Contracts.................         16.751499       16.943257          193,027             3,270,513
   VEN 18 Contracts.................         16.751499       16.943257            9,083               153,894
   VEN 20 Contracts.................         16.751499       16.943257        1,394,147            23,621,391
   VEN 21 Contracts.................         16.751499       16.943257          434,182             7,356,452
   VEN 22 Contracts.................         16.751499       16.943257          197,710             3,349,859
   VEN 23 Contracts.................         16.751499       16.943257           78,708             1,333,569
                                                                             ----------        --------------
                                                                              8,918,873           145,260,535



Growth and Income sub-account
   VEN 3 Contracts..................         16.660889       20.178770        1,787,490            36,069,351
   VEN 7 Contracts..................         16.660889       20.178770       25,383,756           512,212,966
   VEN 8 Contracts..................         16.660889       20.178770        2,189,350            44,178,384
   VIS 5 and 25 Contracts...........         13.263871       16.024067        3,926,911            62,925,086
   VEN 17 Contracts.................         16.660889       20.178770        1,135,270            22,908,355
   VEN 18 Contracts.................         16.660889       20.178770           24,841               501,266
   VEN 20 Contracts.................         16.660889       20.178770        8,658,969           174,727,339
   VEN 21 Contracts.................         16.660889       20.178770        3,289,178            66,371,569
   VEN 22 Contracts.................         16.660889       20.178770        1,507,845            30,426,452
   VEN 23 Contracts.................         16.660889       20.178770          527,541            10,645,129
                                                                             ----------        --------------
                                                                             48,431,151           960,965,897
</TABLE>




                                       12
<PAGE>   113
                            NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
                              DECEMBER 31, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               1995                             1996                   
                                            ---------       -----------------------------------------------
                                               Unit            Unit
                                              Value           Value             Units             Dollars
                                            ---------       ---------        ----------        ------------

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

Blue Chip Growth sub-account
   VEN 3 Contracts..................        11.026969       13.688523           707,800          9,688,731
   VEN 7 Contracts..................        11.026969       13.688523        15,343,746        210,033,221
   VEN 8 Contracts..................        11.026969       13.688523         1,201,469         16,446,331
   VIS 5 and 25 Contracts...........        11.551552       14.303631         2,170,279         31,042,868
   VEN 17 Contracts.................        11.026969       13.688523           909,855         12,454,565
   VEN 18 Contracts.................        11.026969       13.688523            21,838            298,934
   VEN 20 Contracts.................        11.026969       13.688523         5,152,418         70,528,991
   VEN 21 Contracts.................        11.026969       13.688523         2,356,190         32,252,759
   VEN 22 Contracts.................        11.026969       13.688523           738,324         10,106,563
   VEN 23 Contracts.................        11.026969       13.688523           298,492          4,085,919
                                                                             ----------        -----------
                                                                             28,900,411        396,938,882


                                                                                               
Money Market sub-account
   VEN 1 Contracts..................        15.478376       16.050779             5,920             95,026
   VEN 3 Contracts..................        14.190910       14.699636         1,575,179         23,154,555
   VEN 7 Contracts..................        14.190910       14.699636         9,846,532        144,740,437
   VEN 8 Contracts..................        14.190910       14.699636           840,966         12,361,888
   VIS 5 and 25 Contracts...........        10.692803       11.048244         1,931,022         21,334,401
   VEN 17 Contracts.................        14.190910       14.699636           302,728          4,449,987
   VEN 18 Contracts.................        14.190910       14.699636             5,140             75,552
   VEN 20 Contracts.................        14.190910       14.699636         3,874,503         56,953,789
   VEN 21 Contracts.................        14.190910       14.699636         1,754,706         25,793,544
   VEN 22 Contracts.................        14.190910       14.699636           244,417          3,592,843
   VEN 23 Contracts.................        14.190910       14.699636           192,414          2,828,420
                                                                             ----------        -----------
                                                                             20,573,527        295,380,442


                                                                                               
Global Equity sub-account
   VEN 3 Contracts..................        16.459655       18.276450         2,060,063         37,650,644
   VEN 7 Contracts..................        16.459655       18.276450        22,555,919        412,242,122
   VEN 8 Contracts..................        16.459655       18.276450         1,757,970         32,129,452
   VIS 5 and 25 Contracts...........        12.872711       14.257610         3,476,782         49,570,599
   VEN 17 Contracts.................        16.459655       18.276450           807,823         14,764,135
   VEN 18 Contracts.................        16.459655       18.276450            27,996            511,669
   VEN 20 Contracts.................        16.459655       18.276450         5,145,277         94,037,395
   VEN 21 Contracts.................        16.459655       18.276450         1,479,967         27,048,538
   VEN 22 Contracts.................        16.459655       18.276450           725,911         13,267,081
   VEN 23 Contracts.................        16.459655       18.276450           197,701          3,613,275
                                                                             ----------        -----------
                                                                             38,235,409        684,834,910
</TABLE>











                                       13
<PAGE>   114
                            NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
                              DECEMBER 31, 1996


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               1995                             1996                   
                                            ---------       -----------------------------------------------
                                               Unit            Unit
                                              Value           Value             Units             Dollars
                                            ---------       ---------        ----------        ------------

<S>                                         <C>             <C>              <C>               <C>           
Global Government Bond sub-account
   VEN 3 Contracts..................        17.772344       19.803954           645,469         12,782,834
   VEN 7 Contracts..................        17.772344       19.803954         7,975,818        157,952,727
   VEN 8 Contracts..................        17.772344       19.803954           484,169          9,588,469
   VIS 5 and 25 Contracts...........        12.434811       13.821405         1,388,876         19,196,224
   VEN 17 Contracts.................        17.772344       19.803954           224,742          4,450,778
   VEN 18 Contracts.................        17.772344       19.803954            10,407            206,107
   VEN 20 Contracts.................        17.772344       19.803954         1,220,755         24,175,767
   VEN 21 Contracts.................        17.772344       19.803954           393,134          7,785,608
   VEN 22 Contracts.................        17.772344       19.803954           142,374          2,819,569
   VEN 23 Contracts.................        17.772344       19.803954            52,203          1,033,822
                                                                             ----------        -----------
                                                                             12,537,947        239,991,905


                                                                                               
U.S. Government Securities sub-account
   VEN 3 Contracts..................        16.083213       16.393307           706,698         11,585,115
   VEN 7 Contracts..................        16.083213       16.393307         6,496,951        106,506,518
   VEN 8 Contracts..................        16.083213       16.393307           387,605          6,354,121
   VIS 5 and 25 Contracts...........        11.333420       11.522857         1,193,266         13,749,835
   VEN 17 Contracts.................        16.083213       16.393307           176,566          2,894,495
   VEN 18 Contracts.................        16.083213       16.393307             3,091             50,679
   VEN 20 Contracts.................        16.083213       16.393307         1,647,768         27,012,361
   VEN 21 Contracts.................        16.083213       16.393307           864,829         14,177,409
   VEN 22 Contracts.................        16.083213       16.393307           196,421          3,219,994
   VEN 23 Contracts.................        16.083213       16.393307           103,362          1,694,443
                                                                             ----------        -----------
                                                                             11,776,557        187,244,970


                                                                                               
Conservative Asset Allocation sub-account
   VEN 3 Contracts..................        14.320582       15.113142         2,502,604         37,822,209
   VEN 7 Contracts..................        14.320582       15.113142         8,058,731        121,792,749
   VEN 8 Contracts..................        14.320582       15.113142           324,024          4,897,026
   VIS 5 and 25 Contracts...........        11.672867       12.287873           854,258         10,497,010
   VEN 17 Contracts.................        14.320582       15.113142           214,757          3,245,654
   VEN 18 Contracts.................        14.320582       15.113142             1,584             23,932
   VEN 20 Contracts.................        14.320582       15.113142           883,801         13,357,015
   VEN 21 Contracts.................        14.320582       15.113142           397,294          6,004,357
   VEN 22 Contracts.................        14.320582       15.113142           136,633          2,064,953
   VEN 23 Contracts.................        14.320582       15.113142            37,880            572,483
                                                                             ----------        -----------
                                                                             13,411,566        200,277,388
</TABLE>







                                       14
<PAGE>   115
                            NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
                              DECEMBER 31, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               1995                             1996                   
                                            ---------       -----------------------------------------------
                                               Unit            Unit
                                              Value           Value             Units             Dollars
                                            ---------       ---------        ----------        ------------

<S>                                         <C>             <C>              <C>               <C>           
Moderate Asset  Allocation sub-account
   VEN 3 Contracts..................        14.752561       15.995076         7,190,308        115,009,524
   VEN 7 Contracts..................        14.752561       15.995076        22,857,443        365,606,537
   VEN 8 Contracts..................        14.752561       15.995076         1,259,589         20,147,221
   VIS 5 and 25 Contracts...........        12.056663       13.039212         1,699,397         22,158,796
   VEN 17 Contracts.................        14.752561       15.995076           586,159          9,375,652
   VEN 18 Contracts.................        14.752561       15.995076             7,167            114,629
   VEN 20 Contracts.................        14.752561       15.995076         2,649,111         42,372,724
   VEN 21 Contracts.................        14.752561       15.995076           950,202         15,198,550
   VEN 22 Contracts.................        14.752561       15.995076           419,129          6,703,998
   VEN 23 Contracts.................        14.752561       15.995076            99,785          1,596,064
                                                                             ----------        -----------
                                                                             37,718,290        598,283,695


                                                                                               
Aggressive Asset  Allocation sub-account
   VEN 3 Contracts..................        14.990551       16.701647         2,187,301         36,531,528
   VEN 7 Contracts..................        14.990551       16.701647         7,585,171        126,684,855
   VEN 8 Contracts..................        14.990551       16.701647           361,607          6,039,438
   VIS 5 and 25 Contracts...........        12.443644       13.829135           527,340          7,292,660
   VEN 17 Contracts.................        14.990551       16.701647           239,724          4,003,790
   VEN 18 Contracts.................        14.990551       16.701647             3,871             64,649
   VEN 20 Contracts.................        14.990551       16.701647         1,237,382         20,666,311
   VEN 21 Contracts.................        14.990551       16.701647           488,150          8,152,913
   VEN 22 Contracts.................        14.990551       16.701647           116,074          1,938,634
   VEN 23 Contracts.................        14.990551       16.701647            46,171            771,127
                                                                             ----------        -----------
                                                                             12,792,791        212,145,905


                                                                                               
Equity-Income sub-account
   VEN 3 Contracts..................        13.548849       16.011513           718,170         11,498,984
   VEN 7 Contracts..................        13.548849       16.011513        16,078,400        257,439,509
   VEN 8 Contracts..................        13.548849       16.011513         1,635,658         26,189,355
   VIS 5 and 25 Contracts...........        12.870851       15.172018         2,904,918         44,073,474
   VEN 17 Contracts.................        13.548849       16.011513         1,120,892         17,947,170
   VEN 18 Contracts.................        13.548849       16.011513            25,349            405,869
   VEN 20 Contracts.................        13.548849       16.011513         6,463,654        103,492,884
   VEN 21 Contracts.................        13.548849       16.011513         3,008,996         48,178,576
   VEN 22 Contracts.................        13.548849       16.011513         1,187,415         19,012,314
   VEN 23 Contracts.................        13.548849       16.011513           299,319          4,792,549
                                                                             ----------        -----------
                                                                             33,442,771        533,030,684
</TABLE>








                                       15
<PAGE>   116
                            NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
                              DECEMBER 31, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               1995                             1996                   
                                            ---------       -----------------------------------------------
                                               Unit            Unit
                                              Value           Value             Units             Dollars
                                            ---------       ---------        ----------        ------------
<S>                                         <C>             <C>              <C>               <C>           
Strategic Bond sub-account
   VEN 3 Contracts..................        11.716972       13.250563           255,906          3,390,901
   VEN 7 Contracts..................        11.716972       13.250563         7,151,063         94,755,610
   VEN 8 Contracts..................        11.716972       13.250563           780,799         10,346,027
   VIS 5 and 25 Contracts...........        11.607403       13.093621         1,157,303         15,153,288
   VEN 17 Contracts.................        11.716972       13.250563           424,389          5,623,388
   VEN 18 Contracts.................        11.716972       13.250563            17,046            225,869
   VEN 20 Contracts.................        11.716972       13.250563         3,116,558         41,296,146
   VEN 21 Contracts.................        11.716972       13.250563         1,301,826         17,249,932
   VEN 22 Contracts.................        11.716972       13.250563           420,385          5,570,333
   VEN 23 Contracts.................        11.716972       13.250563           276,194          3,659,728
                                                                             ----------        -----------
                                                                             14,901,469        197,271,222
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                                                  
International Growth and Income sub-account                                 
   VEN 3 Contracts..................        10.554228       11.718276           278,758          3,266,569
   VEN 7 Contracts..................        10.554228       11.718276         5,800,205         67,968,401
   VEN 8 Contracts..................        10.554228       11.718276           214,982          2,519,219
   VIS 5 and 25 Contracts...........        10.528678       11.660474         1,038,598         12,110,541
   VEN 17 Contracts.................        10.554228       11.718276           510,539          5,982,634
   VEN 18 Contracts.................        10.554228       11.718276             8,736            102,373
   VEN 20 Contracts.................        10.554228       11.718276         4,306,180         50,461,008
   VEN 21 Contracts.................        10.554228       11.718276         1,918,371         22,479,999
   VEN 22 Contracts.................        10.554228       11.718276           609,134          7,137,997
   VEN 23 Contracts.................        10.554228       11.718276           174,572          2,045,687
                                                                             ----------        -----------
                                                                             14,860,075        174,074,428
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
Growth sub-account                                                          
   VEN 3 Contracts..................         --------       13.727312            79,416          1,090,167
   VEN 7 Contracts..................         --------       13.727312         1,620,944         22,251,198
   VEN 8 Contracts..................         --------       13.727312            96,786          1,328,609
   VIS 5 and 25 Contracts...........         --------       13.711434           193,088          2,647,515
   VEN 17 Contracts.................         --------       13.727312            83,393          1,144,764
   VEN 18 Contracts.................         --------       13.727312             1,639             22,502
   VEN 20 Contracts.................         --------       13.727312         1,170,990         16,074,541
   VEN 21 Contracts.................         --------       13.727312           458,281          6,290,972
   VEN 22 Contracts.................         --------       13.727312           185,954          2,552,642
   VEN 23 Contracts.................         --------       13.727312            66,585            914,032
                                                                             ----------        -----------
                                                                              3,957,076         54,316,942
</TABLE>



                                       16



<PAGE>   117
                            NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
                              DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                                   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               1995                             1996                   
                                            ---------       -----------------------------------------------
                                               Unit            Unit
                                              Value           Value             Units            Dollars
                                            ---------       ---------        ----------      --------------
<S>                                          <C>            <C>              <C>             <C>           
Small/ Mid Cap sub-account
   VEN 3 Contracts..................         --------       13.215952           278,168           3,676,250
   VEN 7 Contracts..................         --------       13.215952         5,018,758          66,327,669
   VEN 8 Contracts..................         --------       13.215952           293,815           3,883,050
   VIS 5 and 25 Contracts...........         --------       13.188627           871,586          11,495,020
   VEN 17 Contracts.................         --------       13.215952           232,184           3,068,532
   VEN 18 Contracts.................         --------       13.215952                 0                   0
   VEN 20 Contracts.................         --------       13.215952         3,428,562          45,311,710
   VEN 21 Contracts.................         --------       13.215952         1,541,924          20,377,996
   VEN 22 Contracts.................         --------       13.215952           555,856           7,346,161
   VEN 23 Contracts.................         --------       13.215952           128,596           1,699,514
                                                                             ----------      --------------
                                                                             12,349,449         163,185,902




International Small Cap sub-account
   VEN 3 Contracts..................         --------       13.493094           227,036           3,063,418
   VEN 7 Contracts..................         --------       13.493094         2,989,507          40,337,696
   VEN 8 Contracts..................         --------       13.493094           165,594           2,234,374
   VIS 5 and 25 Contracts...........         --------       13.465203           457,361           6,158,462
   VEN 17 Contracts.................         --------       13.493094           124,844           1,684,536
   VEN 18 Contracts.................         --------       13.493094                 0                   0
   VEN 20 Contracts.................         --------       13.493094         1,827,628          24,660,354
   VEN 21 Contracts.................         --------       13.493094           681,249           9,192,161
   VEN 22 Contracts.................         --------       13.493094           217,265           2,931,584
   VEN 23 Contracts.................         --------       13.493094            48,228             650,748
                                                                             ----------      --------------
                                                                              6,738,712          90,913,333


                                                                             Total:          $6,392,622,652
                                                                                             ==============
</TABLE>







                                       17
<PAGE>   118



                              NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT

                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)
                                DECEMBER 31, 1996





7.  DIVERSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Under the provisions of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, a variable
annuity contract other than a contract issued in connection with certain types
of employee benefits plans, will not be treated as an annuity contract for
federal tax purposes for any period for which the investments of the segregated
asset account on which the contract is based are not adequately diversified. The
Code provides that the "adequately diversified" requirement may be met if the
underlying investments satisfy either a statutory safe harbor test or
diversification requirements set forth in regulations issued by the Secretary of
Treasury.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued regulations under Section 817(h) of the
Code. The Company believes that the Account satisfies the current requirements
of the regulations, and it intends that the Account will continue to meet such
requirements.


                                       18
<PAGE>   119


                                     PART C

                               OTHER INFORMATION





<PAGE>   120


Item 24.  Financial Statements and Exhibits
          ---------------------------------

         (a)      Financial Statements

                  (1)      Financial Statements of the Registrant, NASL Variable
                           Account (Part B of the registration statement).

                  (2)      Financial Statements of the Depositor, North American
                           Security Life Insurance Company (Part B of the 
                           registration statement).

         (b)      Exhibits

   
                  (1)      (i)      Resolution of the Board of Directors of
                                    North American Security Life Insurance
                                    Company establishing the NASL Variable
                                    Account - Incorporated by reference to
                                    Exhibit (A)(1) to Form S-6, file number
                                    2-93435, filed September 24, 1984 on behalf
                                    of the NASL Variable Account of North
                                    American Security Life Insurance Company.

                           (ii)     Resolution of the Board of Directors of 
                                    North American Security Life Insurance
                                    Company redesignating existing sub-accounts
                                    and dividing the NASL Variable Account to
                                    create additional sub-accounts, dated May
                                    30, 1995--Previously filed as Exhibit
                                    (b)(1)(ii) to post-effective amendment no. 2
                                    to Form N-4 filed March 1, 1996.

                           (iii)    Resolution of the Board of Directors of
                                    North American Security Life Insurance
                                    Company redesignating existing sub-accounts
                                    and dividing the NASL Variable Account to
                                    create additional sub-accounts, dated
                                    September 30, 1996 -- Filed herewith.

                           (iv)     Resolution of the Board of Directors of
                                    North American Security Life Insurance
                                    Company redesignating existing sub-accounts
                                    and dividing the NASL Variable Account to
                                    create additional sub-accounts, dated
                                    September 30, 1996 -- Filed herewith.
    

                  (2)      Agreements for custody of securities and similar 
                           investments - Not Applicable.

                  (3)      (i)      Underwriting Agreement between North
                                    American Security Life Insurance Company
                                    (Depositor) and NASL Financial Services,
                                    Inc. (Underwriter) -- Incorporated by
                                    reference to Exhibit (A)(3)(a) to Form S-6,
                                    file number 2-93435, filed September 24,
                                    1984 on behalf of the NASL Variable Account
                                    of North American Security Life Insurance
                                    Company.

   
                           (ii)     Promotional Agent Agreement between NASL 
                                    Financial Services, Inc. (Underwriter),
                                    North American Security Life Insurance
                                    Company (Depositor) and Wood Logan
                                    Associates, Inc. (Promotional Agent) and
                                    NAWL Holding Company, Inc.--filed herewith.
    

                           (iii)    Form of broker-dealer agreement between
                                    North American Security Life Insurance
                                    Company, NASL Financial Services, Inc.
                                    (Underwriter), Wood Logan Associates, Inc.
                                    (Promotional Agent) and broker-dealers --
                                    Incorporated 


<PAGE>   121



                                    by reference to Exhibit (b)(3)(iii) to
                                    pre-effective amendment no. 1 to Form N-4,
                                    file number 33-9960, filed February 2, 1987
                                    on behalf of the NASL Variable Account of
                                    North American Security Life Insurance
                                    Company.

   
                  (4)      (i)      Specimen Certificate Under Flexible
                                    Payment Deferred Combination Fixed and
                                    Variable Group Annuity Contract,
                                    Non-Participating -- Incorporated by
                                    reference to Exhibit 4 on Form N-4, file
                                    number 33-76684, filed March 18, 1994 on
                                    behalf of the NASL Variable Account.

                           (ii)     Specimen Certificate Under Flexible Payment
                                    Deferred Combination Fixed and Variable
                                    Group Annuity Contract, Non-Participating -
                                    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 (i)
                                    Form N-4, file number 33-76684, filed March
                                    18, 1994 on behalf of the NASL Variable
                                    Account.

                           (iii)    Specimen Endorsements to Contracts -
                                    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 (ii)
                                    Form N-4, file number 33-76684, filed March
                                    18, 1994 on behalf of the NASL Variable
                                    Account.

                           (iv)     Specimen Death Benefit Endorsements to
                                    Contracts (apply to certain prior contracts
                                    only) - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                                    4(iii) Form N-4, file number 33-76684, filed
                                    May 8, 1995 on behalf of the NASL Variable
                                    Account.

                  (5)      (i)      Specimen Application for Flexible
                                    Payment Deferred Combination Fixed and
                                    Variable Group Annuity Contract,
                                    Non-Participating - Incorporated by
                                    reference to Exhibit 5 Form N-4, file number
                                    33-76684, filed May 8, 1995 on behalf of the
                                    NASL Variable Account.

                           (ii)     Specimen Certificate Application -
                                    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5 (i)
                                    Form N-4, file number 33-76684, filed March
                                    18, 1994 on behalf of the NASL Variable
                                    Account.
    

                  (6)      (i)      Certificate of Incorporation of North
                                    American Security Life Insurance Company --
                                    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (A)(6)
                                    to Form S-6, file number 2-93435, filed
                                    September 24, 1984 on behalf of the NASL
                                    Variable Account of North American Security
                                    Life Insurance Company.

   
                           (ii)     Amended and Restated By-laws of North
                                    American Security Life Insurance
                                    Company--Previously filed 


                                      -2-
    
<PAGE>   122

                                    as Exhibit (b)(6)(ii) to post-effective
                                    amendment no. 2 to Form N-4 filed March 1,
                                    1996.

   
                  (7)      (i)      Contract of reinsurance in connection
                                    with the variable annuity contracts being
                                    offered - Reinsurance and Accounts
                                    Receivable Agreements between North American
                                    Security Life Insurance Company and ITT
                                    Lyndon Life, effective December 31, 1993,
                                    and Amendments thereto effective January 1,
                                    1994 and December 31, 1994. - Incorporated
                                    by reference to Exhibit 7 Form N-4, file
                                    number 33-76684, filed March 2, 1995 on
                                    behalf of the NASL Variable Account.

                           (ii)     Contract of reinsurance in connection with 
                                    the variable annuity contracts being offered
                                    - Variable Annuity Guaranteed Death Benefit
                                    Reinsurance Contract between North American
                                    Security Life Insurance Company and
                                    Connecticut General Life Insurance Company,
                                    effective July 1, 1995--Previously filed as
                                    Exhibit (b)(7)(ii) to post-effective
                                    amendment no. 2 to Form N-4 filed March 1,
                                    1996.

                           (iii)    Contract of reinsurance in connection with 
                                    the variable annuity contracts being offered
                                    - Variable Annuity Guaranteed Death Benefit
                                    Reinsurance Contract between North American
                                    Security Life Insurance Company and
                                    Connecticut General Life Insurance Company,
                                    effective July 1, 1995--Previously filed as
                                    Exhibit (b)(7)(iii) to post-effective
                                    amendment no. 2 to Form N-4 filed March 1,
                                    1996. 

                           (iv)     Contract of reinsurance in connection with
                                    the variable annuity contracts being offered
                                    - Automatic Reinsurance Agreement between
                                    North American Security Life Insurance
                                    Company and Swiss Re America, effective
                                    August 1, 1995 - Filed herewith.

                           (v)      Contract of reinsurance in connection with
                                    the variable annuity contracts being offered
                                    - Reinsurance Agreement between North
                                    American Security Life Insurance Company and
                                    PaineWebber Life Insurance Company,
                                    effective
                                    December 31, 1994 - Filed herewith.
    

                  (8)      Other material contracts not made in the ordinary
                           course of business which are to be performed in whole
                           or in part on or after the date the registration
                           statement is filed:


   
                                      -3-
    

<PAGE>   123

   
                           (i)      Form of Remote Service Agreement dated 
                                    November 1, 1996 between North American
                                    Security Life Insurance Company and CSC
                                    Continuum, Inc.--filed herewith.
    

                           (ii)     License and Service Agreement between North
                                    American Security Life Insurance Company and
                                    Mentap Systems, Inc. - Incorporated by
                                    reference to Exhibit 8(ii) Form N-4, file
                                    number 33-76684, filed March 2, 1995 on
                                    behalf of the NASL Variable Account.

                  (9)      Opinion of Counsel and consent to its use as to the
                           legality of the securities being registered --
                           Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b)(9) to
                           pre-effective amendment No.1 on Form N-4, file number
                           33-76684, filed June 29, 1994.

   
                  (10)     (i)      Written consent of Ernst & Young LLP 
                                    independent certified public
                                    accountants--filed herewith.

                           (ii)     Written consent of Coopers & Lybrand
                                    independent certified public accounts--filed
                                    herewith.
    

                  (11)     All financial statements omitted from Item 23, 
                           Financial Statements -- Not Applicable.

                  (12)     Agreements in consideration for providing initial
                           capital between or among Registrant, Depositor,
                           Underwriter or initial contract owners -- Not
                           Applicable.

   
                  (13)     Schedule for computation of each performance
                           quotation provided in the Registration Statement in
                           response to Item 21 - Incorporated by reference to
                           Exhibit (b)(13) Form N-4, file number 33-28455, filed
                           May 8, 1989 on behalf of the NASL Variable Account,
                           further amended as Exhibit (b)(13) Form N-4, file
                           number 33-76684, filed March 18, 1994 on behalf of
                           the NASL Variable Account. An Additional schedule for
                           computation--Previously filed as Exhibit (b)(13) to
                           post-effective amendment no. 2 to Form N-4 filed
                           March 1, 1996.
    

                  (14)     Financial Data Schedule - Filed herewith.

   
                  (15)     (i)      Powers of Attorney - North American
                                    Security Life Insurance Company Directors --
                                    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b)(14)
                                    to Form N-4, file number 33-55712, filed
                                    March 22, 1993 on behalf of the NASL
                                    Variable Account of North American Security
                                    Life Insurance Company.

                           (ii)     Power of Attorney - North American Security
                                    Life Insurance Company Treasurer (Principal
                                    Financial and Accounting Officer) --
                                    Incorporated by reference to (b)(14)(b) to
                                    Form N-4, file number 33-28455, filed on
                                    April 2, 1993 on behalf of the NASL Variable
                                    Account of North American Security Life
                                    Insurance Company.

                                      -4-
    

<PAGE>   124



Item 25.          Directors and Officers of the Depositor.
                  ---------------------------------------

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF NORTH AMERICAN SECURITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

   
Name and Principal
Business Address                            Position 
- ------------------                          --------

Brian L. Moore                              Chairman of the Board of Directors
200 Bloor Street East
North Tower 11th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M4W-1E5

Peter S. Hutchison                          Director
5650 Yonge Street
North York, Ontario
Canada  M2M 4G4

John D. DesPrez III                         President and Director
73 Tremont Street
Boston, MA  02108

James Boyle                                 Vice President, Annuity 
Administrative                              Administration Services and Chief
116 Huntington Avenue                       Officer
Boston, MA  02116

John G. Vrysen                              Vice President and Chief Actuary
73 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02108

                                      -5-
    

<PAGE>   125

   
Hugh McHaffie                               Vice President, Product Management
73 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02108

Richard C. Hirtle                           Vice President, Treasurer and Chief 
73 Tremont Street                           Operating Officer
Boston, MA 02108

James D. Gallagher                          Vice President, Secretary and 
73 Tremont Street                           General Counsel
Boston, MA  02108


                                      -6-
    
<PAGE>   126

   
Iain Scott                                  Vice President, Single Premium 
116 Huntington Avenue                       Variable Life Insurance
Boston, MA 02116



                                      -7-
    
<PAGE>   127



   
                                      -8-
    


<PAGE>   128

   
Janet Sweeney                               Vice President, Corporate Services
73 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02108
    

Item 26.  Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Depositor or 
          ---------------------------------------------------------------
          Registrant.
          ----------

   
THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(Subsidiaries Organization Chart- including certain Significant Investments)
    

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (Canada)

1.  ManuLife Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited - H.K. (100%)

2.  ManuLife Financial Systems (Hong Kong) Limited - H.K. (100%)

3.  P.T. Asuransi Jiwa Dharmala Manulife - Indonesia (51%)

   
4.  WT (SW) Properties Ltd. - U.K. (100%)
    

5.  OUB Manulife Pte. Ltd. - Singapore (50%)

6.  Manulife (Malaysia) SDN. BHD. - Malaysia (100%)

7.  Manulife (Thailand) Ltd. - Thailand (100%)

8.  Young Poong Manulife Insurance Company - Korea (50%)

9.  Ennal, Inc. - Ohio (100%)

   
10. First North American Realty, Inc. - Minnesota (100%)

                                      -9-
    

<PAGE>   129

   
11. NAL Resources Limited - Alberta (100%)
    (a) Nottingham Gas Limited - Saskatchewan (31%)

12. Nottingham Gas Limited - Saskatchewan (31%)

13. 484551 Ontario Limited - Ontario (100%)
    (a) 911164 Ontario Limited - Ontario (100%)

14. Peel-de Maisonneuve Investments Ltd. - Canada (50%)
    (a) 2932121 Canada Inc. - Canada (100%)

15. Balmoral Developments Inc. - Canada (100%)

16. KY Holding Corporation - Canada (100%)

17. 165351 Canada Limited - Canada (100%)

18. 172846 Canada Limited - Canada (100%)

19. 576986 Ontario Inc. - Ontario (100%)

20. Cantay Holdings Inc. - Ontario (100%)

21. Manufacturers Life Capital Corporation Inc. - Canada (100%)

22. Elliott & Page Asset Management Ltd. - Canada (100%)

23. 495603 Ontario Limited - Ontario (100%)

24. 994744 Ontario Inc. - Ontario (100%)



                                      -10-
    
<PAGE>   130


   
25. The North American Group Inc. - Ontario (100%)

26.  Manulife Investment Management Corporation - Canada (100%)
     (a)  159139 Canada Inc. - Canada (50%)
          i.  Altamira Management Ltd. - Canada (60.96%)
              A.  ACI2 Limited - Cayman (100%)
                  a/  Regent Pacific Group Limited-Cayman (63.8%)
                      a.1 Manulife Regent Investment Corporation -
                             Barbados (100%) [50% by Regent Pacific Group 
                             Limited and 50% by Manulife Data Services Inc.]
                      b.1 Manulife Regent Investment Asia Limited -
                             Hong Kong (100%)
              B.  Altamira Financial Services Inc. - Ontario (100%)
                  a/  AIS Securities (Partnership) - Ontario (100%) [5% by
                           Altamira Financial Services, Inc. and 95% by
                           Altamira Investment Services Inc.]
                  b/  Altamira Investment Services Inc. - Ontario (100%)
                      (a) AIS Securities (Partnership) - Ontario (100%)[95% by
                           by Altamira Investment Services Inc. and 5% by
                           Altamira Financial Services Inc.]
                      (b) Altamira (Alberta) Ltd. - Alberta (100%)
                      (c) Capital Growth Financial Services Inc. -
                          Ontario (100%)

27. Manulife International Investment Management Limited - U.K. (100%)
    (a) Manulife International Fund Management Limited - U.K. (100%)

28. Manulife (International) Limited - Bermuda (100%)
    (a) The Manufacturers (Pacific Asia) Insurance Company Limited
         - Hong Kong (100%)
    (b) Newtime Consultants Limited - Hong Kong (100%)

29.  Manulife Data Services Inc.- Barbados (100%)
     (a)  Manulife Regent Investment Corporation - Barbados - (100%)
              [50% by Manulife Data Services Inc. and 50% by Regent
                   Pacific Group Limited]
     (b)  Manulife Regent Investment Asia Limited - Hong Kong (100%)

30. FNA Financial Inc. - Canada (100%)
    (a) NAL Trustco Inc. - Ontario (100%)
    (b) First North America Insurance Company - Canada (100%)
    (c) Elliott & Page Limited - Ontario (100%)
    (d) Seamark Asset Management Ltd. - Canada (69.175%)
    (e) NAL Resources Management Limited - Canada (100%)


                                      -11-
    
<PAGE>   131


   
        (i) NAL Energy Inc. - Alberta (100%)


31. ManuCab Ltd. - Canada (100%)
     (a)  Plazcab Service Limited - Canada (100%)

32. Townvest Inc. - Ontario (100%)

33. Manulife Reinsurance Corporation (U.S.A.) - Michigan (100%)
    (a) The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) - Michigan (100%)
    (b) Manulife Holding Corporation - Delaware (100%)
        i.   Manufacturers Life Mortgage Securities
                Corporation - Delaware (100%)
        ii.  Manulife Property Management of Washington, D.C., Inc.
                - Washington D.C. (100%)
        iii. Capital Design Corporation - California - (100%)
        iv.  ManEquity, Inc. - Colorado (100%)
        v.   Manulife Service Corporation - Colorado (100%)
        vi.  Succession Planning International Inc. - Wisconsin (100%)
    (c) The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of America - Michigan (100%)
        i.   Manulife Series Fund, Inc. - Maryland (100%)
        ii.  Manufacturers Adviser Corporation - Colorado (100%)
    (d) Manulife Reinsurance Limited - Bermuda (100%)

34. The Manufacturers Investment Corporation - Michigan (100%)

35. Capitol Bankers Life Insurance Company - Minnesota (100%)

36. NAWL (North American Wood Logan Holding Company) - Delaware (85%)
    (a) Wood Logan Associates Inc. - Connecticut (100%)
        (i) Wood Logan Distributors - Connecticut (100%)
    (b) North American Security Life Insurance Company - Delaware (100%)
        (i) NASL Financial Services, Inc. - Massachusetts (100%)
        (ii) First North American Life Assurance Company - New York (100%)

37. Manulife (International) Reinsurance Limited - Bermuda (100%)
    (a)  Manulife (International) P&C Limited - Bermuda (100%)
    (b)  Manufacturers P&C Limited - Barbados (100%)

38. Manulife Financial Holdings Limited - Ontario (100%)
    (a)  742166 Ontario Inc. - Ontario (100%)
    (b)  Family Realty Firstcorp Limited - Ontario (100%)
    (c)  Thos. N. Shea Investment Corporation Limited - Ontario (100%)
    (d)  Manulife Bank of Canada - Canada (100%)


                                      -12-
    

<PAGE>   132

   
        i.  Manulife Securities International Ltd. - Canada (100%)


Item 27.  Number of Contract owners.
          -------------------------

As of December 31, 1996, there were 3727 qualified contracts (including 2031 for
Ven 8) and 5512 non-qualified contracts (including 2591 for Ven 8) of the series
offered hereby outstanding.
    

Item 28.  Indemnification.
          ---------------

Article 9 of the Articles of Incorporation of the Company provides as follows:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

   
NINTH: A director of this corporation shall not be liable to the corporation or
its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director
except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not
permitted under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same
exists or may hereafter be amended. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing
sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the
corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring
prior to such repeal or modification.

Article XIV of the By-laws of the Company provides as follows:

Each Director or officer, whether or not then in office, shall be indemnified by
the Company against all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by or imposed
upon him or her, including legal fees, in connection with or resulting from any
claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal or administrative, in
which he or she may become involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of his or
her being or having been a Director or officer of the Company.

         (1) Indemnity will not be granted to any Director or officer with
respect to any claim, action, suit or proceeding which shall be brought against
such Director or officer by or in the right of the Company, and

         (2) Indemnification for amounts paid and expenses incurred in settling
such action, claim, suit or proceeding, will not be granted, until it shall be
determined by a disinterested majority of the Board of Directors or by a
majority of any disinterested committee or group of persons to whom the question
may be referred by the Board, that said Director or officer did indeed act in
good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not
adverse, to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had reasonably cause to believe that his or her
conduct was legal, and that the payment of such costs, expenses, penalties or
fines is in the interest of the Company, and not contrary to public policy or
other provisions of law.

         The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order,
settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendre or its equivalent, shall
not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith
and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not adverse, to
the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
Indemnification shall be made by the corporation upon determination by a
disinterested majority of the Board of Directors or of a majority of any
disinterested committee or group or persons to whom the question may be referred
to by said Board, that the person did indeed act in good faith and in a manner
he or she 


                                      -13-
    
<PAGE>   133

   
reasonably believed to be in, or not adverse, to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
reasonably cause to believe that his or her conduct was legal.

         The foregoing right to indemnity shall not be exclusive of any other
rights to which such Director or officer may be entitled as a matter of law.

         The foregoing right to indemnity shall also extend to the estate of any
deceased Director or officer with respect to any such claim, action, suit or
proceeding in which such Director or officer or his or her estate may become
involved by reason of his or her having been a Director or officer of the
Company, and subject to the same conditions outlined above.
    

Section IX, paragraph D of the Promotional Agent Agreement among the Company
(referred to therein as "Security Life"), NASL Financial and Wood/Logan
(referred to therein as "Promotional Agent") provides as follows:

a.       NASL Financial and Security Life agree to indemnify and hold harmless
         Promotional Agent, its officers, directors and employees against any
         and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which they may become
         subject under the Securities Act of 1933 ("1933 Act"), the 1934 Act or
         other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or
         otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
         actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue
         statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or any
         omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be
         stated or necessary to make the statements made not misleading in any
         registration statement for the Contracts filed pursuant to the 1933 Act
         or any prospectus included as a part thereof, as from time to time
         amended and supplemented, or any advertisement or sales literature
         approved in writing by NASL Financial or Security Life pursuant to
         Section VI, paragraph B of this Agreement.

b.       Promotional Agent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless NASL Financial
         and Security Life, their officers, directors and employees against any
         and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which they may become
         subject under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or other federal or state
         statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as
         such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
         thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any oral or written
         misrepresentation by Promotional Agent or its officers, directors,
         employees or agents unless such misrepresentation is contained in any
         registration statement for the Contracts or Fund shares, any prospectus
         included as a part thereof, as from time to time amended and
         supplemented, or any advertisement or sales literature approved in
         writing by NASL Financial pursuant to Section VI, paragraph B of this
         Agreement or, (ii) the failure of Promotional Agent or its officers,
         directors, employees or agents to comply with any applicable provisions
         of this Agreement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Registrant hereby makes the following undertaking
pursuant to Rule 484 under the Securities Act of 1933:

   
         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 a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
         (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid
         by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
         successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
         such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
         securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion
         of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
         submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
         indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act
         and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
    

Item 29.  Principal Underwriters.
          ----------------------

   
                                      -14-
    

<PAGE>   134


a.       North American Funds

         First North American Life Assurance Company

   
b.       Name and Principal                 Positions and Offices
         Business Address                   with Underwriter

         Brian L. Moore*                    Chairman & Director

         Richard C. Hirtle**                President & Director
    

         John D. DesPrez III**              Director

   
         James D. Gallagher**               Vice President, General Counsel

         John G. Vrysen**                   Treasurer
    

         Brian H. Buckley**                 Clerk

   
         Lori-Ann Herbsmann***              Assistant Clerk - New York 
                                            Operations

         Kimberly S. Ciccarelli**           Assistant Clerk
    

         E. Paige Sabine**                  Assistant Clerk

   

*200 Bloor Street East                 ***International Corporate Center at Rye
- ----------------------                 ----------------------------------------




                                      -15-
    
<PAGE>   135


   
  North Tower 11th Floor                   555 Theodore Fremd Avenue
- ------------------------                 ---------------------------
  Toronto, Ontario                         Rye, New York 10580
- ------------------                       ---------------------             
  Canada, M4W-1E5
- -----------------

**73 Tremont Street
- ------------------- 
  Boston, MA 02108
- ------------------

c.       None.
- -------------
    

Item 30.  Location of Accounts and Records.
          --------------------------------

   
All books and records are maintained at 116 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116
and at 73 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02108.
- ------------------------------------------
    

Item 31.  Management Services.
          -------------------

None.

Item 32. Undertakings.
         ------------

   
Representation of Insurer Pursuant to Section 26 of the Investment Company Act
of 1940

North American Security Life Insurance Company (the "Company") hereby represents
that the fees and charges deducted under the contracts issued pursuant to this
registration statement in the aggregate are reasonable in relation to the
services rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred, and the risks assumed
by the Company.
      



                                      -16-



<PAGE>   136


                                   SIGNATURES


         As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company
Act of 1940, the Registrant, NASL Variable Account, has caused this Amendment to
the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf, in the City of Boston,
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on this 27 day of February, 1997.


                                             NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                                             ---------------------
                                                  (Registrant)


                                         By: NORTH AMERICAN SECURITY
                                             -----------------------
                                             LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                             ----------------------
                                                  (Depositor)


                                         By: /s/ JOHN D. DESPREZ III
                                             ------------------------------
                                             John D. DesPrez III, President


Attest:

/s/ JAMES D. GALLAGHER
- -----------------------------
James D. Gallagher, Secretary


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Depositor has duly caused this Amendment to
the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned on the
27 day of February, 1997 in the City of Boston, and Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.


                                             NORTH AMERICAN SECURITY
                                             -----------------------
                                             LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                             ----------------------
                                                   (Depositor)


                                         By: /s/ JOHN D. DESPREZ III
                                             ------------------------------
                                             John D. DesPrez III, President


Attest:


/s/ JAMES D. GALLAGHER
- -----------------------------
James D. Gallagher, Secretary
<PAGE>   137






<TABLE>
         As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this amended Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities with the
Depositor and on the dates indicated.
<CAPTION>



         SIGNATURE                                   TITLE                              DATE



         <S>                                 <C>                                 <C>
         /s/ JOHN D. DESPREZ III             Director and President              February 27, 1997
         ----------------------------        (Principal Executive                -----------------
         John D. DesPrez III                 Officer)                                  (Date)
                                                     



         *                                   Director                            February 27, 1997
         ----------------------------                                            -----------------
         Peter S. Hutchison                                                            (Date)



         *                                   Director and Chairman               February 27, 1997
         ----------------------------        of the Board                        -----------------
         Brian L. Moore                                                                (Date)




         /s/ RICHARD C. HIRTLE               Vice President and                  February 27, 1997
         ----------------------------        Treasurer (Principal                -----------------
         Richard C. Hirtle                   Financial and Accounting                  (Date)
                                              Officer)
                                                    
<FN>



         *By: /s/ RICHARD C. HIRTLE                                              February 27, 1997
              -----------------------                                            -----------------
              Richard C. Hirtle                                                        (Date)
              Attorney-in-Fact
              Pursuant to Powers
               of Attorney
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   138







   
<TABLE>
                                                    EXHIBIT INDEX
<CAPTION>



Exhibit No.                         Description
- -----------                         -----------

<S>                        <C>
(b)(1)(iii)                Resolution Redesignating the NASL Variable Account dated February 1, 1996
(b)(1)(iv)                 Resolution Redesignating the NASL Variable Account dated September 30, 1996
(b)(3)(ii)                 Promotional Agent Agreement
(b)(4)(iii)                Withdrawal Charge Endorsement
(b)(8)                     Remote Service Agreement
(b)(10)(i)                 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
(b)(10)(ii)                Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
(b)(14)                    Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>



                                      -28-
    

<PAGE>   1
                       ACTION BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT OF THE

                              BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

                 NORTH AMERICAN SECURITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

Pursuant to the authority of Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware, the undersigned, being all of the directors of North
American Security Life Insurance Company ("the Company"), do take and adopt the
following action by their written consent effective February 1, 1996:

     Authorization for Additional Sub-Accounts of Variable Separate Accounts
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  VARIABLE LIFE

WHEREAS, pursuant to Title 18, Section 2932(a) of the Delaware Code Annotated,
as amended, the Company, pursuant to a resolution dated April 30, 1986,
established a separate account, designated the NASL Variable Life Account, and

WHEREAS, the separate account is currently separated in fourteen sub-accounts
designated the "Equity Trust," the "Investment Quality Bond Trust," the "Money
Market Trust," the "Global Equity Trust," the "Pasadena Growth Trust," the
"Value Equity Trust," the "Growth and Income Trust," the "Strategic Bond Trust,"
the "Global Government Bond Trust," the "International Growth and Income Trust,"
the "U.S. Government Securities Trust," the "Aggressive Asset Allocation Trust,"
the "Moderate Asset Allocation Trust" and the "Conservative Asset Allocation
Trust"; be it

RESOLVED, that the Company does hereby divide the separate account to create
three additional sub-accounts designated the "International Small Cap Trust,"
the "Small/Mid Cap Trust" and the "Growth Trust"; and it is

FURTHER RESOLVED, that, from time to time, the sub-accounts may be redesignated
and the separate account divided to create additional sub-accounts without
further action by the Board of Directors of the Company.



<PAGE>   2


                                VARIABLE ACCOUNT

WHEREAS, pursuant to Title 18, Section 2932(a) of the Delaware Code Annotated,
as amended, the Company, pursuant to a resolution dated August 24, 1984,
established a separate account, designated the NASL Variable Account, and

WHEREAS, the separate account is currently separated in fourteen sub-accounts
designated the "Equity Trust," the "Investment Quality Bond Trust," the "Money
Market Trust," the "Global Equity Trust," the "Pasadena Growth Trust," the
"Value Equity Trust," the "Growth and Income Trust," the "Strategic Bond Trust,"
the "Global Government Bond Trust," the "International Growth and Income Trust,"
the "U.S. Government Securities Trust," the "Aggressive Asset Allocation Trust,"
the "Moderate Asset Allocation Trust" and the "Conservative Asset Allocation
Trust"; be it

RESOLVED, that the Company does hereby divide the separate account to create
three additional sub-accounts designated the "International Small Cap Trust,"
the "Small/Mid Cap Trust"and the "Growth Trust"; and it is

FURTHER RESOLVED, that, from time to time, the sub-accounts may be redesignated
and the separate account divided to create additional sub-accounts without
further action by the Board of Directors of the Company.

DATED as of the 30th day of September 1996.


                                     /s/ Brian L. Moore
                                     -----------------------------------
                                     Brian L. Moore

                                     /s/ Peter S. Hutchison
                                     -----------------------------------
                                     Peter S. Hutchison

                                     /s/ John DesPrez III
                                     -----------------------------------
                                     John DesPrez III





<PAGE>   1



                       ACTION BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT OF THE

                              BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

                 NORTH AMERICAN SECURITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

Pursuant to the authority of Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware, the undersigned, being all of the directors of North
American Security Life Insurance Company ("the Company"), do take and adopt the
following action by their written consent:

     Authorization for Additional Sub-Accounts of Variable Separate Accounts
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  VARIABLE LIFE

WHEREAS, pursuant to Title 18, Section 2932(a) of the Delaware Code Annotated,
as amended, the Company, pursuant to a resolution dated April 30, 1986,
established a separate account, designated the NASL Variable Life Account, and

WHEREAS, the separate account is currently separated into seventeen sub-accounts
designated the "International Small Cap Trust," the "Small/Mid Cap Trust," the
"Growth Trust," the "Equity Trust," the "Investment Quality Bond Trust," the
"Money Market Trust," the "Global Equity Trust," the "Pasadena Growth Trust,"
the "Value Equity Trust," the "Growth and Income Trust," the "Strategic Bond
Trust," the "Global Government Bond Trust," the "International Growth and Income
Trust," the "U.S. Government Securities Trust," the "Aggressive Asset Allocation
Trust," the "Moderate Asset Allocation Trust" and the "Conservative Asset
Allocation Trust"; be it

RESOLVED, that the Pasadena Growth Trust is hereby renamed as the Blue Chip
Growth Trust and the Value Equity Trust is hereby renamed as the Equity-Income
Trust to continue to have the same relative rights and preferences accorded
sub-accounts in said Variable Life Account; and it is

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Company does hereby divide the separate account to
create eighteen additional sub-accounts designated the "Pacific Rim Emerging
Markets Trust," the "Science & Technology Trust," the "Emerging Growth Trust,"
the "Pilgrim Baxter Growth Trust," the "International Stock Trust," the
"Worldwide Growth Trust," the "Quantitative Equity Trust," the "Equity Index
Trust," the "Real Estate Securities Trust," the "Value Trust," the "Balanced
Trust," the "High Yield Trust," the "Capital Growth Bond Trust," the "Lifestyle
Aggressive 1000 Trust," the "Lifestyle Growth 820 Trust," the "Lifestyle
Balanced 640 Trust," the "Lifestyle Moderate 460 Trust" and the "Lifestyle
Conservative 280 Trust"; and it is

FURTHER RESOLVED, that, from time to time, the sub-accounts may be redesignated
and the separate account divided to create additional sub-accounts without
further action by the Board of Directors of the Company .



<PAGE>   2


                                VARIABLE ACCOUNT

WHEREAS, pursuant to Title 18, Section 2932(a) of the Delaware Code Annotated,
as amended, the Company, pursuant to a resolution dated August 24, 1984,
established a separate account, designated the NASL Variable Account, and

WHEREAS, the separate account is currently separated into seventeen sub-accounts
designated "International Small Cap Trust," the "Small/Mid Cap Trust," the
"Growth Trust," the "Equity Trust," the "Investment Quality Bond Trust," the
"Money Market Trust," the "Global Equity Trust," the "Pasadena Growth Trust,"
the "Value Equity Trust," the "Growth and Income Trust," the "Strategic Bond
Trust," the "Global Government Bond Trust," the "International Growth and Income
Trust," the "U.S. Government Securities Trust," the "Aggressive Asset Allocation
Trust," the "Moderate Asset Allocation Trust" and the "Conservative Asset
Allocation Trust"; be it

RESOLVED, that the Pasadena Growth Trust is hereby renamed as the Blue Chip
Growth Trust and the Value Equity Trust is hereby renamed as the Equity-Income
Trust to continue to have the same relative rights and preferences accorded
sub-accounts in said Variable Account; and it is

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Company does hereby divide the separate account to
create eighteen additional sub-accounts designated the "Pacific Rim Emerging
Markets Trust," the "Science & Technology Trust," the "Emerging Growth Trust,"
the "Pilgrim Baxter Growth Trust," the "International Stock Trust," the
"Worldwide Growth Trust," the "Quantitative Equity Trust," the "Equity Index
Trust," the "Real Estate Securities Trust," the "Value Trust," the "Balanced
Trust," the "High Yield Trust," the "Capital Growth Bond Trust," the "Lifestyle
Aggressive 1000 Trust," the "Lifestyle Growth 820 Trust," the "Lifestyle
Balanced 640 Trust," the "Lifestyle Moderate 460 Trust" and the "Lifestyle
Conservative 280 Trust"; and it is

FURTHER RESOLVED, that, from time to time, the sub-accounts may be redesignated
and the separate account divided to create additional sub-accounts without
further action by the Board of Directors of the Company.

DATED as of the 30th day of September 1996.


                                     /s/ Brian L. Moore
                                     -----------------------------------
                                     Brian L. Moore

                                     /s/ Peter S. Hutchison
                                     -----------------------------------
                                     Peter S. Hutchison

                                     /s/ John DesPrez III
                                     -----------------------------------
                                     John DesPrez III






<PAGE>   1
                           PROMOTIONAL AGENT AGREEMENT

         AGREEMENT ("Agreement") made as of this 1st day of January, 1996 by and
among NASL Financial Services, Inc. ("NASL Financial"), a broker-dealer
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (1934 Act") and a member of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), North American
Security Life Insurance Company ("Security Life"), a stock life insurance
company issuing, developing and sponsoring financial services products, and Wood
Logan Associates, Inc. (including, with respect to Investment Products, Wood
Logan Distributors, Inc., collectively "Promotional Agent"), also registered as
a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act and a member of the NASD, and NAWL Holding
Company, Inc. ("NAWL"), a holding company owning all voting stock of Security
Life and Promotional Agent, PROVIDED THAT, Security Life shall be deemed to be a
party to only those parts of this Agreement that pertain to Insurance Products,
as hereinafter defined. This Agreement hereby supercedes all prior promotional
agent agreements by and among the parties.

I.       DEFINITIONS
         -----------

         As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings
         set forth below:

         INSURANCE PRODUCTS - fixed and variable annuity contracts issued by
         Security Life as of the date of this Agreement together with any
         products developed during the period of this Agreement that are
         regulated as insurance products under the laws of the several States of
         the United States, some of which are also regulated as securities under
         the federal securities laws.

         INVESTMENT PRODUCTS - shares of the North American Funds portfolios
         sponsored by Security Life as of the date of this Agreement together
         with any other products developed during the period of this Agreement
         that are regulated as securities under the federal securities laws but
         that are not regulated as insurance products under the laws of the
         several States of the United States.

         FINANCIAL SERVICES PRODUCTS - Insurance Products and Investment 
         Products, collectively.

         SELLING AGREEMENTS - contracts among Broker-Dealers, Promotional Agent
         and NASL Financial (and Security Life in the case of Insurance
         Products) providing for the distribution of Financial Services Products
         issued, sponsored or developed by Security Life.

         BROKER-DEALERS - brokerage firms and insurance agencies (to the extent
         they are licensed to sell Financial Services Products) that have
         entered into Selling Agreements to distribute Financial Services
         Products to retail customers.

II.      INTRODUCTION
         ------------

         WHEREAS, Security Life is in the business of issuing, developing and
         sponsoring various Financial Services Products;

         WHEREAS, Security Life distributes such Financial Services Products
         through its wholly-owned subsidiary NASL Financial, which is the
         principal underwriter of all its products regulated under the federal
         securities laws;

         WHEREAS, NASL Financial is authorized to enter into Selling Agreements
         (with Security Life's consent in the case of Insurance Products) with
         Broker-Dealers for the distribution of Financial Services Products; and

         WHEREAS, Promotional Agent wishes to assist NASL Financial in making
         arrangements with Broker-Dealers for the distribution of Financial
         Services Products and in promoting the sale thereof through such
         Broker-Dealers, and NASL Financial wishes the Promotional Agent to do
         so;


<PAGE>   2


         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
         covenants hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

III.     APPOINTMENT OF PROMOTIONAL AGENT
         --------------------------------

A.       APPOINTMENT

         NASL Financial hereby appoints Promotional Agent as its non-exclusive
         agent for the promotion of sales of the Financial Services Products
         specified in Schedule A hereto through Broker-Dealers, and Promotional
         Agent accepts such appointments subject to the terms and conditions set
         forth herein.

IV.      DUTIES OF PROMOTIONAL AGENT
         ---------------------------

A.       PROMOTION OF CONTRACTS

         Promotional Agent agrees to use its best efforts to promote the sale of
         Financial Services Products through Broker-Dealers, and in furtherance
         thereof Promotional Agent shall to the extent it deems appropriate and
         at its own expense:

         (i)      Use its best efforts to secure duly qualified Broker-Dealers
         to enter into Selling Agreements for the distribution of Financial
         Services Products;

         (ii)     Assist the Broker-Dealers who have entered into Selling
         Agreements in obtaining for their registered representatives pursuant
         to Section V, paragraph A (i) of this Agreement all necessary licenses,
         registrations and appointments required by applicable regulatory
         authorities so as to enable such registered representatives to sell
         Financial Services Products;

         (iii)    Arrange on a periodic basis and preside over educational
         meetings with Broker-Dealers who have entered into Selling Agreements
         so as to ensure that their registered representatives are familiar with
         the provisions and features of the Financial Services Products;

         (iv)     Provide technical assistance at the time of sale of Financial 
         Services Products to Broker-Dealers who have entered into Selling
         Agreements;

         (v)      Prepare sales and promotional materials, such materials being
         subject, however, to the prior approval of Security Life as provided in
         Section VII B of this Agreement, and engage public relations advisors
         as required;

         (vi)     Hold seminars for customers and potential customers of Broker-
         Dealers who have entered into Selling Agreements;

         (vii)    Provide assistance to Broker-Dealers who have entered into
         Selling Agreements in the ongoing servicing of Financial Services
         Products;

         (viii)   Provide advice to Security Life on the development and
         redesign of Financial Services Products for which it has or will be
         granted exclusive promotional rights;

         (ix)     Bear costs of printing additional Prospectuses and Statements 
         of Additional Information for use in marketing activities; and

         (x)      Bear costs of printing additional annual and semiannual 
         reports for use in marketing activities.


<PAGE>   3



B.       RIGHT TO REJECT SELECTED BROKER-DEALERS

         In connection with securing Broker-Dealers to distribute Financial
         Services Products, Promotional Agent will use its best efforts to
         ascertain that each Broker-Dealer wishing to execute a Selling
         Agreement shall have the highest business ethics and reputation, be
         duly qualified with all federal, state and other regulatory bodies to
         carry on the business of a Broker-Dealer, and otherwise be a suitable
         person to represent NASL Financial and its affiliated companies. NASL
         Financial may refuse to enter into a Selling Agreement with a
         Broker-Dealer selected by Promotional Agent if such Broker-Dealer is
         deemed by NASL Financial or Security Life to be unsuitable for any
         reason. Neither NASL Financial nor Security Life will incur any
         obligation to compensate, or reimburse the expenses of, Promotional
         Agent as a result of any such refusal.

C.       PROMOTIONAL AGENT'S EXPENSES

         Promotional Agent will be responsible for all expenses (excluding first
         time and renewal licensing expenses for sellers of Insurance Products)
         incurred in recruiting Broker-Dealers to distribute Financial Services
         Products and in performing its other duties under this Agreement.
         Promotional Agent shall also be responsible for those expenses
         specified in the attached Schedule B ("Statement of Expenses and
         Compensation") with respect to each category of Financial Services
         Products under this Agreement.

D.       MARKETING OF SIMILAR PRODUCTS

         Promotional Agent agrees that it will not promote the sale of Financial
         Services Products similar to or competitive with Financial Services
         Products without the consent of NAWL.

E.       DISPUTES WITH BROKER-DEALERS

         Promotional Agent will provide reasonable assistance to NASL Financial
         in resolving any differences and disputes between NASL Financial and
         Broker-Dealers which have entered into Selling Agreements under the
         auspices of Promotional Agent. Promotional Agent shall not have the
         right to establish any procedures for the settlement of, or to settle,
         any disputes on behalf of NASL Financial without first obtaining NASL
         Financial's written approval of such procedure or settlement.
         Promotional Agent will at all times represent NASL Financial's best
         interests in resolving any such disputes.

F        REQUIRED REPORTS

         Promotional Agent agrees, within 90 days after expiration of each
         calendar year, to furnish Security Life with a written statement of
         amounts received under or on account of this Agreement and amounts
         expended thereunder during such calendar year. Such statement will
         specify the compensation or profits received under this Agreement by
         the respective directors, officers and other principal management
         personnel of Promotional Agent, and such other items and further detail
         as Security Life may reasonably require.

V.       DUTIES OF NASL FINANCIAL AND SECURITY LIFE
         ------------------------------------------

A.       DUTIES

         NASL Financial or Security Life shall to the extent they deem
         appropriate and at their own expense:

         (i)      Where permitted, obtain such corporate registrations and agent
         licenses as are necessary to carry on business and issue and sell
         Financial Services Products in all states of the United States and its
         territories and shall process all licensing, registration and
         appointment applications of Broker-Dealers;


<PAGE>   4

         (ii)     Underwrite fixed and variable annuities and variable life 
         policies;

         (iii)    Issue variable life policies, fixed and variable annuities and
         provide full administration services therefore;

         (iv)     Design, in consultation with Promotional Agent, such
         additional Financial Services Products as may be agreed upon from time
         to time which can be marketed by Promotional Agent pursuant to this
         Agreement;

         (v)      Draft and file as required, prospectuses, contracts, 
         application forms and Selling Agreements;

         (vi)     Comply with all other legal and regulatory requirements in 
         respect of Financial Services Products; and

         (vii)    Review marketing materials prepared by Promotional Agent
         promptly.

B.       COOPERATION OF NASL FINANCIAL AND SECURITY LIFE

         NASL Financial and Security Life agree that to the extent the
         cooperation or concurrence of one is required to enable the other to
         fulfill its obligations pursuant to this Agreement, they will cooperate
         or concur to the extent permitted by law.

C.       NON-LIMITATION

         This Agreement shall not be construed so as to in any way limit or
         affect the rights of NASL, NAWL or its parent, The Manufacturers Life
         Insurance Company, or any of their subsidiaries, associates or
         affiliates from designing or distributing through other channels any
         product within or outside the United States, including variable
         annuities, fixed annuities, variable life products or mutual funds.

VI.      COMPENSATION
         ------------

A.       COMPENSATION SCHEDULE

         In consideration of providing the services called for under this
         Agreement, with respect to each category of Financial Services Products
         the Promotional Agent shall receive the compensation detailed in
         Schedule B ("Statement of Expenses and Compensation") attached hereto
         and as amended from time to time pursuant to Section X, paragraph I of
         this Agreement. Such compensation shall constitute full compensation to
         Promotional Agent for all services performed and expenses incurred
         under this Agreement.

VII.     LIMITATIONS ON PROMOTIONAL AGENT'S AUTHORITY
         --------------------------------------------

A.       SOLICITATION

         Nothing contained herein shall be construed as granting authority to
         Promotional Agent to sell Financial Services Products directly to, or
         solicit applications for Financial Services Products directly from,
         customers or prospective customers.

B.       MARKETING MATERIALS

         Promotional Agent will not use any marketing materials without Security
         Life's or NASL Financial's (as applicable) prior review and written
         approval.


<PAGE>   5


C.       RESTRICTION ON INFORMATION

         Neither Promotional Agent nor its representatives, employees and
         affiliated companies are authorized to give any information or make any
         representations concerning Financial Services Products other than those
         contained in any registration statements or related prospectuses and
         statements of additional information filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission relating thereto or in such sales literature as may
         be specifically authorized in writing by Security Life or NASL
         Financial (as applicable) .

VIII.    RECORDS
         -------

A.       RECORD-KEEPING DUTIES

         Promotional Agent, NASL Financial and Security Life agree to keep all
         necessary records as are required of each by applicable federal and
         state law and acceptable business practices and to render any necessary
         assistance to one another for the accurate and timely preparation of
         such records. The parties to this Agreement, their representatives and
         the representatives of any regulatory body with jurisdiction, during
         normal business hours and upon five (5) days written notice, shall have
         access to any records pertaining to this Agreement maintained by the
         other parties hereto for purposes of reviewing or copying same.

IX.      CUSTOMER CONFIDENTIALITY
         ------------------------

A.       CONFIDENTIALITY

         Promotional Agent agrees that the names and addresses of all customers
         and prospective customers of NASL Financial and of any affiliated
         company, which may come to the attention of Promotional Agent or any
         company or person affiliated with Promotional Agent, are confidential.
         Such customer information shall not be used without the prior written
         consent of NASL Financial by Promotional Agent or any company or person
         affiliated with Promotional Agent for any purposes whatsoever except as
         may be necessary in connection with Financial Services Products covered
         by this Agreement.

X.       GENERAL PROVISIONS
         ------------------

A.       WAIVER

         Failure of any party to insist upon strict compliance with any of the
         conditions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any
         of the conditions, but the same shall remain in full force and effect.
         No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to
         be, or shall constitute, a waiver of any other provisions, whether or
         not similar, nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

B.       BINDING EFFECT

         This Agreement shall be binding on, and shall inure to the benefit of,
         the parties to it and their respective successors and permitted
         assigns, provided that this Agreement or any rights or obligations
         hereunder may not be assigned without the prior written consent of the
         parties hereto.

C.       REGULATIONS

         All parties agree to observe and comply with all laws, rules and
         regulations applicable to the business contemplated by this Agreement.


<PAGE>   6



D.       GOVERNING LAW

         This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by
         the laws of the State of Connecticut.

E.       COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS

         Promotional Agent, NASL Financial and Security Life agree to cooperate
         fully in the event of any regulatory investigation, inquiry or
         proceeding, judicial proceeding or customer complaint involving
         Financial Services Products.

F.       TERMINATION

         (a) This Agreement shall be for a period of five (5) years from the
         date first mentioned above renewable automatically for one year periods
         thereafter unless terminated by any party at the end of the five year
         period or thereafter at the end of any one year period.

         (b) This Agreement will terminate automatically if either NASL
         Financial (or any successor thereto) or Promotional Agent should cease
         to be a registered broker-dealer under the 1934 Act or a member of the
         NASD. Termination shall not affect the obligations of the parties under
         Section IX of this Agreement or under paragraph D of this Section X.

         (c) This Agreement may be terminated by mutual consent of all the
         parties to the Agreement.

G.       AMENDMENT

         This Agreement or any schedule annexed hereto may be amended only in
writing signed by all the parties.


H.       COUNTERPARTS

         This Agreement may be signed by the parties in counterpart.

         The parties hereby execute this Agreement effective the date first
mentioned above.

I.       AMENDMENT

         This Agreement or any schedule annexed hereto may be amended in writing
signed by all the parties.

                  WOOD LOGAN ASSOCIATES, INC.

                  Date: January 1, 1996
                        ---------------------------------------------   

                    By: /s/ A. Scott Logan, President
                        ---------------------------------------------
                        Name and Title




<PAGE>   7



                  WOOD LOGAN DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

                  Date: January 1, 1996
                        -----------------------------------------

                    By: /s/ A. Scott Logan, President
                        -----------------------------------------
                        Name and Title



                  NASL FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

                  Date: 
                        -----------------------------------------

                  By:   /s/ Richard C. Hirtle
                        -----------------------------------------
                        Richard C. Hirtle, President


                  NORTH AMERICAN SECURITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                  (with respect to Insurance Products only)

                  Date: 
                        -----------------------------------------

                    By: /s/ John DesPrez, III 
                        -----------------------------------------
                        John DesPrez, III, President


                  NAWL HOLDING COMPANY, INC.

                  Date: January 1, 1996
                        -----------------------------------------


                   By:  /s/ H. Douglas Wood, President
                        -----------------------------------------
                        Name and Title


<PAGE>   8


                                   SCHEDULE A

(i)      Variable Annuities

(ii)     Variable Life Contracts

(iii)    Fixed annuities and/or fixed accounts

(iv)     Mutual funds

(V)      Such other Financial Services Products as are from time to time agreed
         by the parties to the foregoing AgreEment and added to this Schedule A
         in accordance therewith.


<PAGE>   9



                                   SCHEDULE B
                     Statement of Expenses and Compensation

1.       FINANCIAL SERVICE PRODUCTS
         --------------------------

         Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, NASL Financial
will pay to Promotional Agent compensation of 1% of the premiums, purchase
payments and sales proceeds received and accepted under all Financial Services
Products distributed through Broker-Dealers having a Selling Agreement with NASL
Financial as a direct result of Promotional Agent's efforts (the "Promotional
Agent Fee"). NASL Financial shall pay Promotional Agent said compensation on a
monthly basis. In addition, for the period January 1, 1996 through June 30,
1996, NASL Financial will pay to Promotional Agent a monthly fee of $1.5 million
and for the period July 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996, NASL Financial will
pay to Promotional Agent a monthly fee of $1.340 million. The monthly fee is
payable on the first of each month and the amount of such fee may be changed by
mutual agreement of the parties hereto.

2.       EXCHANGES
         ---------

         No commission will be paid to Promotional Agent upon exchanges among
Financial Service Products.

3.       COMMISSION CHARGE BACKS
         -----------------------

         Contract owner's exercise of "FREE LOOK":
         In the event a contract is returned to Security Life pursuant to such
         provision, the full Promotional Agent Fee paid thereon shall be charged
         back to Promotional Agent.

         Refund of premium, purchase payment or Sales Proceeds:
         Should any premium or purchase payment on any contract issued by
         Security Life or any sales proceeds invested in the North American
         Funds be refunded, for any reason, Promotional Agent shall repay or
         return Promotional Agent Fees received by, it with respect to
         such-premium, purchase payment or sales proceeds.


4.       INVESTMENT PRODUCTS
         -------------------

         1.       NASL FINANCIAL DISTRIBUTION EXPENSES - NASL Financial shall be
         entitled to bill to Promotional Agent, and Promotional Agent agrees to
         reimburse NASL Financial, for NASL Financial's expenses for the
         distribution of the North American Funds ("NAF") as follows:

                  (a)      the expense of maintaining the NAF wire order desk, 
                  including personnel and associated overhead costs;

                  (b)      costs of printing additional NAF Prospectuses and 
                  Statements of Additional Information for use in marketing
                  activities;

                  (c)      costs of printing additional NAF annual and 
                  semiannual reports for use in marketing activities; and

                  (d)      any other distribution expenses incurred with the 
                  prior consent of Promotional Agent.

         2.       PROMOTIONAL AGENT DISTRIBUTION EXPENSES - Promotional Agent 
         shall present a report at each regular meeting of the Trustees of NAF
         setting forth its distribution expenses incurred during NAF's most
         recently completed fiscal quarter. Such expenses may include the
         distribution expenses reimbursed to NASL Financial pursuant to
         paragraph 1 hereof.



<PAGE>   1

                          WITHDRAWAL CHARGE ENDORSEMENT

PART 9, WITHDRAWAL PROVISIONS, PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL and WITHDRAWAL CHARGE, of all
contracts beginning with form numbers VEN10 and VISION.001 to which this
endorsement is attached are amended as follows:

PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL         The second paragraph is deleted.


WITHDRAWAL CHARGE          This section is replaced in its entirety, as follows:

                           If a withdrawal is made from the Contract before the
                           Maturity Date, no withdrawal charge will be assessed
                           against Payments.


Endorsed on the Date of Issue of this Contract.

NORTH AMERICAN SECURITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

/s/ RICHARD HIRTLE

Vice-President



<PAGE>   1
                            REMOTE SERVICE AGREEMENT

        AGREEMENT (this "Agreement" or "Service Agreement") made as of the first
of November, 1996, by and between the NORTH AMERICAN SECURITY LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY ("Client") having its principal office and place of business at, 116
Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, and CSC CONTINUUM INC.
("Continuum"), having its principal offices and places of business at 9500
Arboretum Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78759.

        WHEREAS, Continuum has developed a computerized data processing
recordkeeping system for certain life insurance and annuity products known as
VANTAGE-ONE AND DISTRIBUTION SUPPORT SYSTEM (the "System") and has the data
processing equipment and administrative support personnel (the "Facilities" or
"Continuum's Facilities") to provide and support remote terminal access to the
System and Facilities for the maintenance of records, processing of information
and the generation of output with the respect thereto; and

        WHEREAS, Client has determined that it can use the System and Facilities
for administration activities with respect to the Contracts ("Contracts")
described in Exhibit A attached hereto and desires to obtain the right to use
the System and Facilities to service the Contracts;

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

        SECTION 1  TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
                   --------------------

        1.01 Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, Client hereby agrees
to use Continuum's System and Facilities to maintain certain records with
respect to the Contracts and generate output as described in Exhibit B with
respect to such Contracts. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement,
Continuum hereby agrees to provide Client the use of the System and Facilities
to maintain records of information and data transmitted to it by Client with
respect to such Contracts and to deliver or transmit to Client such output as is
generated by the use of the System and Facilities. Continuum agrees to use its
best efforts to provide services in accordance with the service levels described
in Exhibit D.

        1.02 Client, with computer equipment and through transmission facilities
installed on its premises, shall transmit to Continuum's Facilities such
information and data that Client determines is to be input and that is required
to maintain the records and generate the output required hereunder with respect
to the Contracts.

        1.03 Continuum agrees to provide requested training for Client personnel
at Continuum's Facility or at Client's offices in connection with the use and
operation of the System. This training will be provided at Continuum's then
current education rates. All reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expense
incurred by Continuum or Client personnel in connection with and during training
at Continuum's Facility shall be borne by Client.

        1.04 Continuum will make on-line access to the System available to
Client between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Central Time, Monday
through Friday, except for such holidays as are observed by the New York Stock
Exchange.
 Access to the System at other times will be by mutual agreement.

        1.05 Client shall have the option to purchase a license to the mainframe
version of the Annuity component of the VANTAGE-ONE Administration System.  To
exercise this option, the entity exercising the option must execute the then
standard license agreement and pay Continuum a license fee of $________. If


                                       1

<PAGE>   2



Client exercises such option to the Annuity component, Client may, at the same
time, purchase a license to the mainframe version of the Distribution Support
System for an additional $________ and a license to the mainframe version of New
Business Underwriting for $__________. This option shall expire when the initial
term of this Agreement ends under Section 2.01. Enhancement and support fees
shall be contracted for and invoiced separately. At Client's request, Continuum
shall include in such license any modifications that Continuum uses to provide
the Services under this Agreement and shall retrofit such modifications to the
version of the software licensed under this section at Continuum's then current
standard time and materials rates.

        SECTION 2   TERM
                    ----

        2.01 Subject to termination as hereinafter provided, this Agreement
shall remain in force and effect for a period of one (1) year, the initial term
of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be renewed automatically for successive
terms of one year at the end of the initial term and the end of each renewal
term unless terminated pursuant to Section 8.01.

        SECTION 3   FEES AND EXPENSES
                    -----------------

        3.01 During the initial term of this Agreement, Client shall pay to
Continuum within thirty days of receipt of Continuum's statement the undisputed
fees and charges in the amounts as set out in Exhibit A attached hereto and made
a part hereof. Continuum may impose a 1.5% per month late payment charge on
balances outstanding for over thirty days, except for balances withheld for
failure to meet standards in accordance with Schedule D.

        3.02 Client shall also reimburse Continuum for all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Continuum in the performance of this
Agreement, including those set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a
part hereof. Continuum may impose a 1.5% per month late payment charge on
balances outstanding for over 30 days.

        3.03 For each additional term of this Agreement Continuum shall be
entitled to receive such fees and charges as shall be agreed upon by the parties
prior to commencement of each such term, pursuant to Section 8.02 hereof.

        3.04 Amounts payable to Continuum are payable in full, in United States
dollars, without deduction, and are net of all sales, use and related taxes and
duties. Client shall pay directly or to Continuum sums equal to all such taxes
and duties paid or payable by reason of this Agreement or the parties'
performance hereunder, exclusive of United States Federal, state and local taxes
based upon the net income of Continuum. Client shall not deduct from payments
due Continuum hereunder any amounts paid or payable to third parties for duties
or taxes, however designated, including withholding taxes. All taxes payable by
Client hereunder shall become due when billed by Continuum to Client, or when
assessed, levied or billed by the appropriate taxing authority, even though such
billing shall occur subsequent to expiration or termination of this Agreement.

        SECTION 4   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CONTINUUM
                    -------------------------------------------

        Continuum represents and warrants to Client as follows:

        4.01 It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

        4.02 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its charter and bylaws
to enter into and perform the services contemplated in this Agreement.



                                       2

<PAGE>   3



        4.03 All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it
to enter into and perform the services contemplated in this Agreement.

        4.04 It has and will continue to have and maintain the necessary
facilities, equipment, and personnel to perform its duties and obligations as
set forth under this Agreement.

        4.05 The System will, in all material respects, have the same
functionality on January 1, 2000 that it had on December 31, 1999. No instance
of a noncompliance with this warranty shall be deemed a breach of this warranty
unless Client reports the noncompliance to Continuum in writing, in reasonable
detail, and within a reasonable period of time. Continuum shall have the right
to attempt to correct the noncompliance for a commercially reasonable period of
time before such noncompliance shall be considered a breach of this Agreement,
even if such period of time exceeds the thirty days specified by Sections 6.01
and 8.03.

        4.06 Continuum does not, however, warrant uninterrupted or error-free
operation or performance of the Systems or any service. If Client reports an
error not caused by any of the matters listed in Section 6.02, then Continuum
will use commercially reasonable efforts to correct the error.

        4.07 No statement in this Agreement or any other Continuum document is
intended to be a warranty unless it expressly states it is a warranty.

        4.08  THESE WARRANTIES ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

        SECTION 5   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CLIENT
                    ----------------------------------------

        Client represents and warrants to Continuum as follows:

        5.01 It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

        5.02 It is empowered under the applicable laws and regulations and by
its charter and bylaws to enter into and perform this Agreement.

        5.03 All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it
to enter into and perform this Agreement.

        5.04 All of the prospectuses, Contracts and other forms provided or
required by Client shall have been approved by all required regulatory agencies
and shall be in compliance with all Federal, state, and local laws and
regulations.

        5.05 It has and will continue to comply with all laws with respect to
the Contracts and it has and will continue to make all required filings with
regulatory agencies in connection with the offer, sale, or administration of the
Contracts.

        SECTION 6   INDEMNIFICATION
                    ---------------

        6.01 In case of any claim by Client against Continuum related to this
Agreement or any transaction under this Agreement, regardless of the basis of
the claim, Continuum will be liable only for:

        a.     bodily injury (including death) and damage to real property and
               tangible personal property; and


                                       3

<PAGE>   4




        b.     the amount of actual loss or damage suffered by Client, up to an
               aggregate of the fees paid to Continuum by Client for the
               services provided under this Agreement or its predecessor during
               the ____ months immediately preceding the occurrence of the
               claim.

        Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.03, where Client's claim
relates to a defect in the System or any service, Client will give Continuum a
period of thirty days to correct the defect. If Continuum is able to correct the
defect, Continuum will not be liable for any damages.

        6.02 Continuum shall not be responsible for, and Client shall indemnify
and hold Continuum harmless from and against, any and all costs, expenses,
losses, damages, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, and liability which
may be asserted against Continuum or for which it may be held liable, arising
out of or attributable to:

               a)     Any actions taken by Continuum in the performance of this
                      Agreement, provided such actions are taken in good faith
                      and due diligence;

               b)     Any failure by Client to comply with Federal, state or
                      local laws or regulations with respect to the offering
                      and/or sale of the Contracts or the records maintained,
                      and/or Client's failure to use and employ Continuum's
                      System and Facilities in accordance with the procedures
                      set forth in the reference manuals delivered to Client,
                      Client's failure to utilize the control procedures set
                      forth and described therein, and Client's failure to
                      verify promptly reports received through use of the System
                      and Facilities;

               c)     Client's refusal or failure to comply with the terms of
                      this Agreement, or which arise out of Client's action or
                      willful misconduct or which arise out of the breach of any
                      representation or warranty of Client hereunder;

               d)     Client's errors and mistakes in the use of the System,
                      Facilities and control procedures;

               e)     Continuum's reliance on, or use of, in performing its
                      duties and obligations hereunder, information, data,
                      records and documents received by Continuum from Client,
                      its custodian or other agents; or

               f)     The reliance on, or the carrying out of, any instructions
                      or requests of Client pertaining to the normal day-to-day
                      operations and functions of the System made by any persons
                      listed on a "Schedule of Authorized Personnel" to be
                      furnished to Continuum by Client upon execution of this
                      Agreement and attached as Exhibit C, and as amended from
                      time to time in writing by Client.

        6.03 In the event Continuum is unable to perform its obligations under
the terms of this Agreement because of strikes, equipment or transmission
failure or damage, or other causes beyond its control, Continuum will use its
best efforts to assist Client to obtain alternate sources of service. Continuum
will not be liable for any damages resulting from such causes.

        6.04 At any time Continuum may apply to a person indicated on Client's
"Schedule of Authorized Personnel", attached hereto as Exhibit C, as a person
authorized to give instructions under this section with respect to any matter
arising in connection with this Agreement. Continuum shall not be liable for,


                                       4

<PAGE>   5



and shall be indemnified by Client against, any loss arising from any action
taken or omitted by Continuum in good faith in reliance upon such instructions.

        6.05 Client shall immediately provide Continuum with written notice of
any change of authority of persons authorized and enumerated in Exhibit C to
provide Continuum with instructions or directions relating to services to be
performed by Continuum under this Agreement.

        6.06 In the event a malfunction of the System causes an error or mistake
in any record, report, data, information or output under the terms of this
Agreement, Continuum shall at its expense correct and reprocess such records,
provided that Client shall promptly notify Continuum in writing of such error or
mistake in any record, report, data, information or output received by Client.

        6.07 Except for a breach of the confidentiality obligations contained in
this Agreement, in no event shall either party under this Agreement be liable to
the other party under any provision of this Agreement for exemplary, special,
punitive or consequential damages.

        6.08 The limitations of liability in this Section 6 will be enforced
even if any exclusive remedy fails of its essential purpose.

        SECTION 7   COVENANTS OF CONTINUUM AND CLIENT
                    ---------------------------------

        7.01 Continuum shall maintain the appropriate computer files of all
information and data transmitted to its Facilities by Client; provided, however,
that Continuum shall not be responsible or liable for any changes, alterations,
modifications therein or failure to maintain the same if Client shall have made
such changes, alterations, or modifications or shall be the cause of such
failure to maintain the same. It is expressly understood that all such data
transmitted by Client remains the exclusive property of Client.

        7.02 Continuum shall maintain backup computer tape files on a daily
basis stored in an off-premises location. The purpose of back-up and recovery
procedures is to permit file recovery in the event of destruction of normal
processing files. Client may review the procedures in effect and inspect the
storage facility upon reasonable notice.

        7.03 All information furnished by Client to Continuum hereunder is
confidential and Continuum shall treat such information as proprietary and not
disclose such information, directly or indirectly to any third party except to
the extent that Continuum is required by law to make such disclosure.

        7.04 Client shall utilize and employ all control procedures available
under the System of which Client is advised and Client shall promptly advise
Continuum of any errors or mistakes in the data or information transmitted to
Continuum's Facilities, the records maintained or output generated hereunder
and, using normal audit and control procedures, Client shall verify all output
received hereunder.

        7.05 Client shall transmit to Continuum's Facilities, in the formats and
form specified by Continuum, all information and data necessary or required in
connection therewith so that the output produced by the system shall be complete
and accurate when it is generated by Continuum's System and Facilities, and
Client shall be responsible and liable for the cost or expense of regenerating
any output if Client shall have failed to transmit any such data or information
and/or verify any such data or information when it is generated by Continuum's
System and Facilities.

        7.06 In the event Client shall erroneously transmit information or shall
transmit incorrect information or data to Continuum's Facilities, Client shall


                                       5

<PAGE>   6



correct such information and data and retransmit the same to Continuum's
Facilities.

        7.07 Client acknowledges that Continuum has proprietary rights in and to
the System and that the System (including the program code, documentation,
specifications, logic, and design of the System) constitutes confidential
material and trade secrets of Continuum. Client agrees to treat as proprietary
and confidential and not disclose the System and all information about
Continuum's internal affairs, business plans, and business practices. Continuum
shall be the owner and copyright holder of all work product that results from
programming services performed by Continuum for Client, including, but not
limited to, program code, documentation, specifications, logic, and design.
Continuum agrees to permit Client to use such work product in the event that
Client upgrades the version of the System in use under any then current remote
services agreement with Continuum.

        SECTION 8   TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
                    ------------------------

        8.01 Either party may terminate this Agreement at the end of the initial
term or any renewal term by one hundred twenty (120) days written notice to the
other. At least one hundred fifty (150) days prior to the end of the initial
term or any renewal term, Continuum shall provide Client written notice of the
impending decision date. This Agreement may be terminated or amended by mutual
agreement of the parties in writing at any time. Client may terminate this
Agreement during its initial term by providing Continuum thirty (30) days prior
written notice.

        8.02 At least ninety (90) days prior to each renewal term hereof,
Continuum shall give Client written notice if Continuum desires to increase its
fees or charges to Client or to change the manner of payment or to change any of
the other terms and conditions of this Agreement. If Continuum and Client do not
agree to such changed fees and charges, the manner of payment or other terms and
conditions before the end of the term during which such notice is given by
Continuum, or if Continuum does not withdraw the proposed changes, this
Agreement shall terminate at the end of such term.

        8.03 If either of the parties hereto shall materially breach this
Agreement or be in default in the performance of any of its material duties and
obligations hereunder (the defaulting party), the other party hereto may give
written notice thereof to the defaulting party and if such default or breach
shall not have been remedied within thirty (30) days after such written notice
is given, then the party giving such written notice may terminate this Agreement
by giving thirty (30) days written notice of such termination to the defaulting
party.

        8.04 If Continuum elects to terminate this Agreement for other than
nonpayment of fees and charges and if Client shall so request in writing,
Continuum shall continue to provide the services described herein to Client for
a period of six (6) months following such termination, such service to be
provided in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and at ________ percent
of the fees in effect for the term immediately preceding such six (6) months
period.

        8.05 Termination of this Agreement by default or breach by Client shall
not constitute a waiver of any rights of Continuum in reference to services
performed prior to such termination or rights of Continuum to be reimbursed for
out-of-pocket expenditures; termination of this Agreement by default or breach
by Continuum shall not constitute a waiver by Client of any rights it might have
under this Agreement.



                                       6

<PAGE>   7



        8.06 In the event that this Agreement is terminated, Continuum agrees
that, in order to assist in providing uninterrupted service to Client, Continuum
shall offer reasonable assistance to Client in converting the records of Client
from the System to whatever service or system is selected by Client, subject to
reimbursement of Continuum for such assistance at its standard rates and fees in
effect at that time.

        8.07 Any provision of this Agreement that expressly or by implication is
intended to continue in force shall survive termination of this Agreement,
including, without limitation, sections 3, 6, 7.07, 8.04, 8.05, 8.06, and 8.07.

        SECTION 9   ASSIGNMENT
                    ----------

        9.01 Neither party may assign or sublicense or otherwise transfer
voluntarily, or by operation of law, any rights or obligations under this
Agreement without the other party's prior written consent. Upon request,
Continuum will consent to Client assigning this agreement so long as
______________________. Such an assignment shall not relieve Client of its
obligations hereunder.

        9.02 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

        SECTION 10  MISCELLANEOUS
                    -------------

        10.1 Client or its duly authorized independent auditors have the right
under this Agreement to perform on-site audits of records and accounts directly
pertaining to the products serviced hereunder by Continuum at Continuum's
Facilities in accordance with reasonable procedures and at reasonable
frequencies. Client shall reimburse Continuum for all of its reasonable costs
and expenses (including Time and Materials) incurred in connection with such
audits. At the request of Client, Continuum will make available to Client's
auditors and representatives of the appropriate regulatory agencies all
reasonable requested records and data.

        10.02 The parties hereto agree that all tapes, books, reference manuals,
instructions, records, information, and data pertaining to the business of the
other party, Continuum's System and the policyowners serviced by Client
hereunder which are exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation of and/or
the carrying out of this Agreement shall remain confidential and shall not be
disclosed to any other person and that all such tapes, books, reference manuals,
instructions, records, information and data in the possession of each of the
parties hereto shall be returned to the party from whom it was obtained upon the
termination or expiration of this Agreement.

        10.03 Continuum shall have the right, at any time, and from time to
time, to alter and modify the System and any systems, programs, procedures or
facilities used or employed in performing its duties and obligations hereunder,
provided that no such alterations or modifications shall materially change or
affect the operations and procedures of Client in using or employing Continuum's
System or Facilities hereunder without the consent of Client, which such consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld.

        10.04 It is understood and agreed that all services performed hereunder
by Continuum shall be as an independent contractor and not as an employee of
Client.

        10.05 This Agreement (including Exhibits A to D attached hereto)
constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any
prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or


                                       7

<PAGE>   8



written, and this Agreement may not be modified except in a written instrument
executed by both of the parties hereto. The parties agree that the Service
Agreement dated April 11, 1985, as amended between Vantage Computer Systems,
Inc. (successor to DST Systems, Inc.) and Client shall hereby be terminated.

        10.06 All notices and requests in connection with this Agreement shall
be given or made upon the respective parties in writing and shall be deemed as
given as of the date deposited in the U.S. mails, postage prepaid, certified or
registered, return receipt requested, and addressed as follows:

FOR:                                          FOR:

NORTH AMERICAN SECURITY LIFE                  CSC CONTINUUM INC.
  INSURANCE COMPANY

___________________________________           President
116 Huntington Avenue                         301 West 11th Street
Boston, Massachusetts  02116                  Kansas City, MO  64105


or to such other address as a party to receive the notice or request so
designates by written notice to the other.

        10.07 This Agreement is to be construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Delaware, without regard to conflicts of law principles.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized
officers as of the day and year first above written.

NORTH AMERICAN SECURITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY


By: 
    ----------------------------------
    NAME

    ----------------------------------
    TITLE


CSC CONTINUUM INC.


By: 
    ----------------------------------
    NAME

    ----------------------------------
    TITLE


                                       8
<PAGE>   9







                                                  EXHIBIT B
                                                  VARIABLE ANNUITY RECORDKEEPING
SYSTEM

DAILY OUTPUT

 1.     Daily Cash Recap
 2.     Daily Unit Recap
 3.     Master File Update Error Report
 4.     Control Totals
 5.     Daily Price File Update
 6.     As of Transaction Report
 7.     Daily Production Report
 8.     Maintenance Journals
 9.     Investment Vehicle Earnings Report
10.     Daily Batch Balance
11.     Error Listing
12.     Annuity New Policy Register
13.     Super Sheet Balances
14.     Daily Disbursement Check Register
15.     Daily Check Reconciliation Update Register

MONTHLY OUTPUT

 1.     Monthly Product Report
 2.     Monthly Reserve Report
 3.     Premium Tax Report

CUSTOM FORM OUTPUT

 1.     Confirmation Statements
 2.     Specification Page
 3.     Delivery Letter
 4.     Commission Statements
 5.     Commission Checks
 6.     Disbursement Checks

                                       9

<PAGE>   10







                                                EXHIBIT C
                                                SCHEDULE OF AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL

The following individuals are authorized to give instructions or direction to
Continuum with respect to matters arising in connection with the servicing to be
performed under the Service Agreement:

Sarah Murphy             Business Systems Executive
Richard C. Hirtle        Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
David Rossien            Assistant Vice President, Variable Products Information
                         Systems
James Boyle              Vice President

                                       10

<PAGE>   1
                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Independent
Auditors" and to the use of our reports dated February 25, 1997, with
respect to the financial statements of North American Security Life Insurance
Company and February 14, 1997, with respect to the financial statements of NASL
Variable Account, in Post Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registration
Statement (Form N-4 File No. 33-76684, 33-49604) in the Statement of Additional
Information of NASL  Variable Account of North American Security Life Insurance
Company.



                                             Ernst & Young LLP


Boston, Massachusetts
February 27, 1997





<PAGE>   1
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the inclusion in Post Effective Amendment No. 3 to this
Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 on Form N-4 (File No.
33-76684, 33-49604) in Part B of the Registration Statement of (i) our report
dated February 23, 1996, except for the information in Note 1 - "Basis of
Presentation", for which the date is February 21, 1997, on our audit of the
financial statements of North American Security Life Insurance Company and (ii)
our report dated February 23, 1996, on our audit of the financial statement of
NASL Variable Account. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the
caption "Independent Auditors."




Boston, Massachusetts                           Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P.
February 27, 1997


V22/23


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMAITON EXTRACTED FROM NASL
VARIABLE ACCOUNT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000753892
<NAME> NASL VARIABLE ACCOUNT
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                    5,508,917,915
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                   6,396,220,296
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           6,396,220,296
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                     2,213,685
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                6,394,006,611
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                      6,396,220,296
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                             0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                      413,031,068
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                      342,457,710
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                             0
<NET-ASSETS>                             6,396,220,296
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                          309,606,188
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                            (80,312,436)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                    229,293,752
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                   199,335,667
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                  284,644,208
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                      713,273,627
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                    107,842,710
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 35,805,615
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                        214,217,324
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                   1,499,138,696
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                      0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                0
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                      0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                              0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                  0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                      0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>


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