MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
497, 1997-05-06
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<PAGE>


                                    PART B

                            INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A
                      STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION





<PAGE>

                   Minnesota Mutual Variable Annuity Account
               ("Variable Annuity Account"), a Separate Account of

                   The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company
                               ("Minnesota Mutual")
                              400 Robert Street North
                          St. Paul, Minnesota  55101-2098

                             Telephone:  (612) 665-3500

                        Statement of Additional Information

The date of this document and the Prospectus is:  May 1, 1997



This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus.  Much of the 
information contained in this Statement of Additional Information expands 
upon subjects discussed in the Prospectus.  Therefore, this Statement should 
be read in conjunction with the Fund's current Prospectus, bearing the same 
date, which may be obtained by calling The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance 
Company at (612) 665-3500, or writing to Minnesota Mutual at Minnesota Mutual 
Life Center, 400 Robert Street North, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-2098.

       Trustees and Principal Management Officers of Minnesota Mutual
       Distribution of Contract
       Performance Data
       Auditors
       Registration Statement
       Financial Statements

<PAGE>


   TRUSTEES AND PRINCIPAL MANAGEMENT OFFICERS OF MINNESOTA MUTUAL

    Trustees                        Principal Occupation

Giulio Agostini            Senior Vice President, Finance and Administrative 
                           Services, Minnesota Mining and 
                           Manufacturing Company, Maplewood, Minnesota 
                           


Anthony L. Andersen       Chair-Board of Directors, H. B. Fuller Company, St.
                          Paul, Minnesota, since June 1995, prior thereto for
                          more than five years President and Chief Executive 
                          Officer, H. B. Fuller Company (Adhesive Products)

John F. Grundhofer        Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
                          Officer, First Bank System, Inc., Minneapolis, 
                          Minnesota (Banking)


Harold V. Haverty         Retired since May 1995, prior thereto, for more than
                          five years Chairman of the Board, President and 
                          Chief Executive Officer, Deluxe Corporation, 
                          Shoreview, Minnesota (Check Printing)





David S. Kidwell, Ph.D.   Dean and Professor of Finance, The Curtis L. 
                          Carlson School of Management, University of 
                          Minnesota


Reatha C. King, Ph.D.     President and Executive Director, General Mills 
                          Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Thomas E. Rohricht        Member, Doherty, Rumble & Butler Professional 
                          Association, St. Paul, Minnesota (Attorneys)




Terry Tinson Saario,      Prior to March 1996, and for more than five years,
Ph.D.                     President, Northwest Area Foundation, St. Paul, 
                          Minnesota (Private Regional Foundation)


Robert L. Senkler         Chairman of the Board, President and Chief 
                          Executive Officer, The Minnesota Mutual Life 
                          Insurance Company, since August 1995; prior 
                          thereto for more than five years Vice President and 
                          Actuary, The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance 
                          Company

Michael E. Shannon        Chairman, Chief Financial and Administrative 
                          Officer, Ecolab, Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota, since 
                          August 1992, prior thereto President, Residential 
                          Services Group, Ecolab, Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota 
                          from October 1990 to July 1992 (Develops and 
                          Markets Cleaning and Sanitizing Products)



Frederick T. Weyerhaeuser Chairman, Clearwater Investment Trust, since May 1996,
                          prior thereto for more than five years, Chairman, 
                          Clearwater Management Company, St. Paul, Minnesota
                          (Financial Management)

                                       1

<PAGE>


Principal Officers (other than Trustees)

     Name                  Position

John F. Bruder             Senior Vice President

Keith M. Campbell          Vice President

Paul H. Gooding            Vice President and Treasurer

Robert E. Hunstad          Executive Vice President

James E. Johnson           Senior Vice President and Actuary

Richard D. Lee             Vice President

Joel W. Mahle              Vice President

Dennis E. Prohofsky        Senior Vice President, General Counsel and 
                           Secretary

Gregory S. Strong          Vice President and Actuary

Terrence S. Sullivan       Senior Vice President

Randy F. Wallake           Senior Vice President


All Trustees who are not also officers of Minnesota Mutual have had the 
principal occupation (or employers) shown for at least five years. All 
officers of Minnesota Mutual have been employed by Minnesota Mutual for at 
least five years.


                           DISTRIBUTION OF CONTRACT

The contract will be sold in a continuous offering by our life insurance 
agents who are also registered representatives of MIMLIC Sales Corporation 
("MIMLIC Sales") or other broker-dealers who have entered into selling 
agreements with MIMLIC Sales.  MIMLIC Sales acts as principal underwriter of 
the contracts.  MIMLIC Sales is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MIMLIC 
Corporation, which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Minnesota Mutual 
Life.  MIMLIC Corporation is also the sole owner of the shares of Advantus 
Capital Management Company, a registered investment adviser and the 
investment adviser to the Advantus Series Fund, Inc.  MIMLIC Sales is 
registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 
is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.  Amounts 
paid by Minnesota Mutual to the underwriter for 1996, 1995 and 1994, were 
$13,034,146, $7,203,781 and $7,363,105, respectively, for payment to 
associated dealers on the sale of the contracts, which include other 
contracts issued through the Variable Annuity Account.  Agents of Minnesota 
Mutual who are also registered representatives of MIMLIC Sales are 
compensated directly by Minnesota Mutual.



                                       2

<PAGE>

                               PERFORMANCE DATA

CURRENT YIELD FIGURES FOR MONEY MARKET SUB-ACCOUNT

Current annualized yield quotations for the Money Market Sub-Account are 
based on the Sub-Account's net investment income for a seven-day or other 
specified period and exclude any realized or unrealized gains or losses on 
sub-account securities.  Current annualized yield is computed by determining 
the net change (exclusive of realized gains and losses from the sale of 
securities and unrealized appreciation and depreciation) in the value of a 
hypothetical account having a balance of one accumulation unit at the 
beginning of the specified period, dividing such net change in account value 
by the value of the account at the beginning of the period, and annualizing 
this quotient on a 365-day basis.  The Variable Annuity Account may also 
quote the effective yield of the Money Market Sub-Account for a seven-day or 
other specified period for which the current annualized yield is computed by 
expressing the unannualized return on a compounded, annualized basis.  The 
yield and effective yield of the Money Market Sub-Account for the seven-day 
period ended December 31, 1996 were 3.51% and 3.57%, respectively.   Such 
figures reflect the voluntary absorption of certain expenses of Advantus 
Series Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") by Minnesota Mutual described below under 
"Total Return Figures for All Sub-Accounts."  Yield figures quoted by the 
Money Market Sub-Account will not reflect the deduction of any applicable 
deferred sales charges (the deferred sales charge, as a percentage of the 
accumulation value withdrawn, begin as of the contract date at 9% for the 
flexible payment contract).


TOTAL RETURN FIGURES FOR ALL SUB-ACCOUNTS 


Cumulative total return quotations for Sub-Accounts represent the total 
return for the period since the Sub-Account became available pursuant to the 
Variable Annuity Account's registration statement.  Therefore, for periods 
prior to the date of this Prospectus the quotations will be based on the 
assumption that the contracts described herein were issued when the 
underlying Portfolios first became available to the Variable Annuity Account 
under other contracts issued by us.  Cumulative total return is equal to the 
percentage change between the net asset value of a hypothetical $1,000 
investment at the beginning of the period and the net asset value of that 
same investment at the end of the period.  Such quotations of cumulative 
total return will not reflect the deduction of any applicable deferred sales 
charges.

The cumulative total return figures published by the Variable Annuity Account 
relating to the contract described in the Prospectus will reflect Minnesota 
Mutual's voluntary absorption of certain Fund expenses described below.


                                       3



<PAGE>

Cumulative total return quotations for Sub-Accounts will be accompanied by 
average annual total return figures for a one-year period and for the period 
since the Sub-Account became available pursuant to the Variable Annuity 
Account's registration statement.  Average annual total return figures are 
the average annual compounded rates of return required for an initial 
investment of $1,000 to equal the surrender value of that same investment at 
the end of the period.  The surrender value will reflect the deduction of the 
deferred sales charge applicable to the contract and to the length of the 
period advertised.  The average annual total return figures published by the 
Variable Annuity Account will reflect Minnesota Mutual's voluntary absorption 
of certain Fund expenses.  Prior to January 1, 1986, the Fund incurred no 
expenses.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               From Inception                 Date of
                                                                to 12/31/96                  Inception 
                                                               --------------                ---------
<S>                                                           <C>                            <C>
Growth Sub-Account                                            191.18% (188.83%)                12/3/85

Bond Sub-Account                                              116.57% (115.50%)                12/3/85

Money Market Sub-Account                                       55.81%  (53.49%)                12/3/85

Asset Allocation Sub-Account                                  169.03% (168.48%)                12/3/85

Mortgage Securities Sub-Account                               100.93% (100.58%)                 6/1/87

Index 500 Sub-Account                                         191.54% (190.76%)                 6/1/87

Capital Appreciation Sub-Account                              193.98% (191.13%)                 6/1/87

International Stock Sub-Account                                72.80%  (72.77%)                 5/1/92

Small Company Sub-Account                                      67.23%  (67.22%)                 5/3/93

Maturing Government Bond
   1998 Sub-Account                                            16.89%  (16.60%)                 5/2/94

Maturing Government Bond
   2002 Sub-Account                                            23.35%  (22.71%)                 5/2/94

Maturing Government Bond
   2006 Sub-Account                                            28.89%  (27.84%)                 5/2/94

Maturing Government Bond
   2010 Sub-Account                                            31.52%  (29.35%)                 5/2/94

Value Stock Sub-Account                                        77.79%  (77.54%)                 5/2/94 

</TABLE>


                                       4

<PAGE>


Cumulative total return quotations for Sub-Accounts will be accompanied by 
average annual total return figures for a one-year period, five-year period 
and ten-year period or for the period since the Sub-Account became available 
pursuant to the Variable Annuity Account's registration statement if less 
than ten years.  Average annual total return figures are the average annual 
compounded rates of return required for an initial investment of $1,000 to 
equal the surrender value of that same investment at the end of the period.  
The surrender value will reflect the deduction of the deferred sales charge 
applicable to the contract (flexible premium/single premium) and to the 
length of the period advertised.  The average annual total return figures 
published by the Variable Annuity Account will reflect Minnesota Mutual's 
voluntary absorption of certain Fund expenses.  Prior to January 1, 1986, the 
Fund incurred no expenses.  During 1986 and from January 1 to March 8, 1987 
Minnesota Mutual voluntarily absorbed all fees and expenses of any Fund 
portfolio that exceeded .75% of the average daily net assets of such Fund 
portfolio.  For the period subsequent to March 9, 1987, Minnesota Mutual is 
voluntarily absorbing the fees and expenses that exceed .65% of the average 
daily net assets of the Growth, Bond, Money Market, Asset Allocation and 
Mortgage Securities Portfolios of the Fund, .55% of the average daily net 
assets of the Index 500 Portfolio of the Fund, .90% of the average daily net 
assets of the Capital Appreciation and Small Company Portfolios of the Fund 
and expenses that exceed 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the 
International Stock Portfolio of the Fund exclusive of the advisory fee.  
And, for the period subsequent to May 2, 1994, Minnesota Mutual has 
voluntarily absorbed fees and expenses that exceed .90% of the average daily 
net assets of the Value Stock Portfolio and fees and expenses that exceed 
 .40% of the average daily net assets of the Maturing Government Bond 
Portfolios.  It should be noted that for the Maturing Government Bond 
Portfolios maturing in 1998 and 2002, Minnesota Mutual will voluntarily 
absorb fees and expenses that exceed .20% of average daily net assets of 
those Portfolios until April 30, 1998. Minnesota Mutual has voluntarily 
agreed to absorb fees and expenses that exceed .55% of the average daily net 
assets of the Index 400 Mid-Cap Portfolio, .90% of the average daily net 
assets of the Small Company Value Portfolio, 1.40% of the average daily net 
assets of the Mid-Cap Value Portfolio, 1.25% of the average daily net assets 
of the Micro-Cap Growth Portfolio, .85% of the average daily net assets of 
the Macro-Cap Value Portfolio and expenses that exceed 1.00% of the average 
daily net assets of the International Bond Portfolio of the Fund exclusive of 
the advisory fee. There is no specified or minimum period of time during 
which Minnesota Mutual has agreed to continue its voluntary absorption of 
these expenses, and Minnesota Mutual may in its discretion cease its 
absorption of expenses at any time.  Should Minnesota Mutual cease absorbing 
expenses the effect would be to increase substantially Fund expenses and 
thereby reduce investment return.


                                       5
<PAGE>


The average annual rates of return for the Sub-Accounts, in connection with 
the contract described in the Prospectus, for the specified periods ended 
December 31, 1996 are shown in the tables below.  The figures in parentheses 
show what the average annual rates of return would have been had Minnesota 
Mutual not absorbed Fund expenses as described above.  These figures also 
assume that the contracts described herein were issued when the Underlying 
Portfolios first became available to the Variable Annuity Account.  This 
contract only became available as of the date of this Prospectus.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Flexible Premium Deferred Variable Annuity
                                                              MultiOption Select
                                                   ------------------------------------------

                               Year Ended            Five Years        Ten Years            From Inception            Date of
                               12/31/96              Ended 12/31/96    Ended 12/31/96       to 12/31/96               Inception
                               ----------            --------------    --------------       ----------------          ---------
<S>                           <C>                    <C>               <C>                  <C>                       <C>
Growth Sub-Account              8.70%  (8.70%)        8.04%   (8.04%)  11.22%  (11.10%)       N/A      (N/A)             12/3/85

Bond Sub-Account               -5.32%  (-5.32%)       4.73%   (4.70%)   6.54%   (6.45%)       N/A      (N/A)             12/3/85

Money Market Sub-Account       -3.35%  (-3.35%)       1.97%   (1.75%)   4.06%   (3.72%)       N/A      (N/A)             12/3/85

Asset Allocation
  Sub-Account                   4.10%   (4.10%)       7.67%   (7.67%)   9.76%   (9.73%)       N/A      (N/A)             12/3/85

Mortgage Securities
  Sub-Account                  -3.05%  (-3.05%)       4.90%   (4.88%)   N/A     (N/A)        7.56%     (7.53%)            6/1/87

Index 500 Sub-Account          13.13%  (13.13%)      12.77%  (12.75%)   N/A     (N/A)       11.81%    (11.77%)            6/1/87
Capital Appreciation
  Sub-Account                   9.15%   (9.15%)       9.42%   (9.40%)   N/A     (N/A)       11.49%    (11.76%)            6/1/87


                                       6

<PAGE>

International Stock
  Sub-Account                  11.30%  (11.30%)      N/A      (N/A)    N/A       (N/A)      11.87%    (11.86%)            5/1/92

Small Company Sub-Account      -1.88%  (-1.88%)      N/A      (N/A)    N/A       (N/A)      14.11%    (14.11%)            5/3/93

Maturing Government Bond       -4.16%  (-4.68%)      N/A      (N/A)    N/A       (N/A)       3.95%     (3.39%)            5/2/94
   1998 Sub-Account

Maturing Government Bond
   2002 Sub-Account            -6.54% (-10.25%)      N/A      (N/A)    N/A       (N/A)       6.18%     (5.27%)            5/2/94

Maturing Government Bond
   2006 Sub-Account            -9.44% (-10.44%)      N/A      (N/A)    N/A       (N/A)       8.03%     (6.81%)            5/2/94

Maturing Government Bond
   2010 Sub-Account           -11.62% (-13.40%)      N/A      (N/A)    N/A       (N/A)       8.89%     (6.60%)            5/2/94

Value Stock Sub-Account        22.32%  (22.32%)      N/A      (N/A)    N/A       (N/A)      22.03%    (21.92%)            5/2/94

</TABLE>



The average annual total return figures described above may be accompanied by 
other average annual total return quotations which do not reflect the 
deduction of any deferred sales charges.  Such other average annual total 
return figures will be calculated as described above, except that the initial 
$1,000 investment will be equated to that same investment's net asset value, 
rather than its surrender value, at the end of the period.  The average 
annual rates of return, as thus calculated, for the Sub-Accounts of the 
contracts described in the Prospectus for the specified periods ended 
December 31, 1996 are shown in the table below.  Inasmuch as no deferred 
sales charges are reflected in these figures, they are the same for both the 
flexible premium and the single premium contracts.  The figures in 
parentheses show what the average annual rates of return, without the 
application of applicable deferred sales charges, would have been had 
Minnesota Mutual not absorbed Fund expenses as described above.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Year Ended              Five Years                 Ten Years            From Inception            Date of 
                          12/31/96             Ended 12/31/96             Ended 12/31/96           to 12/31/96            Inception
                       -------------           --------------             --------------         --------------           ---------
<S>                    <C>                     <C>                       <C>                    <C>                      <C>      
Growth Sub-Account      15.70%  (15.70%)        8.62%  (8.62%)           11.22%  (11.22%)         N/A     (N/A)            12/3/85 
                                                                                                                                   
Bond Sub-Account         1.68%   (1.68%)        5.39%  (5.36%)            6.54%   (6.45%)         N/A     (N/A)            12/3/85 


                                       7

<PAGE>

Money Market 
  Sub-Account             3.65%   (3.65%)           2.69%  (2.47%)          N/A     (N/A)         N/A     (N/A)            12/3/85
                                                                                                                                   
Asset Allocation                                                                                                                   
  Sub-Account            11.10%  (11.10%)           8.26%  (8.26%)          N/A     (N/A)         N/A     (N/A)            12/3/85
                                                                                                                                   
Mortgage Securities                                                                                                                
  Sub-Account             3.95%   (3.95%)           5.55%  (5.53%)          N/A     (N/A)         7.56%   (7.53%)            6/1/87
                                                                                                                                   
Index 500                                                                                                                          
  Sub-Account            20.13%  (20.13%)          13.26% (13.24%)          N/A     (N/A)        11.81%  (11.77%)            6/1/87
                                                                                                                                   
Capital Appreciation                                                                                                               
  Sub-Account            16.15%  (16.15%)           9.98%  (9.96%)          N/A     (N/A)        11.91%  (11.76%)            6/1/87
                                                                                                                                   
International Stock                                                                                                                
  Sub-Account            18.30%  (18.30%)           N/A    (N/A)            N/A     (N/A)        12.43%  (12.42%)            5/1/92
                                                                                                                                    
Small Company                                                                                                                      
  Sub-Account             5.12%   (5.12%)           N/A    (N/A)            N/A     (N/A)        15.06%  (15.06%)             5/3/93
                                                                                                                                   
Maturing Government                                                                                                                
  Bond 1998                                                                                                                        
  Sub-Account             2.84%   (2.32%)           N/A    (N/A)            N/A     (N/A)         6.02%   (5.46%)             5/2/94
                                                                                                                                   
Maturing Government                                                                                                                
  Bond 2002                                                                                                                        
  Sub-Account              .46%   (-.35%)           N/A    (N/A)            N/A     (N/A)         8.18%   (7.27%)             5/2/94
                                                                                                                                   
Maturing Government                                                                                                                
  Bond 2006                                                                                                                        
  Sub-Account            -2.44%  (-3.44%)           N/A    (N/A)            N/A     (N/A)         9.98%   (8.76%)             5/2/94
                                                                                                                                   
Maturing Government                                                                                                                
  Bond 2010                                                                                                                        
  Sub-Account            -4.62%  (-6.40%)           N/A    (N/A)            N/A     (N/A)        10.81%   (8.52%)             5/2/94
                                                                                                                                   
Value Stock                                                                                                                        
  Sub-Account            29.32%  (29.32%)           N/A    (N/A)            N/A     (N/A)        23.62%  (23.51%)             5/2/94
 
</TABLE>

                                       8

<PAGE>

PREDICTABILITY OF RETURN

ANTICIPATED VALUE AT MATURITY.  The maturity values of zero-coupon bonds are 
specified at the time the bonds are issued, and this feature, combined with 
the ability to calculate yield to maturity, has made these instruments 
popular investment vehicles for investors seeking reliable investments to 
meet long-term financial goals.

Each Maturing Government Bond Portfolio of the Fund consists primarily of 
zero-coupon bonds but is actively managed to accommodate contract owner 
activity and to take advantage of perceived market opportunities.  Because of 
this active management approach, there is no guarantee that a certain price 
per share of a Maturing Government Bond Portfolio, or a certain price per 
unit of the corresponding Sub-Account, will be attained by the time a 
Portfolio is liquidated.  Instead, the Fund attempts to track the price 
behavior of a directly held zero-coupon bond by:


       (1)    Maintaining a weighted average maturity within each Maturing 
              Government Bond Portfolio's target maturity year;

       (2)    Investing at least 90% of assets in securities that mature 
              within one year of that Portfolio's target maturity year;

       (3)    Investing a substantial portion of assets in Treasury STRIPS 
              (the most liquid Treasury zero);

       (4)    Under normal conditions, maintaining a nominal cash balance;

       (5)    Executing portfolio transactions necessary to accommodate net 
              contract owner purchases or redemptions on a daily basis; and

       (6)    Whenever feasible, contacting several U.S. government 
              securities dealers for each intended transaction in an effort 
              to obtain the best price on each transaction.

These measures enable the Company to calculate an anticipated value at 
maturity (AVM) for each unit of a Maturing Government Bond Sub-Account, 
calculated as of the date of purchase of such unit, that approximates the 
price per unit that such unit will achieve by the weighted average maturity 
date of the underlying Portfolio.  The AVM calculation for each Maturing 
Government Bond Sub-Account is as follows:

                            AVM = P(1 + AGR/2)2T

where P = the Sub-Account's current price per unit; T = the Sub-Account's 
weighted average term to maturity in years; and AGR = the anticipated growth 
rate.

This calculation assumes an expense ratio and a portfolio composition for the 
underlying Maturing Government Bond Portfolio that remain constant for the 
life of such Portfolio.


                                       9
<PAGE>

Because the Portfolio's expenses and composition do not remain constant, 
however, the Company may calculate AVM for each Maturing Government Bond 
Sub-Account on any day on which the underlying Maturing Government Bond 
Portfolio is valued.  Such an AVM is applicable only to units purchased on 
that date.

In addition to the measures described above, which the adviser believes are 
adequate to assure close correspondence between the price behavior of each 
Portfolio and the price behavior of directly held zero-coupon bonds with 
comparable maturities, the Fund expects that each Portfolio will invest at 
least 90% of its net assets in zero-coupon bonds until it is within four 
years of its target maturity year and at least 80% of its net assets in 
zero-coupon securities within two to four years of its target maturity year.  
This expectation may be altered if the market supply of zero-coupon 
securities diminishes unexpectedly.

ANTICIPATED GROWTH RATE. The Company calculates an anticipated growth rate 
(AGR) for each Maturing Government Bond Sub-Account on each day on which the 
underlying Portfolio is valued.  AGR is a calculation of the anticipated 
annualized rate of growth for a Sub-Account unit, calculated from the date of 
purchase of such unit to the Sub-Account's target maturity date.  As is the 
case with calculations of AVM, the AGR calculation assumes that each 
underlying Maturing Government Bond Portfolio expense ratio and portfolio 
composition will remain constant.  Each Maturing Government Bond Sub-Account 
AGR changes from day to day (i.e., a particular AGR calculation is applicable 
only to units purchased on that date), due primarily to changes in interest 
rates and, to a lesser extent, to changes in portfolio composition and other 
factors that affect the value of the underlying Portfolio.

The Company expects that a contract owner who holds specific units until the 
underlying Portfolio's weighted average maturity date will realize an 
investment return and maturity value on those units that do not differ 
substantially from the AGR and AVM calculated on the day such units were 
purchased.  The AGR and AVM calculated with respect to units purchased on any 
other date, however, may be materially different.

                                AUDITORS 

The financial statements of Minnesota Mutual and the Minnesota Mutual Variable 
Annuity Account included herein have been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, 
4200 Norwest Center, 90 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, 
independent auditors, whose reports thereon appear elsewhere herein, and have 
been so included in reliance upon the reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP and upon
the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.


                                     -10-

<PAGE>

                               REGISTRATION STATEMENT

We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration 
statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the 
contract offered hereby.  This Prospectus does not contain all the 
information set forth in the registration statement and amendments thereto 
and the exhibits filed as a part thereof, to all of which reference is hereby 
made for further information concerning the Variable Annuity Account, 
Minnesota Mutual, and the contract.  Statements contained in this Prospectus 
as to the contents of contracts and other legal instruments are summaries, 
and reference is made to such instruments as filed. 


                                     -11-

<PAGE>

                             INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


The Board of Trustees of The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company
  and Contract Owners of Minnesota Mutual Variable Annuity Account:

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of the 
Growth, Bond, Money Market, Asset Allocation, Mortgage Securities, Index 500, 
Capital Appreciation, International Stock, Small Company, Maturing Government 
Bond 1998, Maturing Government Bond 2002, Maturing Government Bond 2006, 
Maturing Government Bond 2010 and Value Stock Segregated Sub-Accounts of 
Minnesota Mutual Variable Annuity Account (the Account) (class of contracts 
offered for combination Fixed and Variable Annuity Contracts for Personal 
Retirement Plans) as of December 31, 1996 and the related statements of 
operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets 
for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and the financial 
highlights for the periods in footnote (6). These financial statements and 
the financial highlights are the responsibility of the Account's management. 
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and 
the financial highlights 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 and the 
financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes 
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in 
the financial statements. Investments owned at December 31, 1996 were verified 
by examination of the underlying portfolios of MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc. 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 Growth, Bond, Money 
Market, Asset Allocation, Mortgage Securities, Index 500, Capital 
Appreciation, International Stock, Small Company, Maturing Government Bond 
1998, Maturing Government Bond 2002, Maturing Government Bond 2006, Maturing 
Government Bond 2010 and Value Stock Segregated Sub-Accounts of Minnesota Mutual
Variable Annuity Account at December 31, 1996 and the results of their 
operations, changes in their net assets and the financial highlights for the 
periods stated in the first paragraph above, in conformity with generally 
accepted accounting principles.


                                  KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 14, 1997

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
                                                    STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
                                                              DECEMBER 31, 1996


                                                                                          SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                       ---------------------------
                                ASSETS                                                    GROWTH           BOND
                                                                                        ------------   ------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>               <C>
Investments in shares of MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc.:
 Growth Portfolio, 50,156,918 shares at net asset value of $2.343 per share
    (cost $96,272,317)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $   117,531,708              -
 Bond Portfolio, 63,035,908 shares at net asset value of $1.283 per share
    (cost $77,678,207)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -     80,892,883
 Money Market Portfolio, 36,601,424 shares at net asset value of $1.000 per
   share (cost $36,601,424) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Asset Allocation Portfolio, 173,295,897 shares at net asset value of $1.865 per
   share (cost $271,469,123)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Mortgage Securities Portfolio, 55,490,821 shares at net asset value of $1.187
   per share (cost $63,809,744) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Index 500 Portfolio, 56,185,560 shares at net asset value of $2.409 per share
    (cost $96,535,954)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Capital Appreciation Portfolio, 60,868,073 shares at net asset value of $2.471
   per share (cost $112,719,241)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
                                                                                        ------------   ------------

                                                                                        117,531,708     80,892,883

Receivable from MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc. for investments sold . . . . . . . . . .            41,514         26,278
Receivable from Minnesota Mutual for contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . .            80,136        241,899
Dividends receivable from MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

   Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       117,653,358     81,161,060
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

                              LIABILITIES

Payable to MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc. for investments purchased . . . . . . . . . .            80,136        241,899
Payable to Minnesota Mutual for contract terminations and mortality and
 expense charges  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            41,514         26,278
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

   Total liabilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           121,650        268,177
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

   Net assets applicable to annuity contract owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $   117,531,708     80,892,883
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

                        CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

Contracts in accumulation period, accumulation units outstanding of 38,448,452
 for Growth; 36,732,062 for Bond; 22,929,634 for Money Market; 116,211,650 for
 Asset Allocation; 32,527,955 for Mortgage Securities; 46,097,553 for Index 500
 and 51,023,999 for Capital Appreciation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $   116,970,041     80,422,303
Contracts in annuity payment period (note 2)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           561,667        470,580

   Total contract owners' equity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $   117,531,708     80,892,883
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

NET ASSET VALUE PER ACCUMULATION UNIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $         3.043          2.189
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

<CAPTION>
                                                                                
                                                                                                 SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                       ------------------------------------------
                                                                                           MONEY          ASSET        MORTGAGE
                               ASSETS                                                      MARKET       ALLOCATION    SECURITIES
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------
Investments in shares of MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc.:
 Growth Portfolio, 50,156,918 shares at net asset value of $2.343 per share
    (cost $96,272,317)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -              -
 Bond Portfolio, 63,035,908 shares at net asset value of $1.283 per share
    (cost $77,678,207)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -              -
 Money Market Portfolio, 36,601,424 shares at net asset value of $1.000 per
   share (cost $36,601,424) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        36,601,424              -              -
 Asset Allocation Portfolio, 173,295,897 shares at net asset value of $1.865 per
   share (cost $271,469,123)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -    323,180,479              -
 Mortgage Securities Portfolio, 55,490,821 shares at net asset value of $1.187. .
   per share (cost $63,809,744) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -     65,845,545
 Index 500 Portfolio, 56,185,560 shares at net asset value of $2.409 per share
    (cost $96,535,954)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -              -
 Capital Appreciation Portfolio, 60,868,073 shares at net asset value of $2.471
   per share (cost $112,719,241)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -              -
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                                         36,601,424    323,180,479     65,845,545

Receivable from MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc. for investments sold . . . . . . . . . .            22,953        106,584         30,871
Receivable from Minnesota Mutual for contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . .         1,134,459        205,397        193,011
Dividends receivable from MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                20              -              -
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------

   Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        37,758,856    323,492,460     66,069,427
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------

                             LIABILITIES

Payable to MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc. for investments purchased . . . . . . . . . .         1,134,459        205,397        193,011
Payable to Minnesota Mutual for contract terminations and mortality and
 expense charges  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            22,953        106,584         30,871
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------

   Total liabilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,157,412        311,981        223,882
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------

   Net assets applicable to annuity contract owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        36,601,444    323,180,479     65,845,545
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------

                         CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

Contracts in accumulation period, accumulation units outstanding of 38,448,452
 for Growth; 36,732,062 for Bond; 22,929,634 for Money Market; 116,211,650 for
 Asset Allocation; 32,527,955 for Mortgage Securities; 46,097,553 for Index 500
 and 51,023,999 for Capital Appreciation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        36,010,963    321,058,362     65,396,887
Contracts in annuity payment period (note 2)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           590,481      2,122,117        448,658

   Total contract owners' equity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        36,601,444    323,180,479     65,845,545
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------

NET ASSET VALUE PER ACCUMULATION UNIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             1.570          2.762          2.010
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------



<CAPTION>

                                                                                          SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                       ---------------------------
                                                                                           INDEX         CAPITAL
                               ASSETS                                                       500        APPRECIATION
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
Investments in shares of MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc.:
 Growth Portfolio, 50,156,918 shares at net asset value of $2.343 per share
    (cost $96,272,317)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Bond Portfolio, 63,035,908 shares at net asset value of $1.283 per share
    (cost $77,678,207)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Money Market Portfolio, 36,601,424 shares at net asset value of $1.000 per
   share (cost $36,601,424) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Asset Allocation Portfolio, 173,295,897 shares at net asset value of $1.865 per
   share (cost $271,469,123)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Mortgage Securities Portfolio, 55,490,821 shares at net asset value of $1.187
   per share (cost $63,809,744) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Index 500 Portfolio, 56,185,560 shares at net asset value of $2.409 per share
    (cost $96,535,954)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       135,334,726              -
 Capital Appreciation Portfolio, 60,868,073 shares at net asset value of $2.471
   per share (cost $112,719,241)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -    150,431,644
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

                                                                                        135,334,726    150,431,644

Receivable from MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc. for investments sold . . . . . . . . . .            33,464         44,461
Receivable from Minnesota Mutual for contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . .           119,042         59,698
Dividends receivable from MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

   Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       135,487,232    150,535,803
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

                             LIABILITIES

Payable to MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc. for investments purchased . . . . . . . . . .           119,042         59,698
Payable to Minnesota Mutual for contract terminations and mortality and
 expense charges  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            33,464         44,461
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

   Total liabilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           152,506        104,159
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

   Net assets applicable to annuity contract owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       135,334,726    150,431,644
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

                      CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

Contracts in accumulation period, accumulation units outstanding of 38,448,452
 for Growth; 36,732,062 for Bond; 22,929,634 for Money Market; 116,211,650 for
 Asset Allocation; 32,527,955 for Mortgage Securities; 46,097,553 for Index 500
 and 51,023,999 for Capital Appreciation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       134,294,656    149,610,997
Contracts in annuity payment period (note 2)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,040,070        820,647

   Total contract owners' equity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       135,334,726    150,431,644
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

NET ASSET VALUE PER ACCUMULATION UNIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             2.913          2.932
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------


</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
                                                    STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
                                                              DECEMBER 31, 1996


                                                                                          SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                       ---------------------------
                                                                                       INTERNATIONAL       SMALL
                               ASSETS                                                      STOCK          COMPANY
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>            <C>
Investments in shares of MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc.:
 International Stock Portfolio, 94,266,211 shares at net asset value of $1.597
   per share (cost $123,613,089)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $   150,564,285
 Small Company Portfolio, 65,253,909 shares at net asset value of $1.535 per
   share (cost $91,962,096) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -    100,154,435
 Maturing Government Bond 1998 Portfolio, 4,186,461 shares at net asset value
   of $1.080 share (cost $4,278,404)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Maturing Government Bond 2002 Portfolio, 3,398,126 shares at net asset value
   of $1.049 per share (cost $3,494,110)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Maturing Government Bond 2006 Portfolio, 2,690,353 shares at net asset value
   of $1.094 per share (cost $2,819,520)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Maturing Government Bond 2010 Portfolio, 2,242,466 shares at net asset value
   of $1.172 per share (cost $2,477,360)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Value Stock Portfolio, 49,328,087 shares at net asset value of $1.591 per
   share (cost $68,377,558) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

                                                                                        150,564,285    100,154,435

Receivable from MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc. for investments sold . . . . . . . . . .            41,237         25,603
Receivable from Minnesota Mutual for contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . .           154,873        119,110
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

   Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       150,760,395    100,299,148
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

                              LIABILITIES

Payable to MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc. for investments purchased . . . . . . . . . .           154,873        119,110
Payable to Minnesota Mutual for contract terminations and mortality and
 expense charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            41,237         25,603
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

   Total liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           196,110        144,713
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

   Net assets applicable to annuity contract owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $   150,564,285    100,154,435
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

                        CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

Contracts in accumulation period, accumulation units outstanding 86,521,264
 for International Stock; 59,295,273 for Small Company; 3,911,112 for Maturing
 Government Bond 1998; 2,935,860 for Maturing Government Bond 2002;
 2,334,109 for Maturing  Government Bond 2006; 2,077,124 for Maturing
 Government Bond 2010 and 43,796,523 for Value Stock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $   149,642,437     99,170,276
Contracts in annuity payment period (note 2)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           921,848        984,159

   Total contract owners' equity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $   150,564,285    100,154,435
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

NET ASSET VALUE PER ACCUMULATION UNIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $         1.730          1.673
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                       ---------------------------
                                                                                         MATURING       MATURING
                                                                                        GOVERNMENT     GOVERNMENT
                               ASSETS                                                    BOND 1998      BOND 2002
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
Investments in shares of MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc.:
 International Stock Portfolio, 94,266,211 shares at net asset value of $1.597
   per share (cost $123,613,089)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Small Company Portfolio, 65,253,909 shares at net asset value of $1.535 per
   share (cost $91,962,096) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Maturing Government Bond 1998 Portfolio, 4,186,461 shares at net asset value
   of $1.080 share (cost $4,278,404)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         4,520,878              -
 Maturing Government Bond 2002 Portfolio, 3,398,126 shares at net asset value
   of $1.049 per share (cost $3,494,110)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -      3,564,303
 Maturing Government Bond 2006 Portfolio, 2,690,353 shares at net asset value
   of $1.094 per share (cost $2,819,520)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Maturing Government Bond 2010 Portfolio, 2,242,466 shares at net asset value
   of $1.172 per share (cost $2,477,360)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Value Stock Portfolio, 49,328,087 shares at net asset value of $1.591 per
   share (cost $68,377,558) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -

                                                                                          4,520,878      3,564,303
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

Receivable from MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc. for investments sold . . . . . . . . . .             1,283            683
Receivable from Minnesota Mutual for contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . .                 5            979
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

   Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         4,522,166      3,565,965
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

   LIABILITIES

Payable to MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc. for investments purchased . . . . . . . . . .                 5            979
Payable to Minnesota Mutual for contract terminations and mortality and
 expense charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             1,283            683
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

   Total liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             1,288          1,662
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

   Net assets applicable to annuity contract owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         4,520,878      3,564,303
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

                        CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

Contracts in accumulation period, accumulation units outstanding 86,521,264
 for International Stock; 59,295,273 for Small Company; 3,911,112 for Maturing
 Government Bond 1998; 2,935,860 for Maturing Government Bond 2002;
 2,334,109 for Maturing  Government Bond 2006; 2,077,124 for Maturing
 Government Bond 2010 and 43,796,523 for Value Stock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         4,520,878      3,538,965
Contracts in annuity payment period (note 2)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -         25,338

   Total contract owners' equity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         4,520,878      3,564,303
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------

NET ASSET VALUE PER ACCUMULATION UNIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             1.156          1.205

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

<CAPTION>

                                                                                                SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                       -------------------------------------------
                                                                                         MATURING        MATURING
                                                                                        GOVERNMENT      GOVERNMENT        VALUE
                               ASSETS                                                    BOND 2006       BOND 2010        STOCK
                                                                                       ------------   -------------   ------------
Investments in shares of MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc.:
 International Stock Portfolio, 94,266,211 shares at net asset value of $1.597
   per share (cost $123,613,089)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -              -
 Small Company Portfolio, 65,253,909 shares at net asset value of $1.535 per
   share (cost $91,962,096) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -              -
 Maturing Government Bond 1998 Portfolio, 4,186,461 shares at net asset value
   of $1.080 share (cost $4,278,404)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -              -
 Maturing Government Bond 2002 Portfolio, 3,398,126 shares at net asset value
   of $1.049 per share (cost $3,494,110)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -              -
 Maturing Government Bond 2006 Portfolio, 2,690,353 shares at net asset value
   of $1.094 per share (cost $2,819,520)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         2,943,403              -              -
 Maturing Government Bond 2010 Portfolio, 2,242,466 shares at net asset value
   of $1.172 per share (cost $2,477,360)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -      2,627,061              -
 Value Stock Portfolio, 49,328,087 shares at net asset value of $1.591 per
   share (cost $68,377,558) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -     78,462,099
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------

                                                                                          2,943,403      2,627,061     78,462,099

Receivable from MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc. for investments sold . . . . . . . . . .             1,759          5,553         23,097
Receivable from Minnesota Mutual for contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . .             1,307              6        159,640
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------

   Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         2,946,469      2,632,620     78,644,836
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------

                              LIABILITIES

Payable to MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc. for investments purchased . . . . . . . . . .             1,307              6        159,640
Payable to Minnesota Mutual for contract terminations and mortality and
 expense charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             1,759          5,553         23,097
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------

   Total liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             3,066          5,559        182,737
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------

   Net assets applicable to annuity contract owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         2,943,403      2,627,061     78,462,099
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------

                         CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

Contracts in accumulation period, accumulation units outstanding 86,521,264
 for International Stock; 59,295,273 for Small Company; 3,911,112 for Maturing
 Government Bond 1998; 2,935,860 for Maturing Government Bond 2002;
 2,334,109 for Maturing  Government Bond 2006; 2,077,124 for Maturing
 Government Bond 2010 and 43,796,523 for Value Stock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         2,917,539      2,627,061     77,866,457
Contracts in annuity payment period (note 2)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            25,864              -        595,642

   Total contract owners' equity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         2,943,403      2,627,061     78,462,099
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------

NET ASSET VALUE PER ACCUMULATION UNIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             1.250          1.265          1.778
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                  MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT
                                                          STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996



                                                                                          SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                       ----------------------------
                                                                                          GROWTH          BOND
                                                                                       -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>               <C>
Investment income (loss):
 Investment income distributions from underlying mutual fund  . . . . . . . . . .   $       875,449      3,489,096
 Mortality and expense charges (note 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (1,315,044)      (868,779)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------
   Investment income (loss) - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          (439,595)     2,620,317
                                                                                       -------------  -------------


Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments - net:
 Realized gain distributions from underlying mutual fund  . . . . . . . . . . . .         8,226,602        628,966
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

 Realized gains on sales of investments (note 4):
   Proceeds from sales  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        16,289,438     11,085,435
   Cost of investments sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (13,519,660)   (10,863,618)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

                                                                                          2,769,778        221,817
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

   Net realized gains on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        10,996,380        850,783
                                                                                       -------------  -------------


   Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
    of investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         4,627,723     (1,797,465)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

   Net gains (losses) on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        15,624,103       (946,682)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $    15,184,508      1,673,635
                                                                                       -------------  -------------
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

<CAPTION>

                                                                                                 SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                       ------------------------------------------
                                                                                           MONEY         ASSET          MORTGAGE
                                                                                          MARKET       ALLOCATION      SECURITIES
                                                                                       ------------   ------------   ------------
Investment income (loss):
 Investment income distributions from underlying mutual fund  . . . . . . . . . .         1,468,988      9,151,379      3,951,650
 Mortality and expense charges (note 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          (382,125)    (3,746,894)      (773,507)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------

   Investment income (loss) - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,086,863      5,404,485      3,178,143
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------


Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments - net:
 Realized gain distributions from underlying mutual fund  . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -     16,755,857              -
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------

 Realized gains on sales of investments (note 4):
   Proceeds from sales  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        40,165,964     44,263,762     13,390,362
   Cost of investments sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (40,165,964)   (38,041,256)   (13,284,230)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -      6,222,506        106,132
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------

   Net realized gains on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -     22,978,363        106,132
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------


   Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
    of investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -      3,391,254       (863,049)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------

   Net gains (losses) on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -     26,369,617       (756,917)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,086,863     31,774,102      2,421,226
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------

<CAPTION>


                                                                                            INDEX       CAPITAL
                                                                                             500      APPRECIATION
                                                                                       ------------   ------------
Investment income (loss):
 Investment income distributions from underlying mutual fund  . . . . . . . . . .         1,354,495              -
 Mortality and expense charges (note 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (1,367,650)    (1,690,612)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

                                                                                            (13,155)    (1,690,612)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------


Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments - net:
 Realized gain distributions from underlying mutual fund  . . . . . . . . . . . .           701,159      3,355,808
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

 Realized gains on sales of investments (note 4):
   Proceeds from sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        13,500,891     19,677,859
    Cost of investment sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (9,957,554)   (14,970,457)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

                                                                                          3,543,337      4,707,402
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

   Net realized gainson investmens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         4,244,496      8,063,210
                                                                                       -------------  -------------



   Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation. . . . . . . . . . . . .        16,185,492     13,204,750
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

     of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        20,429,988     21,267,960
                                                                                       -------------  -------------
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        20,416,833     19,577,348
                                                                                       -------------  -------------
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                  MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
                                                          STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996



                                                                                          SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                       ---------------------------
                                                                                        INTERNATIONAL     SMALL
                                                                                            STOCK        COMPANY
                                                                                       -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>                <C>
Investment income (loss):
 Investment income distributions from underlying mutual fund  . . . . . . . . . .   $     2,977,785        210,314
 Mortality and expense charges (note 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (1,543,943)    (1,083,010)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

   Investment income (loss) - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,433,842       (872,696)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------


Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments - net:
 Realized gain distributions from underlying mutual fund  . . . . . . . . . . . .         3,259,963      9,395,869
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

 Realized gains on sales of investments (note 4):
   Proceeds from sales  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        16,173,191     12,520,887
   Cost of investments sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (14,115,088)   (10,196,111)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

                                                                                          2,058,103      2,324,776
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

   Net realized gains on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         5,318,066     11,720,645
                                                                                       -------------  -------------


   Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
   of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        14,598,427     (7,159,671)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

   Net gains (losses) on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        19,916,493      4,560,974
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

Net increase (decreases) in net assets resulting from operations  . . . . . . . .   $    21,350,335      3,688,278
                                                                                       -------------  -------------
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

<CAPTION>

                                                                                          SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                       ---------------------------
                                                                                         MATURING        MATURING
                                                                                        GOVERNMENT      GOVERNMENT
                                                                                           BOND            BOND
                                                                                           1998            2002
                                                                                       -------------  -------------
Investment income (loss):
 Investment income distributions from underlying mutual fund  . . . . . . . . . .             2,787        195,568
 Mortality and expense charges (note 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           (48,940)       (39,559)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

   Investment income (loss) - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           (46,153)       156,009
                                                                                       -------------  -------------


Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments - net:
 Realized gain distributions from underlying mutual fund  . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

 Realized gains on sales of investments (note 4):
   Proceeds from sales  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           886,766        275,865
   Cost of investments sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          (855,369)      (260,619)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

                                                                                             31,397         15,246
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

   Net realized gains on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            31,397         15,246
                                                                                       -------------  -------------


   Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
   of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           127,703       (135,902)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

   Net gains (losses) on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           159,100       (120,656)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

Net increase (decreases) in net assets resulting from operations  . . . . . . . .           112,947         35,353
                                                                                       -------------  -------------
                                                                                       -------------  -------------

<CAPTION>

                                                                                                  SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                       -------------------------------------------
                                                                                         MATURING        MATURING
                                                                                        GOVERNMENT      GOVERNMENT
                                                                                           BOND            BOND          VALUE
                                                                                           2006            2010          STOCK
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
Investment income (loss):
 Investment income distributions from underlying mutual fund  . . . . . . . . . .           163,096            948        617,684
 Mortality and expense charges (note 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           (31,583)       (20,970)      (609,577)

   Investment income (loss) - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           131,513        (20,022)         8,107
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------


Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments - net:
 Realized gain distributions from underlying mutual fund  . . . . . . . . . . . .             4,030              -      4,738,174
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------

 Realized gains on sales of investments (note 4):
   Proceeds from sales  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           199,514        405,961      6,800,945
   Cost of investments sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          (184,298)      (401,440)    (5,822,204)
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------

                                                                                             15,216          4,521        978,741
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------

   Net realized gains on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            19,246          4,521      5,716,915
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------


   Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
   of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          (188,675)        (7,215)     7,186,237
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------

   Net gains (losses) on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          (169,429)        (2,694)    12,903,152
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------

Net increase (decreases) in net assets resulting from operations  . . . . . . . .           (37,916)       (22,716)    12,911,259
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                  MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
                                                     STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996



                                                                                         SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                      ----------------------------
                                                                                          GROWTH          BOND
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>             <C>
Operations:
 Investment income (loss) - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $      (439,595)     2,620,317
 Net realized gains on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        10,996,380        850,783
 Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
   of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         4,627,723     (1,797,465)
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        15,184,508      1,673,635
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Contract transactions (notes 2, 3, 4 and 5):
 Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        22,686,286     28,459,419
 Contract terminations and withdrawal payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (14,919,406)   (10,171,421)
 Actuarial adjustments for mortality experience on annuities
   in payment period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             5,969          9,564
 Annuity benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           (60,957)       (54,798)
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Increase in net assets from contract transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         7,711,892     18,242,764
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Increase in net assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        22,896,400     19,916,399

Net assets at the beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        94,635,308     60,976,484
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Net assets at the end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $   117,531,708     80,892,883
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
                                                                                      -------------- --------------


<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                       -------------------------------------------
                                                                                           MONEY         ASSET          MORTGAGE
                                                                                          MARKET       ALLOCATION      SECURITIES
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------
Operations:
 Investment income (loss) - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,086,863      5,404,485      3,178,143
 Net realized gains on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -     22,978,363        106,132
 Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
   of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -      3,391,254       (863,049)
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,086,863     31,774,102      2,421,226
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Contract transactions (notes 2, 3, 4 and 5):
 Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        52,853,330     54,563,388     14,864,436
 Contract terminations and withdrawal payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (39,767,006)   (40,381,655)   (12,572,781)
 Actuarial adjustments for mortality experience on annuities
   in payment period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            56,007         24,449          2,662
 Annuity benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           (72,840)      (159,662)       (46,736)
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Increase in net assets from contract transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        13,069,491     14,046,520      2,247,581
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Increase in net assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        14,156,354     45,820,622      4,668,807

Net assets at the beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        22,445,090    277,359,857     61,176,738
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Net assets at the end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        36,601,444    323,180,479     65,845,545
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

<CAPTION>

                                                                                         SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                      -----------------------------
                                                                                            INDEX        CAPITAL
                                                                                             500      APPRECIATION
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
Operations:
 Investment income (loss) - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           (13,155)    (1,690,612)
 Net realized gains on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         4,244,496      8,063,210
 Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
   of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        16,185,492     13,204,750
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        20,416,833     19,577,348
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Contract transactions (notes 2, 3, 4 and 5):
 Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        40,905,486     32,359,143
 Contract terminations and withdrawal payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (12,092,904)   (17,945,477)
 Actuarial adjustments for mortality experience on annuities
   in payment period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            32,413         30,374
 Annuity benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           (72,750)       (72,144)
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Increase in net assets from contract transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        28,772,245     14,371,896

Increase in net assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        49,189,078     33,949,244

Net assets at the beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        86,145,648    116,482,400
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Net assets at the end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       135,334,726    150,431,644
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                  MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
                                                     STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996


                                                                                         SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                      -----------------------------
                                                                                        INTERNATIONAL     SMALL
                                                                                            STOCK        COMPANY
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>            <C>
Operations:
 Investment income (loss) - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $     1,433,842       (872,696)
 Net realized gains on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         5,318,066     11,720,645
 Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
   of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        14,598,427     (7,159,671)
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations . . . . . . . . .        21,350,335      3,688,278
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Contract transactions (notes 2, 3, 4 and 5):. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        42,935,430     38,517,725
 Contract terminations and withdrawal payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (14,587,080)   (11,390,236)
 Actuarial adjustments for mortality experience on annuities. . . . . . . . . . .
   in payment period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            26,969         36,861
 Annuity benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           (69,138)       (84,501)
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Increase in net assets from contract transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        28,306,181     27,079,849
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Increase in net assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        49,656,516     30,768,127

Net assets at the beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       100,907,769     69,386,308
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Net assets at the end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $   150,564,285    100,154,435
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
<CAPTION>


                                                                                         SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                      -----------------------------
                                                                                         MATURING        MATURING
                                                                                        GOVERNMENT      GOVERNMENT
                                                                                           BOND            BOND
                                                                                           1998            2002
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
Operations:
 Investment income (loss) - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           (46,153)       156,009
 Net realized gains on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            31,397         15,246
 Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
   of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           127,703       (135,902)
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations . . . . . . . . .           112,947         35,353
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Contract transactions (notes 2, 3, 4 and 5):
 Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,501,980        864,195
 Contract terminations and withdrawal payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          (837,825)      (237,287)
 Actuarial adjustments for mortality experience on annuities
   in payment period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -          3,006
 Annuity benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -         (2,024)
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Increase in net assets from contract transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           664,155        627,890
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Increase in net assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           777,102        663,243

Net assets at the beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         3,743,776      2,901,060
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Net assets at the end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         4,520,878      3,564,303
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                      --------------------------------------------
                                                                                         MATURING        MATURING
                                                                                        GOVERNMENT      GOVERNMENT
                                                                                           BOND            BOND          VALUE
                                                                                           2006            2010          STOCK
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------
Operations:
 Investment income (loss) - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           131,513        (20,022)         8,107
 Net realized gains on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            19,246          4,521      5,716,915
 Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
   of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          (188,675)        (7,215)     7,186,237
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations . . . . . . . . .           (37,916)       (22,716)    12,911,259
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Contract transactions (notes 2, 3, 4 and 5):
 Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           742,285      1,808,688     45,810,561
 Contract terminations and withdrawal payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          (169,160)      (384,991)    (6,189,324)
 Actuarial adjustments for mortality experience on annuities
   in payment period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             3,303              -         25,380
 Annuity benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            (2,074)             -        (27,424)
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Increase in net assets from contract transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           574,354      1,423,697     39,619,193
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Increase in net assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           536,438      1,400,981     52,530,452

Net assets at the beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         2,406,965      1,226,080     25,931,647
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Net assets at the end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         2,943,403      2,627,061     78,462,099
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                  MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
                                                STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS - CONTINUED
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996


                                                                                         SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                      -----------------------------
                                                                                          GROWTH          BOND
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>            <C>
Operations:
 Investment income (loss) - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $      (291,957)     1,114,029
 Net realized gains (losses) on investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         4,339,338         89,210
 Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
   of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        12,794,298      7,212,393
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        16,841,679      8,415,632
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Contract transactions (notes 2, 3, 4 and 5):
 Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        17,363,970     17,296,925
 Contract terminations and withdrawal payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (10,796,321)    (8,512,323)
 Actuarial adjustments for mortality experience on annuities. . . . . . . . . . .
   in payment period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             3,960          4,532
 Annuity benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           (41,358)       (39,570)
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions  . . . . . . . . . .         6,530,251      8,749,564
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Increase in net assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        23,371,930     17,165,196

Net assets at the beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        71,263,378     43,811,288
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Net assets at the end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $    94,635,308     60,976,484
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

<CAPTION>

                                                                                                 SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                      -------------------------------------------
                                                                                           MONEY          ASSET         MORTGAGE
                                                                                          MARKET       ALLOCATION      SECURITIES
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------
Operations:
 Investment income (loss) - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           769,167      3,888,695      2,965,361
 Net realized gains (losses) on investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -      6,207,397       (121,622)
 Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
   of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -     41,592,552      5,658,568
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           769,167     51,688,644      8,502,307
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Contract transactions (notes 2, 3, 4 and 5):
 Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        26,977,987     38,493,764      9,481,967
 Contract terminations and withdrawal payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (22,361,870)   (33,554,259)    (9,747,738)
 Actuarial adjustments for mortality experience on annuities
   in payment period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -          5,210             97
 Annuity benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -       (120,922)       (49,422)
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions  . . . . . . . . . .         4,616,117      4,823,793       (315,096)
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Increase in net assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         5,385,284     56,512,437      8,187,211

Net assets at the beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        17,059,806    220,847,420     52,989,527
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Net assets at the end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        22,445,090    277,359,857     61,176,738
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------


<CAPTION>


                                                                                         SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                      -----------------------------
                                                                                            INDEX        CAPITAL
                                                                                             500      APPRECIATION
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
Operations:
 Investment income (loss) - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           246,151     (1,292,911)
 Net realized gains (losses) on investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,920,999      4,761,028
 Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
   of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        18,037,274     15,606,790
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        20,204,424     19,074,907
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Contract transactions (notes 2, 3, 4 and 5):
 Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        19,277,060     23,567,255
 Contract terminations and withdrawal payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (6,802,839)   (11,285,041)
 Actuarial adjustments for mortality experience on annuities
   in payment period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            10,002          2,885
 Annuity benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           (37,065)       (45,434)
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions  . . . . . . . . . .        12,447,158     12,239,665
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Increase in net assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        32,651,582     31,314,572

Net assets at the beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        53,494,066     85,167,828
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Net assets at the end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        86,145,648    116,482,400
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
                                                                                      -------------- --------------


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                  MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
                                                STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS - CONTINUED
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996



                                                                                                 SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                     ---------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                        MATURING
                                                                                                                       GOVERNMENT
                                                                                       INTERNATIONAL       SMALL          BOND
                                                                                          STOCK           COMPANY         1998
                                                                                     -------------- -------------- --------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>            <C>         <C>

Operations:
 Investment income (loss) - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $    (1,117,692)      (571,081)       159,883
 Net realized gains on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,227,434      1,626,888          9,237
 Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
   of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        10,596,958     12,812,480        246,388
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        10,706,700     13,868,287        415,508
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Contract transactions (notes 2, 3, 4 and 5):
 Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        27,249,522     24,201,389      2,388,058
 Contract terminations and withdrawal payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (17,218,586)    (5,289,049)    (1,589,727)
 Actuarial adjustments for mortality experience on annuities. . . . . . . . . . .
   in payment period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             1,418         (7,859)             -
 Annuity benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           (46,552)       (50,186)             -
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions  . . . . . . . . . .         9,985,802     18,854,295        798,331
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Increase in net assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        20,692,502     32,722,582      1,213,839

Net assets at the beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        80,215,267     36,663,726      2,529,937
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------

Net assets at the end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $   100,907,769     69,386,308      3,743,776
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------
                                                                                      -------------- -------------- --------------
<CAPTION>

                                                                                         SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                      -----------------------------
                                                                                         MATURING        MATURING
                                                                                        GOVERNMENT      GOVERNMENT
                                                                                           BOND            BOND
                                                                                           2002            2006
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
Operations:
 Investment income (loss) - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           145,542        108,269
 Net realized gains on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            75,537         40,348
 Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
   of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           357,420        434,493
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           578,499        583,110
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Contract transactions (notes 2, 3, 4 and 5):
 Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           855,808        523,251
 Contract terminations and withdrawal payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          (990,459)      (441,073)
 Actuarial adjustments for mortality experience on annuities
   in payment period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
 Annuity benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -              -
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions  . . . . . . . . . .          (134,651)        82,178
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Increase in net assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           443,848        665,288

Net assets at the beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         2,457,212      1,741,677
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Net assets at the end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         2,901,060      2,406,965
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
                                                                                      -------------- --------------



<CAPTION>

                                                                                         SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                                      -----------------------------
                                                                                          MATURING
                                                                                        GOVERNMENT
                                                                                           BOND           VALUE
                                                                                           2010           STOCK
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
Operations:
 Investment income (loss) - net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            55,069         (4,550)
 Net realized gains on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            38,710      1,282,060
 Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation
   of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           217,235      2,829,110
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           311,014      4,106,620
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Contract transactions (notes 2, 3, 4 and 5):
 Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           972,498     15,700,757
 Contract terminations and withdrawal payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          (925,805)    (1,443,541)
 Actuarial adjustments for mortality experience on annuities
   in payment period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -          4,017
 Annuity benefit payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 -         (7,925)
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Increase (decrease) in net assets from contract transactions  . . . . . . . . . .            46,693     14,253,308
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Increase in net assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           357,707     18,359,928

Net assets at the beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           868,373      7,571,719
                                                                                      -------------- --------------

Net assets at the end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,226,080     25,931,647
                                                                                      -------------- --------------
                                                                                      -------------- --------------


</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

<PAGE>

                  MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT

                       NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1)  ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     The Minnesota Mutual Variable Annuity Account (the Account) was 
     established on September 10, 1984 as a segregated asset account of The 
     Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company (Minnesota Mutual) under 
     Minnesota law and is registered as a unit investment trust under 
     the Investment Company Act of 1940 (as amended).  There are currently 
     four types of contracts each consisting of one to fourteen segregated 
     sub-accounts.  The financial statements presented herein include only 
     the segregated sub-accounts offered in connection with the sale of the 
     Combination Fixed and Variable Annuity Contracts for Personal 
     Retirement Plans (Multi-option Annuity) and Multi-Option Select.

     The assets of each segregated sub-account are held for the exclusive 
     benefit of the variable annuity contract owners and are not chargeable 
     with liabilities arising out of the business conducted by any other 
     account or by Minnesota Mutual.  Contract owners allocate their 
     variable annuity purchase payments to one or more of the fourteen 
     segregated sub-accounts. Such payments are then invested in shares of 
     MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc. (the Fund) which was organized by Minnesota 
     Mutual as the investment vehicle for its variable annuity contracts and 
     variable life policies.  The Fund is registered under the Investment 
     Company Act of 1940 (as amended) as a diversified, open-end management 
     investment company.  Payments allocated to the Growth, Bond, Money 
     Market, Asset Allocation, Mortgage Securities, Index 500, Capital 
     Appreciation, International Stock, Small Company, Maturing Government 
     Bond 1998, Maturing Government Bond 2002, Maturing Government Bond 
     2006, Maturing Government Bond 2010 and Value Stock segregated 
     sub-accounts are invested in shares of the Growth, Bond, Money 
     Market, Asset Allocation, Mortgage Securities, Index 500, Capital 
     Appreciation, International Stock, Small Company, Maturing Government 
     Bond 1998, Maturing Government Bond 2002, Maturing Government Bond 
     2006, Maturing Government Bond 2010 and Value Stock Portfolios of the 
     Fund, respectively.
     
     MIMLIC Sales Corporation acts as the underwriter for the Account.  
     MIMLIC Asset Management Company acts as the investment adviser for the 
     Fund.  MIMLIC Sales Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MIMLIC 
     Asset Management Company.  MIMLIC Asset Management Company is a 
     wholly-owned subsidiary of Minnesota Mutual.

(2)  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     USE OF ESTIMATES
     
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally 
     accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates 
     and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and 
     liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the 
     date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases 
     and decreases in net assets resulting from operations during the 
     period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
     
     INVESTMENTS IN MIMLIC SERIES FUND, INC.
     
     Investments in shares of the Fund portfolios are stated at market value 
     which is the net asset value per share as determined daily by the Fund. 
     Investment transactions are accounted for on the date the shares are 
     purchased or sold.  The cost of investments sold is determined on the 
     average cost method.  All dividend distributions received from the Fund 
     are reinvested in additional shares of the Fund and are recorded by the 
     segregated sub-accounts on the ex-dividend date.
     
<PAGE>

                                       2
     
                  MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
     
(2)  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - CONTINUED
     
     FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

     The Account is treated as part of Minnesota Mutual for federal income 
     tax purposes.  Under current interpretations of existing federal income 
     tax law, no income taxes are payable on investment income or capital 
     gain distributions received by the Account from the Fund.
     
     CONTRACTS IN ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD
     
     Annuity reserves are computed for currently payable contracts according 
     to the Progressive Annuity Mortality Table, using an assumed interest 
     rate of 3.5 percent.  Charges to annuity reserves for mortality and 
     risk expense are reimbursed to Minnesota Mutual if the reserves 
     required are less than originally estimated.  If additional reserves 
     are required, Minnesota Mutual reimburses the Account.
     
(3)  MORTALITY AND EXPENSE AND SALES CHARGES
     
     The mortality and expense charge paid to Minnesota Mutual is computed 
     daily and is equal, on an annual basis, to 1.25 percent of the average 
     daily net assets of the Account.  Under certain conditions, the charge 
     may be increased to 1.40 percent of the average daily net assets of the 
     Account.
     
     A contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed on a Multi-Option 
     Annuity or Multi-Option Select contract owner during the first ten 
     years or first seven years, respectively, if a contract's accumulation 
     value is reduced by a withdrawal or surrender.  Total sales charges 
     deducted from redemption proceeds for the years ended December 31, 1996 
     and 1995 amounted to $1,677,688 and $1,494,935, respectively.

(4)  INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

     The Account's purchases of Fund shares, including reinvestment of 
     dividend distributions, were as follows during the year ended 
     December 31, 1996:

      Growth Portfolio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $31,788,337
      Bond Portfolio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32,577,482
      Money Market Portfolio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54,328,470
      Asset Allocation Portfolio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  80,470,624
      Mortgage Securities Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18,816,086
      Index 500 Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42,961,140
      Capital Appreciation Portfolio. . . . . . . . . . . . .  35,714,951
      International Stock Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49,173,177
      Small Company Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  48,123,909
      Maturing Government Bond 1998 Portfolio . . . . . . . .   1,504,768
      Maturing Government Bond 2002 Portfolio . . . . . . . .   1,059,764
      Maturing Government Bond 2006 Portfolio . . . . . . . .     909,411
      Maturing Government Bond 2010 Portfolio . . . . . . . .   1,809,636
      Value Stock Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51,166,419


<PAGE>

                                        3

                    MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT


(5)  UNIT ACTIVITY FROM CONTRACT TRANSACTIONS

     Transactions in units for each segregated sub-account for the years ended
     December 31, 1996 and 1995 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                                        ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          MONEY          ASSET
                                                                            GROWTH          BOND          MARKET       ALLOCATION
                                                                        -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>         
Units outstanding at
  December 31, 1994. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     33,090,790     23,798,963     11,720,778    109,044,286
    Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      7,192,753      8,612,934     18,164,557     16,964,209
    Deductions for contract terminations
      and withdrawal payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     (4,474,203)    (4,342,656)   (15,075,820)   (15,033,018)
                                                                        -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------

Units outstanding at
  December 31, 1995. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     35,809,340     28,069,241     14,809,515    110,975,477
    Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      7,959,321     13,440,580     34,210,814     20,938,882
    Deductions for contract terminations
      and withdrawal payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     (5,320,209)    (4,777,759)   (26,090,695)   (15,702,709)
                                                                        -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------

Units outstanding at
  December 31, 1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     38,448,452     36,732,062     22,929,634    116,211,650
                                                                        -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                        -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                 SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           MORTGAGE         INDEX        CAPITAL      INTERNATIONAL      SMALL
                                                          SECURITIES         500       APPRECIATION       STOCK         COMPANY
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>          
Units outstanding at
  December 31, 1994. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      31,542,405     29,639,298     40,739,415     61,474,893     29,723,609
    Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . .       5,175,401      8,862,249     10,017,490     19,829,803     17,368,989
    Deductions for contract terminations
      and withdrawal payments. . . . . . . . . . . . .      (5,439,872)    (3,229,523)    (4,792,437)   (12,579,513)    (3,857,882)
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
Units outstanding at
  December 31, 1995. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      31,277,934     35,272,024     45,964,468     68,725,183     43,234,716
    Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . .       7,656,512     15,526,087     11,655,640     27,327,499     23,161,740
    Deductions for contract terminations
      and withdrawal payments. . . . . . . . . . . . .      (6,406,491)    (4,700,558)    (6,596,109)    (9,531,418)    (7,101,183)
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------

Units outstanding at
  December 31, 1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      32,527,955     46,097,553     51,023,999     86,521,264     59,295,273
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

                                        4

                    MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT


(5)  UNIT ACTIVITY FROM CONTRACT TRANSACTIONS - CONTINUED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                 SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            MATURING       MATURING       MATURING       MATURING       
                                                           GOVERNMENT     GOVERNMENT     GOVERNMENT     GOVERNMENT       VALUE
                                                            BOND 1998      BOND 2002      BOND 2006      BOND 2010       STOCK
                                                          ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                                       <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>         
Units outstanding at
  December 31, 1994. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       2,578,506      2,528,509      1,808,705        913,358      7,178,675
    Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . .       2,297,675        784,333        460,903        888,273     12,757,957
    Deductions for contract terminations
      and withdrawal payments. . . . . . . . . . . . .      (1,545,409)     (895,019)       (390,877)      (876,950)    (1,191,730)
                                                          ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
Units outstanding at
  December 31, 1995. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       3,330,772      2,417,823      1,878,731        924,681     18,744,902
    Contract purchase payments . . . . . . . . . . . .       1,322,226        736,594        611,384      1,477,104     29,156,933
    Deductions for contract terminations
      and withdrawal payments. . . . . . . . . . . . .        (741,886)      (218,557)      (156,006)      (324,661)    (4,105,312)
                                                          ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

Units outstanding at
  December 31, 1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       3,911,112      2,935,860      2,334,109      2,077,124     43,796,523
                                                          ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                          ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                          5


                      MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT 


(6) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS     

    The following tables for each segregated sub-account show certain data for
    an accumulation unit outstanding during the periods indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    GROWTH    


                                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                     -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      1996         1995        1994           1993           1992
                                                     ------       ------      ------         ------         ------
<S>                                                  <C>          <C>         <C>            <C>            <C>  
    Unit value, beginning of year  . . . . . .       $2.630        2.143       2.152          2.084          2.012
                                                     ------       ------      ------         ------         ------

    Income (loss) from investment operations:

      Net investment income (loss) . . . . . .       (.012)       (.008)      (.006)         (.001)           .001
      Net gains or losses on securities
       (both realized and unrealized)  . . . .         .425         .495      (.003)          .069            .071
                                                     ------       ------      ------         ------         ------

       Total from investment operations  . . . .       .413         .487      (.009)           .068           .072
                                                     ------       ------      ------         ------         ------

    Unit value, end of year  . . . . . . . . .       $3.043        2.630       2.143          2.152          2.084
                                                     ------       ------      ------         ------         ------
                                                     ------       ------      ------         ------         ------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


                                          6

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                      MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT


(6) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - CONTINUED

    BOND

                                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                          -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          1996            1995          1994           1993            1992
                                                          ----            ----          ----           ----            ----

<S>                                                      <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>  
    Unit value, beginning of year  . . . . . . .         $2.153          1.820          1.931          1.773          1.683
                                                         ------         ------         ------         ------         ------

    Income (loss) from investment operations:

      Net investment income  . . . . . . . . . .           .081           .044           .051           .044           .051
      Net gains or losses on securities
       (both realized and unrealized)  . . . . .          (.045)          .289          (.162)          .114           .039
                                                         ------          -----          -----          -----          -----

       Total from investment operations  . . . .           .036           .333          (.111)          .158           .090
                                                         ------          -----          -----          -----          -----

    Unit value, end of year  . . . . . . . . . .         $2.189          2.153          1.820          1.931          1.773
                                                         ------          -----          -----          -----          -----
                                                         ------          -----          -----          -----          -----
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                          7


                      MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


(6) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - CONTINUED

    MONEY MARKET


                                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           1996           1995           1994           1993           1992
                                                           ----           ----           ----           ----           ----

<S>                                                       <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>  
    Unit value, beginning of year  . . . . . . .          $1.515          1.455          1.421          1.402          1.375
                                                          ------         ------         ------         ------         ------

    Income from investment operations:

      Net investment income  . . . . . . . . . .            .055           .060           .034           .019           .027
                                                          ------         ------         ------         ------         ------

        Total from investment operations . . . .            .055           .060           .034           .019           .027
                                                          ------         ------         ------         ------         ------

    Unit value, end of year  . . . . . . . . . .          $1.570          1.515          1.455          1.421          1.402
                                                          ------         ------         ------         ------         ------
                                                          ------         ------         ------         ------         ------
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                                          8


                      MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


(6) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - CONTINUED

    ASSET ALLOCATION


                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  1996           1995           1994           1993           1992
                                                  ----           ----           ----           ----           ----

<S>                                              <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>  
    Unit value, beginning of year............    $2.486          2.014          2.068          1.967          1.858
                                                 ------          -----          -----          -----          -----

    Income (loss) from investment operations:

       Net investment income.................      .047           .036           .017           .014           .013
       Net gains or losses on securities
         (both realized and unrealized)......      .229           .436          (.071)          .087           .096
                                                 ------          -----          -----          -----          -----

         Total from investment operations....      .276           .472          (.054)          .101           .109
                                                 ------          -----          -----          -----          -----

    Unit value, end of year..................    $2.762          2.486          2.014          2.068          1.967
                                                 ------          -----          -----          -----          -----
                                                 ------          -----          -----          -----          -----
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                                          9

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                    MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT


(6) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - CONTINUED   

    MORTGAGE SECURITIES 


                                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       1996           1995           1994           1993           1992
                                                       ----           ----           ----           ----           ----

<S>                                                   <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>  
    Unit value, beginning of year  . . . . .          $1.934          1.660          1.739          1.612          1.535
                                                      ------          -----          -----          -----          -----

    Income (loss) from investment operations:

     Net investment income   . . . . . . . .            .101           .097           .058           .038           .036
     Net gains or losses on securities
      (both realized and unrealized) . . . .           (.025)          .177          (.137)          .089           .041
                                                      ------          -----          -----          -----          -----

      Total from investment operations . . .            .076           .274          (.079)          .127           .077
                                                      ------          -----          -----          -----          -----

    Unit value, end of year  . . . . . . . .          $2.010          1.934          1.660          1.739          1.612
                                                      ------          -----          -----          -----          -----
                                                      ------          -----          -----          -----          -----
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                                          10


                      MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(6) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - CONTINUED

    INDEX 500


                                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       1996           1995           1994           1993           1992
                                                       ----           ----           ----           ----           ----
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
    Unit value, beginning of year  . . . . .          $2.425          1.794          1.796          1.657          1.563
                                                      ------          -----          -----          -----          -----

    Income (loss) from investment operations:

     Net investment income . . . . . . . . .               -           .008           .006           .003           .009
     Net gains or losses on securities
      (both realized and unrealized) . . . .            .488           .623          (.008)          .136           .085
                                                      ------          -----          -----          -----          -----

      Total from investment operations . . .            .488           .631          (.002)          .139           .094
                                                      ------          -----          -----          -----          -----

    Unit value, end of year  . . . . . . . .          $2.913          2.425          1.794          1.796          1.657
                                                      ------          -----          -----          -----          -----
                                                      ------          -----          -----          -----          -----

</TABLE>


<PAGE>
                                          11


                      MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT


(6) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - CONTINUED

    CAPITAL APPRECIATION



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        1996           1995           1994           1993           1992
                                                       -------        -------        -------        -------        -------

<S>                                                    <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
    Unit value, beginning of year..........            $ 2.524          2.082          2.062          1.891          1.823
                                                       -------        -------        -------        -------        -------        
    
    Income from investment operations:
                                                                                     
         Net investment loss...............              (.035)         (.030)         (.023)         (.019)         (.016)
         Net gains on securities (both                 
           realized and unrealized)........               .443           .472           .043           .190           .084
                                                       -------        -------        -------        -------        -------        

           Total from investment operations               .408           .442           .020           .171           .068
                                                       -------        -------        -------        -------        -------        
                                                                                     
    Unit value, end of year................            $ 2.932          2.524          2.082          2.062          1.891
                                                       -------        -------        -------        -------        -------        
                                                       -------        -------        -------        -------        -------        


</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                                          12

                      MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT


(6) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - CONTINUED   

    INTERNATIONAL STOCK 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                                          PERIOD FROM
                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 MAY 1, 1992*
                                                 ----------------------------------------------------     TO DECEMBER
                                                  1996           1995          1994            1993         31, 1992
                                                 -------        -------       --------        -------     ------------

<S>                                              <C>            <C>           <C>             <C>         <C>                 
    Unit value, beginning of period..........    $1.462          1.296          1.317           .925          1.000
                                                 -------        -------       -------        -------         -------          
                                                                                                  
    Income (loss) from investment operations:          
                                                                                     
         Net investment income (loss)........      .017          (.018)          .012          (.005)          .007
         Net gains or losses on securities             
          (both realized and unrealized).....      .251           .184          (.033)          .397          (.082)
                                                 -------        -------       -------        -------         -------          
                                                                                                                 
           Total from investment operations..      .268           .166          (.021)          .392          (.075)
                                                 -------        -------       -------        -------         -------          
    Unit value, end of period................    $1.730          1.462          1.296          1.317           .925
                                                 -------        -------       -------        -------         -------          
                                                 -------        -------       -------        -------         -------          


</TABLE>


    *    Commencement of the segregated sub-account's operations.    

<PAGE>

                                          13

                      MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT


(6) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - CONTINUED   

    SMALL COMPANY  
                   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     PERIOD FROM
                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,            MAY 3, 1993*
                                                           ------------------------------------      TO DECEMBER
                                                            1996          1995           1994         31, 1993
                                                           -------       -------        -------      -----------
                   
<S>                                                        <C>           <C>            <C>          <C>
         Unit value, beginning of period............       $1.591         1.220          1.164          1.000
                                                           -------       -------        -------        -------
                                                                          
         Income from investment operations:
    
           Net investment loss......................        (.018)        (.017)         (.014)         (.010)
           Net gains on securities (both                   
             realized and unrealized)...............         .100          .388           .070           .174
                                                           -------       -------        -------        -------
                                                                          
             Total from investment operations.......         .082          .371           .056           .164
                                                           -------       -------        -------        -------

         Unit value, end of period..................       $1.673         1.591          1.220          1.164
                                                           -------       -------        -------        -------
                                                           -------       -------        -------        -------

</TABLE>


         *    Commencement of the segregated sub-account's operations.    


<PAGE>

                                          14

                      MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT


(6) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - CONTINUED   

    MATURING GOVERNMENT BOND 1998 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PERIOD FROM
                                                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,     MAY 2, 1994*
                                                                                   -----------------------     TO DECEMBER
                                                                                     1996           1995         31, 1994
                                                                                   --------       --------     ------------

<S>                                                                                <C>            <C>          <C>
    Unit value, beginning of period............................................     $1.124          .981          1.000
                                                                                   --------       --------       --------

    Income (loss) from investment operations:

         Net investment income (loss)..........................................      (.014)         .053           .030
         Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and unrealized)......       .046          .090          (.049)
                                                                                   --------       --------       --------
         
           Total from investment operations....................................       .032          .143          (.019)
                                                                                   --------       --------       --------
                                                                                                                                 
    Unit value, end of period..................................................     $1.156         1.124           .981
                                                                                   --------       --------       --------
                                                                                   --------       --------       --------


</TABLE>



    *    Commencement of the segregated sub-account's operations.    

<PAGE>

                                          15

                      MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT


(6) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - CONTINUED   
                        
    MATURING GOVERNMENT BOND 2002 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                  PERIOD FROM
                                                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,   MAY 2, 1994*
                                                                                        ----------------------    TO DECEMBER
                                                                                         1996           1995        31, 1994
                                                                                        ------         ------     ------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>            <C>        <C>
    Unit value, beginning of period............................................         $1.200           .972          1.000
                                                                                        ------         ------         ------

    Income (loss) from investment operations:                                  

         Net investment income.................................................           .057           .058           .038
         Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and unrealized)......          (.052)          .170          (.066)
                                                                                        ------         ------         ------

           Total from investment operations....................................           .005           .228          (.028)
                                                                                        ------         ------         ------

    Unit value, end of period..................................................         $1.205          1.200           .972
                                                                                        ------         ------         ------
                                                                                        ------         ------         ------




</TABLE>



    *    Commencement of the segregated sub-account's operations.    

<PAGE>
                                          16

                      MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT 


(6) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - CONTINUED   

    MATURING GOVERNMENT BOND 2006 


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                         PERIOD FROM
                                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,    MAY 2, 1994*
                                                                             -----------------------     TO DECEMBER
                                                                               1996           1995         31, 1994
                                                                              ------         ------      ------------               
<S>                                                                           <C>            <C>         <C>
    Unit value, beginning of period........................................   $1.281           .963          1.000
                                                                              ------         ------       --------               

    Income (loss) from investment operations:                                       

         Net investment income (loss)......................................     .062           .059           .038
         Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and unrealized)..    (.093)          .259          (.075)
                                                                              ------         ------       --------               

           Total from investment operations................................    (.031)          .318          (.037)
                                                                              ------         ------       --------               

    Unit value, end of period..............................................   $1.250          1.281           .963
                                                                              ------         ------       --------               
                                                                              ------         ------       --------               


</TABLE>



    *    Commencement of the segregated sub-account's operations.    

<PAGE>

                                          17

                      MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT


(6) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - CONTINUED
                        
    MATURING GOVERNMENT BOND 2010


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        PERIOD FROM
                                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,   MAY 2, 1994*
                                                                              -----------------------   TO DECEMBER
                                                                               1996           1995       31, 1994
                                                                              ------         ------     -----------
<S>                                                                           <C>            <C>        <C>  
    Unit value, beginning of period.........................................  $1.326           .951          1.000
                                                                              ------         ------      ---------
    Income (loss) from investment operations:

         Net investment income (loss).......................................   (.015)          .063           .036
         Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and unrealized)...   (.046)          .312          (.085)
                                                                              ------         ------      ---------

           Total from investment operations.................................   (.061)          .375          (.049)
                                                                              ------         ------      ---------

    Unit value, end of period ..............................................  $1.265          1.326           .951
                                                                              ------         ------      ---------
                                                                              ------         ------      ---------



</TABLE>



    *    Commencement of the segregated sub-account's operations.


<PAGE>

                                          18

                      MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT


(6) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - CONTINUED

    VALUE STOCK

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              PERIOD FROM
                                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,   MAY 2, 1994*
                                                                    -----------------------   TO DECEMBER
                                                                     1996           1995       31, 1994
                                                                    ------          -----     -----------
<S>                                                                 <C>             <C>       <C>  
    Unit value, beginning of period...............................  $1.375          1.047          1.000
                                                                    ------          -----       --------

    Income from investment operations:

         Net investment income....................................       -              -           .004
         Net gains on securities (both realized and unrealized)...    .403           .328           .043
                                                                    ------          -----       --------

           Total from investment operations.......................    .403           .328           .047
                                                                    ------          -----       --------

    Unit value, end of period.....................................  $1.778          1.375          1.047
                                                                    ------          -----       --------
                                                                    ------          -----       --------



</TABLE>



    *    Commencement of the segregated sub-account's operations.


<PAGE>
 
                                                   INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
   
The Board of Trustees     
   
The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company     
   
  We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Minnesota
Mutual Life Insurance Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and
1995, and the related consolidated statements of operations and policyowners'
surplus and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1996. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.     
   
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The
Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company and subsidiaries as of December 31,
1996 and 1995, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. As discussed in Note
2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 120, "Accounting and Reporting by Mutual
Life Insurance Enterprises and by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long-
Duration Participating Contracts," in 1996.     
   
  Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole. The supplementary information included
in the accompanying schedules is presented for purposes of additional analysis
and is not a required part of the basic financial statements. Such information
has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the
basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all
material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a
whole.     
                                         
                                      KPMG Peat Marwick LLP 
Minneapolis, Minnesota     
   
February 10, 1997     
       
       
                                                                              53
<PAGE>
 
    
 THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS     
   
DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995     
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                        1996        1995
                                                     ----------- -----------
                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                  <C>         <C>
Fixed maturity securities:
  Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost
   $4,558,975 and $4,525,352)                        $ 4,674,082 $ 4,761,561
  Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value
   $1,179,112 and $1,281,523)                          1,125,638   1,180,654
Equity securities, at fair value (cost $429,509 and
 $277,554)                                               549,797     384,882
Mortgage loans, net                                      608,808     608,537
Real estate, net                                          43,082      47,256
Policy loans                                             204,178     198,716
Short-term investments                                   122,772      72,841
Other invested assets                                     98,247      91,530
                                                     ----------- -----------
   Total investments                                   7,426,604   7,345,977
Cash                                                      57,140      48,358
Finance receivables, net                                 259,192     226,720
Deferred policy acquisition costs                        589,517     539,732
Accrued investment income                                 90,996      98,373
Premiums receivable                                       77,140      85,247
Property and equipment, net                               55,050      50,809
Reinsurance recoverables                                 126,629     102,198
Other assets                                              54,798      46,530
Separate account assets                                3,706,256   2,609,460
                                                     ----------- -----------
    Total assets                                     $12,443,322 $11,153,404
                                                     =========== ===========
 
                     LIABILITIES AND POLICYOWNERS' SURPLUS
 
Liabilities:
  Policy and contract account balances               $ 4,310,015 $ 4,287,083
  Future policy and contract benefits                  1,638,720   1,554,898
  Pending policy and contract claims                      70,577      55,812
  Other policyowner funds                                396,848     371,537
  Policyowner dividends payable                           49,899      50,450
  Unearned premiums and fees                             207,111     210,494
  Federal income tax liability:
   Current                                                25,643      39,516
   Deferred                                              149,665     173,905
  Other liabilities                                      286,042     320,607
  Notes payable                                          319,000     279,967
  Separate account liabilities                         3,691,374   2,596,285
                                                     ----------- -----------
   Total liabilities                                  11,144,894   9,940,554
Policyowners' surplus:
  Unassigned surplus                                   1,190,116   1,059,598
  Net unrealized investment gains                        108,312     153,252
                                                     ----------- -----------
   Total policyowners' surplus                         1,298,428   1,212,850
                                                     ----------- -----------
    Total liabilities and policyowners' surplus      $12,443,322 $11,153,404
                                                     =========== ===========
</TABLE>    
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
54
<PAGE>
 
                 
              THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND POLICYOWNERS' SURPLUS     
   
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994     
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                             1996        1995       1994
                                          ----------  ----------  ---------
                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
Revenues:
  Premiums                                $  612,359  $  603,770  $ 562,018
  Policy and contract fees                   245,966     214,203    188,115
  Net investment income                      530,987     515,047    486,101
  Net realized investment gains               59,546      66,643     25,769
  Finance charge income                       46,932      39,937     34,258
  Other income                                51,630      40,250     30,106
                                          ----------  ----------  ---------
    Total revenues                         1,547,420   1,479,850  1,326,367
                                          ----------  ----------  ---------
Benefits and expenses:
  Policyowner benefits                       541,520     517,771    498,424
  Interest credited to policies and con-
   tracts                                    288,967     297,145    283,626
  General operating expenses                 302,618     273,425    253,317
  Commissions                                103,370      93,465     87,631
  Administrative and sponsorship fees         79,360      76,223     71,143
  Dividends to policyowners                   24,804      27,282     26,672
  Interest on notes payable                   22,798      11,128      7,295
  Increase in deferred policy acquisition
   costs                                     (15,312)    (29,822)   (43,974)
                                          ----------  ----------  ---------
    Total benefits and expenses            1,348,125   1,266,617  1,184,134
                                          ----------  ----------  ---------
     Income from operations before taxes     199,295     213,233    142,233
Federal income tax expense:
  Current                                     68,033      71,379     63,641
  Deferred                                       744      11,995     (1,511)
                                          ----------  ----------  ---------
    Total federal income tax expense          68,777      83,374     62,130
     Net income                           $  130,518  $  129,859  $  80,103
                                          ==========  ==========  =========
 
                      STATEMENTS OF POLICYOWNERS' SURPLUS
 
Policyowners' surplus, beginning of year  $1,212,850  $  874,577  $ 892,510
  Net income                                 130,518     129,859     80,103
  Change in net unrealized investment
   gains and losses                          (44,940)    208,414    (98,036)
                                          ----------  ----------  ---------
Policyowners' surplus, end of year        $1,298,428  $1,212,850  $ 874,577
                                          ==========  ==========  =========
</TABLE>    
          
       See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.     
 
                                                                              55
<PAGE>
 
    
 THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS     
   
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                               1996        1995        1994
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                         <C>         <C>         <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income                                  $  130,518  $  129,859  $   80,103
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
 cash provided by operating activities:
  Interest credited to annuity and insur-
   ance contracts                              275,968     288,218     277,863
  Fees deducted from policy and contract
   balances                                   (206,780)   (201,575)   (188,226)
  Change in future policy benefits              84,389     100,025      63,328
  Change in other policyowner liabilities       16,099      (4,762)    (16,794)
  Change in deferred policy acquisition
   costs                                       (15,312)    (29,822)    (43,974)
  Change in premiums due and other receiv-
   ables                                       (26,142)    (18,039)     38,166
  Change in federal income tax liabilities     (12,055)     18,376      17,854
  Net realized investment gains                (59,546)    (66,643)    (25,769)
  Other, net                                    29,987      36,561      28,958
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
    Net cash provided by operating activi-
     ties                                      217,126     252,198     231,509
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sales of:
  Fixed maturity securities, available-
   for-sale                                    877,682   1,349,348     653,498
  Equity securities                            352,901     203,493      88,645
  Mortgage loans                                15,567       4,315      20,912
  Real estate                                   11,678      15,948      17,571
  Other invested assets                         12,280      10,775      28,305
Proceeds from maturities and repayments
 of:
  Fixed maturity securities, available-
   for-sale                                    329,550     253,576     327,337
  Fixed maturity securities, held-to-matu-
   rity                                        114,222     127,617      75,648
  Mortgage loans                                94,703     104,730     126,134
Cost of purchases of:
  Fixed maturity securities, available-
   for-sale                                 (1,228,048) (1,975,130) (1,123,125)
  Fixed maturity securities, held-to-matu-
   rity                                        (60,612)   (140,763)   (131,820)
  Equity securities                           (446,599)   (212,142)   (131,483)
  Mortgage loans                              (108,691)   (209,399)   (145,964)
  Real estate                                   (3,786)    (16,554)    (10,985)
  Other invested assets                        (29,271)    (20,517)    (12,732)
Finance receivable originations or pur-
 chases                                       (175,876)   (167,298)   (134,867)
Finance receivable principal payments          142,723     123,515     104,539
Other, net                                     (43,662)    (19,292)     15,309
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
    Net cash used for investing activities    (145,239)   (567,778)   (233,078)
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Deposits credited to annuity and insurance
 contracts                                     657,405     710,525     647,237
Withdrawals from annuity and insurance
 contracts                                    (702,681)   (563,569)   (645,969)
Proceeds from issuance of surplus notes            --      124,967         --
Proceeds from issuance of debt by subsidi-
 ary                                            60,000      50,000      30,000
Payments on debt by subsidiary                 (21,000)    (10,000)     (9,100)
Other, net                                      (6,898)     (3,801)     (5,940)
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
    Net cash provided by (used for) fi-
     nancing activities                        (13,174)    308,122      16,228
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and short-
 term investments                               58,713      (7,458)     14,659
Cash and short-term investments, beginning
 of year                                       121,199     128,657     113,998
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Cash and short-term investments, end of
 year                                       $  179,912  $  121,199  $  128,657
                                            ==========  ==========  ==========
</TABLE>    
          
       See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.     
 
56
<PAGE>
 
                 
              THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     
          
(1) NATURE OF OPERATIONS     
   
The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company (the Company), both directly and
through its subsidiaries, provides a diversified array of insurance and
financial products and services designed principally to protect and enhance the
long-term financial well-being of individuals and families.     
   
  The Company's strategy is to be successful in carefully selected niche
markets, primarily in the United States, while focusing on the retention of
existing business and the maintenance of profitability. To achieve this
objective, the Company has divided its businesses into four strategic business
units which focus on various markets: Individual, Financial Services, Group,
and Pension. Revenues reported in 1996 by these business units were
$780,250,000, $279,554,000, $213,461,000 and $104,059,000, respectively.
Additional revenues of $170,096,000 were reported by the Company's
subsidiaries.     
   
  At December 31, 1996, the Company was one of the 11 largest mutual life
insurance company groups in the United States, as measured by total assets. The
Company serves nearly seven million people through more than 4,000 associates
located at its St. Paul headquarters and in 81 general agencies and 43 regional
offices throughout the United States.     
   
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES     
   
Basis of Presentation     
   
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which vary in
certain respects from accounting practices prescribed or permitted by state
insurance regulatory authorities. The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company and its
subsidiaries (collectively, "the Company"). All material intercompany
transactions and balances have been eliminated.     
   
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires
management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect reported
assets and liabilities, including reporting or disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities as of the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could vary
from management's estimates.     
   
New Accounting Principles     
   
In 1995 and prior years, the Company prepared its financial statements
according to statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the
Commerce Department of the State of Minnesota (Department of Commerce), and
these accounting practices were considered GAAP for mutual life insurance
companies.     
   
  In April 1993, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Interpretation No. 40 (the Interpretation), "Applicability of Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles to Mutual Life Insurance and Other Enterprises."
The Interpretation was supposed to become effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1994 and stated that financial statements prepared in
accordance with statutory accounting practices would no longer be considered to
be in conformity with GAAP. The Interpretation requires all mutual life
insurance companies that report their financial statements in conformity with
GAAP to apply all applicable authoritative GAAP pronouncements, with the
exception of Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 60,
"Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises," No. 97, "Accounting and
Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long Duration Contracts and
Realized Gains and Losses from the Sale of Investments," and No. 113,
"Accounting for Reinsurance of Short-Duration and Long-Duration Contracts."
       
  In January 1995, the FASB issued SFAS 120, "Accounting and Reporting by
Mutual Life Insurance Enterprises and by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long
Duration Participating Contracts." This statement deferred the implementation
of the Interpretation to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995 and
extended the requirements of SFAS Nos. 60, 97 and 113 to mutual life insurance
enterprises.     
   
  SFAS No. 120 also requires mutual life insurance enterprises to adopt
Statement of Position 95-1, "Accounting for Certain Insurance Activities of
Mutual Life Insurance Enterprises," which was issued by the American Institute
of Certified Public Accountants.     
 
                                                                              57
<PAGE>
 
    
 THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)     
   
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)     
   
  The Company adopted SFAS No. 120 on January 1, 1996, and the accompanying
1994 and 1995 financial statements and related notes have been restated to
conform with the presentation of the 1996 GAAP financial statements.     
   
  The Company will continue to prepare financial statements according to
statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Department of
Commerce for purposes of filing with the Department of Commerce, the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners and states in which the Company is
licensed to do business. The significant differences between statutory and GAAP
financial results are presented in Note 12.     
   
Insurance Revenues and Expenses     
   
Premiums on traditional life products, which include individual whole life and
term insurance and immediate annuities, are credited to revenue when due. For
accident and health and group life products, premiums are credited to revenue
over the contract period as earned. Benefits and expenses are recognized in
relation to premiums over the contract period via a provision for future policy
benefits and the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs.     
   
  Nontraditional life products include individual adjustable and variable life
insurance and group universal and variable life insurance. Revenue from
nontraditional life products and deferred annuities is comprised of policy and
contract fees charged for the cost of insurance, policy administration and
surrenders. Expenses include the portion of claims not covered by and interest
credited to the related policy and contract account balances. Policy
acquisition costs are amortized relative to gross margins.     
   
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs     
   
The costs of acquiring new and renewal business, which vary with and are
primarily related to the production of new and renewal business, are generally
deferred to the extent recoverable from future premiums or expected gross
profits. Deferrable costs include commissions, underwriting expenses and
certain other selling and issue costs.     
   
  For traditional life, accident and health and group life products, deferred
acquisition costs are amortized over the premium paying period in proportion to
the ratio of annual premium revenues to ultimate anticipated premium revenues.
The ultimate premium revenues are estimated based upon the same assumptions
used to calculate the future policy benefits.     
   
  For nontraditional life products and deferred annuities, deferred acquisition
costs are amortized over the estimated lives of the contracts in relation to
the present value of estimated gross profits from surrender charges and
investment, mortality and expense margins.     
   
  Deferred acquisition costs amortized were $125,978,000, $104,940,000 and
$86,477,000 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
       
Finance Charge Income and Receivables     
   
Finance charge income represents fees and interest charged on consumer loans.
The Company uses the interest (actuarial) method of accounting for finance
charges and interest on finance receivables. Accrual of finance charges and
interest is suspended when a loan is contractually delinquent for more than 60
days and is subsequently recognized when received. Accrual is resumed when the
loan is contractually less than 60 days past due. An allowance for
uncollectible amounts is maintained by direct charges to operations at an
amount which management believes, based upon historical losses and economic
conditions, is adequate to absorb probable losses on existing receivables that
may become uncollectible. The reported receivables are net of this allowance.
       
Valuation of Investments     
   
Fixed maturity securities (bonds) which the Company has the positive intent and
ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and are carried
at amortized cost, net of write-downs for other than temporary declines in
value. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the estimated
lives of the securities based on the interest yield method. Fixed maturity
securities which may be sold prior to maturity are classified as available-for-
sale and carried at fair value.     
 
58
<PAGE>
 
                 
              THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)     
   
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)     
   
  Equity securities (common stocks and preferred stocks) are carried at fair
value. Equity securities also include initial contributions to affiliated
registered investment funds that are managed by a subsidiary of the Company.
These contributions are carried at the market value of the underlying net
assets of the funds.     
   
  Mortgage loans are carried at amortized cost less an allowance for
uncollectible amounts. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over
the terms of the mortgage loans based on the interest yield method. A mortgage
loan is considered impaired if it is probable that contractual amounts due will
not be collected. Impaired mortgage loans are valued at the fair value of the
underlying collateral. Interest income on impaired mortgage loans is recorded
on an accrual basis. However, when the likelihood of collection is doubtful,
interest income is recognized when received.     
   
  Fair values of fixed maturity securities and equity securities are based on
quoted market prices, where available. If quoted market prices are not
available, fair values are estimated using values obtained from independent
pricing services which specialize in matrix pricing and modeling techniques for
estimating fair values. Fair values of mortgage loans are based upon discounted
cash flows, quoted market prices and matrix pricing.     
   
  Real estate is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and an allowance
for estimated losses. Accumulated depreciation on real estate at December 31,
1996 and 1995, was $5,968,000 and $8,342,000, respectively.     
   
  Policy loans are carried at the unpaid principal balance.     
   
Derivative Financial Instruments     
   
The Company entered into equity swaps in 1996 as part of an overall risk
management strategy. The swaps are used to hedge exposure to market risk on
$400,000,000 of the Company's common stock portfolio. The swaps are based upon
certain stock indices, and settlement with the counterparties will take place
in January 1998. If, at the time of settlement for a particular swap, the
designated stock index has fallen below a specified level, the counterparty
will pay the Company an amount based upon the decline in the index and the
stock portfolio value protected by the swap. If, at the time of settlement, the
designated stock index has risen, the Company will pay the counterparty an
amount based upon the increase in the index and 25% of the stock portfolio
value protected by the swap.     
   
  The basic types of risks associated with derivatives are market risk (that
the value of the derivative will be adversely affected by changes in the
market) and credit risk (that the counterparty will not perform according to
the contract terms). To reduce credit risk, the swap contracts require that the
counterparties maintain sufficient credit ratings and provide collateral under
certain circumstances.     
   
  The swaps are carried at fair value, which is based upon dealer quotes.
Changes in fair value are recorded directly in policyowners' surplus. Upon
settlement of the swaps, gains or losses are recognized in income.     
   
Capital Gains and Losses     
   
Realized and unrealized capital gains and losses are determined on the specific
identification method. Write-downs of held-to-maturity securities and the
provision for credit losses on mortgage loans and real estate are recorded as
realized losses.     
   
  Changes in the fair value of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale and
equity securities are recorded as a separate component of policyowners'
surplus, net of taxes and related adjustments to deferred policy acquisition
costs and unearned policy and contract fees.     
   
Property and Equipment     
   
Property and equipment are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of
$81,962,000 and $75,507,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Buildings are depreciated over 40 years and equipment is generally depreciated
over 5 to 10 years. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994, was $6,454,000, $5,941,000 and $8,136,000, respectively.     
 
                                                                              59
<PAGE>
 
    
 THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)     
   
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)     
   
Separate Accounts     
   
Separate account assets and liabilities represent segregated funds administered
and invested by the Company for the exclusive benefit of certain policyowners
and contractholders. The Company receives administrative and investment
advisory fees for services rendered on behalf of these funds. Separate account
assets and liabilities are carried at fair value, based upon the market value
of the investments held in the segregated funds.     
   
  The Company periodically invests money in its separate accounts. The market
value of such investments is included with separate account assets and amounted
to $14,882,000 and $13,175,000 as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
       
Policyowner Liabilities     
   
Policy and contract account balances represent the net accumulation of funds
associated with nontraditional life products and deferred annuities. Additions
to the account balances include premiums, deposits and interest credited by the
Company. Decreases in the account balances include surrenders, withdrawals,
benefit payments, and charges assessed for the cost of insurance, policy
administration and surrenders.     
   
  Future policy and contract benefits are comprised of reserves for traditional
life, group life, and accident and health products. The reserves were
calculated using the net level premium method based upon assumptions regarding
investment yield, mortality, morbidity, and withdrawal rates determined at the
date of issue, commensurate with the Company's experience. Provision has been
made in certain cases for adverse deviations from these assumptions.     
   
  Other policyowner funds are comprised of dividend accumulations, premium
deposit funds and supplementary contracts without life contingencies.     
   
Participating Business     
   
Substantially all of the Company's premium revenues are derived from
participating policies. Dividends and other discretionary payments are declared
by the Board of Trustees based upon actuarial determinations which take into
consideration current mortality, interest earnings, expense factors and federal
income taxes. Dividends are recognized as expenses consistent with the
recognition of premiums.     
   
Income Taxes     
   
Current income taxes are charged to operations based upon amounts estimated to
be payable as a result of taxable operations for the current year. Deferred
income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to the differences between financial statement
carrying amounts and income tax bases of assets and liabilities.     
   
Reinsurance Recoverables     
   
Insurance liabilities are reported before the effects of ceded reinsurance.
Reinsurance recoverables represent amounts due from reinsurers for paid and
unpaid benefits, expense reimbursements, prepaid premiums and future policy
benefits.     
 
60
<PAGE>
 
                 
              THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)     
   
(3) INVESTMENTS     
   
Net investment income for the years ended December 31 was as follows:     
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                             1996      1995      1994
                           --------  --------  --------
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                        <C>       <C>       <C>
Fixed maturity securities  $433,985  $426,114  $417,698
Equity securities            14,275     8,883     4,485
Mortgage loans               63,865    58,943    49,676
Real estate                    (475)      497       648
Policy loans                 13,828    12,821    11,800
Short-term investments        6,535     6,716     4,262
Other invested assets         4,901     5,168     3,212
                           --------  --------  --------
  Gross investment income   536,914   519,142   491,781
Investment expenses          (5,927)   (4,095)   (5,680)
                           --------  --------  --------
    Total                  $530,987  $515,047  $486,101
                           ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>    
   
  Net realized capital gains (losses) for the years ended December 31 were as
follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                            1996     1995     1994
                           -------  -------  -------
                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                        <C>      <C>      <C>
Fixed maturity securities  $(6,536) $24,025  $(2,528)
Equity securities           57,770   36,374   11,268
Mortgage loans                (721)    (207)     (82)
Real estate                  7,088    2,436    3,915
Other invested assets        1,945    4,015   13,196
                           -------  -------  -------
    Total                  $59,546  $66,643  $25,769
                           =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>    
   
  Gross realized gains (losses) on the sales of fixed maturity securities and
equity securities for the years ended December 31 were as follows:     
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                  1996      1995      1994
                                                --------  --------  --------
                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                             <C>       <C>       <C>
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:
  Gross realized gains                          $ 19,750  $ 34,898  $ 13,375
  Gross realized losses                          (26,286)  (10,873)  (15,903)
Equity securities:
  Gross realized gains                            79,982    52,670    21,538
  Gross realized losses                          (22,212)  (16,296)  (10,270)
</TABLE>    
   
  Net unrealized gains (losses) included in policyowners' surplus at December
31 were as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                   1996      1995
                                                 --------  --------
                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                              <C>       <C>
Gross unrealized gains                           $314,576  $358,877
Gross unrealized losses                           (77,337)  (13,713)
Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs   (65,260)  (99,732)
Adjustment to unearned policy and contract fees    (8,192)  (11,665)
Deferred federal income taxes                     (55,475)  (80,515)
                                                 --------  --------
  Net unrealized gains                           $108,312  $153,252
                                                 ========  ========
</TABLE>    
 
                                                                              61
<PAGE>
 
    
 THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)     
   
(3)INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)     
   
  The amortized cost and fair value of investments in marketable securities by
type of investment were as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                GROSS UNREALIZED
                                     AMORTIZED  ----------------    FAIR
                                        COST     GAINS   LOSSES    VALUE
                                     ---------- -------- ------- ----------
                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                  <C>        <C>      <C>     <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1996
Available-for-sale:
  United States government and gov-
   ernment agencies and authorities  $  302,820 $  2,397 $ 6,756 $  298,461
  States, municipalities, and polit-
   ical subdivisions                     11,296      759     --      12,055
  Foreign governments                     1,926      --       54      1,872
  Corporate securities                2,450,126  115,846  19,554  2,546,418
  Mortgage-backed securities          1,792,807   64,834  42,365  1,815,276
                                     ---------- -------- ------- ----------
    Total fixed maturities            4,558,975  183,836  68,729  4,674,082
  Equity securities--unaffiliated       353,983  107,172   5,168    455,987
  Equity securities--affiliated          75,526   18,284     --      93,810
                                     ---------- -------- ------- ----------
    Total equity securities             429,509  125,456   5,168    549,797
                                     ---------- -------- ------- ----------
      Total available-for-sale        4,988,484  309,292  73,897  5,223,879
Held-to-maturity:
  Corporate securities                  904,994   50,187   3,130    952,051
  Mortgage-backed securities            220,644    7,833   1,416    227,061
                                     ---------- -------- ------- ----------
    Total held-to-maturity            1,125,638   58,020   4,546  1,179,112
                                     ---------- -------- ------- ----------
      Total                          $6,114,122 $367,312 $78,443 $6,402,991
                                     ========== ======== ======= ==========
DECEMBER 31, 1995
Available-for-sale:
  United States government and gov-
   ernment agencies and authorities  $  261,669 $ 10,911 $   440 $  272,140
  States, municipalities, and polit-
   ical subdivisions                     26,317    3,262     --      29,579
  Foreign governments                     1,704      223     --       1,927
  Corporate securities                2,523,889  169,329   6,098  2,687,120
  Mortgage-backed securities          1,711,773   62,510   3,488  1,770,795
                                     ---------- -------- ------- ----------
    Total fixed maturities            4,525,352  246,235  10,026  4,761,561
Equity securities--unaffiliated         196,355   91,269   1,590    286,034
Equity securities--affiliated            81,199   17,649     --      98,848
                                     ---------- -------- ------- ----------
    Total equity securities             277,554  108,918   1,590    384,882
                                     ---------- -------- ------- ----------
      Total available-for-sale        4,802,906  355,153  11,616  5,146,443
Held-to-maturity:
  United States government and gov-
   ernment agencies and authorities         250        3     --         253
  States, municipalities, and polit-
   ical subdivisions                        525        6     --         531
  Corporate securities                  953,511   89,962     525  1,042,948
  Mortgage-backed securities            226,368   11,540     117    237,791
                                     ---------- -------- ------- ----------
    Total held-to-maturity            1,180,654  101,511     642  1,281,523
                                     ---------- -------- ------- ----------
      Total                          $5,983,560 $456,664 $12,258 $6,427,966
                                     ========== ======== ======= ==========
</TABLE>    
 
62
<PAGE>
 
                 
              THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)     
   
(3)INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)     
   
  The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities at
December 31, 1996, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected
maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have
the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment
penalties.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                   AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE     HELD-TO-MATURITY
                                  --------------------- ---------------------
                                  AMORTIZED     FAIR    AMORTIZED     FAIR
                                     COST      VALUE       COST      VALUE
                                  ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                               <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Due in one year or less           $   33,390 $   33,429 $    4,889 $    4,948
Due after one year through five
 years                               435,040    459,870    163,206    168,527
Due after five years through ten
 years                             1,383,954  1,429,460    223,848    235,754
Due after ten years                  913,784    936,047    513,051    542,822
                                  ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
                                   2,766,168  2,858,806    904,994    952,051
Mortgage-backed securities         1,792,807  1,815,276    220,644    227,061
                                  ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
  Total                           $4,558,975 $4,674,082 $1,125,638 $1,179,112
                                  ========== ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>    
   
  At December 31, 1996 and 1995, bonds and certificates of deposit with a
carrying value of $12,934,000 and $15,296,000, respectively, were on deposit
with various regulatory authorities as required by law.     
   
  Allowances for credit losses on investments are reflected on the consolidated
balance sheets as a reduction of the related assets and were as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                         1996    1995
                        ------- -------
                        (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                     <C>     <C>
Mortgage loans          $ 1,895 $ 1,711
Foreclosed real estate      535     400
Investment real estate    2,529   2,565
                        ------- -------
  Total                 $ 4,959 $ 4,676
                        ======= =======
</TABLE>    
   
  At December 31, 1996, the recorded investment in mortgage loans that were
considered to be impaired was $6,518,000 before allowance for credit losses.
Included in this amount is $2,225,000 of impaired loans, for which the related
allowance for credit losses is $395,000, and $4,293,000 of impaired loans that,
as a result of adequate fair market value of underlying collateral, do not have
an allowance for credit losses.     
   
  At December 31, 1995, the recorded investment in mortgage loans that were
considered to be impaired was $12,232,000 before allowance for credit losses.
Included in this amount is $3,256,000 of impaired loans, for which the related
allowance for credit losses is $211,000, and $8,976,000 of impaired loans that,
as a result of adequate fair market value of underlying collateral, do not have
an allowance for credit losses.     
   
  In addition to the allowance for credit losses on impaired mortgage loans, a
general allowance for credit losses was established for potential impairments
in the remainder of the mortgage loan portfolio. The general allowance was
$1,500,000 at December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.     
   
  Changes in the allowance for credit losses on mortgage loans were as follows:
    
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                               1996    1995    1994
                              ------  ------  ------
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                           <C>     <C>     <C>
Balance at beginning of year  $1,711  $2,449  $2,412
Provision for credit losses      381     127     622
Charge-offs                     (197)   (865)   (585)
                              ------  ------  ------
  Balance at end of year      $1,895  $1,711  $2,449
                              ======  ======  ======
</TABLE>    
 
                                                                              63
<PAGE>
 
    
 THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)     
 
(3)INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
   
  Below is a summary of interest income on impaired mortgage loans.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                          1996   1995    1994
                                                         ------ ------- -------
                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                      <C>    <C>     <C>
Average impaired mortgage loans                          $9,375 $15,845 $20,236
Interest income on impaired mortgage loans--contractual   1,796   1,590   2,103
Interest income on impaired mortgage loans--collected     1,742   1,515   1,963
</TABLE>    
   
(4) NET FINANCE RECEIVABLES     
   
Finance receivables as of December 31 were as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                       1996      1995
                                     --------  --------
                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                  <C>       <C>
Direct installment loans             $204,038  $178,262
Retail installment notes               30,843    32,345
Retail revolving credit                24,863    14,864
Credit card receivables                 3,541     4,479
Accrued interest                        3,404     3,147
                                     --------  --------
Gross receivables                     266,689   233,097
Allowance for uncollectible amounts    (7,497)   (6,377)
                                     --------  --------
  Finance receivables, net           $259,192  $226,720
                                     ========  ========
</TABLE>    
   
  Direct installment loans at December 31, 1996 consisted of $93,127,000 of
discount basis loans (net of unearned finance charges) and $110,911,000 of
interest-bearing loans. As of December 31, 1995, discount basis loans amounted
to $92,351,000 and interest-bearing loans amounted to $85,911,000. Direct
installment loans generally have a maximum term of 84 months. Retail
installment notes are principally discount basis, arise from the sale of
household appliances, furniture, and sundry services, and generally have a
maximum term of 48 months. Experience has shown that a substantial portion of
finance receivables will be renewed, converted or paid in full prior to
maturity.     
   
  Principal cash collections of direct installment loans amounted to
$92,438,000, $75,865,000 and $70,941,000, and the percentage of these cash
collections to average net balances was 48%, 47% and 55% for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.     
   
  Changes in the allowance for uncollectible amounts for the years ended
December 31 were as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                               1996     1995    1994
                              -------  ------  ------
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                           <C>      <C>     <C>
Balance at beginning of year  $ 6,377  $5,360  $4,801
Provision for credit losses    10,086   6,140   4,652
Charge-offs                   (11,036) (6,585) (5,305)
Recoveries                      2,070   1,462   1,212
                              -------  ------  ------
  Balance at end of year      $ 7,497  $6,377  $5,360
                              =======  ======  ======
</TABLE>    
 
64
<PAGE>
 
                 
              THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)     
   
(5) INCOME TAXES     
   
Income tax expense varies from the amount computed by applying the federal
income tax rate of 35% to income from operations before taxes. The significant
components of this difference were as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                           1996     1995     1994
                          -------  -------  -------
                              (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>
Computed tax expense      $69,753  $74,631  $49,781
Differences between
 computed and actual tax
 expense:
  Dividends received
   deduction               (2,534)  (1,710)  (1,293)
  Special tax on mutual
   life insurance
   companies                2,760   10,134    9,880
  Tax credits              (3,475)  (1,840)  (1,150)
  Expense adjustments and
   other                    2,273    2,159    4,912
                          -------  -------  -------
    Total tax expense     $68,777  $83,374  $62,130
                          =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>    
   
  The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the Company's net
deferred federal tax liability were as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                        1996     1995
                                                      -------- --------
                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                   <C>      <C>      <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Policyowner liabilities                             $ 15,854 $ 22,151
  Unearned fee income                                   43,232   43,576
  Pension and post-retirement benefits                  21,815   20,187
  Tax deferred policy acquisition costs                 58,732   47,228
  Net realized capital losses                            8,275    7,881
  Other                                                 19,229   17,997
                                                      -------- --------
    Gross deferred tax assets                          167,137  159,020
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Deferred policy acquisition costs                    206,331  188,906
  Real estate and property and equipment depreciation   10,089    9,049
  Basis difference on investments                        8,605    7,402
  Net unrealized capital gains                          81,339  119,604
  Other                                                 10,438    7,964
                                                      -------- --------
    Gross deferred tax liabilities                     316,802  332,925
                                                      -------- --------
      Net deferred tax liability                      $149,665 $173,905
                                                      ======== ========
</TABLE>    
   
  A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was not considered necessary as
of December 31, 1996 and 1995, because the Company believes that it is more
likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized through future
reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and future taxable income.
       
  Income taxes paid for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, were
$79,026,000, $64,390,000 and $45,268,000, respectively.     
 
                                                                              65
<PAGE>
 
    
 THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)     
   
(6) LIABILITY FOR UNPAID ACCIDENT AND HEALTH CLAIMS AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT
EXPENSES     
   
Activity in the liability for unpaid accident and health claims and claim
adjustment expenses is summarized as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                  1996     1995      1994
                                -------- --------  --------
                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                             <C>      <C>       <C>
Balance at January 1            $377,302 $349,311  $323,304
  Less: reinsurance recoverable   80,333   61,624    51,549
                                -------- --------  --------
Net balance at January 1         296,969  287,687   271,755
                                -------- --------  --------
Incurred related to:
  Current year                   134,727  129,896   129,028
  Prior years                      4,821   (4,014)      860
                                -------- --------  --------
Total incurred                   139,548  125,882   129,888
                                -------- --------  --------
Paid related to:
  Current year                    51,695   47,620    46,270
  Prior years                     70,073   68,980    67,686
                                -------- --------  --------
Total paid                       121,768  116,600   113,956
                                -------- --------  --------
Net balance at December 31       314,749  296,969   287,687
  Plus: reinsurance recoverable  102,161   80,333    61,624
                                -------- --------  --------
Balance at December 31          $416,910 $377,302  $349,311
                                ======== ========  ========
</TABLE>    
   
  The liability for unpaid accident and health claims and claim adjustment
expenses is included in future policy and contract benefits and pending policy
and contract claims on the consolidated balance sheets.     
   
  Incurred claims related to prior years are due to the differences between
actual and estimated claims incurred as of the end of the prior year and
interest credited to future policy and contract benefits.     
   
(7) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS     
   
Pension Plans     
   
The Company has noncontributory defined benefit retirement plans covering
substantially all employees and certain agents. Benefits are based upon years
of participation and the employee's average monthly compensation or the agent's
adjusted annual compensation. Plan assets are comprised of mostly stocks and
bonds which are held in the general and separate accounts of the Company and
administered under group annuity contracts issued by the Company. The Company's
funding policy is to contribute annually the minimum amount required by
applicable regulations. The Company also has an unfunded noncontributory
defined benefit retirement plan which provides certain employees with benefits
in excess of limits for qualified retirement plans.     
   
  Net periodic pension cost for the years ended December 31 included the
following components:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                    1996      1995     1994
                                                  --------  --------  -------
                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                               <C>       <C>       <C>
Service cost--benefits earned during the period   $  6,019  $  5,294  $ 4,880
Interest accrued on projected benefit obligation     8,541     7,935    7,382
Actual return on plan assets                       (12,619)  (18,061)  (1,331)
Net amortization and deferral                        4,698    11,811   (5,094)
                                                  --------  --------  -------
  Net periodic pension cost                       $  6,639  $  6,979  $ 5,837
                                                  ========  ========  =======
</TABLE>    
 
66
<PAGE>
 
                 
              THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)     
   
(7) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)     
   
  The funded status for the Company's plans as of December 31 was calculated as
follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                           FUNDED PLANS       UNFUNDED PLAN
                                         ------------------  ----------------
                                           1996      1995     1996     1995
                                         --------  --------  -------  -------
                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                      <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>
Actuarial present value of benefit ob-
 ligations:
  Vested benefit obligation              $ 61,328  $ 56,428  $   --   $   --
  Non-vested benefit obligation            19,119    16,599    5,912    4,539
                                         --------  --------  -------  -------
    Accumulated benefit obligation       $ 80,447  $ 73,027  $ 5,912  $ 4,539
                                         ========  ========  =======  =======
Pension liability included in other li-
 abilities:
  Projected benefit obligation           $117,836  $105,180  $12,576  $10,430
  Plan assets at fair value               115,107   102,594      --       --
                                         --------  --------  -------  -------
  Plan assets less than projected bene-
   fit obligation                           2,729     2,586   12,576   10,430
  Unrecognized net gain (loss)              3,633     2,095   (2,332)  (1,187)
  Unrecognized prior service cost            (364)     (213)     --       --
  Unamortized transition asset (obliga-
   tion)                                    2,422     2,643   (8,451)  (9,219)
  Additional minimum liability                --        --     4,119    4,515
                                         --------  --------  -------  -------
    Net pension liability                $  8,420  $  7,111  $ 5,912  $ 4,539
                                         ========  ========  =======  =======
</TABLE>    
   
  A weighted average discount rate of 7.5% and a weighted average rate of
increase in future compensation levels of 5.8% were used in determining the
actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligation at December 31,
1996 and 1995. The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets was either
7.5% or 8.5%, depending on the plan.     
   
Profit Sharing Plans     
   
The Company also has profit sharing plans covering substantially all employees
and agents. The Company's contribution rate to the employee plan is determined
annually by the trustees of the Company and is applied to each participant's
prior year earnings. The Company's contribution to the agent plan is made as a
certain percentage, based upon years of service, applied to each agent's total
annual compensation. The Company recognized contributions to the plans during
1996, 1995 and 1994 of $6,092,000, $6,595,000 and $6,866,000, respectively.
Participants may elect to receive a portion of their contributions in cash.
       
Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions     
   
The Company also has unfunded postretirement plans that provide certain health
care and life insurance benefits to substantially all retired employees and
agents. Eligibility is determined by age at retirement and years of service
after age 30. Health care premiums are shared with retirees, and other cost-
sharing features include deductibles and co-payments.     
   
Components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the years ended
December 31 were as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                   1996    1995    1994
                                                  ------  ------  ------
                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                               <C>     <C>     <C>
Service cost--benefits earned during the period   $1,011  $1,276  $1,760
Interest accrued on projected benefit obligation   2,041   2,452   2,298
Amortization of prior service cost                  (513)   (513)   (223)
Amortization of net gain                            (177)    --      --
                                                  ------  ------  ------
  Net periodic postretirement benefit cost        $2,362  $3,215  $3,835
                                                  ======  ======  ======
</TABLE>    
 
                                                                              67
<PAGE>
 
    
 THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)     
   
(7) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)     
   
  The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and the accrued
postretirement benefit liability for the years ended December 31 were as
follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                         1996    1995
                                                        ------- -------
                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                     <C>     <C>
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
  Retirees                                              $10,238 $11,875
  Other fully eligible plan participants                  4,594   5,535
  Other active plan participants                          9,514   9,809
                                                        ------- -------
    Total accumulated postretirement benefit obligation  24,346  27,219
Unrecognized prior service cost                           4,107   4,620
Unrecognized net gain                                     9,880   4,743
                                                        ------- -------
      Accrued postretirement benefit liability          $38,333 $36,582
                                                        ======= =======
</TABLE>    
   
  The discount rate used in determining the accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation for 1996 and 1995 was 7.5%. The 1996 net health care cost trend rate
was 9.0%, graded to 5.5% over 7 years, and the 1995 rate was 11.0%, graded to
5.5% over 11 years.     
   
  The assumptions presented herein are based on pertinent information available
to management as of December 31, 1996 and 1995. Actual results could differ
from those estimates and assumptions. For example, increasing the assumed
health care cost trend rates by one percentage point in each year would
increase the postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 1996 by
$4,262,000 and the estimated eligibility cost and interest cost components of
net periodic postretirement benefit costs for 1996 by $583,000.     
   
(8) REINSURANCE     
   
In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to limit its exposure to
loss on any single insured and to recover a portion of benefits paid by ceding
reinsurance to other insurance companies. To the extent that a reinsurer is
unable to meet its obligations under the reinsurance agreement, the Company
remains liable. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers
and monitors concentrations of credit risk to minimize its exposure to
significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies.     
   
  Reinsurance is accounted for over the life of the underlying reinsured
policies using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the
underlying policies.     
   
  The effect of reinsurance on premiums for the years ended December 31 was as
follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                       1996      1995      1994
                     --------  --------  --------
                           (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                  <C>       <C>       <C>
Direct premiums      $615,098  $600,841  $558,066
Reinsurance assumed    64,489    64,792    60,939
Reinsurance ceded     (67,228)  (61,863)  (56,987)
                     --------  --------  --------
      Net premiums   $612,359  $603,770  $562,018
                     ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>    
   
  Reinsurance recoveries on ceded reinsurance contracts were $72,330,000,
$58,338,000 and $60,970,000 during 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.     
 
68
<PAGE>
 
                 
              THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)     
   
(9) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS     
   
The estimated fair value of the Company's financial instruments has been
determined using available market information as of December 31, 1996 and 1995.
Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect
the estimated fair values, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued
since those dates. Therefore, estimates of fair value subsequent to the
valuation dates may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.
Considerable judgment is required to interpret market data to develop the
estimates of fair value. The use of different market assumptions and/or
estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value
amounts.     
   
  Please refer to Note 2 for additional fair value disclosures concerning fixed
maturity securities, equity securities, mortgages and derivatives. The carrying
amounts for policy loans, cash, short term investments and finance receivables
approximate the assets' fair values.     
   
  The interest rates on the finance receivables outstanding as of December 31,
1996 and 1995, are consistent with the rates at which loans would currently be
made to borrowers of similar credit quality and for the same maturity; as such,
the carrying value of the finance receivables outstanding as of December 31,
1996 and 1995, approximate the fair value for those respective dates.     
   
  The fair values of deferred annuities, annuity certain contracts, and other
fund deposits, which have guaranteed interest rates and surrender charges, are
estimated to be the amount payable on demand as of December 31, 1996 and 1995.
The amount payable on demand equates to the account balance less applicable
surrender charges. Contracts without guaranteed interest rates and surrender
charges have fair values equal to their accumulation values plus applicable
market value adjustments. The fair values of guaranteed investment contracts
and supplementary contracts without life contingencies are calculated using
discounted cash flows, based on interest rates currently offered for similar
products with maturities consistent with those remaining for the contracts
being valued.     
   
  Rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and
remaining maturities are used to estimate the fair value of notes payable.     
   
  The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's financial instruments
which were classified as assets as of December 31 were as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                    1996                  1995
                            --------------------- ---------------------
                             CARRYING     FAIR     CARRYING     FAIR
                              AMOUNT     VALUE      AMOUNT     VALUE
                            ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Fixed maturity securities:
  Available-for-sale        $4,674,082 $4,674,082 $4,761,561 $4,761,561
  Held-to-maturity           1,125,638  1,179,112  1,180,654  1,281,523
Equity securities              549,797    549,797    384,882    384,882
Mortgage loans:
  Commercial                   432,198    445,976    373,897    391,089
  Residential                  176,610    180,736    234,640    239,723
Policy loans                   204,178    204,178    198,716    198,716
Short-term investments         122,772    122,772     72,841     72,841
Cash                            57,140     57,140     48,358     48,358
Finance receivables, net       259,192    259,192    226,720    226,720
Derivatives                      1,197      1,197        --         --
                            ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
    Total financial assets  $7,602,804 $7,674,182 $7,482,269 $7,605,413
                            ========== ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>    
 
                                                                              69
<PAGE>
 
    
 THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)     
   
(9) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)     
   
  The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's financial instruments
which were classified as liabilities as of December 31 were as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                         1996                  1995
                                 --------------------- ---------------------
                                  CARRYING     FAIR     CARRYING     FAIR
                                   AMOUNT     VALUE      AMOUNT     VALUE
                                 ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                              <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Deferred annuities               $2,178,355 $2,152,636 $2,178,223 $2,156,886
Annuity certain contracts            52,636     53,962     48,492     50,732
Other fund deposits                 808,592    805,709    856,535    847,975
Guaranteed investment contracts      18,770     18,866     47,426     47,987
Supplementary contracts without
 life contingencies                  47,966     47,536     41,431     39,962
Notes payable                       319,000    325,974    279,967    294,103
                                 ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
    Total financial liabilities  $3,425,319 $3,404,683 $3,452,074 $3,437,645
                                 ========== ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>    
   
(10) NOTES PAYABLE     
   
In September 1995, the Company issued surplus notes with a face value of
$125,000,000, at 8.25%, due in 2025. The surplus notes are subordinate to all
current and future policyowners' interests, including claims, and indebtedness
of the Company. All payments of interest and principal on the notes are subject
to the approval of the Department of Commerce. The approved accrued interest
was $3,008,000 as of December 31, 1996 and 1995. The issuance costs of
$1,403,000 are deferred and amortized over 30 years on a straight-line basis.
       
  Notes payable as of December 31 were as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                              1996     1995
                                                            -------- --------
                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                         <C>      <C>
Corporate--surplus notes, 8.25%, 2025                       $125,000 $124,967
Consumer finance subsidiary--senior, 6.53%--8.77%, through
 2003                                                        194,000  155,000
                                                            -------- --------
    Total notes payable                                     $319,000 $279,967
                                                            ======== ========
</TABLE>    
   
  At December 31, 1996, the aggregate minimum annual notes payable maturities
for the next five years were as follows: 1997, $21,000,000; 1998, $31,000,000;
1999, $49,000,000; 2000, $33,000,000; 2001, $26,000,000.     
   
  Long-term borrowing agreements involving the consumer finance subsidiary
include provisions with respect to borrowing limitations, payment of cash
dividends on or purchases of common stock, and maintenance of liquid net worth.
As of December 31, 1996, the consumer finance subsidiary was required to have a
minimum liquid net worth of $41,354,000. Liquid net worth at that date was
$51,803,000.     
   
  Interest paid on debt for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
was $21,849,000, $6,504,000 and $5,378,000, respectively.     
   
(11) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES     
   
The Company is involved in various pending or threatened legal proceedings
arising out of the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the
ultimate resolution of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect
on operations or the financial position of the Company.     
   
  The Company has issued certain participating group annuity and life insurance
contracts jointly with another life insurance company. The joint contract
issuer has liabilities related to these contracts of     
 
70
<PAGE>
 
                 
              THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)     
   
(11) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)     
   
$328,346,000 as of December 31, 1996. To the extent the joint contract issuer
is unable to meet its obligation under the agreement, the Company remains
liable.     
   
  The Company has long-term commitments to fund venture capital and real estate
investments totaling $142,469,000 as of December 31, 1996. The Company
estimates that $35,000,000 of these commitments will be invested in 1997, with
the remaining $107,469,000 invested over the next four years.     
   
  As of December 31, 1996, the Company had committed to purchase bonds and
mortgage loans totaling $74,123,000 but had not completed the purchase
transactions.     
   
  At December 31, 1996, the Company had guaranteed the payment of $68,700,000
in policyowner dividends and discretionary amounts payable in 1997. The Company
has pledged bonds, valued at $70,336,000, to secure this guarantee.     
   
  The Company is contingently liable under state regulatory requirements for
possible assessments pertaining to future insolvencies and impairments of
unaffiliated insurance companies. The Company records a liability for future
guaranty fund assessments based upon known insolvencies, according to data
received from the National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty
Associations. An asset is held for the amount of guaranty fund assessments paid
which can be recovered through future premium tax credits.     
   
(12) STATUTORY FINANCIAL DATA     
   
Statutory accounting is primarily focused on solvency and surplus adequacy.
Therefore, fundamental differences exist between statutory and GAAP accounting,
and their effects on income and policyowners' surplus are illustrated below:
    
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                           POLICYOWNERS' SURPLUS           NET INCOME
                           ----------------------  ----------------------------
                              1996        1995       1996      1995      1994
                           ----------  ----------  --------  --------  --------
                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                        <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>
Statutory basis            $  682,886  $  601,565  $115,797  $ 88,706  $ 65,123
Adjustments:
  Deferred policy acquisi-
   tion costs                 589,517     539,732    15,312    29,822    43,974
  Net unrealized invest-
   ment gains                 111,575     235,143       --        --        --
  Statutory asset valua-
   tion reserve               240,474     201,721       --        --        --
  Statutory interest main-
   tenance reserve             24,707      32,899    (8,192)   12,976    (4,426)
  Premiums and fees de-
   ferred or receivable       (75,716)    (77,444)    1,587       497    (2,310)
  Change in reserve basis      98,406      77,464    20,114    12,382    (1,444)
  Separate accounts           (40,755)    (36,010)   (6,304)     (854)   (5,837)
  Unearned policy and con-
   tract fees                (121,843)   (122,786)   (2,530)   (4,410)  (10,406)
  Surplus notes              (125,000)   (124,967)      --        --        --
  Net deferred taxes         (149,665)   (173,905)      744   (11,995)    1,511
  Nonadmitted assets           31,531      28,211       --        --        --
  Policyowner dividends        57,765      57,263       502     4,660     2,446
  Other                       (25,454)    (26,036)   (6,512)   (1,925)   (8,528)
                           ----------  ----------  --------  --------  --------
    As reported in the
     accompanying
     consolidated
     financial statements  $1,298,428  $1,212,850  $130,518  $129,859  $ 80,103
                           ==========  ==========  ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>    
 
                                                                              71
<PAGE>
 
    
 THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
                                   
                                SCHEDULE I     
        
     SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS--OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES     
                                
                             DECEMBER 31, 1996     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                   AS SHOWN
                                                       MARKET   ON THE BALANCE
TYPE OF INVESTMENT                         COST(3)     VALUE       SHEET(1)
- ------------------                        ---------- ---------- --------------
                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>
Bonds:
  United States government and government
   agencies and authorities               $  302,820 $  298,461   $  298,461
  States, municipalities and political
   subdivisions                               11,296     12,055       12,055
  Foreign governments                          1,926      1,872        1,872
  Public utilities                           547,228    590,445      573,030
  Mortgage-backed securities               2,013,451  2,042,337    2,035,920
  All other corporate bonds                2,807,892  2,908,024    2,878,382
                                          ---------- ----------   ----------
    Total bonds                            5,684,613  5,853,194    5,799,720
                                          ---------- ----------   ----------
Equity securities:
  Common stocks:
    Public utilities                             510        611          611
    Banks, trusts and insurance companies     12,824     21,484       21,484
    Industrial, miscellaneous and all
     other                                   329,792    422,401      422,401
  Nonredeemable preferred stocks              10,857     11,491       11,491
                                          ---------- ----------   ----------
      Total equity securities                353,983    455,987      455,987
                                          ---------- ----------   ----------
Mortgage loans on real estate                608,808     xxxxxx      608,808
Real estate (2)                               43,082     xxxxxx       43,082
Policy loans                                 204,178     xxxxxx      204,178
Other long-term investments                   98,247     xxxxxx       98,247
Short-term investments                       122,772     xxxxxx      122,772
                                          ----------              ----------
      Total                               $1,077,087     xxxxxx   $1,077,087
                                          ----------              ----------
Total investments                         $7,115,683     xxxxxx   $7,332,794
                                          ==========              ==========
</TABLE>    
- -------
   
(1) Amortized cost for bonds classified as held-to-maturity and fair value for
    common stocks and bonds classified as available-for-sale.     
   
(2) The carrying value of real estate acquired in satisfaction of indebtedness
    is $1,810,000.     
   
(3) Original cost for equity securities and original cost reduced by repayments
    and adjusted for amortization of premiums or accrual of discounts for bonds
    and other investments.     
 
72
<PAGE>
 
    
 THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                             
                                  SCHEDULE III
                      SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION
                                 
                              (IN THOUSANDS)     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                   AS OF DECEMBER 31,                                     FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                   --------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------
                               FUTURE POLICY                                                                AMORTIZATION          
                    DEFERRED      BENEFITS                OTHER POLICY                         BENEFITS,    OF DEFERRED           
                     POLICY    LOSSES, CLAIMS              CLAIMS AND                NET     CLAIMS, LOSSES    POLICY      OTHER  
                   ACQUISITION AND SETTLEMENT  UNEARNED     BENEFITS    PREMIUM   INVESTMENT AND SETTLEMENT ACQUISITION  OPERATING
SEGMENT               COSTS     EXPENSES(1)   PREMIUMS(2)   PAYABLE    REVENUE(3)   INCOME      EXPENSES       COSTS     EXPENSES 
- -------            ----------- -------------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ---------- -------------- ------------ ----------
                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)                                           
<S>                <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>          <C>      
1996:                                                                                                                             
 Life insurance     $456,461     $2,123,148    $149,152     $51,772     $568,874   $223,762     $478,228      $ 97,386   $290,525 
 Accident and                                                                                                                     
 health insurance     62,407        437,118      33,770      18,774      160,097     34,202       96,743        14,017     87,222 
 Annuity              70,649      3,360,614         --           31       79,245    267,473      243,387        14,575    111,366 
 Property and                                                                                                                     
 liability                                                                                                                        
 insurance               --          27,855      24,189         --        50,109      5,550       36,933           --      19,033 
                    --------     ----------    --------     -------     --------   --------     --------      --------   -------- 
                    $589,517     $5,948,735    $207,111     $70,577     $858,325   $530,987     $855,291      $125,978   $508,146 
                    ========     ==========    ========     =======     ========   ========     ========      ========   ======== 
1995:                                                                                                                             
 Life insurance     $430,829     $2,009,154    $151,864     $41,212     $540,353   $203,487     $454,299      $ 80,896   $266,090 
 Accident and                                                                                                                     
 health insurance     55,888        400,950      34,847      14,567      153,505     33,358       93,482        11,448     83,345 
 Annuity              53,015      3,401,760         --           33       74,899    272,499      260,854        12,596     86,716 
 Property and                                                                                                                     
 liability                                                                                                                        
 insurance               --          30,117      23,783         --        49,216      5,703       33,563           --      18,090 
                    --------     ----------    --------     -------     --------   --------     --------      --------   -------- 
                    $539,732     $5,841,981    $210,494     $55,812     $817,973   $515,047     $842,198      $104,940   $454,241 
                    ========     ==========    ========     =======     ========   ========     ========      ========   ======== 
1994:                                                                                                                             
 Life insurance     $510,117     $1,867,170    $133,221     $47,099     $505,300   $192,141     $443,233      $ 59,351   $245,791 
 Accident and                                                                                                                     
 health insurance     46,506        352,955      36,529      17,142      136,619     30,119       93,359        12,401     75,380 
 Annuity              92,664      3,263,042         --           12       60,479    258,196      238,301        14,725     79,498 
 Property and                                                                                                                     
 liability                                                                                                                        
 insurance               --          32,807      21,865         --        47,735      5,645       33,829           --      18,717 
                    --------     ----------    --------     -------     --------   --------     --------      --------   -------- 
                    $649,287     $5,515,974    $191,615     $64,253     $750,133   $486,101     $808,722      $ 86,477   $419,386 
                    ========     ==========    ========     =======     ========   ========     ========      ========   ======== 
<CAPTION> 

                    FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                    --------------------------------
                                 PREMIUMS
SEGMENT                         WRITTEN(4)
- -------                         ----------
                               (IN THOUSANDS) 
<S>                             <C>
1996:                          
 Life insurance                
 Accident and                  
 health insurance              
 Annuity                       
 Property and                  
 liability                     
 insurance                        50,515
                                 -------
                                 $50,515
                                 =======
1995:                          
 Life insurance                
 Accident and                  
 health insurance              
 Annuity                       
 Property and                  
 liability                     
 insurance                        51,133
                                 -------
                                 $51,133
                                 =======
1994:                          
 Life insurance                
 Accident and                  
 health insurance              
 Annuity                       
 Property and                  
 liability                     
 insurance                        47,073
                                 -------
                                 $47,073
                                 =======

</TABLE>    
- -----
   
(1) Includes policy and contract account balances     
   
(2) Includes unearned policy and contract fees     
   
(3) Includes policy and contract fees     
   
(4) Applies only to property and liability insurance     
       
                                                                              73
<PAGE>
 
    
 THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
                                   
                                SCHEDULE IV     
 
                                  REINSURANCE
              
           FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PERCENTAGE
                                        CEDED TO     ASSUMED                OF AMOUNT
                                          OTHER    FROM OTHER      NET      ASSUMED TO
                          GROSS AMOUNT  COMPANIES   COMPANIES     AMOUNT       NET
                          ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------
                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                       <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
1996:
 Life insurance in force  $116,445,975 $15,164,764 $22,957,287 $124,238,498    18.5%
                          ============ =========== =========== ============
 Premiums:
   Life insurance         $    347,056 $    45,988 $    63,044 $    364,112    17.3%
   Accident and health
    insurance                  174,219      15,511       1,389      160,097     0.9%
   Annuity                      38,041          --          --       38,041      --
   Property and liability
    insurance                   55,782       5,729          56       50,109     0.1%
                          ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
     Total premiums       $    615,098 $    67,228 $    64,489 $    612,359    10.5%
                          ============ =========== =========== ============
1995:
 Life insurance in force  $106,228,277 $15,620,303 $24,289,241 $114,897,215    21.1%
                          ============ =========== =========== ============
 Premiums:
   Life insurance         $    342,433 $    44,778 $    62,169 $    359,824    17.3%
   Accident and health
    insurance                  163,412      12,296       2,389      153,505     1.6%
   Annuity                      41,225          --          --       41,225      --
   Property and liability
    insurance                   53,771       4,789         234       49,216     0.5%
                          ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
     Total premiums       $    600,841 $    61,863 $    64,792 $    603,770    10.7%
                          ============ =========== =========== ============
1994:
 Life insurance in force  $ 99,220,067 $13,570,369 $23,520,616 $109,170,314    21.5%
                          ============ =========== =========== ============
 Premiums:
   Life insurance         $    322,799 $    38,088 $    59,064 $    343,775    17.2%
   Accident and health
    insurance                  145,333      10,007       1,293      136,619     0.9%
   Annuity                      33,889          --          --       33,889      --
   Property and liability
    insurance                   56,045       8,892         582       47,735     1.2%
                          ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
     Total premiums       $    558,066 $    56,987 $    60,939 $    562,018    10.8%
                          ============ =========== =========== ============
</TABLE>    
 
74



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