<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO
FORM S-6
File No. 33-62457
FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OF
SECURITIES OF UNIT INVESTMENT TRUSTS REGISTERED ON FORM
N-8B-2
A. Exact name of trust: IDS Life Variable Life Separate Account
B. Name of depositor: IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
C. Complete address of depositor's principal executive offices:
IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440-0010
D. Name and complete address of agent for service:
Mary Ellyn Minenko, Esq.
IDS Life Insurance Company
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440-0010
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph(b)
[X] on April 30, 1999 pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of rule (485)
[ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post effective amendment.
E. Title of securities being registered:
Flexible Premium Survivorship Variable Life Insurance Policy
F. Approximate date of proposed public offering: not applicable
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Flexible Premium Survivorship Variable Life Insurance Policy
PROSPECTUS APRIL 30, 1999
IDS LIFE VARIABLE LIFE SEPARATE ACCOUNT
Issued and sold by:
IDS Life Insurance Company,
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440,
Telephone: 800-437-0602
web site address: http:\\www.americanexpress.com\advisors
This prospectus contains information about the insurance policy that you should
know before investing. You also will receive prospectuses for the underlying
funds that are investment options under your policy. Please read all
prospectuses carefully and keep them for future reference.
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE
SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO
THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
AN INVESTMENT IN THIS POLICY IS NOT A DEPOSIT OF A BANK OR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
AND IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR
ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. AN INVESTMENT IN THIS POLICY INVOLVES INVESTMENT
RISK INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
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Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE POLICY IN BRIEF 3
KEY TERMS 6
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT 9
THE FUNDS 10
IDS Life Series Fund -- Equity Portfolio 10
IDS Life Series Fund -- Income Portfolio 10
IDS Life Series Fund -- Money Market
Portfolio 10
IDS Life Series Fund -- Managed Portfolio 10
IDS Life Series Fund --
Government Securities Portfolio 10
IDS Life Series Fund --
International Equity Portfolio 10
AIM V.I. Growth and Income Fund 11
Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund --
Class IA Shares 11
Fund objectives 11
Relationship between funds and
subaccounts 12
RATES OF RETURN OF THE FUNDS AND SUBACCOUNTS 13
THE FIXED ACCOUNT 15
PURCHASING YOUR POLICY 16
Application 16
Right to examine policy 16
Premiums 17
KEEPING THE POLICY IN FORCE 18
Death benefit guarantee to age 85 18
Death benefit guarantee to age 100 18
Minimum initial premium period 19
Grace period 19
Reinstatement 20
LOADS, FEES AND CHARGES 21
Premium expense charge 21
Monthly deduction 21
Surrender charge 22
Partial surrender fee 23
Mortality and expense risk charge 23
Fund expenses 23
POLICY VALUE 25
Fixed account value 25
Subaccount values 25
PROCEEDS PAYABLE UPON DEATH 28
Change in death benefit option 29
Changes in specified amount 30
Misstatement of age or sex 30
Suicide 30
Beneficiary 30
TRANSFERS BETWEEN THE FIXED ACCOUNT AND
SUBACCOUNTS 31
Fixed account transfer policies 31
Minimum transfer amounts 31
Maximum transfer amounts 31
Maximum number of transfers per year 31
Two ways to request a transfer,
loan or surrender 32
Automated transfers 32
Automated dollar-cost averaging 33
POLICY LOANS 34
POLICY SURRENDERS 36
Total surrenders 36
Partial surrenders 36
Allocation of partial surrenders 36
Effects of partial surrenders 36
Taxes 37
Exchange right 37
OPTIONAL INSURANCE BENEFITS 38
Four-Year Term Insurance Rider 38
Policy Split Option Rider 38
PAYMENT OF POLICY PROCEEDS 39
FEDERAL TAXES 42
IDS Life's tax status 42
Taxation of policy proceeds 42
Modified endowment contracts 43
Other tax considerations 44
IDS LIFE 46
Ownership 46
State regulation 46
Distribution of the policy 46
Legal proceedings 47
Year 2000 47
Experts 48
MANAGEMENT OF IDS LIFE 49
OTHER FUND MANAGERS 51
OTHER INFORMATION 52
Substitution of investments 52
Voting rights 52
Reports 53
POLICY ILLUSTRATIONS 54
2 PROSPECTUS
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The policy in brief
PURPOSE: The purpose of the policy is to provide life insurance
protection on two insureds and to build policy value. The
policy provides a death benefit that is payable to the
beneficiary upon the last surviving insured's death. As in the
case of other life insurance policies, it may not be
advantageous to purchase this policy as a replacement for, or
an addition to an existing life insurance policy. The policy
allows you, as the owner, to allocate your net premiums or
transfer policy value, to:
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT, consisting of subaccounts, each of which invests in a
fund with a particular investment objective. You may direct premiums to any or
all of eight of these subaccounts. Your policy's value may increase or
decrease daily, depending on the investment return. No minimum amount is
guaranteed. (p. 9)
THE FIXED ACCOUNT, which earns interest at rates that are adjusted
periodically by IDS Life. This rate will never be lower than 4%. (p. 15)
LOADS, FEES AND CHARGES:
You pay the following charges, either directly (such as
deductions from your premium payments or your policy value), or
indirectly (as deductions from the underlying funds.) These
charges primarily compensate IDS Life for administering and
distributing the policy as well as paying policy benefits and
assuming related risks:
- - PREMIUM EXPENSE CHARGE -- charge deducted from each premium payment to cover
some distribution expenses, state and local premium taxes and federal taxes.
(p. 21)
- - MONTHLY DEDUCTION -- charged against the value of your policy each month
(prior to the youngest insured's attained insurance age 100), covering the
cost of insurance, cost of issuing the policy, certain administrative expenses
and optional insurance benefits. (p. 21)
- - SURRENDER CHARGE -- applies if you surrender your policy for its full cash
surrender value, or the policy lapses, during the first 15 years. The
surrender charge is a deferred charge for costs of issuing the policy. We base
it on the initial specified amount. (p. 22)
- - PARTIAL SURRENDER FEE -- applies if you surrender part of the value of your
policy; equals $25 or 2% of the amount surrendered, whichever is less. (p. 23)
- - MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE -- applies only to the subaccounts; equals,
on an annual basis, 0.9% of the average daily net asset value of the
subaccounts. (p. 23)
- - FUND EXPENSES -- applies only to the underlying funds and consists of
investment management fees, taxes, brokerage commissions and nonadvisory
expenses. (p. 23)
PURCHASING YOUR POLICY:
To apply, send a completed application and premium payment to
IDS Life's home office. You will need to provide medical and
other evidence that the persons you propose to insure (yourself
or someone else) is insurable according to our underwriting
rules before we can accept your application. (p. 16)
RIGHT TO EXAMINE POLICY:
You may return your policy for any reason and receive a full
refund of your premiums by mailing us the policy and a written
request for cancellation within a specified period. (p. 16)
PREMIUMS: In applying for your policy, you state how much you intend to
pay and whether you will pay quarterly, semiannually or
annually. You may make additional unscheduled premium payments
subject to certain limits. You cannot make premium payments on
or after the youngest insured's attained insurance age 100. We
may refuse premiums in order to comply with the Code. (p. 17)
3 PROSPECTUS
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The policy in brief
DBG-85: A feature of the policy guaranteeing that the policy will not
lapse before the youngest insured's attained insurance age 85
(or 15 policy years, if later). This feature is in effect if
you meet certain premium payment requirements. (p. 18)
DBG-100: A feature of the policy guaranteeing that the policy will not
lapse before the youngest insured's attained insurance age 100.
This feature is in effect if you meet certain premium payment
requirements. (p. 18)
MINIMUM INITIAL PREMIUM PERIOD:
A period of time during the early years of the policy when the
policy will not lapse even if the cash surrender value is less
than the amount needed to pay the monthly deduction. This
feature is in effect if you meet certain premium payment
requirements. (p. 19)
GRACE PERIOD: If the cash surrender value of your policy becomes less than
the amount needed to pay the monthly deduction, and neither of
the death benefit guarantees nor the minimum initial premium
period is in effect, you will have 61 days to pay the premium
needed so that the next three monthly deductions can be paid.
If you don't, the policy will lapse. (p. 19)
REINSTATEMENT: If your policy lapses, it can be reinstated within five years.
The reinstatement is subject to certain conditions including
evidence of insurability satisfactory to IDS Life and the
payment of a sufficient premium. Neither the DBG-85 nor DBG-100
can be reinstated. (p. 20)
PROCEEDS PAYABLE UPON DEATH:
Prior to the youngest insured's attained insurance age 100,
your policy's death benefit can never be less than the
specified amount, less outstanding indebtedness. The
relationship between the policy value and the death benefit
depends on which of two options you choose:
- - OPTION 1 LEVEL AMOUNT: The death benefit is the greater of the specified
amount or a percentage of policy value.
- - OPTION 2 VARIABLE AMOUNT: The death benefit is the greater of the specified
amount plus the policy value or a percentage of policy value.
You may change the death benefit option or specified amount
within certain limits; doing so generally will affect policy
charges. On or after the youngest insured's attained insurance
age 100, the proceeds payable upon the death of the last
surviving insured will be the cash surrender value. (p. 28)
TRANSFERS BETWEEN THE FIXED ACCOUNT AND SUBACCOUNTS:
You may, at no charge, transfer policy value from one
subaccount to another or between subaccounts and the fixed
account. (Certain restrictions apply to transfers involving the
fixed account.) We reserve the right to limit transfers to no
more than five transfers per year by phone or mail. You can
also arrange for automated transfers on a monthly, quarterly,
semiannual or annual basis. (p. 31)
POLICY LOANS: You may borrow against your policy's cash surrender value. A
policy loan, even if repaid, can have a permanent effect on the
death benefit and policy value. A loan may also have tax
consequences if your policy lapses or you surrender it. (p. 34)
POLICY SURRENDERS:
You may cancel this policy while it is in force and receive its
cash surrender value. The cash surrender value is the policy
value minus indebtedness, minus any applicable surrender
charges. (p. 36)
4 PROSPECTUS
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EXCHANGE RIGHT: For two years after the policy is issued, you can exchange it
for one that provides benefits that do not vary with the
investment return of the subaccounts. Because the policy itself
offers a fixed return option, all you need to do is transfer
all of the policy value in the subaccounts to the fixed
account. (p. 37)
PAYMENT OF POLICY PROCEEDS:
We will pay policy proceeds when you surrender the policy or
the last surviving insured dies. You or the beneficiary may
choose whether you want us to make a lump sum payment or
payments under one or more of certain options. (p. 39)
FEDERAL TAXES: The death benefit is not considered part of the beneficiary's
income and thus is not subject to federal income taxes. When
the proceeds are paid after the youngest insured's attained
insurance age 100, if the amount received plus any indebtedness
exceeds your investment in the policy, the excess may be
taxable as ordinary income. Part or all of any proceeds you
receive through full or partial surrender, lapse, policy loan
or assignment of policy value may be subject to federal income
tax as ordinary income. Proceeds other than death benefits from
certain policies, classified as "modified endowments," are
taxed differently from proceeds of conventional life insurance
contracts and also may be subject to an additional 10% IRS
penalty tax if you are younger than 59 1/2. A policy is
considered to be a modified endowment if it was applied for or
materially changed after June 21, 1988, and premiums paid in
the early years exceed certain modified endowment limits. (p.
42)
5 PROSPECTUS
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Key terms
THESE TERMS CAN HELP YOU UNDERSTAND DETAILS ABOUT YOUR POLICY.
ACCUMULATION UNIT: An accounting unit used to calculate the policy value of the
subaccounts.
ATTAINED INSURANCE AGE: Each insured's insurance age plus the number of policy
anniversaries since the policy date. Attained insurance age changes only on a
policy anniversary.
CASH SURRENDER VALUE: Proceeds received if you surrender the policy in full or
the amount payable if the last surviving insured's death occurs on or after the
youngest insured's attained insurance age 100. The cash surrender value equals
the policy value minus indebtedness, minus any applicable surrender charges.
CLOSE OF BUSINESS: Closing time of the New York Stock Exchange, normally 3 p.m.,
Central time.
CODE: The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
DEATH BENEFIT GUARANTEE TO AGE 85 (DBG-85): A feature of the policy guaranteeing
that the policy will not lapse before the youngest insured's attained insurance
age 85 (or 15 policy years, if later). This feature is in effect if you meet
certain premium payment requirements.
DEATH BENEFIT GUARANTEE TO AGE 85 (DBG-85) PREMIUM: The premium required to keep
the DBG-85 in effect. The DBG-85 premium is shown in your policy. It depends on
each insured's sex, insurance age, risk classification, optional insurance
benefits added by rider and the initial specified amount.
DEATH BENEFIT GUARANTEE TO AGE 100 (DBG-100): A feature of the policy
guaranteeing that the policy will not lapse before the youngest insured's
attained insurance age 100. This feature is in effect if you meet certain
premium payment requirements.
DEATH BENEFIT GUARANTEE TO AGE 100 (DBG-100) PREMIUM: The premium required to
keep the DBG-100 in effect. The DBG-100 premium is shown in your policy. It
depends on each insured's sex, insurance age, risk classification, optional
insurance benefits added by rider and the initial specified amount.
FIXED ACCOUNT: The general investment account of IDS Life. The fixed account is
made up of all of IDS Life's assets other than those held in any separate
account.
FIXED ACCOUNT VALUE: The portion of the policy value that you allocate to the
fixed account, including indebtedness.
FUNDS: Mutual funds or portfolios, each with a different investment objective.
(See "The Funds.") Each of the subaccounts of the variable account invests in a
specific one of these funds.
IDS LIFE: In this prospectus, "we," "us," "our" and "IDS Life" refer to IDS Life
Insurance Company.
INDEBTEDNESS: All existing loans on the policy plus interest that has either
been accrued or added to the policy loan.
6 PROSPECTUS
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INSURANCE AGE: Each insured's age based upon his or her last birthday on the
date of the application.
INSUREDS: The persons whose lives are insured by the policy.
MINIMUM INITIAL PREMIUM PERIOD: A period of time during the early years of the
policy when the policy will not lapse even if the cash surrender value is less
than the amount needed to pay the monthly deduction. This feature is in effect
if you meet certain premium payment requirements.
MONTHLY DATE: The same day each month as the policy date. If there is no monthly
date in a calendar month, the monthly date is the first day of the next calendar
month.
NET AMOUNT AT RISK: A portion of the death benefit, equal to the total current
death benefit minus the policy value. This is the amount to which we apply cost
of insurance rates in determining the monthly cost of insurance.
NET PREMIUM: The premium paid minus the premium expense charge.
OWNER: The entity(ies) to which, or individual(s) to whom, we issue the policy,
or to whom you subsequently transfer ownership. In the prospectus "you" and
"your" refer to the owner.
POLICY ANNIVERSARY: The same day and month as the policy date each year the
policy remains in force.
POLICY DATE: The date we issue the policy is issued and from which we determine
policy anniversaries, policy years and policy months are determined.
POLICY VALUE: The sum of the fixed account value plus the variable account
value.
PROCEEDS: The amount payable under the policy as follows:
- - Upon death of the last surviving insured prior to the youngest insured's
attained insurance age 100, proceeds will be the death benefit in effect as of
the date of that insured's death, minus any indebtedness.
- - Upon the death of the last surviving insured on or after the youngest
insured's attained insurance age 100, proceeds will be the cash surrender
value.
- - On surrender of the policy the proceeds will be the cash surrender value.
RISK CLASSIFICATION: A group of insureds that IDS Life expects will have similar
mortality experience.
SCHEDULED PREMIUM: A premium you select at the time of application, of a level
amount, at a fixed interval of time.
SPECIFIED AMOUNT: An amount we use to determine the death benefit and the
proceeds payable upon death of the last surviving insured prior to the youngest
insured's attained insurance age 100. We show the initial specified amount in
your policy.
7 PROSPECTUS
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Key terms
SUBACCOUNT(S): One or more of the investment divisions of the variable account,
each of which invests in a particular fund.
SURRENDER CHARGE: A contingent deferred issue and administration expense charge
we assess against the policy value at the time of surrender during the first 15
years of the policy.
VALUATION DATE: A normal business day, Monday through Friday, on which the New
York Stock Exchange is open. We set the value of each subaccount at the close of
business on each valuation date.
VALUATION PERIOD: The interval commencing at the close of business on each
valuation date and ending at the close of business on the next valuation date.
VARIABLE ACCOUNT: IDS Life Variable Life Separate Account consisting of
subaccounts, each of which invests in a particular fund. The policy value in
each subaccount depends on the performance of the particular fund.
VARIABLE ACCOUNT VALUE: The sum of the values that you allocate to the
subaccounts of the variable account.
8 PROSPECTUS
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The variable account
We established the variable account on Oct. 16, 1985, under Minnesota law. It is
registered as a single unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act of
1940. The variable account consists of a number of subaccounts, each of which
invests in shares of a particular fund. This registration does not involve any
SEC supervision of the account's management or investment practices or policies.
The variable account meets the definition of a separate account under federal
securities laws. Income, capital gains or capital losses of each subaccount are
credited to or charged against the assets of that subaccount alone. State
insurance law provides that we will not charge a variable subaccount with
liabilities of any other subaccount or of any other business conducted by IDS
Life. Other variable life insurance policies that are not described in this
prospectus also invest in subaccounts of the variable account. At all times, IDS
Life will maintain assets in the subaccounts with total market value at least
equal to the reserves and other liabilities required to cover insurance benefits
under all contracts participating in the subaccount.
The U.S. Treasury and the IRS indicated they may provide additional guidance on
investment control. This concerns how many subaccounts an insurance company may
offer and how many exchanges among subaccounts it may allow before the owner
would be currently taxed on income earned within subaccount assets. We do not
know what he additional guidance will be or when action will be taken. We
reserve the right to modify the policy, as necessary, so that the owner will not
be subject to current taxation as the owner of the subaccount assets.
9 PROSPECTUS
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The funds
IDS Life Series Fund, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, is a diversified, open-end
management investment company incorporated on May 8, 1985. IDS Life Series Fund
International Equity Portfolio was added on October 24, 1994. IDS Life acts as
an investment manager and American Express Financial Corporation acts as the
investment advisor of the IDS Life Series Fund, Inc. American Express Trust
Company acts as custodian of the IDS Life Series Fund, Inc.'s investments.
IDS LIFE SERIES FUND -- EQUITY PORTFOLIO
Objective: capital appreciation. Invests primarily in common stocks and other
securities convertible into common stock.
IDS LIFE SERIES FUND -- INCOME PORTFOLIO
Objective: to maximize current income while attempting to conserve the value of
the investment and to continue the high level of income for the longest period
of time. At least 50% of net assets normally will be invested in high-quality,
lower-risk corporate bonds, unrated corporate bonds believed to have the same
investment qualities and government bonds. Other investments may include
lower-rated corporate bonds, bonds and common stocks sold together as a unit,
preferred stock and foreign securities.
IDS LIFE SERIES FUND -- MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
Objective: to provide maximum current income consistent with liquidity and
conservation of capital. Invests in relatively short-term money market
securities, such as marketable debt securities issued or guaranteed as to
principal and interest by the U.S. government or its agencies or
instrumentalities, bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, letters
of credit and high-grade commercial paper.
IDS LIFE SERIES FUND -- MANAGED PORTFOLIO
Objective: to maximize total investment return through a combination of capital
appreciation and current income. If the investment manager believes the stock
market will be moving higher, it can emphasize stocks that offer potential for
appreciation. At other times, the manager may increase the portfolio's holdings
in bonds and money-market securities providing high current income.
IDS LIFE SERIES FUND -- GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
Objective: to provide a high current return and safety of principal. Invests
primarily in debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest
by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities.
IDS LIFE SERIES FUND -- INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
Objective: capital appreciation. Invests primarily in common stocks of foreign
issuers and foreign securities convertible into common stock. Other investments
may include certain international bonds if the portfolio manager believes they
have greater potential for capital appreciation than equities.
10 PROSPECTUS
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AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.
AIM Variable Insurance Funds, Inc., a Maryland corporation, is an open-end,
series, management investment company incorporated on January 22, 1993. AIM
Advisors, Inc. acts as the investment advisor for AIM Variable Insurance Funds,
Inc.
AIM V.I. GROWTH AND INCOME FUND
Objective: to seek growth of capital with a secondary objective of current
income.
PUTNAM VARIABLE TRUST
Putnam Variable Trust is a Massachusetts business trust organized on September
24, 1987. Putnam Investment Management Inc. ("Putnam Management") acts as the
investment manager for the Putnam Variable Trust.
PUTNAM VT NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND -- CLASS IA SHARES
Objective: seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing principally in
common stocks of companies in sectors of the economy which Putnam Management
believes possess above-average long-term growth potential.
FUND OBJECTIVES
The investment managers and advisors cannot guarantee that the funds will meet
their investment objectives nor is there any guarantee that your policy value
will equal or exceed the total premiums you paid. You can find detailed
information about the funds, their investment objectives, policies, and risks in
the accompanying fund prospectuses. Please read these prospectuses carefully and
consider, on a continuing basis, which funds best suit your long-term investment
needs. Some funds involve more risk than others, so please monitor your
investment.
The investment objectives and policies of some of the funds may be similar to
the investment objectives and policies of other funds that the investment
managers or advisers or their affiliates manager. Although the objectives and
policies may be similar, the investment results of one fund may be higher or
lower than the results of the other fund. The investment manager or adviser
cannot guarantee, and makes no representation, that the investment results of
similar funds will be comparable even if the funds have the same investment
adviser, manager or sponsor..
11 PROSPECTUS
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The funds
Shares of all funds except the IDS Life Series Fund Portfolios are available to
serve as the underlying investment for variable life insurance policies,
variable annuities and qualified plans. Currently the shares of the IDS Life
Series Fund Portfolios are available to serve as the underlying investment for
variable life insurance only. However, in the future these shares also may be
available to serve as the underlying investment for variable life insurance
contracts, variable annuities and qualified plans. It is possible that in the
future it may not be an advantage for variable life insurance separate accounts,
variable annuity separate accounts, and/or qualified plans to invest in the
available funds simultaneously. Although IDS Life and the funds do not currently
foresee any such disadvantages, the boards of directors or trustees of the
appropriate funds will monitor events in order to identify any material
conflicts between such policy owners, contract owners and qualified plans to
determine what action, if any, they should take in response to a conflict. If a
board were to conclude that separate funds should be established for variable
life insurance, variable annuity and qualified plan separate accounts, the
variable life insurance policy holders would not bear any expenses associated
with establishing separate accounts. Please refer to the fund prospectuses for
risk disclosure regarding mixed and shared funding.
DIVERSIFICATION: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued final regulations
relating to the diversification requirements under Section 817(h) of the Code.
Each fund intends to comply with these requirements.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FUNDS AND SUBACCOUNTS
Each subaccount buys shares of the appropriate fund at net asset value without a
sales charge. Dividends and capital gain distributions from a fund are
reinvested at net asset value without a sales charge and held by the subaccount
as an asset. Each subaccount redeems fund shares without a charge to the extent
necessary to make death benefit or other payments under the policy.
12 PROSPECTUS
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Rates of return of the funds and subaccounts
This section presents rates of return, first for the funds and then for the
corresponding subaccounts. Rates of return are different in the two cases
because those of the subaccounts reflect additional charges. All charges and
expenses mentioned in the section are explained fully under "Loads, fees and
charges."
RATES OF RETURN OF FUNDS:
In the following table are average annual rates of return based on the actual
investment performance of the funds after deduction of applicable portfolio
expenses (including the investment management fees and nonadvisory expenses) for
the periods indicated assuming reinvestment of dividends and capital gains.
These rates do not reflect charges that apply to the subaccounts or the policy
and therefore do not illustrate how actual investment performance will affect
policy benefits. If these charges were reflected, the illustrated rates of
return would have been lower. Past performance does not guarantee future
results.
PERIOD ENDING 12/31/98
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
10 YEARS OR
FUND 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS SINCE COMMENCEMENT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
IDS LIFE SERIES FUND, INC.
Equity Portfolio (Beta 1.16*)
(1/86)** 9.05% 16.57% 17.64% 18.05%
Income Portfolio (1/86)** 5.46 5.63 6.41 8.91
Money Market Portfolio
(1/86)** 5.04 4.97 4.74 5.19
Managed Portfolio (Beta 0.72*)
(1/86)** 14.43 15.61 13.11 16.44
Government Securities
Portfolio (1/86)** 8.32 6.08 6.03 8.60
International Equity Portfolio
(10/94)** 21.51 19.09 -- 28.00
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS,
INC.
AIM V.I. Growth and Income
Fund (5/94)** 27.68 -- -- 22.49
PUTNAM VARIABLE TRUST
Putnam VT New Opportunities
Fund (5/94)** 24.38 -- -- 23.19
</TABLE>
* Beta is a volatility measure based on calculations of the funds monthly
returns compared to the S&P 500 Index. A beta less than one indicates
performance that is less volatile than the market. A beta more than one
indicates performance that is more volatile than the market.
** (Commencement date of the fund.)
13 PROSPECTUS
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Rates of return of the funds and subaccounts
RATES OF RETURN OF SUBACCOUNTS:
Average annual rates of return in the following table reflect all charges
incurred by the funds and charges against the subaccounts (including the
mortality and expense risk charge). The rates do not reflect the premium expense
charge, surrender charge or monthly deduction. If these charges were reflected,
the illustrated rates of return would have been lower.
We show actual performance from the date the subaccounts began investing in the
funds. For some subaccounts, we do not provide any performance information
because they are new and have not had any activity to date. Although we base
performance figures on historical earnings, past performance does not guarantee
future results.
PERIOD ENDING 12/31/98
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SINCE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SUBACCOUNTS
10 YEARS
OR SINCE
SUBACCOUNT INVESTING IN 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS COMMENCEMENT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
IDS LIFE SERIES FUND, INC.
U Equity Portfolio (1/86)* 8.08% 15.52% 16.58% 16.94%
V Income Portfolio (1/86)* 4.56 4.71 5.48 7.95
W Money Market Portfolio (1/86)* 4.12 4.09 3.87 4.29
X Managed Portfolio (1/86)* 13.40 14.63 12.09 15.29
Y Government Securities Portfolio (1/86)* 7.38 5.15 5.10 7.64
IL International Equity Portfolio (10/94)* 20.42 15.94 -- 19.59
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.
FGI AIM V.I. Growth and Income Fund (11/96)* 26.54 -- -- 24.22
PUTNAM VARIABLE TRUST
FNO Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund (11/96)* 23.27 -- -- 20.12
</TABLE>
* (Commencement date of the subaccount.)
14 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------
The fixed account
You can allocate premiums to the fixed account or transfer policy value from the
subaccounts to the fixed account (with certain restrictions, explained in
"Transfers between the fixed account and subaccounts").
The fixed account is the general investment account of IDS Life. It includes all
assets owned by IDS Life other than those in the variable account and other
separate accounts. Subject to applicable law, IDS Life has sole discretion to
decide how assets of the fixed account will be invested.
Placing policy value in the fixed account does not entitle you to share in the
fixed account's investment experience, nor does it expose you to the account's
investment risk. Instead, IDS Life guarantees that the policy value you place in
the fixed account will accrue interest at an effective annual rate of at least
4%, independent of the actual investment experience of the account. IDS Life
bears the full investment risk for amounts allocated to the fixed account.
We will not credit interest in excess of 4% on any portion of policy value in
the fixed account against which you have a policy loan outstanding.
Because of exemptive and exclusionary provisions, interests in the fixed account
have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and the fixed account
has not been registered as an investment company under the Investment Company
Act of 1940. Accordingly, neither the fixed account nor any interests in it are
subject to the provisions of these Acts and the staff of the SEC has not
reviewed the disclosures in this prospectus relating to the fixed account.
Disclosures regarding the fixed account may, however, be subject to certain
generally applicable provisions of the federal securities laws relating to the
accuracy and completeness of statements made in prospectuses.
15 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------------
Purchasing your policy
APPLICATION
To apply for coverage, complete an application and send it with your premium
payment to IDS Life's home office. In your application, you:
- - select a specified amount of insurance;
- - select a death benefit option;
- - designate a beneficiary; and
- - state how premiums are to be allocated among the fixed account and/or the
subaccounts.
INSURABILITY: Before issuing your policy, we require satisfactory evidence of
the insurability of the persons whose lives you propose to insure. Our
underwriting department will review your application and any medical information
or other data required to determine whether the proposed individuals are
insurable under our underwriting rules. We may decline your application if we
determine the individual is not insurable and we will return any premiums you
have paid.
AGE LIMIT: IDS Life generally will not issue a policy to persons over the
insurance age of 85. We may, however, do so at its sole discretion.
RISK CLASSIFICATION: The risk classification for each insured is based on that
insured's health, occupation or other relevant underwriting standards. This
classification will affect the monthly deduction. (See "Loads, fees and charges"
and "Optional insurance benefits.")
OTHER CONDITIONS: In addition to proving insurability, you and the insureds must
also meet certain conditions, stated in the application form, before coverage
will become effective and your policy is issued to you. The lives insured may be
covered under the terms of a conditional insurance agreement prior to a policy
being issued.
INCONTESTABILITY: IDS Life will have two years from the effective date of your
policy to contest the truth of statements or representations in your
application. After the policy has been in force during the lifetime of both
insureds for two years from the policy date, IDS Life home office cannot contest
the policy.
RIGHT TO EXAMINE POLICY
You may return your policy for any reason and receive a full refund of all
premiums paid. To do so, you must mail or deliver the policy to IDS Life or your
financial advisor, with a written request for cancellation:
- - by the 10th day after you receive it (15th day in Colorado, 20th day in North
Dakota) after IDS Life mails or personally delivers a written notice of
withdrawal right; or
- - the 45th day after you sign your application.
On the date your request is postmarked or received, the policy will immediately
be considered void from the start.
16 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
PREMIUMS
PAYMENT OF PREMIUMS:
In applying for your policy, you decide how much you intend to pay and how often
you will make payments. During the early policy years until the policy value is
sufficient to cover the surrender charge, IDS Life requires that you pay the
minimum initial premiums.
You may schedule payments annually, semiannually or quarterly. IDS Life must
approve payment at any other interval. We show this premium schedule in your
policy.
The scheduled premium serves only as an indication of your intent as to the
frequency and amount of future premium payments. You may skip scheduled premium
payments at any time if your cash surrender value is sufficient to pay the
monthly deduction, or if you have paid sufficient premium to keep the DBG-85,
the DBG-100 or the minimum initial premium period in effect.
You may also change the amount and frequency of scheduled premium payments by
written request. IDS Life reserves the right to limit the amount of such
changes. Any change in the premium amount is subject to applicable tax laws and
regulations.
Although you have flexibility in paying premiums, the amount and frequency of
your payments will affect the policy value, cash surrender value and length of
time your policy will remain in force, as well as affect whether the DBG-85,
DBG-100 or the minimum initial premium period remain in effect.
PREMIUM LIMITATIONS:
You may make unscheduled premium payments at any time and in an amount of at
least $50. IDS Life reserves the right to limit the number and amount of
unscheduled premium payments.
No premium payments, scheduled or unscheduled, are allowed on or after the
youngest insured's attained insurance age 100.
Also, in order to receive favorable tax treatment under the Code, premiums paid
during the life of the policy must not exceed certain limitations. To comply
with the Code, we can either refuse excess premiums as they are paid, or refund
excess premiums with interest no later than 60 days after the end of the policy
year in which they were paid.
ALLOCATION OF PREMIUMS:
Until the policy date, we hold all premiums in the fixed account, and we credit
interest on the net premiums (gross premiums minus premium expense charge) at
the current fixed account rate. As of the policy date, we will allocate the net
premiums plus accrued interest to the account(s) you have selected in your
application. At that time, we will begin to assess the various loads, fees and
charges.
We convert any amount that you allocate to a subaccount into accumulation units
of that subaccount, as explained under "Policy value." Similarly, when you
transfer value between subaccounts, we convert accumulation units in one
subaccount into a cash value, which we then convert into accumulation units of
the second subaccount.
17 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------------
Keeping the policy in force
This section includes a description of the policy provisions that determine if
the policy will remain in force or lapse (terminate). It is important that you
understand them so the appropriate premium payments are made to ensure that
insurance coverage meets your objectives.
If you wish to have a guarantee that the policy will remain in force until the
youngest insured's attained insurance age 100 regardless of investment
performance, you should pay at least the DBG-100 premiums.
If you wish to pay a lower premium and are satisfied to have a guarantee that
the policy will remain in force until the youngest insured's attained insurance
age 85 (or 15 policy years, if later) regardless of investment performance, you
should pay at least the DBG-85 premiums.
If you wish to pay yet a lower premium and are not concerned with a long-term
guarantee that the policy will remain in force regardless of investment
performance, you can pay premiums so that the cash surrender value on each
monthly date is sufficient to pay the monthly deduction. However, during the
minimum initial premium period, you must pay at least the minimum initial
premium until the policy value is greater than the surrender charge and the cash
surrender value is sufficient to pay the monthly deduction.
DEATH BENEFIT GUARANTEE TO AGE 85
The DBG-85 provides that your policy will remain in force until the youngest
insured reaches attained insurance age 85 (or 15 policy years, if later) even if
the cash surrender value is insufficient to pay the monthly deduction. The
DBG-85 will remain in effect, as long as:
- - the sum of premiums paid minus
- - partial surrenders; minus
18 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- - outstanding indebtedness; equals or exceeds
- - the DBG-85 premiums due since the policy date.
The DBG-85 premium is shown in the policy.
If, on a monthly date, you have not paid enough premiums to keep the DBG-85 in
effect, an additional period of 61 days will be allowed for you to pay a premium
sufficient to bring your total up to the required minimum. If you do not pay
this amount within 61 days, the DBG-85 will terminate. Your policy will also
lapse (terminate) if the cash surrender value is less than the amount needed to
pay the monthly deduction and the minimum initial premium period is not in
effect. Although the policy can be reinstated as explained below, the DBG-85
cannot be reinstated.
DEATH BENEFIT GUARANTEE TO AGE 100
The DBG-100 provides that your policy will remain in force until the youngest
insured's attained insurance age 100 even if the cash surrender value is
insufficient to pay the monthly deduction. The DBG-100 will remain in effect, as
long as:
- - the sum of premiums paid minus
- - partial surrenders; minus
- - outstanding indebtedness; equals or exceeds
- - the DBG-100 premiums due since the policy date.
The DBG-100 premium is shown in the policy.
If, on a monthly date, you have not paid enough premiums to keep the DBG-100 in
effect, an additional period of 61 days will be allowed for you to pay a premium
sufficient to bring your total up to the required minimum. If you do not pay
this amount within 61 days, the DBG-100 will terminate. If you have paid
sufficient premiums, the DBG-85 will be in effect. If the DBG-85 and DBG-100 are
not in effect, your policy will lapse (terminate) if the cash surrender value is
less than the amount needed to pay the monthly deduction and the minimum initial
premium period is not in effect. Although the policy can be reinstated as
explained below, the DBG-100 cannot be reinstated.
MINIMUM INITIAL PREMIUM PERIOD
To allow you to purchase this policy for the lowest premium possible, you may
choose to pay only the minimum initial premium during the minimum initial
premium period as long as the policy value minus indebtedness equals or exceeds
the monthly deduction. The policy will not enter the grace period during the
minimum initial premium period as shown in your policy under "Policy Data," if:
1. on a monthly date, the policy value minus indebtedness equals or exceeds the
monthly deduction for the policy month following such monthly date; and
2. the sum of all premiums paid, minus any partial surrenders, and minus any
indebtedness equals or exceeds the minimum initial premium, as shown in your
policy under "Policy Data," times the number of months since the policy date,
including the current month.
The minimum initial period is
4 years if the youngest insured's insurance age is 20-29
3 years if the youngest insured's insurance age is 30-39
2 years if the youngest insured's insurance age is 40-49
1 year if the youngest insured's insurance age is 50 and over
GRACE PERIOD
If the cash surrender value of the policy becomes less than that needed to pay
the monthly deduction and neither of the death benefit guarantees nor the
minimum initial premium period is in effect, you will have 61 days to pay the
required premium amount. If the required premium is not paid, the policy will
lapse.
IDS Life will mail a notice to your last known address, requesting payment of
the premium needed so that the next three monthly deductions can be made. If we
receive this premium before the end of the 61-day grace period, we will use the
payment to pay all monthly deductions and any other charges then due. Any
balance will be added to the policy value and allocated in the same manner as
other premium payments.
19 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
Keeping the policy in force
If a policy lapses with outstanding indebtedness, any excess of the outstanding
indebtedness over the premium paid generally will be taxable to the owner. (See
"Federal taxes.") If the last surviving insured dies during the grace period,
any overdue monthly deductions will be deducted from the death benefit.
REINSTATEMENT
Your policy may be reinstated within five years after it lapses, unless you
surrendered it for cash. To reinstate, IDS Life will require:
- - a written request;
- - evidence satisfactory to IDS Life that both insureds remain insurable or
evidence for the last surviving insured and due proof that the first death
occurred before the date of lapse;
- - payment of a premium that will keep the policy in force for at least three
months (one month in Virginia);
- - payment of the monthly deductions that were not collected during the grace
period; and
- - payment or reinstatement of any indebtedness.
The effective date of a reinstated policy will be the monthly date on or next
following the day IDS Life accepts your application for reinstatement. The
suicide period (see "Proceeds payable upon death") will apply from the effective
date of reinstatement (except in Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and
Virginia). Surrender charges will also be reinstated.
IDS Life will have two years from the effective date of reinstatement (except in
Virginia) to contest the truth of statements or representations in the
reinstatement application.
20 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------------
Loads, fees and charges
Policy charges compensate IDS Life for:
- - providing the insurance benefits of the policy;
- - issuing the policy;
- - administering the policy;
- - assuming certain risks in connection with the policy; and
- - distributing the policy.
We deduct some of these charges from your premium payments. We deduct others
periodically from your policy value in the fixed account and/or subaccounts. We
may also assess a charge if you surrender your policy or the policy lapses.
PREMIUM EXPENSE CHARGE
We deduct this charge from each premium payment. The amount remaining after the
deduction, called the net premium, is credited to the account(s) you have
selected. The premium expense charge has three parts:
SALES CHARGE: 7.25% of all premiums paid. Partially compensates IDS Life for
expenses in distributing the policy, including agents' commissions, advertising
and printing of prospectuses and sales literature.
PREMIUM TAX CHARGE: 2.5% of each premium payment. Compensates IDS Life for
paying taxes imposed by certain states and governmental subdivisions on premiums
received by insurance companies. All policies in all states are charged the
average rate of 2.5% even though state premium taxes vary from 2.0% to 3.5%.
This 2.5% rate may be different than the actual premium tax IDS Life expects to
pay in your state.
FEDERAL TAX CHARGE: 1.25% of each premium payment. Compensates IDS Life for
paying Federal taxes resulting from the sale of the policy and is a reasonable
charge in relation to IDS Life's federal tax burden. IDS Life reserves the right
to change the amount of this charge (except in Oregon) if applicable federal law
changes IDS Life's federal tax burden.
MONTHLY DEDUCTION
On each monthly date we deduct from the value of your policy in the fixed
account and/or subaccounts an amount equal to the sum of:
1. the cost of insurance for the policy month;
2. the policy fee shown in your policy; and
3. charges for any optional insurance benefits provided by rider for the policy
month.
We explain each of the three components below.
You specify, in your policy application, what percentage of the monthly
deduction from 0% to 100% will be taken from the fixed account and from each of
the subaccounts. You may change these percentages for future monthly deductions
by written request.
We will take monthly deductions from the fixed account and the subaccounts on a
pro rata basis if:
- - you do not specify the accounts from which the monthly deduction is to be
taken;
- - the value in the fixed account or any subaccount is insufficient to pay the
portion of the monthly deduction you have specified.
21 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
Loads, fees and charges
If the cash surrender value of your policy is not enough to pay the monthly
deduction on a monthly anniversary, the policy may lapse. However, the policy
will not lapse if the DBG-85, DBG-100 or the minimum initial premium period is
in effect. (See "Death benefit guarantee to age 85, Death benefit guarantee to
age 100, Minimum initial premium period;" also "Grace period" and
"Reinstatement.")
COMPONENTS OF THE MONTHLY DEDUCTION:
1. COST OF INSURANCE: the cost providing the death benefit under your policy.
The cost of insurance for a policy month is calculated as:
[a X (b - c)] + d
where:
(a) IS THE MONTHLY COST OF INSURANCE RATE based on each insureds insurance age,
duration of coverage, sex (unless unisex rates are required by law) and risk
classification. Generally, the cost of insurance rate will increase as the
attained insurance age of each insured increases.
We set the rates based on our expectations as to future mortality experience. We
may change the rates from time to time; any change will apply to all individuals
of the same risk classification. However, rates will not exceed the Guaranteed
Maximum Cost of Insurance Rates shown in your policy, which are based on the
1980 Commissioners Standard Ordinary Smoker or Nonsmoker Mortality Tables, Age
Last Birthday.
(b) IS THE DEATH BENEFIT on the monthly date divided by 1.0032737 (which reduces
IDS Life's net amount at risk, solely for computing the cost of insurance, by
taking into account assumed monthly earnings at an annual rate of 4%).
(c) IS THE POLICY VALUE on the monthly date. At this point, the policy value has
been reduced by the policy fee and any charges for optional riders.
(d) IS ANY FLAT EXTRA INSURANCE CHARGES we assess as a result of special
underwriting considerations.
2. POLICY FEE: $30 per month for the first 15 policy years. This charge
reimburses IDS Life for expenses of issuing the policy, such as processing the
application (primarily underwriting) and setting up computer records; and of
administering the policy, such as processing claims, maintaining records, making
policy changes and communicating with owners. IDS Life does not expect to make
any profit on this charge. We reserve the right to change the charge in the
future, but guarantee that it will never exceed $30 per month.
3. OPTIONAL INSURANCE BENEFIT CHARGES: charges for any optional benefits added
to the policy by rider. (See "Optional insurance benefits.")
SURRENDER CHARGE
If you surrender your policy or the policy lapses during the first 15 policy
years, we will assess a surrender charge. The surrender charge is a contingent
deferred issue and administration expense charge. It reimburses IDS Life for
costs of issuing the policy, such as processing the application (primarily
underwriting) and setting up computer records. IDS Life does not expect to make
a profit on this charge. This
22 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
charge is $4 per thousand dollars of initial specified amount. It remains level
during the first five policy years and then decreases monthly until it is zero
at the end of 15 policy years.
PARTIAL SURRENDER FEE
If you surrender part of the value of your policy, you will be charged $25 (or
2% of the amount surrendered, if less). This fee is guaranteed not to increase
for the duration of your policy.
MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE
This charge applies only to the subaccounts and not to the fixed account. It is
equal, on an annual basis, to 0.9% of the daily net asset value of the
subaccounts -- a level guaranteed for the life of the policy. Computed daily,
the charge compensates
IDS Life for:
- MORTALITY RISK -- the risk that the cost of insurance charge will be
insufficient to meet actual claims.
- EXPENSE RISK -- the risk that the policy fee and the contingent deferred
issue and administration expense charge (described above) may be
insufficient to cover the cost of administering the policy.
Any profit from the mortality and expense risk charge would be available to IDS
Life for any proper corporate purpose including, among others, payment of sales
and distribution expenses, which we do not expect to be covered by the sales
charge discussed earlier. Any further deficit will have to be made up from IDS
Life's general assets.
FUND EXPENSES
The investment managers and advisors receive fees for their services to the
funds. The funds also pay taxes, brokerage commissions and nonadvisory expenses,
such as custodian and trustee fees, registration fees for shares, postage,
fidelity and security bond costs, legal fees and other miscellaneous fees and
charges. The table below will help you understand the expenses that the funds
pay.
23 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
Loads, fees and charges
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS
(as a percentage of average daily net assets)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IDS LIFE IDS LIFE IDS LIFE IDS LIFE
SERIES FUND- SERIES FUND- SERIES FUND- SERIES FUND-
EQUITY INCOME MONEY MARKET MANAGED
PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management fees 0.70% 0.70% 0.50% 0.70%
12b-1 fees -- -- -- --
Other expenses 0.02 0.04 0.10 0.02
Total 0.72%** 0.74%** 0.60%** 0.72%**
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IDS LIFE IDS LIFE
SERIES FUND- SERIES FUND- PUTNAM VT NEW
GOVERNMENT INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
SECURITIES EQUITY AIM V.I. FUND
(AFTER EXPENSE (AFTER EXPENSE GROWTH AND CLASS IA
LIMITATION) LIMITATION) INCOME FUND SHARES
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management fees 0.70% 0.95% 0.61% 0.56%
12b-1 fees -- -- -- --
Other expenses 0.10* 0.10* 0.04 0.05
Total 0.80%** 1.05%** 0.65%*** 0.61%***
</TABLE>
* IDS Life has agreed to a voluntary limit of 0.1%, on an annual basis, of
the average daily net assets of each of the IDS Life Series Fund Portfolios
for other expenses like taxes and brokerage commissions and for nonadvisory
expenses. If the 0.1% limitation had not been in place, these other
expenses would have been 0.19% for IDS Life Series Fund-Government
Securities Portfolio and 0.11% for IDS Life Series Fund-International
Equity Portfolio. IDS Life reserves the right to discontinue limiting these
other expenses at 0.1%. However, its present intention is to continue the
limit until the time that actual expenses are less than the limit
** Annual operating expenses at April 30, 1998
*** Annual operating expenses at Dec. 31, 1998
IDS Life has entered into certain agreements under which it is compensated by
the advisors and/or distributors of the AIM V.I. Growth and Income Fund and
Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund for the administrative services it provides to
these funds.
OTHER INFORMATION ON CHARGES:
IDS Life may reduce or eliminate various fees and charges when we incur lower
sales costs and/or perform fewer administrative services than usual.
24 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------------
Policy value
The value of your policy is the sum of values in the fixed account and each
subaccount of the variable account.
FIXED ACCOUNT VALUE
The value in the fixed account on the policy date (when the policy is issued)
equals the portion of your initial net premium that you have allocated to the
fixed account, plus interest accrued before the policy date, minus the portion
of the monthly deduction for the first policy month that you have allocated to
the fixed account.
On any later date, the value in the fixed account equals:
- - the value on the previous monthly date; plus
- - net premiums allocated to the fixed account since the last monthly date; plus
- - any transfers to the fixed account from the subaccounts, including loan
transfers, since the last monthly date; plus
- - accrued interest on all of the above; minus
- - any transfers from the fixed account to the subaccounts, including loan
repayment transfers, since the last monthly date; minus
- - any partial surrenders or partial surrender fees allocated to the fixed
account since the last monthly date; minus
25 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
Policy value
- - interest on any transfers or partial surrenders, from the date of the transfer
or surrender to the date of calculation; minus
- - any portion of the monthly deduction for the coming month that is allocated to
the fixed account if the date of calculation is a monthly date.
SUBACCOUNT VALUES
The value in each subaccount changes daily, depending on the investment
performance of the fund in which that subaccount invests and on other factors
detailed below. There is no guaranteed minimum subaccount value. You, as owner,
bear the entire investment risk.
CALCULATION OF SUBACCOUNT VALUE: The value in each subaccount on the policy date
equals the portion of your initial net premium allocated to that subaccount plus
interest accrued before the policy date, minus the portion of the monthly
deduction for the first policy month that you have allocated to that subaccount.
The value of each subaccount on each subsequent valuation date equals:
- - the value of the subaccount on the preceding valuation date, multiplied by the
net investment factor for the current valuation period (explained below); plus
- - net premiums received and allocated to the subaccount during the current
valuation period; plus
- - any transfers to the subaccount (from the fixed account or other subaccounts,
including loan repayment transfers) during the period; minus
- - any transfers from the subaccount including loan transfers during the current
valuation period; minus
- - any partial surrenders and partial surrender fees allocated to the subaccount
during the period; minus
- - any portion of the monthly deduction allocated to the subaccount during the
period.
The net investment factor measures the investment performance of a subaccount
from one valuation period to the next. Because performance may fluctuate, the
value of a subaccount may increase or decrease from day to day.
ACCUMULATION UNITS: The policy value allocated to each subaccount is converted
into accumulation units. Each time you direct a premium payment or transfer
policy value into one of the subaccounts, a certain number of accumulation units
are credited to your policy for that subaccount. Conversely, each time you take
a partial surrender or transfer value out of a subaccount, a certain number of
accumulation units are subtracted.
Accumulation units are the true measure of investment value in each subaccount.
For subaccounts investing in the funds, they're related to, but not the same as,
the net asset value of the corresponding fund. The dollar value of each
accumulation unit can rise or fall daily, depending on the investment
performance of the underlying fund and on certain charges. Here's how unit
values are calculated:
NUMBER OF UNITS: To calculate the number of units for a particular subaccount,
we divide your investment (net premium or transfer amount) by the current
accumulation unit value.
ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE: The current value for each subaccount equals the last
value times the current net investment factor.
NET INVESTMENT FACTOR: Determined at the end of each valuation period, this
factor equals
(a DIVIDED BY b) - c,
where:
(a) equals:
- - net asset value per share of the fund; plus
- - per-share amount of any dividend or capital gain distribution made by the
relevant fund to the subaccount; plus
- - any credit or minus any charge for reserves to cover any tax liability
resulting from the investment operations of the subaccount.
(b) equals:
- - net asset value per share of the fund at the end of the preceding valuation
period; plus
- - any credit or minus any charge for reserves to cover any tax liability in the
preceding valuation period.
(c) is a percentage factor representing the mortality and expense risk charge,
as described in "Loads, fees and charges," above.
26 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
FACTORS THAT AFFECT SUBACCOUNT ACCUMULATION UNITS:
Accumulation units may change in two ways; in number and in value. Here are the
factors that influence those changes:
The number of accumulation units you own may fluctuate due to:
- - additional purchase payments allocated to the subaccounts;
- - transfers into or out of the subaccount(s);
- - partial surrenders and partial surrender fees;
- - surrender charges; and/or
- - monthly deductions
Accumulation unit values will fluctuate due to:
- - changes in underlying funds(s) net asset value;
- - dividends distributed to the subaccount(s);
- - capital gains or losses of underlying funds;
- - fund operating expenses; and/or
- - mortality and expense risk charges.
27 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------------
Proceeds payable upon death
We will pay a benefit to the beneficiary of the policy when the last surviving
insured dies.
If that death is prior to the youngest insured's attained insurance age 100, the
amount payable is based on the specified amount and death benefit option you
have selected, as described below, less any indebtedness.
If the last surviving insured's death is on or after the youngest insured's
attained insurance age 100, the amount payable is the cash surrender value.
OPTION 1 (LEVEL AMOUNT): Under this option, the policy's value is part of the
specified amount. The Option 1 death benefit is the greater of:
- - the specified amount on the date of the last surviving insured's death; or
- - the applicable percentage of the policy value on the date of the last
surviving insured's death, if that death occurs on a valuation date, or on the
next valuation date following the date of death. (See table below.)
Youngest insured's attained insurance age in the table below refers to the
youngest life insured or the age such person would have reached.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE TABLE
<CAPTION>
YOUNGEST YOUNGEST
INSURED'S APPLICABLE INSURED'S APPLICABLE
ATTAINED PERCENTAGE OF ATTAINED PERCENTAGE OF
INSURANCE POLICY INSURANCE POLICY
AGE VALUE AGE VALUE
<S> <C> <C> <C>
40 or younger 250% 61 128%
41 243 62 126
42 236 63 124
43 229 64 122
44 222 65 120
45 215 66 119
46 209 67 118
47 203 68 117
48 197 69 116
49 191 70 115
50 185 71 113
51 178 72 111
52 171 73 109
53 164 74 107
54 157 75 - 95 105
55 150 96 104
56 146 97 103
57 142 98 102
58 138 99 101
59 134 100 100
60 130
</TABLE>
The percentage is designed to ensure that the policy meets the provisions of
Federal tax law, which require a minimum death benefit in relation to policy
value for your policy to qualify as life insurance.
28 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
OPTION 2 (VARIABLE AMOUNT): Under this option, the policy value is added to the
specified amount. The Option 2 death benefit is the greater of:
- - the policy value plus the specified amount; or
- - the applicable percentage of policy value on the date of the last surviving
insured's death, if that death occurs on a valuation date, or on the next
valuation date following the date of death. (See table above.)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLES: OPTION 1 OPTION 2
<S> <C> <C>
specified amount $1,000,000 $1,000,000
policy value $50,000 $50,000
death benefit $1,000,000 $1,050,000
policy value increases to $80,000 $80,000
death benefit $1,000,000 $1,080,000
policy value decreases to $30,000 $30,000
death benefit $1,000,000 $1,030,000
</TABLE>
If you want to have premium payments and favorable investment performance
reflected partly in the form of an increasing death benefit, you should consider
Option 2. If you are satisfied with the specified amount of insurance protection
and prefer to have premium payments and favorable investment performance
reflected to the maximum extent in the policy value, you should consider Option
1. Under Option 1, the cost of insurance is lower because IDS Life's net amount
at risk is generally lower; for this reason, the monthly deduction is less, and
a larger portion of your premiums and investment returns is retained in the
policy value.
CHANGE IN DEATH BENEFIT OPTION
You may make a written request to change the death benefit option once per
policy year. A change in the death benefit option also will change the specified
amount. You do not need to provide additional evidence of insurability.
IF YOU CHANGE FROM OPTION 1 TO OPTION 2: The specified amount will decrease by
an amount equal to the policy value on the effective date of the change. You
cannot change from Option 1 to Option 2 if the resulting specified amount would
fall below the minimum amount shown in policy.
IF YOU CHANGE FROM OPTION 2 TO OPTION 1: The specified amount will increase by
an amount equal to the policy value on the effective date of the change.
An increase or decrease in specified amount resulting from a change in the death
benefit option will affect the following cost:
- - Monthly deduction because the cost of insurance depends upon the
specified amount.
- - Minimum monthly premium
- - Charges for certain optional insurance benefits.
The surrender charge will not be affected.
29 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
Proceeds payable upon death
CHANGES IN SPECIFIED AMOUNT
Subject to certain limitations, you may make a written request to decrease the
specified amount at any time. Decreases in specified amount may have tax
implications, discussed in the section "Modified endowment contracts" under
"Federal taxes."
DECREASES: Any decrease in specified amount will take effect on the monthly
anniversary on or next following our receipt of your written request. The
specified amount remaining after the decrease may not be less than the minimum
specified amount shown in the policy. If, following a decrease in specified
amount, the policy would no longer qualify as life insurance under federal tax
law, the decrease may be limited to the extent necessary to meet these
requirements.
A decrease in specified amount will affect your costs as follows:
- - Your monthly deduction will decrease because the cost of insurance charge
depends on the specified amount.
- - Charges for certain optional insurance benefits may decrease.
- - The surrender charge will not change.
No surrender charge is imposed when you request a decrease in the specified
amount.
INCREASES: Increases in specified amount are not permitted. If you wish to
purchase additional insurance, you should purchase an additional policy.
Currently, we do not charge the policy fee for the additional policy.
MISSTATEMENT OF AGE OR SEX
If an insured's age or sex has been misstated, the proceeds payable upon the
last surviving insured's death will be:
- - the policy value on the date of death; plus
- - the amount of insurance that would have been purchased by the cost of
insurance deducted for the policy month during which death occurred, if that
cost had been calculated using rates for the correct age and sex; minus
- - the amount of any outstanding indebtedness on the date of death.
SUICIDE
If either of the insureds dies by suicide while sane or insane within two years
from the policy date, the only amount payable will be the premiums paid, minus
the amount of any outstanding indebtedness. The policy will terminate as of the
date of the first death by suicide.
In Colorado and North Dakota, the suicide period is shortened to one year. In
Missouri, IDS Life must prove that the insured intended to commit suicide at the
time he or she applied for coverage.
BENEFICIARY
Initially, the beneficiary will be the person you designate in your application
for the policy. You may change the beneficiary by giving written notice to IDS
Life, subject to requirements and restrictions stated in the policy. If you do
not designate a beneficiary, or if the designated beneficiary dies before the
last surviving insured, the beneficiary will be you or your estate.
30 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------------
Transfers between the fixed account and subaccounts
You may transfer policy values from one subaccount to another or between
subaccounts and the fixed account. For most transfers, we will process your
transfer request at the end of the valuation period during which your request is
received. There is no charge for transfers. Before transferring policy value,
you should consider the risks involved in switching investments.
We may suspend or modify the transfer privilege at any time. Transfers involving
the fixed account are subject to the restrictions below.
FIXED ACCOUNT TRANSFER POLICIES
- - You must make transfers from the fixed account during a 30-day period starting
on a policy anniversary, except for automated transfers, which can be set up
for monthly, quarterly or semiannual transfer periods.
- - If we receive your request to transfer amounts from the fixed account within
30 days before the policy anniversary, the transfer will become effective on
the anniversary.
- - If we receive your request on or within 30 days after the policy anniversary,
the transfer will be effective on the day we receive it.
- - We will not accept requests for transfers from the fixed account at any other
time.
- - If you have made a transfer from the fixed account to one or more subaccounts,
you may not make a transfer from any subaccount back to the fixed account
until the next policy anniversary. We will waive this limitation once during
the first two policy years if you exercise the policy's right to exchange
provision. (See "Exchange right.")
MINIMUM TRANSFER AMOUNTS
From a subaccount to another subaccount or the fixed account:
For mail and phone transfers, $250 or the entire subaccount balance,
whichever is less.
For automated transfers, $50.
From the fixed account to a subaccount: $250 or the entire fixed account balance
minus any outstanding indebtedness, whichever is less.
For automated transfers, $50.
MAXIMUM TRANSFER AMOUNTS
From a subaccount to another subaccount or the fixed account: None.
From the fixed account to a subaccount: Entire fixed account balance minus any
outstanding indebtedness.
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TRANSFERS PER YEAR
We reserve the right to limit mail and telephone transfers to five per policy
year. Twelve automated transfers per policy year are allowed.
31 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
Transfers between the fixed account and subaccounts
TWO WAYS TO REQUEST A TRANSFER, LOAN OR SURRENDER
Provide your name, policy number, Social Security Number or Taxpayer
Identification Number when you request a transfer, loan or partial surrender.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
- ---
1
BY LETTER
REGULAR MAIL: EXPRESS MAIL:
IDS Life Insurance Company IDS Life Insurance Company
P.O. Box 499 733 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolic, MN 55440-1499 Minneapolis, MN 55402
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---
2
BY PHONE
Call between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central Time:
1-800-437-0602 (toll free) or
(612) 671-4738 (Minneapolis/St. Paul area)
TTY service for the hearing impaired:
1-800-285-8846 (toll free)
</TABLE>
- - We answer phone requests promptly, but you may experience delays when call
volume is unusually high. If you are unable to get through, use mail procedure
as an alternative.
- - We will honor any telephone transfer, loan or partial surrender requests
believed to be authentic and will use reasonable procedures to confirm that
they are. These include asking identifying questions and tape recording calls.
As long as we follow these procedures, neither IDS Life nor its affiliates
will be liable for any loss resulting from fraudulent requests.
- - We make telephone transfers, loans and partial surrenders available
automatically. If you do not want telephone transfers, loans and partial
surrenders to be made from your account, please write to IDS Life and tell us.
AUTOMATED TRANSFERS
In addition to written and phone requests, you can arrange to have policy value
transferred from one account to another automatically. Your financial advisor
can help you set up an automated transfer.
AUTOMATED TRANSFER POLICIES:
- - Minimum automated transfer: $50
- - Only one automated transfer arrangement can be in effect at any time. You can
transfer policy values TO one or more subaccounts and the fixed account, but
you can be transfer FROM only one account.
- - You can start or stop this service by written request. You must allow seven
days for us to change any instructions that currently are in place.
- - You cannot make automated transfers from the fixed account in an amount that,
if continued, would deplete the fixed account within 12 months.
32 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- - If you made a transfer from the fixed account to one or more subaccounts, you
may not make a transfer from any subaccount back to the fixed account until
the next policy anniversary.
- - If you submit your automated transfer request with an application for a
policy, automated transfers will not take effect until the policy is issued.
- - If the value of the account from which you are transferring policy value is
less than the $50 minimum, we will stop the transfer arrangement
automatically.
- - Automated transfers are subject to all other policy provisions and terms
including provisions relating to the transfer of money between the fixed
account and the subaccounts.
AUTOMATED DOLLAR-COST AVERAGING
You can use automated transfers to take advantage of dollar-cost averaging --
investing a fixed amount at regular intervals. For example, you might have a set
amount transferred monthly from a relatively conservative subaccount to a more
aggressive one, or to several others.
This systematic approach can help you benefit from fluctuations in accumulation
unit value, caused by fluctuations in the market value(s) of the underlying
fund. Since you invest the same amount each period, you automatically acquire
more units when the market value falls, fewer units when it rises. The potential
effect is to lower your average cost per unit. There is no charge for
dollar-cost averaging.
By investing an
equal number of
dollars each month...
you automatically
buy more units when
the per unit market
price is low...
and fewer units
when the per unit
market price is high.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
HOW DOLLAR-COST AVERAGING WORKS
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT ACCUMULATION NUMBER OF UNITS
MONTH INVESTED UNIT VALUE PURCHASED
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Jan $100 $20 5.00
Feb 100 16 6.25
Mar 100 9 11.11
Apr 100 5 20.00
May 100 7 14.29
June 100 10 10.00
July 100 15 6.67
Aug 100 20 5.00
Sept 100 17 5.88
Oct 100 12 8.33
</TABLE>
You have paid an average price of only $10.81 per unit over the 10 months, while
the average market price actually was $13.10.
Dollar-cost averaging does not guarantee that any variable subaccount will gain
in value, nor will it protect against a decline in value if market prices fall.
Because this strategy involves continuous investing, your success with
dollar-cost averaging will depend upon your willingness to continue to invest
regularly through periods of low price levels. Dollar-cost averaging can be an
effective way to help meet your long-
term goals.
33 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------------
Policy loans
You may borrow against your policy by written or telephone request. (See chart
under "Transfers between the fixed account and subaccounts" for address and
phone numbers for your requests.) We will process your loan request at the end
of the valuation period during which we receive your request. (Loans by
telephone are limited to $50,000.)
INTEREST RATE:
The interest rate for policy loans is 6% per year. After the policy's 10th
anniversary we expect to reduce the loan interest rate to 4% per year. Interest
is charged daily and due at the end of the policy year.
MINIMUM LOAN:
$500 ($200 for Connecticut residents) or the remaining loan value, whichever is
less.
MAXIMUM LOAN:
- - In Texas, 100% of the policy value in the fixed account, minus a pro rata
portion of surrender charges.
- - In Virginia, 90% of the policy value minus surrender charges.
- - In Alabama, 100% of the policy value minus surrender charges.
- - In all other states, 85% of the policy value minus surrender charges.
We will compute the maximum loan value as of the end of the valuation period
during which we receive your loan request. The amount available at any time for
a new loan is the maximum loan value less any existing indebtedness. When we
compute the amount available, we reserve the right to deduct from the loan value
interest for the period until the next policy anniversary and monthly deductions
that we will take until the next policy anniversary.
PAYMENT OF LOANED FUNDS:
Generally, we will pay loans within seven days after we receive your request
(with certain exceptions -- see "Deferral of payments," under "Payment of policy
proceeds").
ALLOCATION OF LOANS TO ACCOUNTS:
If you do not specify whether the loan is to come from the fixed account or the
subaccounts, we will take it from the subaccounts and the fixed account in
proportion to their values, minus indebtedness. When a loan is made from a
subaccount, accumulation units are redeemed and the proceeds transferred into
the fixed account. We will credit the policy value loaned with 4% annual
interest.
REPAYMENTS:
We will allocate loan repayments to subaccounts and/or the fixed account using
the premium allocation percentages in effect unless you tell us otherwise.
Repayments must be in amounts of at least $50.
OVERDUE INTEREST:
If you do not pay accrued interest when it is due, we will increase the amount
of indebtedness in the fixed account to cover the amount due. Interest added to
a policy loan will be charged the same interest rate as the loan itself. We will
take such interest from the fixed account and/or subaccounts, using the monthly
deduction
34 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
allocation percentages. If the value in the fixed account or any subaccount is
not enough to pay the interest so allocated, we will take all of the interest
from all of the accounts in proportion to their value, minus indebtedness.
EFFECTS OF POLICY LOANS:
If you do not repay your loan, it will reduce the death benefit and policy
value. Even if you do repay it, your loan can have a permanent effect on death
benefits and policy values, because money borrowed against the subaccounts will
not share in the investment results of the relevant fund(s).
A loan may terminate the DBG-85, the DBG-100 or the minimum initial premium
period. The loan amount is deducted from total premiums paid, which may reduce
the total below the level required to keep the DBG-85, the DBG-100 or the
minimum initial premium period in effect.
TAXES:
If your policy lapses or you surrender it with an outstanding indebtedness, and
the amount of outstanding indebtedness plus the cash surrender value is more
than the sum of premiums you paid, you generally will be liable for taxes on the
excess. (See "Federal taxes.")
35 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------
Policy surrenders
You may surrender your policy in full or in part by written or telephone
request. (See chart under "Transfers between the fixed account and
subaccounts.") We will process your surrender request at the end of the
valuation period during which your request is received. We may require that you
return your policy.
We will normally process your payment within seven days; however, we reserve the
right to defer payment. (See "Deferral of payments," under "Payment of policy
proceeds.")
TOTAL SURRENDERS
If you totally surrender your policy, you receive its cash surrender value --
the policy value minus outstanding indebtedness and applicable surrender
charges. (See "Loads, fees and charges.") We will compute the value of each
subaccount as of the end of the valuation period during which we receive your
request.
PARTIAL SURRENDERS
After the first policy year, you may surrender any amount from $500 up to 85% of
the policy's cash surrender value. (Partial surrenders by telephone are limited
to $50,000.) You will be charged a partial surrender fee, described under
"Loads, fees and charges."
ALLOCATION OF PARTIAL SURRENDERS
Unless you specify otherwise, IDS Life will make partial surrenders from the
fixed account and subaccounts in proportion to their values at the end of the
valuation period during which your request is received. In determining these
proportions, we first subtract the amount of any outstanding indebtedness from
the fixed account value.
EFFECTS OF PARTIAL SURRENDERS
- - A partial surrender will reduce the policy value by the amount of the partial
surrender and fee.
- - A partial surrender will reduce the death benefit by the amount of the partial
surrender and fee, or, if the death benefit is based on the applicable
percentage of policy value, by an amount equal to the applicable percentage
times the amount of the partial surrender.
- - A partial surrender may terminate the DBG-85, the DBG-100 or the minimum
initial premium period. We deduct the surrender amount from total premiums you
paid, which may reduce the total below the level required to keep the DBG-85,
the DBG-100 or the minimum initial premium period in effect.
- - If Option 1 is in effect, a partial surrender will reduce the specified amount
by the amount of the partial surrender and fee.
Because they reduce the specified amount, partial surrenders may affect the cost
of insurance. IDS Life will not allow a partial surrender if it would reduce the
specified amount below the required minimum. (See "Decreases" under "Proceeds
payable
upon death.")
- - If Option 2 is in effect, a partial surrender does not affect the specified
amount.
36 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
TAXES
Upon surrender, you will generally be liable for taxes on any excess of the cash
surrender value plus outstanding indebtedness over the premium paid. (See
"Federal taxes.")
EXCHANGE RIGHT
For two years after the policy is issued, you can exchange it for one that
provides benefits that do not vary with the investment return of the
subaccounts. Because the policy itself offers a fixed return option, all you
need to do is transfer all of the policy value in the subaccounts to the fixed
account. We will automatically credit all future premium payments to the fixed
account unless you request a different allocation.
A transfer for this purpose will not count against the five-transfers-per-year
limit. Also, we will waive any restrictions on transfers into the fixed account
for this type of transfer.
There is no effect on the policy's death benefit, specified amount, net amount
at risk, risk classification(s) or issue age. Only the method of funding the
policy value will be affected.
37 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------
Optional insurance benefits
You may choose to add the following benefits to your policy at an additional
cost, in the form of riders (if you meet certain requirements). More detailed
information on these benefits is in your policy.
FOUR-YEAR TERM INSURANCE RIDER (FYT)
FYT provides four-year term insurance. An additional death benefit is paid if
both insureds die during the first four years of the policy.
POLICY SPLIT OPTION RIDER (PSO)
PSO permits a policy to be split into two individual permanent plans of life
insurance then offered by IDS Life for exchange, one on the life of each
insured, upon the occurrence of a divorce of the insureds or certain changes in
federal estate tax law. (See "Federal taxes.")
38 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------------
Payment of policy proceeds
Proceeds will be paid when:
- - you surrender the policy; or
- - the last surviving insured dies.
We pay all proceeds by check. We will compute the amount of the death benefit
and pay it in a single sum unless you select one of the payment options below.
We will pay interest at a rate not less than 4% per year (8% in Arkansas, 11% in
Florida) on single sum death proceeds, from the date of the last surviving
insured's death to the settlement date (the date on which proceeds are paid in a
lump sum or first placed under a payment option).
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
During an insured's lifetime, you may request in writing that we pay policy
proceeds under one or more of the three payment options below. (The beneficiary
may also select a payment option, unless you say that he or she can't.) You
decide how much of the proceeds will be placed under each option (minimum:
$5,000). Any such amount will be transferred to IDS Life's general account.
Unless we agree otherwise, payments under all options must be made to a natural
person.
You may also make a written request to us to change a prior choice of payment
option or, if we agree to elect a payment option other than the three below, if
we agree.
If you elect a payment option for pre-death proceeds, payments under this option
may be subject to federal income tax as ordinary income. If you elect Option A,
the full pre-death proceeds will be taxed as a full surrender as described in
"Taxation of policy proceeds" and may also be subject to an additional 10%
penalty tax if the policy is a modified endowment. The interest paid under
Option A will be ordinary income subject to income tax in the year earned. The
interest payments will not be subject to the 10% penalty tax.
If you elect Option B or Option C for payment of pre-death proceeds, any
indebtedness at the time of election will be taxed as a partial surrender as
described in "Taxation of policy proceeds" and may also be subject to an
additional 10% penalty tax if the policy is a modified endowment. The remainder
of the proceeds will be used to make payments under the option elected. A
portion of each payment will be taxed as ordinary income and a portion of each
payment will be considered a return of the investment in the policy and will not
be taxed. We describe an owner's investment in the policy in "Taxation of policy
proceeds." All payments made after the investment in the policy is fully
recovered will be subject to tax. Amounts paid under Option B or Option C that
are subject to tax may also be subject to an additional 10% penalty tax. (See
"Penalty tax" under "Federal Taxes.")
Death benefit proceeds applied to any payment option are not considered part of
the beneficiary's income and thus are not subject to federal income tax.
Payments of interest under Option A will be ordinary income subject to tax.
Under Option B or Option C, a portion of each payment will be ordinary income
subject to tax, and a portion of each payment will be considered a return of the
beneficiary's investment in the policy. The beneficiary's investment in the
policy is the death benefit proceeds applied to the payment option. All payments
made after the investment in the policy is fully recovered will be subject to
tax.
39 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
Payment of policy proceeds
OPTION A -- INTEREST PAYMENTS We will pay interest on any proceeds placed under
this option at a rate of 3% per year compounded annually, at regular intervals
and for a period that is agreeable to both you and us. At the end of any payment
interval, you may withdraw proceeds in amounts of at least $100. At any time,
you may withdraw all of the proceeds that remain, or you may place them under a
different payment option approved by us.
OPTION B -- PAYMENTS FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD: We will make fixed monthly payments
for any number of years you specify. Here are examples of monthly payments for
each $1,000 placed under this option:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAYMENT PERIOD MONTHLY PAYMENT PER $1,000
(YEARS) PLACED UNDER OPTION B
<S> <C>
10 $9.61
15 6.87
20 5.51
25 4.71
30 4.18
</TABLE>
We will furnish monthly amounts for other payment periods at your request,
without charge.
OPTION C -- LIFETIME INCOME: We will make monthly payments for the life of the
person (payee) who is to receive the income. Payment will be guaranteed for 10,
15 or 20 years. The amount of each monthly payment per $1,000 placed under this
option will be based on the table of settlement rates in effect at the time of
the first payment. The amount depends on the sex and adjusted age of the payee
on that date. Adjusted age means the age of the payee (on the payee's last
birthday) minus an adjustment as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CALENDAR YEAR OF CALENDAR YEAR OF
PAYEE'S BIRTH ADJUSTMENT PAYEE'S BIRTH ADJUSTMENT
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Before 1920 0 1945 - 1949 6
1920 - 1924 1 1950 - 1959 7
1925 - 1929 2 1960 - 1969 8
1930 - 1934 3 1970 - 1979 9
1935 - 1939 4 1980 - 1989 10
1940 - 1944 5 After 1989 11
</TABLE>
40 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
The amount of each monthly payment per $1,000 placed under this option will not
be less than amounts shown in the next table.
We will furnish monthly amounts for any adjusted age not shown at your request,
without charge.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADJUSTED
AGE LIFE INCOME PER $1,000 WITH
PAYEE PAYMENTS GUARANTEED FOR
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
10 YEARS 15 YEARS 20 YEARS
MALE FEMALE MALE FEMALE MALE FEMALE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
50 $4.22 $3.89 $4.17 $3.86 $4.08 $3.82
55 4.62 4.22 4.53 4.18 4.39 4.11
60 5.14 4.66 4.96 4.57 4.71 4.44
65 5.81 5.22 5.46 5.05 5.02 4.79
70 6.61 5.96 5.96 5.60 5.27 5.12
75 7.49 6.89 6.38 6.14 5.42 5.35
</TABLE>
DEFERRAL OF PAYMENTS:
We reserve the right to defer payments of cash surrender value, policy loans or
variable death benefits in excess of the specified amount if:
- - the payments derive from a premium payment made by a check that has not
cleared the banking system (good payment has not been collected);
- - the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings);
- - in accordance with SEC rules, trading on the NYSE is restricted or, because of
an emergency, it is not practical to dispose of securities held in the
subaccount or determine the value of the subaccount's net assets.
We may delay the payment of any loans or surrenders from the fixed account up to
six months from the date we receive the request. If we postpone the payment of
surrender proceeds more than 30 days, we will pay you interest on the amount
surrendered at an annual rate of 3% for the period of postponement.
41 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------------
Federal taxes
The following is a general discussion of the policy's federal income tax
implications. It is not intended as tax advice. Because the effect of taxes on
the value and benefits of your policy depends on your individual situation as
well as IDS Life's tax status, YOU SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISOR TO FIND OUT HOW
THESE GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS APPLY TO YOU. The discussion is based on our
understanding of federal income tax laws as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
currently interprets them; both the laws and their interpretation may change.
The policy is intended to qualify as a life insurance policy for federal income
tax purposes. To that end, the provisions of the policy are to be interpreted to
ensure or maintain this tax qualification. IDS Life reserves the right to change
the policy in order to ensure that it will continue to qualify as life insurance
for tax purposes. We will send you a copy of any changes.
IDS LIFE'S TAX STATUS
IDS Life is taxed as a life insurance company under the Code. For federal income
tax purposes, the subaccounts are considered a part of IDS Life, although their
operations are treated separately in accounting and financial statements.
Investment income from the subaccounts is reinvested and becomes part of the
subaccounts' value. This investment income, including realized capital gains, is
not taxed to IDS Life, and therefore no charge is made against the subaccounts
for federal income taxes. IDS Life reserves the right to make such a charge in
the future if there is a change in the tax treatment of variable life insurance
contracts or in IDS Life's tax status as we currently understand it.
TAXATION OF POLICY PROCEEDS
The death benefit is not considered part of the beneficiary's income and thus is
not subject to federal income taxes. When the proceeds are paid after the
youngest insured's attained insurance age 100, if the amount received plus any
indebtedness exceeds your investment in the policy, the excess may be taxable as
ordinary income. Part or all of any pre-death proceeds received through full
surrender, lapse, partial surrender, policy loan or assignment of policy value,
or payment options may be subject to federal income tax as ordinary income. (See
the following table.) In some cases, the tax liability depends on whether the
policy is a modified endowment (explained following the table). The taxable
amount may also be subject to an additional 10% penalty tax if the policy is a
modified endowment.
42 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SOURCE OF PROCEEDS TAXABLE PORTION OF PRE-DEATH PROCEEDS
<S> <C>
FULL SURRENDER: Amount received plus any indebtedness, minus your
investment in the policy.*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAPSE: Any outstanding indebtedness minus your investment
in the policy.*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PARTIAL SURRENDERS Lesser of:
(MODIFIED ENDOWMENTS): the amount received or policy value minus your
investment in the policy.*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POLICY LOANS AND ASSIGNMENTS Lesser of:
(MODIFIED ENDOWMENTS): the amount of the loan / assignment or policy
value minus your investment in the policy.*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PARTIAL SURRENDERS Generally, if the amount received is greater than
(OTHER POLICIES): your investment in the policy,* the amount in
excess of your investment is taxable. However,
during the first 15 policy years, a different
amount may be taxable if the partial surrender
results in or is necessitated by a reduction in
benefits.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POLICY LOANS AND ASSIGNMENTS None
(OTHER POLICIES):
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAYMENT OPTIONS: If proceeds of the policy will be paidunder one of
the payment options, see the "Payment option"
under "Payment of policy proceeds" section for tax
information.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* The owner's investment is equal to premiums paid, minus the nontaxable
portion of any previous partial surrenders, plus the taxable portion of any
previous policy loans.
MODIFIED ENDOWMENT CONTRACTS
In 1988, Congress created a new class of life insurance policies called
"Modified Endowment Contracts." The IRS taxes these policies differently from
conventional life insurance contracts.
Your policy is a modified endowment contract if:
- - you apply for it or materially change it on or after June 21, 1988 and
- - the premiums you pay in the first seven years of the policy, or the first
seven years following a material change, exceed certain limits.
Also, any life insurance policy you receive in exchange for a modified endowment
is itself a modified endowment.
We have procedures for monitoring whether your policy may become a modified
endowment contract. We calculate modified endowment limits when we issue the
policy. We base these limits on the benefits we provide under the policy and on
the risk classification of the insured. We recalculate these limits later if
certain increases or reductions in benefits occur.
43 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
Federal taxes
REDUCTIONS IN BENEFITS: When benefits are reduced, we recalculate the limits as
if the reduced level of benefits had always been in effect. In most cases, this
recalculation will further restrict the amount of premium that can be paid
without exceeding modified endowment limits. If the premiums you have already
paid exceed the recalculated limits, the policy becomes a modified endowment
even if you do not pay any further premiums.
DISTRIBUTIONS AFFECTED: Modified endowment rules apply to distributions in the
year the policy becomes a modified endowment and in all subsequent years. In
addition, the rules apply to distributions taken two years before the policy
becomes a modified endowment, which are presumed to be taken in anticipation of
that event.
SERIAL PURCHASE OF MODIFIED ENDOWMENTS: The IRS treats all modified endowments
issued by the same insurer (or affiliated companies of the insurer) to the same
owner during any calendar year are treated as one policy in determining the
amount of any loan or distribution that is taxable.
PENALTY TAX: If a policy is a modified endowment, the taxable portion of
pre-death proceeds from a full surrender, lapse, partial surrender, policy loan
or assignment of policy value, or certain payment options may be subject to a
10% penalty tax unless:
- - the distribution occurs after the owner attains age 59 1/2;
- - the distribution is attributable to the owner becoming disabled (within the
meaning of Code Section 72(m)(7); or
- - the distribution is part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments
made at least once a year over the life (or life expectancy) of the owner or
over the joint lives (or life expectancies) of the owner and the owner's
beneficiary.
OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS
POLICY SPLIT OPTION RIDER: The Policy Split Option Rider permits a policy to be
split into two individual permanent plans of insurance then offered by IDS Life
for exchange, one on the life of each insured, upon the occurrence of a divorce
of the insureds or certain changes in federal estate tax law. A policy split
could have adverse tax consequences; for example, it is not clear whether a
policy split will be treated as a nontaxable exchange under Sections 1031
through 1043 of the Code. If a policy split is not treated as a nontaxable
exchange, a split could result in the recognition of taxable income in an amount
up to any gain in the policy at the time of the split. In addition, it is not
clear whether, in all circumstances, the individual contracts that result from a
policy split would be treated as life insurance contracts for federal income tax
purposes and, if so treated, whether the individual contracts would be
classified as modified endowment contracts. Before you exercise rights provided
by the policy split option, it is important that you consult with a competent
tax advisor regarding the possible consequences of a policy split.
INTEREST PAID ON POLICY LOANS: If the loan is used for personal purposes, such
interest is not tax-deductible. Other rules apply if the loan is used for trade
or business or investment purposes, or if the policy is owned by a business or a
corporation.
POLICY CHANGES: Changing ownership, exchanging or assigning the policy may have
tax consequences, depending on the circumstances.
44 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
OTHER TAXES: Federal estate tax, state and local estate tax, inheritance tax,
gift tax and other tax consequences of ownership or receipt of policy proceeds
will also depend on the circumstances.
QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS: The policy may be used in conjunction with certain
qualified plans. Since the rules governing such use are complex, a purchaser
should consult a competent pension consultant.
On July 6, 1983, the Supreme Court held in ARIZONA GOVERNING COMMITTEE V. NORRIS
that optional annuity benefits provided under an employee's deferred
compensation plan could not, under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,
vary between men and women on the basis of sex. Since the policy's cost of
insurance rates and purchase rates for certain settlement options distinguish
between men and women, employers and employee organizations should consult with
legal counsel before purchasing the policy for any employment-related insurance
or benefit program.
45 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------------
IDS Life
IDS Life is a stock life insurance company organized under the laws of the State
of Minnesota in 1957. Our address is IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, MN 55440.
IDS Life conducts a conventional life insurance business in the District of
Columbia and all states except New York. A wholly owned subsidiary of IDS Life,
IDS Life Insurance Company of New York, conducts a substantially identical
business in New York.
IDS Life has been in the variable annuity business since 1968 and has sold a
number of different variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance
policies, utilizing other separate accounts, unit investment trusts and mutual
funds.
OWNERSHIP
IDS Life is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express Financial Corporation
(AEFC); AEFC, a Delaware corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American
Express Company.
The AEFC family of companies offers not only insurance and annuities, but also
mutual funds, investment certificates and a broad range of financial management
services.
Besides managing investments for all funds in the IDS MUTUAL FUND GROUP, AEFC
also manages investments for itself and its subsidiaries, IDS Certificate
Company and IDS Life Insurance Company. Total assets under management on Mar.
31, 1999 were more than $219 billion.
STATE REGULATION
IDS Life is subject to the laws of Minnesota governing insurance companies and
to regulation by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. In addition, IDS Life is
subject to regulation under the insurance laws of other jurisdictions in which
it may operate. IDS Life files an annual statement in a prescribed form with
Minnesota's Department of Commerce and in each state in which IDS Life does
business. IDS Life's books and accounts are subject to review by the Minnesota
Department of Commerce at all times and a full examination of its operations is
conducted periodically. Such regulation does not, however, involve any
supervision of management or investment practices or policies.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE POLICY
IDS Life is the sole distributor of the policy. IDS Life 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. (NASD). Representatives of IDS
Life are licensed insurance and annuity agents, and are registered with the NASD
as representatives of IDS Life.
IDS Life pays its representatives a commission of up to 50% of the initial
target premium (annualized) when the policy is sold, plus 2% of all premiums in
excess of the target premium. Each year, IDS Life pays a service fee not greater
than 0.3% of the policy value, net of indebtedness. IDS Life also pays
approximately 27% of the total representative's commission to the field vice
presidents and district sales managers of the selling representative.
46 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
A number of lawsuits have been filed against life and health insurers in
jurisdictions in which IDS Life and AEFC do business involving insurers' sales
practices, alleged agent misconduct, failure to properly supervise agents, and
other matters. IDS Life and AEFC, like other life and health insurers, from time
to time are involved in such litigation. On December 13, 1996, an action
entitled Lesa Benacquisto and Daniel Benacquisto vs. IDS Life Insurance Company
and American Express Financial Corporation was commenced in Minnesota state
court. The action is brought by individuals who replaced an existing IDS Life
insurance policy with a new IDS Life policy. The plaintiffs purport to represent
a class consisting of all persons who replaced existing IDS Life policies with
new policies from and after January 1, 1985. The complaint puts at issue various
alleged sales practices and misrepresentations, alleged breaches of fiduciary
duties and alleged violations of consumer fraud statutes. IDS Life and AEFC
filed an answer to the complaint on February 18, 1997, denying the allegations.
A second action, entitled Arnold Mork, Isabella Mork, Ronald Melchart and Susan
Melchart vs. IDS Life Insurance Company and American Express Financial
Corporation was commenced in the same court on March 21,1997. In addition to
claims that are included in the Benacquisto lawsuit, the second action includes
an allegation of improper replacement of an existing IDS Life annuity contract.
A subsequent class action, Richard Thoresen and Elizabeth Thoresen vs. AEFC,
American Partners Life Insurance Company, American Enterprise Life Insurance
Company, American Centurion Life Assurance Company, IDS Life Insurance Company
and IDS Life Insurance Company of New York, was filed in the same court on
October 13, 1998 alleging that the sale of annuities in tax-deferred
contributory retirement investment plans (e.g. IRA's) was done through deceptive
marketing practices, which the company denies. Plaintiffs in each of the above
actions seek damages in an unspecified amount and also seek to establish a
claims resolution facility for the determination of individual issues.
IDS Life and AEFC believe they have meritorious defenses to the claims raised in
the lawsuits. The outcome of any litigation cannot be predicted with certainty.
In the opinion of management, however, the ultimate resolution of the above
lawsuits and others filed against IDS Life should not have a material adverse
effect on IDS Life's consolidated financial position.
YEAR 2000
The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs having been written using
two digits rather than four to define a year. Any programs that have
time-sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather
than 2000. This could result in the failure of major systems or miscalculations,
which could have a material impact on the operations of IDS Life and the
variable account. IDS Life and the variable account have no computer systems of
their own but are dependent upon the systems of AEFC and certain other third
parties.
A comprehensive review of AEFC's computer systems and business processes has
been conducted to identify the major systems that could be affected by the Year
2000 issue. Steps are being taken to resolve any potential problems including
modification to existing software and the purchase of new software. These
measures are scheduled to be completed and tested on a timely basis. AEFC's
target date for substantially completing corrective measures on business
critical systems was Dec. 31, 1998.
47 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
IDS Life
Substantial testing of these systems was targeted for completion early in 1999.
AEFC currently is on track with this schedule an also is on track to finish the
work on non-critical systems by June 30, 1999. The Year 2000 readiness of
unaffiliated investment managers and other third parties whose system failures
could have an impact on IDS Life's and the variable account's operations
continues to be evaluated. The potential materiality of any such impact is not
known at this time.
AEFC's Year 2000 project includes establishing Year 2000 contingency plans for
all key business units. Business continuation plans, which address business
continuation in the event of a system disruption, are in place for all key
business units. These plans are being amended to include specific Year 2000
considerations and will continue to be refined throughout 1999 as additional
information related to potential Year 2000 exposure is gathered.
EXPERTS
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited the consolidated financial
statements of IDS Life Insurance Company at Dec. 31, 1998 and 1997, and for each
of the three years in the period ended Dec. 31, 1998, and the individual and
combined financial statements of the segregated asset subaccounts of the IDS
Life Variable Life Separate Account -- Flexible Premium Survivorship Variable
Life Subaccounts (comprised of subaccounts U, V, W, X, Y, IL, FGI and FNO) at
Dec. 31, 1998 except for the FGI and FNO subaccounts which are for each of the
two years in the period ended Dec. 31, 1998 and the period Nov. 22, 1996
(commencement of operations) to Dec. 31, 1996, as set forth in their reports.
We've included our financial statements in the prospectus in reliance on Ernst &
Young LLP's report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
Actuarial matters included in the prospectus have been examined by James M.
Jensen, F.S.A., M.A.A.A., Vice President, Insurance Product Development, as
stated in his opinion filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
48 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------------
Management of IDS Life
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIRECTORS
DAVID R. HUBERS
Director since September 1989; president and chief executive officer, AEFC,
since August 1993, and director, AEFC, since January 1984; senior vice
president, finance and chief financial officer, AEFC, from January 1984 to
August 1993.
RICHARD W. KLING
Director since February 1984; president since March 1994. Executive vice
president, Marketing and Products, from January 1988 to March 1994. Vice
President, AEFC, since January 1988; director of IDS Life Series Fund, Inc. and
chairman of the board of managers of IDS Life Variable Annuity Funds A & B.
PAUL F. KOLKMAN
Director since May 1984; executive vice president since March 1994; vice
president, Finance, from May 1984 to March 1994; vice president, AEFC, since
January 1987.
JAMES A. MITCHELL
Chairman of the board since March 1994; director since July 1984; chief
executive officer since November 1986; president from July 1984 to March 1994;
executive vice president, AEFC, since March 1994; director, AEFC, since July
1984; senior vice president, AEFC, from July 1984 to March 1994.
BARRY J. MURPHY
Director and executive vice president, Client Service since March 1994; senior
vice president, Operations, Travel Related Services (TRS), a subsidiary of
American Express Company, since July 1992; vice president, TRS, from November
1989 to July 1992; chief operating officer, TRS, from March 1988 to November
1989.
STUART A. SEDLACEK
Director, senior vice president and chief financial of AEFC since January 1998;
vice president, Assured Assets, AEFC from 1994 to 1997.
49 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
Management of IDS Life
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFICERS OTHER THAN DIRECTORS
JEFFREY S. HORTON
Vice president and treasurer since December 1997; vice president and corporate
treasurer, AEFC, since December 1997; controller, American Express Technologies
- -Financial Services, AEFC, from July 1997 to December 1997; controller, Risk
Management Products, AEFC, from May 1994 to July 1997; director of finance and
analysis, Corporate Treasury, AEFC, from June 1990 to May 1994.
WILLIAM A. STOLTZMANN
Vice president, general counsel and secretary since 1985; vice president and
assistant general counsel, AEFC, since November 1985.
The address for all of the directors and principal officers is: IDS Tower 10,
Minneapolis, MN 55440.
The officers, employees and sales force of IDS Life are bonded, in the amount of
$100 million, by virtue of a blanket fidelity bond issued to American Express
Company by Saint Paul Fire and Marine, the lead underwriter.
50 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------------
Other fund managers
AIM ADVISORS, INC.
AIM Advisors, Inc. ("AIM") serves as the fund's investment advisor. AIM has
acted as an advisor since its organization in 1976. Today, AIM, together with
its subsidiaries, advises or manages over 110 investment portfolios encompassing
a broad range of investment objectives.
PUTNAM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.
Putnam Management has been managing mutual funds since 1937. Today, the firm
serves as the investment manager for the funds in the Putnam Family, with nearly
$222 billion in assets under management at Dec. 31, 1998.
51 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------
Other information
The variable account has filed a registration statement has been filed with the
SEC. For further information concerning the policy, its separate account (the
variable account) and IDS Life, please refer to the registration statement. You
can find the registration statement on the SEC's website at http:// www.sec.gov.
SUBSTITUTION OF INVESTMENTS
We may change the funds from which the subaccounts buy shares if: the existing
funds become unavailable; or in the judgment of IDS Life, the funds are no
longer suitable for the subaccounts. If these situations occur, we have the
right to substitute the funds held in the subaccounts for other registered,
open-end management investment companies as long as we believe it would be in
the best interest of persons having voting rights under the policies.
In the event of any such substitution or change, IDS Life may, without the
consent or approval of owners, amend the policy and take whatever action is
necessary and appropriate. However, we will not make any substitution or change
without any necessary approval of the SEC or state insurance departments. IDS
Life will notify owners within five days of any substitution or change.
VOTING RIGHTS
As a policy owner with investments in any subaccount, you may vote on important
fund matters. Each share of a fund has one vote. On some issues, such as
election of directors of IDS Life Series Fund, all shares of the IDS Life Series
Fund Portfolios vote together as one series. When electing directors, all shares
of IDS Life Series Fund Portfolios have cumulative voting rights. Cumulative
voting means that shareholders are entitled to a number of votes equal to the
number of shares they hold multiplied by the number of directors to be elected
and they have the right to divide votes among candidates.
On an issue affecting only one fund -- for example, a fundamental investment
restriction pertaining only to that fund -- its shares vote as a separate
series. If shareholders of a particular fund vote approval of an agreement, the
agreement becomes effective with respect to that fund, whether or not it is
approved by shareholders of the other funds.
IDS Life is the owner of all fund shares and therefore holds all voting rights.
However, IDS Life will vote the shares of each fund according to instructions we
receive from owners. If we do not receive timely instructions from you, we will
vote your shares in the same proportion as the shares for which we do receive
instructions. IDS Life also will vote fund shares that are not otherwise
attributable to owners the same proportion as those shares in that subaccount
for which we receive instructions.
We determine the number of fund shares in each subaccount for which you may give
instructions by applying your percentage interest in the subaccount to the total
number of votes attributable to the subaccount. We will determine that number as
of a date we choose that is 60 days or less before the meeting of the fund. We
will send you notice of each shareholder meeting, together with any proxy
solicitation materials and a statement of the number of votes for which you are
entitled to give instructions.
52 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
Under certain conditions, IDS Life may disregard voting instructions that would
change the goals of one or more of the funds or would result in approval or
disapproval of an investment advisory contract. If IDS Life does disregard
voting instructions, we will advise you of that action and the reasons for in
our next report to owners,
REPORTS
At least once a year IDS Life will mail to you, at your last known address of
record, a report containing all information required by law or regulation,
including a statement showing the current policy value.
53 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------------
Policy illustrations
The following tables illustrate how policy values, cash surrender values and
death benefits may change with the investment experience of the subaccount. The
tables show how these amounts might vary, for a male insurance age 55 and a
female insurance age 55, both nonsmokers, if:
- - the annual rate of return of the fund is 0%, 6% or 12%.
- - the cost of insurance rates are current rates or guaranteed rates.
This type of illustration involves a number of detailed assumptions. (See chart,
"Understanding the illustrations.") To the extent that your own circumstances
differ from those assumed in the illustrations, your expected results would also
differ.
Upon request, we will furnish you with comparable tables illustrating death
benefits, policy values and cash surrender values based on the actual ages of
the persons you propose to insure and on an initial specified amount and premium
payment schedule. In addition, after you have purchased a policy, you may
request illustrations based on policy values at the time of request.
UNDERSTANDING THE ILLUSTRATIONS:
RATES OF RETURN: assumes uniform, gross, after-tax, annual rates of 0%, 6%, or
12% for the fund. Results would differ depending on allocations among the
subaccounts, if returns averaged 0%, 6% and 12% for the funds as a whole, but
differed across individual funds.
INSUREDS: assumes a male insurance age 55 and a female insurance age 55, in a
standard risk classification, qualifying for the nonsmoker rate. Results would
be lower if one or both of the insureds were in a substandard risk
classification or did not qualify for the non-smoker rate.
PREMIUMS: assumes a $15,000 premium is paid in full at the beginning of each
policy year. Results would differ if premiums were paid on a different schedule.
POLICY LOANS AND PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS: It assumes that none have been made.
(Since we assume indebtedness is zero, the cash surrender value in all cases
equals the policy value minus the surrender charge.)
EFFECT OF EXPENSES AND CHARGES
The death benefit, policy value and cash surrender value reflect the following
charges:
- - Sales charge: 7.25% of all premiums paid.
- - Premium tax charge: 2.5% of each premium payment.
- - Cost of insurance charge for the sex, age and risk classification for each
insured.
- - Policy fee: $30 per month ($30 per month guaranteed maximum).
54 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
- - The expenses paid by the fund and charges made against the subaccounts as
described below:
The net investment return of the subaccounts, shown in the tables, is lower than
the gross, after-tax return of the fund because we deducted the expenses paid by
the fund and charges made against the subaccounts. These include:
- - the daily investment management fee paid by the funds, assumed to be
equivalent to an annual rate of 0.7% of the fund's aggregate average daily net
assets; the assumed investment management fee is approximately equal to a
simple average of the investment management fees of the funds available under
the policy. The actual charges you incur will depend on how you choose to
allocate policy value. See Fund expenses in the Loads, fees and charges
section of this prospectus for additional information;
- - the daily mortality and expense risk charge, equivalent to 0.9% of the daily
net asset value of the subaccounts annually; and
- - a nonadvisory expense charge paid by the funds, assumed to be equivalent to an
annual rate of 0.1% of each funds aggregate average daily net assets for
direct expenses incurred by the fund; currently, this is the maximum direct
expenses the funds will incur after IDS Life limits the direct expenses of
some funds. The actual charges you incur will depend on how you choose to
allocate policy value. See Fund expenses in the Loads, fees and charges
section of this prospectus for additional information.
After deduction of the expenses and charges described above, the illustrated
gross annual investment rates of return correspond to the following approximate
net annual rates of return:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS ANNUAL NET ANNUAL RATE OF RETURN FOR NET ANNUAL RATE OF RETURN FOR
INVESTMENT "GUARANTEED COSTS ASSUMED" "CURRENT COSTS ASSUMED"
RATE OF RETURN ILLUSTRATION ILLUSTRATION
<S> <C> <C>
0 -1.69% -1.69%
6 4.21 4.21
12 10.11 10.11
</TABLE>
TAXES: Results shown in the tables reflect the fact that IDS Life does not
currently charge the subaccounts for federal income tax. If we take such a
charge in the future, the portfolios will have to earn more than they do now in
order to produce the death benefits and policy values illustrated.
55 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
Policy illustrations
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ILLUSTRATION
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
INITIAL SPECIFIED AMOUNT
$1,000,000 MALE - INSURANCE AGE 55 - NONSMOKER CURRENT COSTS ASSUMED
DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1 FEMALE - INSURANCE AGE 55 - NONSMOKER ANNUAL PREMIUM $15,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH SURRENDER VALUE
PREMIUM DEATH BENEFIT (1)(2) POLICY VALUE (1)(2) (1)(2)
ACCUMULATED ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL
WITH GROSS GROSS GROSS
END OF ANNUAL ANNUAL INVESTMENT RETURN ANNUAL INVESTMENT ANNUAL INVESTMENT
POLICY INTEREST OF RETURN OF RETURN OF
YEAR AT 5% 0% 6% 12% 0% 6% 12% 0% 6% 12%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 $15,750 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $12,651 $13,424 $14,196 $8,651 $9,424 $10,196
2 32,288 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 25,091 27,415 29,830 21,091 23,415 25,830
3 49,652 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 37,208 41,880 46,926 33,208 37,880 42,926
4 67,884 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 48,899 56,727 65,520 44,899 52,727 61,520
5 87,029 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 60,287 72,093 85,888 56,287 68,093 81,888
6 107,130 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 71,159 87,781 107,990 67,559 84,181 104,390
7 128,237 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 81,642 103,927 132,130 78,442 100,727 128,930
8 150,398 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 91,530 120,341 158,315 88,730 117,541 155,515
9 173,668 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 100,843 137,053 186,782 98,443 134,653 184,382
10 198,102 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 109,597 154,091 217,796 107,597 152,091 215,796
11 223,757 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 117,705 171,386 251,558 116,105 169,786 249,958
12 250,695 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 125,288 189,070 288,490 124,088 187,870 287,290
13 278,979 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 132,259 207,081 328,874 131,459 206,281 328,074
14 308,678 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 138,531 225,360 373,048 138,131 224,960 372,648
15 339,862 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 144,222 244,042 421,558 144,222 224,042 421,558
20 520,789 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 164,007 345,156 751,285 164,007 345,156 751,285
25 751,702 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,362,530 151,963 449,820 1,297,647 151,963 449,820 1,297,647
30 1,046,412 1,000,000 1,000,000 2,280,735 46,519 529,397 2,172,129 46,519 529,397 2,172,129
35 1,422,545 0 1,000,000 3,716,419 0 526,059 3,539,447 0 526,059 3,539,447
40 1,902,596 0 1,000,000 5,931,791 0 341,804 5,649,324 0 341,804 5,649,324
45 2,515,277 0 0 9,069,560 0 0 8,979,762 0 0 8,979,762
</TABLE>
(1) Assumes no policy loans or partial withdrawals have been made.
(2) Assumes a $15,000 premium is paid at the beginning of each policy year.
Values will be different if premiums are paid in different amounts or with
a different frequency.
THE ABOVE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RESULTS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND YOU SHOULD
NOT CONSIDER THEM TO BE A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RESULTS.
ACTUAL INVESTMENT RESULTS MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. THE DEATH
BENEFIT, POLICY VALUE AND CASH SURRENDER VALUE WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE
SHOWN IF RETURNS AVERAGED 0%, 6% AND 12% OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, BUT FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS. WE CANNOT REPRESENT
THAT THESE HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR
SUSTAINED OVER ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
56 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ILLUSTRATION
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
INITIAL SPECIFIED AMOUNT GUARANTEED COSTS
$1,000,000 MALE - INSURANCE AGE 55 - NONSMOKER ASSUMED
DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1 FEMALE - INSURANCE AGE 55 - NONSMOKER ANNUAL PREMIUM $15,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH SURRENDER VALUE
PREMIUM DEATH BENEFIT (1)(2) POLICY VALUE (1)(2) (1)(2)
ACCUMULATED ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL
WITH GROSS GROSS GROSS
END OF ANNUAL ANNUAL INVESTMENT RETURN ANNUAL INVESTMENT ANNUAL INVESTMENT
POLICY INTEREST OF RETURN OF RETURN OF
YEAR AT 5% 0% 6% 12% 0% 6% 12% 0% 6% 12%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 $15,750 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $12,651 $13,424 $14,196 $8,651 $9,424 $10,196
2 32,288 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 25,091 27,415 29,830 21,091 23,415 25,830
3 49,652 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 37,208 41,880 46,926 33,208 37,880 42,926
4 67,884 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 48,899 56,727 65,520 44,899 52,727 61,520
5 87,029 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 60,287 72,093 85,888 56,287 68,093 81,888
6 107,130 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 71,159 87,781 107,990 67,559 84,181 104,390
7 128,237 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 81,642 103,927 132,130 78,442 100,727 128,930
8 150,398 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 91,530 120,341 158,315 88,730 117,541 155,515
9 173,668 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 100,843 137,053 186,782 98,443 134,653 184,382
10 198,102 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 109,492 153,988 217,697 107,192 151,988 215,697
11 223,757 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 117,288 170,973 251,160 115,688 169,373 249,560
12 250,695 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 124,256 188,039 287,501 123,056 186,839 286,301
13 278,979 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 130,212 205,026 326,914 129,412 204,226 326,114
14 308,678 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 135,078 221,870 369,736 134,678 221,470 369,336
15 339,862 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 138,775 238,514 416,371 138,75 238,514 416,371
20 520,789 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 129,561 310,821 724,728 129,561 310,821 724,728
25 751,702 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,302,265 23,194 325,124 1,240,252 23,194 325,124 1,240,252
30 1,046,412 0 1,000,000 2,163,670 0 167,003 2,060,638 0 167,003 2,060,638
35 1,422,545 0 0 3,476,899 0 0 3,311,332 0 0 3,311,332
40 1,902,596 0 0 5,409,153 0 0 5,151,574 0 0 5,151,574
45 2,515,277 0 0 7,983,928 0 0 7,904,880 0 0 7,904,880
</TABLE>
(1) Assumes no policy loans or partial withdrawals have been made.
(2) Assumes a $15,000 premium is paid at the beginning of each policy year.
Values will be different if premiums are paid in different amounts or with
a different frequency.
THE ABOVE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RESULTS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND YOU SHOULD
NOT CONSIDER THEM TO BE A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RESULTS.
ACTUAL INVESTMENT RESULTS MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. THE DEATH
BENEFIT, POLICY VALUE AND CASH SURRENDER VALUE WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE
SHOWN IF RETURNS AVERAGED 0%, 6% AND 12% OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, BUT FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS. WE CANNOT REPRESENT
THAT THESE HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR
SUSTAINED OVER ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
57 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
Policy illustrations
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ILLUSTRATION
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
INITIAL SPECIFIED AMOUNT
$1,000,000 MALE - INSURANCE AGE 55 - NONSMOKER CURRENT COSTS ASSUMED
DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 2 FEMALE - INSURANCE AGE 55 - NONSMOKER ANNUAL PREMIUM $15,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH SURRENDER VALUE
PREMIUM DEATH BENEFIT (1)(2) POLICY VALUE (1)(2) (1)(2)
ACCUMULATED ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL
WITH GROSS GROSS GROSS
END OF ANNUAL ANNUAL INVESTMENT RETURN ANNUAL INVESTMENT ANNUAL INVESTMENT
POLICY INTEREST OF RETURN OF RETURN OF
YEAR AT 5% 0% 6% 12% 0% 6% 12% 0% 6% 12%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 $15,750 $1,012,650 $1,013,422 $1,014,195 $12,650 $13,422 $14,195 $8,650 $9,422 $10,195
2 32,288 1,025,086 1,027,410 1,029,825 25,086 27,410 29,825 21,086 23,410 25,825
3 49,652 1,037,195 1,041,864 1,046,909 37,195 41,864 46,909 33,195 37,864 42,909
4 67,884 1,048,862 1,056,683 1,065,469 48,862 56,683 65,469 44,862 52,683 61,469
5 87,029 1,060,214 1,072,004 1,085,780 60,214 72,004 85,780 56,214 68,004 81,780
6 107,130 1,071,019 1,087,604 1,107,768 71,019 87,604 107,768 67,419 84,004 104,168
7 128,237 1,081,406 1,103,617 1,131,726 81,406 103,617 131,726 78,206 100,417 128,526
8 150,398 1,091,143 1,119,816 1,157,604 91,143 119,816 157,604 88,343 117,016 154,804
9 173,668 1,100,242 1,136,207 1,185,594 100,242 136,207 185,594 97,842 133,807 183,194
10 198,102 1,108,715 1,152,801 1,215,912 108,715 152,801 215,912 106,715 150,801 213,912
11 223,757 1,116,452 1,169,483 1,248,666 116,452 169,483 248,666 114,852 167,883 247,066
12 250,695 1,123,585 1,186,379 1,284,229 123,585 186,379 284,229 122,385 185,179 283,029
13 278,979 1,130,005 1,203,375 1,322,758 130,005 203,375 322,758 129,205 202,575 321,958
14 308,678 1,135,607 1,220,355 1,364,430 135,607 220,355 364,430 135,207 219,955 364,030
15 339,862 1,140,521 1,237,439 1,409,686 140,521 237,439 409,686 140,521 237,439 409,686
20 520,789 1,154,361 1,323,780 1,703,041 154,361 323,780 703,041 154,361 323,780 703,041
25 751,702 1,130,471 1,388,619 2,131,448 130,471 388,619 1,131,448 130,471 388,619 1,131,448
30 1,046,412 1,007,126 1,352,982 2,694,292 7,126 352,982 1,694,292 7,126 352,982 1,694,292
35 1,422,545 0 1,067,303 3,330,814 0 67,303 2,330,814 0 67,303 2,330,814
40 1,902,596 0 0 4,052,478 0 0 3,052,478 0 0 3,052,478
45 2,515,277 0 0 4,424,523 0 0 3,424,523 0 0 3,424,523
</TABLE>
(1) Assumes no policy loans or partial withdrawals have been made.
(2) Assumes a $15,000 premium is paid at the beginning of each policy year.
Values will be different if premiums are paid in different amounts or with
a different frequency.
THE ABOVE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RESULTS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND YOU SHOULD
NOT CONSIDER THEM TO BE A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RESULTS.
ACTUAL INVESTMENT RESULTS MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. THE DEATH
BENEFIT, POLICY VALUE AND CASH SURRENDER VALUE WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE
SHOWN IF RETURNS AVERAGED 0%, 6% AND 12% OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, BUT FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS. WE CANNOT REPRESENT
THAT THESE HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR
SUSTAINED OVER ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
58 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ILLUSTRATION
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
INITIAL SPECIFIED AMOUNT GUARANTEED COSTS
$1,000,000 MALE - INSURANCE AGE 55 - NONSMOKER ASSUMED
DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 2 FEMALE - INSURANCE AGE 55 - NONSMOKER ANNUAL PREMIUM $15,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH SURRENDER VALUE
PREMIUM DEATH BENEFIT (1)(2) POLICY VALUE (1)(2) (1)(2)
ACCUMULATED ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL
WITH GROSS GROSS GROSS
END OF ANNUAL ANNUAL INVESTMENT RETURN ANNUAL INVESTMENT ANNUAL INVESTMENT
POLICY INTEREST OF RETURN OF RETURN OF
YEAR AT 5% 0% 6% 12% 0% 6% 12% 0% 6% 12%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 $15,750 $1,012,650 $1,013,422 $1,014,195 $12,650 $13,422 $14,195 $8,650 $9,422 $10,195
2 32,288 1,025,086 1,027,410 1,029,825 25,086 27,410 29,825 21,086 23,410 25,825
3 49,652 1,037,195 1,041,864 1,046,909 37,195 41,864 46,909 33,195 37,864 42,909
4 67,884 1,048,862 1,056,683 1,065,469 48,862 56,683 65,469 44,862 52,683 61,469
5 87,029 1,060,214 1,072,004 1,085,780 60,214 72,004 85,780 56,214 68,004 81,780
6 107,130 1,071,019 1,087,604 1,107,768 71,019 87,604 107,768 67,419 84,004 104,168
7 128,237 1,081,406 1,103,617 1,131,726 81,406 103,617 131,726 78,206 100,417 128,526
8 150,398 1,091,143 1,119,816 1,157,604 91,143 119,816 157,604 88,343 117,016 154,804
9 173,668 1,100,242 1,136,207 1,185,594 100,242 136,207 185,594 97,842 133,807 183,194
10 198,102 1,108,596 1,152,679 1,215,786 108,596 152,679 215,786 106,596 150,679 213,786
11 223,757 1,115,980 1,168,989 1,248,149 115,980 168,989 248,149 114,380 167,389 246,549
12 250,695 1,122,410 1,185,130 1,282,904 122,410 185,130 282,904 121,210 183,930 281,704
13 278,979 1,127,665 1,200,852 1,320,041 127,665 200,852 320,041 126,865 200,052 319,241
14 308,678 1,131,648 1,216,014 1,359,674 131,648 216,014 359,674 131,248 215,614 359,274
15 339,862 1,134,260 1,230,470 1,401,932 134,260 230,470 401,932 134,260 230,470 401,932
20 520,789 1,114,956 1,277,423 1,648,090 114,956 277,423 648,090 114,956 277,423 648,090
25 751,702 0 1,217,641 1,912,766 0 217,641 912,766 0 217,641 912,766
30 1,046,412 0 0 2,085,053 0 0 1,085,053 0 0 1,085,053
35 1,422,545 0 0 1,925,001 0 0 925,001 0 0 925,001
40 1,902,596 0 0 1,056,450 0 0 56,450 0 0 56,450
45 2,515,277 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
</TABLE>
(1) Assumes no policy loans or partial withdrawals have been made.
(2) Assumes a $15,000 premium is paid at the beginning of each policy year.
Values will be different if premiums are paid in different amounts or with
a different frequency.
THE ABOVE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RESULTS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND YOU SHOULD
NOT CONSIDER THEM TO BE A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RESULTS.
ACTUAL INVESTMENT RESULTS MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. THE DEATH
BENEFIT, POLICY VALUE AND CASH SURRENDER VALUE WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE
SHOWN IF RETURNS AVERAGED 0%, 6% AND 12% OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, BUT FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS. WE CANNOT REPRESENT
THAT THESE HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR
SUSTAINED OVER ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
59 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM SURVIVORSHIP VARIABLE
LIFE INSURANCE POLICY
ANNUAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors
IDS Life Insurance Company
We have audited the accompanying individual and combined statements of net
assets of the segregated asset subaccounts of IDS Life Variable Life Separate
Account -- Flexible Premium Survivorship Variable Life Subaccounts (comprised of
subaccounts U, V, W, X, Y, IL, FGI and FNO) as of December 31, 1998, and the
related statements of operations and changes in net assets for each of the three
years in the period then ended, except for the FGI and FNO subaccounts which are
for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1998 and the period
November 22, 1996 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 1996. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the management of IDS Life
Insurance Company. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included
confirmation of securities owned at December 31, 1998 with the affiliated and
unaffiliated mutual fund managers. 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 individual and combined financial position of IDS
Life Variable Life Separate Account -- Flexible Premium Survivorship Variable
Life Subaccounts at December 31, 1998 and the individual and combined results of
their operations and the changes in their net assets for the periods described
above, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 12, 1999
60 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE VARIABLE LIFE SEPARATE ACCOUNT -- FLEXIBLE PREMIUM SURVIVORSHIP
VARIABLE LIFE SUBACCOUNTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS DEC. 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEGREGATED ASSET SUBACCOUNTS COMBINED
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VARIABLE
ASSETS U V W X Y IL FGI FNO ACCOUNT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments in
shares of
mutual funds
and portfolios:
at cost...... $754,516,686 $82,802,098 $34,738,056 $468,110,128 $12,327,341 $205,977,181 $132,651,504 $109,927,003 $1,801,049,997
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
at market
value....... $890,343,198 $82,794,183 $34,738,024 $561,662,445 $12,591,497 $242,624,735 $161,862,311 $136,226,674 $2,122,843,067
Dividends
receivable..... -- 453,912 136,251 -- 52,544 -- -- -- 642,707
Accounts
receivable from
IDS Life for
contract
purchase
payments....... 29,608 142,868 63,093 104,584 24,281 120,600 144,696 171,285 801,015
Receivable from
mutual funds
and portfolios
for
redemptions.... 647,792 -- -- 322,897 -- 63,288 -- -- 1,033,977
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets... 891,020,598 83,390,963 34,937,368 562,089,926 12,668,322 242,808,623 162,007,007 136,397,959 2,125,320,766
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable to IDS
Life for
mortality and
expense risk
fee............ 677,400 62,775 26,167 427,481 9,406 183,888 119,796 101,125 1,608,038
Payable to
mutual funds
and portfolios
for investments
purchased...... -- 534,005 173,177 -- 67,419 -- 144,696 171,285 1,090,582
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
liabilities.... 677,400 596,780 199,344 427,481 76,825 183,888 264,492 272,410 2,698,620
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets
applicable to
Variable Life
contracts in
accumulation
period......... $890,343,198 $82,794,183 $34,738,024 $561,662,445 $12,591,497 $242,624,735 $161,742,515 $136,125,549 $2,122,622,146
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCUMULATION
UNITS
OUTSTANDING.... 205,971,122 36,389,966 21,082,168 139,808,650 5,728,665 114,891,933 102,425,500 92,520,119
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE
PER
ACCUMULATION
UNIT........... $ 4.32 $ 2.28 $ 1.65 $ 4.02 $ 2.20 $ 2.11 $ 1.58 $ 1.47
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
61 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE VARIABLE LIFE SEPARATE ACCOUNT -- FLEXIBLE PREMIUM SURVIVORSHIP
VARIABLE LIFE SUBACCOUNTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEGREGATED ASSET SUBACCOUNTS
INVESTMENT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME U V W X Y IL FGI FNO
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividend income
from mutual
funds and
portfolios..... $ 127,552,190 $ 5,482,824 $ 1,502,154 $44,064,797 $ 651,047 $10,109,537 $ 2,141,220 $ 962,047
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:
Mortality and
expense risk
fee............ 7,017,729 673,510 274,445 4,505,632 95,855 1,923,842 894,291 771,763
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment
income (loss)
- -- net......... 120,534,461 4,809,314 1,227,709 39,559,165 555,192 8,185,695 1,246,929 190,284
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON
INVESTMENTS -- NET
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain (loss) on sales
of investments
in mutual funds and
portfolios:
Proceeds from
sales.......... 9,112,329 2,569,475 12,888,386 3,977,679 2,869,520 1,835,092 352,149 285
Cost of
investments
sold........... 7,404,017 2,534,204 12,888,474 3,476,801 2,821,030 1,688,869 309,487 297
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized
gain (loss) on
investments.... 1,708,312 35,271 (88) 500,878 48,490 146,223 42,662 (12)
Net change in
unrealized
appreciation or
depreciation of
investments.... (54,778,267) (1,588,877) 50 24,071,107 143,444 27,604,400 26,122,797 21,170,328
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain (loss)
on
investments.... (53,069,955) (1,553,606) (38) 24,571,985 191,934 27,750,623 26,165,459 21,170,316
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
(decrease) in
net assets
resulting from
operations..... $ 67,464,506 $ 3,255,708 $ 1,227,671 $64,131,150 $ 747,126 $35,936,318 $27,412,388 $ 21,360,600
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
COMBINED
INVESTMENT VARIABLE
INCOME ACCOUNT
<S> <C>
- ---------------
Dividend income
from mutual
funds and
portfolios..... $192,465,816
- ---------------
Expenses:
Mortality and
expense risk
fee............ 16,157,067
- ---------------
Investment
income (loss)
- -- net......... 176,308,749
- ---------------
REALIZED AND UN
INVESTMENTS --
- ---------------
Realized gain (
of investments
in mutual funds
portfolios:
Proceeds from
sales.......... 33,604,915
Cost of
investments
sold........... 31,123,179
- ---------------
Net realized
gain (loss) on
investments.... 2,481,736
Net change in
unrealized
appreciation or
depreciation of
investments.... 42,744,982
- ---------------
Net gain (loss)
on
investments.... 45,226,718
- ---------------
Net increase
(decrease) in
net assets
resulting from
operations..... $221,535,467
- ---------------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
62 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE VARIABLE LIFE SEPARATE ACCOUNT -- FLEXIBLE PREMIUM SURVIVORSHIP
VARIABLE LIFE SUBACCOUNTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEGREGATED ASSET SUBACCOUNTS COMBINED
INVESTMENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ VARIABLE
INCOME U V W X Y IL FGI FNO ACCOUNT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividend income
from mutual
funds and
portfolios..... $ 23,181,667 $4,276,019 $ 1,234,742 $38,138,777 $ 636,103 $4,413,548 $ 62,316 $ -- $ 71,943,172
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Expenses:
Mortality and
expense risk
fee............ 5,566,619 541,604 223,384 3,575,194 86,117 1,238,582 190,159 206,714 11,628,373
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Investment
income (loss)
- -- net......... 17,615,048 3,734,415 1,011,358 34,563,583 549,986 3,174,966 (127,843) (206,714) 60,314,799
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON
INVESTMENTS -- NET
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Realized gain
(loss) on sales
of investments
in mutual funds
and portfolios:
Proceeds from
sales.......... 5,074,599 3,857,257 9,523,185 2,995,867 3,337,156 668,935 -- -- 25,456,999
Cost of
investments
sold........... 4,025,924 3,771,946 9,523,329 2,544,758 3,359,081 630,427 -- -- 23,855,465
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net realized
gain (loss) on
investments.... 1,048,675 85,311 (144) 451,109 (21,925) 38,508 -- -- 1,601,534
Net change in
unrealized
appreciation or
depreciation of
investments.... 96,070,257 286,967 141 24,614,820 182,848 2,355,317 3,092,969 5,147,244 131,750,563
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net gain (loss)
on
investments.... 97,118,932 372,278 (3) 25,065,929 160,923 2,393,825 3,092,969 5,147,244 133,352,097
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net increase
(decrease) in
net assets
resulting from
operations..... $114,733,980 $4,106,693 $ 1,011,355 $59,629,512 $ 710,909 $5,568,791 $2,965,126 $4,940,530 $193,666,896
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
63 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE VARIABLE LIFE SEPARATE ACCOUNT -- FLEXIBLE PREMIUM SURVIVORSHIP
VARIABLE LIFE SUBACCOUNTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEGREGATED ASSET SUBACCOUNTS COMBINED
INVESTMENT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VARIABLE
INCOME U V W X Y IL FGI* FNO* ACCOUNT
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividend income
from mutual
funds and
portfolios..... $66,883,373 $ 3,233,159 $ 611,169 $21,120,183 $ 532,217 $6,174,491 $ 8,263 $ -- $ 98,562,855
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:
Mortality and
expense risk
fee............ 3,754,636 437,113 114,838 2,565,481 103,203 553,611 576 1,042 7,530,500
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment
income (loss)
- -- net......... 63,128,737 2,796,046 496,331 18,554,702 429,014 5,620,880 7,687 (1,042) 91,032,355
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED
GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
- -- NET
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain
(loss) on sales
of investments
in mutual funds
and portfolios:
Proceeds from
sales.......... 2,580,239 3,501,950 6,220,752 1,852,115 1,415,835 -- -- -- 15,570,891
Cost of
investments
sold........... 1,907,065 3,439,003 6,220,842 1,633,941 1,428,871 -- -- -- 14,629,722
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized
gain (loss) on
investments.... 673,174 62,947 (90) 218,174 (13,036) -- -- -- 941,169
Net change in
unrealized
appreciation or
depreciation of
investments.... 5,691,003 (1,319,174) (94) 17,604,775 (403,974) 2,374,285 (4,959) (17,901) 23,923,961
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain (loss)
on
investments.... 6,364,177 (1,256,227) (184) 17,822,949 (417,010) 2,374,285 (4,959) (17,901) 24,865,130
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
(decrease) in
net assets
resulting from
operations..... $69,492,914 $ 1,539,819 $ 496,147 $36,377,651 $ 12,004 $7,995,165 $ 2,728 $ (18,943) $115,897,485
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*For the period from Nov. 22, 1996 (commencement of operations) to Dec. 31,
1996.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
64 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE VARIABLE LIFE SEPARATE ACCOUNT -- FLEXIBLE PREMIUM SURVIVORSHIP
VARIABLE LIFE SUBACCOUNTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEGREGATED ASSET SUBACCOUNTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATIONS U V W X Y IL
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income (loss)
- -- net................... $120,534,461 $ 4,809,314 $ 1,227,709 $ 39,559,165 $ 555,192 $ 8,185,695
Net realized gain (loss)
on investments........... 1,708,312 35,271 (88) 500,878 48,490 146,223
Net change in unrealized
appreciation or
depreciation of
investments.............. (54,778,267) (1,588,877) 50 24,071,107 143,444 27,604,400
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)
in net assets resulting
from operations.......... 67,464,506 3,255,708 1,227,671 64,131,150 747,126 35,936,318
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT TRANSACTIONS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract purchase
payments................. 131,410,140 16,568,072 22,533,012 77,494,858 3,068,352 43,374,689
Net transfers*........... 34,512,161 4,116,034 (12,918,560) 18,929,696 53,255 14,647,773
Transfers for policy
loans.................... (9,132,065) (674,976) (55,561) (4,854,390) (80,357) (2,119,714)
Policy charges........... (33,270,686) (4,896,101) (3,021,126) (23,227,333) (899,151) (8,039,269)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits....... (23,336,785) (1,937,895) (1,277,678) (15,414,416) (327,256) (5,022,065)
Death benefits........... (2,020,055) (233,686) (20,106) (1,378,719) (72,670) (398,029)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from
contract transactions.... 98,162,710 12,941,448 5,239,981 51,549,696 1,742,173 42,443,385
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning
of year.................. 724,715,982 66,597,027 28,270,372 445,981,599 10,102,198 164,245,032
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of
year..................... $890,343,198 $82,794,183 $34,738,024 $561,662,445 $12,591,497 $242,624,735
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCUMULATION UNIT
ACTIVITY
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at
beginning of year........ 181,225,095 30,615,038 17,863,880 125,875,176 4,935,518 93,664,100
Contracts purchase
payments................. 33,079,510 7,413,809 13,938,851 20,914,302 1,443,628 21,932,881
Net transfers*........... 8,570,310 1,826,332 (8,013,780) 5,128,103 (294) 7,154,080
Transfers for policy
loans.................... (2,227,458) (301,509) (34,006) (1,313,581) (37,323) (1,072,377)
Policy charges........... (8,392,023) (2,191,418) (1,868,460) (6,275,456) (423,666) (4,060,677)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits....... (5,791,106) (867,738) (791,849) (4,147,133) (154,579) (2,527,911)
Death benefits........... (493,206) (104,548) (12,468) (372,761) (34,619) (198,163)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end
of year.................. 205,971,122 36,389,966 21,082,168 139,808,650 5,728,665 114,891,933
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
COMBINED
VARIABLE
OPERATIONS FGI FNO ACCOUNT
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- -------------------------
Investment income (loss)
- -- net................... $ 1,246,929 $ 190,284 $ 176,308,749
Net realized gain (loss)
on investments........... 42,662 (12) 2,481,736
Net change in unrealized
appreciation or
depreciation of
investments.............. 26,122,797 21,170,328 42,744,982
- -------------------------
Net increase (decrease)
in net assets resulting
from operations.......... 27,412,388 21,360,600 221,535,467
- -------------------------
CONTRACT TRANSACTIONS
- -------------------------
Contract purchase
payments................. 38,889,216 33,203,965 366,542,304
Net transfers*........... 51,456,625 38,403,499 149,200,483
Transfers for policy
loans.................... (594,550) (793,889) (18,305,502)
Policy charges........... (5,030,171) (4,074,024) (82,457,861)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits....... (1,558,456) (1,507,870) (50,382,421)
Death benefits........... (120,690) (87,018) (4,330,973)
- -------------------------
Increase (decrease) from
contract transactions.... 83,041,974 65,144,663 360,266,030
- -------------------------
Net assets at beginning
of year.................. 51,288,153 49,620,286 1,540,820,649
- -------------------------
Net assets at end of
year..................... $161,742,515 $136,125,549 $2,122,622,146
- -------------------------
ACCUMULATION UNIT
ACTIVITY
- -------------------------
Units outstanding at
beginning of year........ 41,101,142 41,573,554
Contracts purchase
payments................. 28,706,679 26,100,519
Net transfers*........... 37,992,736 29,942,354
Transfers for policy
loans.................... (441,852) (628,537)
Policy charges........... (3,704,506) (3,213,466)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits....... (1,141,804) (1,184,846)
Death benefits........... (86,895) (69,459)
- -------------------------
Units outstanding at end
of year.................. 102,425,500 92,520,119
- -------------------------
</TABLE>
* Includes transfer activity from (to) other subaccounts and transfers from (to)
IDS Life's fixed account.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
65 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE VARIABLE LIFE SEPARATE ACCOUNT -- FLEXIBLE PREMIUM SURVIVORSHIP
VARIABLE LIFE SUBACCOUNTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEGREGATED ASSET SUBACCOUNTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATIONS U V W X Y IL
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income (loss)
- -- net................... $ 17,615,048 $ 3,734,415 $ 1,011,358 $ 34,563,583 $ 549,986 $ 3,174,966
Net realized gain (loss)
on investments........... 1,048,675 85,311 (144) 451,109 (21,925) 38,508
Net change in unrealized
appreciation or
depreciation of
investments.............. 96,070,257 286,967 141 24,614,820 182,848 2,355,317
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)
in net assets
resulting from
operations............... 114,733,980 4,106,693 1,011,355 59,629,512 710,909 5,568,791
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT TRANSACTIONS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract purchase
payments................. 123,570,339 15,053,091 17,423,616 72,845,044 2,402,678 42,899,371
Net transfers*........... 33,103,308 (239,083) (4,227,737) 21,193,067 (810,517) 27,901,000
Transfers for policy
loans.................... (8,713,893) (546,324) (290,773) (5,307,297) (111,242) (1,682,789)
Policy charges........... (29,122,591) (4,215,454) (2,208,148) (20,456,659) (809,036) (6,477,870)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits....... (18,607,496) (1,766,331) (792,989) (11,491,981) (418,878) (2,719,919)
Death benefits........... (1,276,530) (247,537) (55,408) (1,781,799) (63,523) (279,136)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from
contract transactions.... 98,953,137 8,038,362 9,848,561 55,000,375 189,482 59,640,657
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning
of year.................. 511,028,865 54,451,972 17,410,456 331,351,712 9,201,807 99,035,584
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of
year..................... $724,715,982 $66,597,027 $28,270,372 $445,981,599 $10,102,198 $164,245,032
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCUMULATION UNIT
ACTIVITY
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at
beginning of year........ 153,373,376 26,774,670 11,458,041 109,309,116 4,856,455 59,452,809
Contract purchase
payments................. 34,678,477 7,178,911 11,237,391 22,016,619 1,231,725 24,446,022
Net transfers*........... 9,264,513 (114,293) (2,674,428) 6,349,838 (435,528) 16,110,287
Transfers for policy
loans.................... (2,427,763) (259,393) (188,211) (1,607,411) (56,371) (959,477)
Policy charges........... (8,157,111) (2,008,118) (1,421,377) (6,182,237) (415,413) (3,690,168)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits....... (5,158,329) (837,375) (511,680) (3,467,220) (212,344) (1,538,186)
Death benefits........... (348,068) (119,364) (35,856) (543,529) (33,006) (157,187)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end
of year.................. 181,225,095 30,615,038 17,863,880 125,875,176 4,935,518 93,664,100
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
COMBINED
VARIABLE
OPERATIONS FGI FNO ACCOUNT
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- -------------------------
Investment income (loss)
- -- net................... $ (127,843) $ (206,714) $ 60,314,799
Net realized gain (loss)
on investments........... -- -- 1,601,534
Net change in unrealized
appreciation or
depreciation of
investments.............. 3,092,969 5,147,244 131,750,563
- -------------------------
Net increase (decrease)
in net assets
resulting from
operations............... 2,965,126 4,940,530 193,666,896
- -------------------------
CONTRACT TRANSACTIONS
- -------------------------
Contract purchase
payments................. 13,841,301 13,991,080 302,026,520
Net transfers*........... 34,880,409 30,282,735 142,083,182
Transfers for policy
loans.................... (200,323) (223,063) (17,075,704)
Policy charges........... (1,233,735) (1,274,804) (65,798,297)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits....... (246,589) (436,800) (36,480,983)
Death benefits........... (8,789) (9,988) (3,722,710)
- -------------------------
Increase (decrease) from
contract transactions.... 47,032,274 42,329,160 321,032,008
- -------------------------
Net assets at beginning
of year.................. 1,290,753 2,350,596 1,026,121,745
- -------------------------
Net assets at end of
year..................... $51,288,153 $49,620,286 $1,540,820,649
- -------------------------
ACCUMULATION UNIT
ACTIVITY
- -------------------------
Units outstanding at
beginning of year........ 1,288,668 2,406,142
Contract purchase
payments................. 11,617,761 12,833,138
Net transfers*........... 29,596,543 28,094,106
Transfers for policy
loans.................... (167,885) (203,109)
Policy charges........... (1,026,899) (1,156,378)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits....... (199,141) (390,852)
Death benefits........... (7,905) (9,493)
- -------------------------
Units outstanding at end
of year.................. 41,101,142 41,573,554
- -------------------------
</TABLE>
*Includes transfer activity from (to) other subaccounts and transfers from (to)
IDS Life's fixed account.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
66 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE VARIABLE LIFE SEPARATE ACCOUNT -- FLEXIBLE PREMIUM SURVIVORSHIP
VARIABLE LIFE SUBACCOUNTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEGREGATED ASSET SUBACCOUNTS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATIONS U V W X Y IL
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income (loss)
- -- net................... $ 63,128,737 $ 2,796,046 $ 496,331 $ 18,554,702 $ 429,014 $ 5,620,880
Net realized gain (loss)
on investments........... 673,174 62,947 (90) 218,174 (13,036) --
Net change in unrealized
appreciation or
depreciation of
investments.............. 5,691,003 (1,319,174) (94) 17,604,775 (403,974) 2,374,285
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)
in net assets resulting
from operations.......... 69,492,914 1,539,819 496,147 36,377,651 12,004 7,995,165
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT TRANSACTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract purchase
payments................. 105,961,565 13,310,365 9,046,621 66,518,941 2,145,072 28,312,012
Net transfers*........... 66,015,408 3,722,805 (1,205,578) 22,431,178 692,739 43,320,118
Transfers for policy
loans.................... (6,244,169) (355,098) 27,139 (3,900,647) (80,185) (665,251)
Policy charges........... (23,329,445) (3,771,136) (1,130,174) (17,570,432) (802,276) (3,387,753)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits....... (14,981,757) (1,611,110) (450,677) (10,189,903) (266,418) (1,284,169)
Death benefits........... (952,889) (205,738) (28,391) (652,571) (45,597) (77,361)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from
contract transactions.... 126,468,713 11,090,088 6,258,940 56,636,566 1,643,335 66,217,596
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning
of year.................. 315,067,238 41,822,065 10,655,369 238,337,495 7,546,468 24,822,823
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of
year..................... $511,028,865 $54,451,972 $17,410,456 $331,351,712 $9,201,807 $99,035,584
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCUMULATION UNIT
ACTIVITY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at
beginning of year ....... 112,397,698 21,093,984 7,292,031 89,225,571 3,992,247 18,302,995
Contract purchase
payments................. 34,307,830 6,801,860 6,064,251 23,599,318 1,157,301 17,547,447
Net transfers*........... 21,380,545 1,912,837 (839,017) 7,943,928 352,919 26,953,612
Transfers for policy
loans.................... (2,016,634) (182,651) 18,550 (1,382,862) (43,801) (412,513)
Policy charges........... (7,542,639) (1,925,848) (757,352) (6,225,537) (432,937) (2,093,202)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits....... (4,851,362) (820,422) (301,100) (3,621,740) (144,876) (797,805)
Death benefits........... (302,062) (105,090) (19,322) (229,562) (24,398) (47,725)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end
of year.................. 153,373,376 26,774,670 11,458,041 109,309,116 4,856,455 59,452,809
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
COMBINED
VARIABLE
OPERATIONS FGI** FNO** ACCOUNT
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- -------------------------
Investment income (loss)
- -- net................... $ 7,687 $ (1,042) $ 91,032,355
Net realized gain (loss)
on investments........... -- -- 941,169
Net change in unrealized
appreciation or
depreciation of
investments.............. (4,959) (17,901) 23,923,961
- -------------------------
Net increase (decrease)
in net assets resulting
from operations.......... 2,728 (18,943) 115,897,485
- -------------------------
CONTRACT TRANSACTIONS
- -------------------------
Contract purchase
payments................. 143,703 362,548 225,800,827
Net transfers*........... 1,148,866 2,017,177 138,142,713
Transfers for policy
loans.................... (596) (2,348) (11,221,155)
Policy charges........... (3,948) (7,838) (50,003,002)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits....... -- -- (28,784,034)
Death benefits........... -- -- (1,962,547)
- -------------------------
Increase (decrease) from
contract transactions.... 1,288,025 2,369,539 271,972,802
- -------------------------
Net assets at beginning
of year.................. -- -- 638,251,458
- -------------------------
Net assets at end of
year..................... $1,290,753 $2,350,596 $1,026,121,745
- -------------------------
ACCUMULATION UNIT
ACTIVITY
- -------------------------
Units outstanding at
beginning of year ....... -- --
Contract purchase
payments................. 143,378 369,756
Net transfers*........... 1,149,856 2,046,787
Transfers for policy
loans.................... (611) (2,377)
Policy charges........... (3,955) (8,024)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits....... -- --
Death benefits........... -- --
- -------------------------
Units outstanding at end
of year.................. 1,288,668 2,406,142
- -------------------------
</TABLE>
* Includes transfer activity from (to) other subaccounts and transfers from (to)
IDS Life's fixed account.
** For the period from Nov. 22, 1996 (commencement of operations) to Dec. 31,
1996.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
67 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM SURVIVORSHIP VARIABLE
LIFE SUBACCOUNTS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. ORGANIZATION
IDS Life Variable Life Separate Account (the Variable Account) was established
under Minnesota law on Oct. 16, 1985 as a segregated asset account of IDS Life
Insurance Company (IDS Life). The Variable Account is registered as a single
unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
1940 Act). Operations of the Variable Account commenced on Jan. 20, 1986.
The Variable Account is comprised of various subaccounts. Each subaccount
invests exclusively in shares of the following portfolios or funds (the Funds),
which are registered under the 1940 Act as diversified, open-end management
investment companies and have the following investment managers.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
SUBACCOUNT INVESTS EXCLUSIVELY IN SHARES OF INVESTMENT MANAGER
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U IDS Life Series Fund Equity Portfolio IDS Life Insurance Company(1)
V IDS Life Series Fund Income Portfolio IDS Life Insurance Company(1)
W IDS Life Series Fund Money Market Portfolio IDS Life Insurance Company(1)
X IDS Life Series Fund Managed Portfolio IDS Life Insurance Company(1)
Y IDS Life Series Fund Government Securities Portfolio IDS Life Insurance Company(1)
IL IDS Life Series Fund International Equity Portfolio IDS Life Insurance Company(1)
FGI AIM V.I. Growth and Income Fund AIM Management Group Inc.
FNO Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund Putnam Investment Management, Inc.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1)American Express Financial Corporation (AEFC) is the investment advisor.
The assets of each subaccount of the Variable Account are not chargeable with
liabilities arising out of the business conducted by any other segregated asset
account or by IDS Life.
IDS Life serves as the distributor of the Flexible Premium Survivorship Variable
Life Policy.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
INVESTMENTS IN THE FUNDS
Investments in shares of the Funds are stated at market value which is the net
asset value per share as determined by the respective Fund. Investment
transactions are accounted for on the date the shares are purchased and sold.
The cost of investments sold and redeemed is determined on the average cost
method. Dividend distributions received from the Funds are reinvested in
additional shares of the Funds and are recorded as income by the subaccounts on
the ex-dividend date.
Unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments in the accompanying
financial statements represents the subaccounts' share of the Funds'
undistributed net investment income, undistributed realized gain or loss and the
unrealized appreciation or depreciation on their investment securities.
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 disclosures of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of increase and decrease in net assets from operations
during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
IDS Life is taxed as a life insurance company. The Variable Account is treated
as part of IDS Life for federal income tax purposes. Under existing federal
income tax law, no income taxes are payable with respect to any investment
income of the Variable Account.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK FEE AND POLICY CHARGES
IDS Life makes contractual assurances to the Variable Account that possible
future adverse changes in administrative expenses and mortality experience of
the policy owners and beneficiaries will not affect the Variable Account. The
mortality and expense risk fee paid to IDS Life is computed daily and is equal,
on an annual basis, to 0.9% of the average daily net assets of the subaccount. A
monthly deduction is made for the cost of insurance and the policy fee. The cost
of insurance for the policy month is determined on the monthly date by
determining the net amount at risk, as of that day, and by then applying the
cost of insurance rates to the net amount at risk which IDS Life is
68 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM SURVIVORSHIP VARIABLE
LIFE SUBACCOUNTS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK FEE AND POLICY CHARGES (CONTINUED)
assuming for the succeeding month. The monthly deduction will be taken from the
subaccounts as specified in the application for the policy.
IDS Life deducts a policy fee of $30 per month for the first 15 years. This
charge reimburses IDS Life for expenses incurred in administering the policy,
such as processing claims, maintaining records, making policy changes and
communicating with owners of policies. IDS Life does not anticipate that it will
make any profit on this charge. IDS Life reserves the right to change this
charge in the future, but guarantees that it will never exceed $30 per month.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. OPTIONAL INSURANCE BENEFIT CHARGE
Each month IDS Life deducts charges for any optional insurance benefits added to
the policy by rider.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. PREMIUM EXPENSE CHARGE
IDS Life deducts charges for three separate items from each premium payment. The
total of these charges is called the premium expense charge. Details regarding
these three charges follows.
A sales charge of 7.25% of each premium payment will be deducted to compensate
IDS Life for expenses in distributing the policy, including agents'
compensation, advertising and printing the prospectus and sales literature.
The policy provides that a charge of 2.5% of each premium payment will be
deducted to cover the premium taxes assessed by various states. Premium taxes
vary from state to state. This charge is the average rate which IDS Life expects
to pay on premiums from all states.
The policy provides that a charge of 1.25% of each premium payment is deducted
to cover the federal taxes resulting from the sale of the policy. IDS Life
reserves the right to change this charge in the future if applicable federal law
changes.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. SURRENDER CHARGE
There are surrender charges for full surrenders in the first 15 years of the
policy. They are generally level for 5 years and decreasing the next 10 years.
The surrender charge is $4.00 per $1,000 of the amount used to determine the
death benefit (specified amount). This surrender charge reimburses IDS Life for
the cost of issuing the policy. Charges by IDS Life for surrenders are not
identified on an individual segregated asset account basis. Charges for all
segregated asset accounts amounted to $17,936,810 in 1998, $14,502,145 in 1997
and $11,956,753 in 1996. Such charges are not treated as a separate expense of
the subaccounts or Variable Account. They are ultimately deducted from surrender
benefits paid by IDS Life.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. INVESTMENT IN SHARES
The subaccounts' investment in shares of the Funds as of Dec. 31, 1998 were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
SUBACCOUNT INVESTMENT SHARES NAV
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U IDS Life Series Fund Equity Portfolio.................. 32,330,459 $ 27.54
V IDS Life Series Fund Income Portfolio.................. 8,256,015 10.03
W IDS Life Series Fund Money Market Portfolio............ 34,741,315 1.00
X IDS Life Series Fund Managed Portfolio................. 29,407,407 19.10
Y IDS Life Series Fund Government Securities Portfolio... 1,213,762 10.37
IL IDS Life Series Fund International Equity Portfolio.... 13,438,137 18.05
FGI AIM V.I. Growth and Income Fund........................ 6,815,255 23.75
FNO Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund....................... 5,227,424 26.06
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
69 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM SURVIVORSHIP VARIABLE
LIFE SUBACCOUNTS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
The subaccounts' purchases of Funds' shares, including reinvestment of dividend
distributions, were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DEC. 31,
----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SUBACCOUNT INVESTMENT 1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U IDS Life Series Fund Equity Portfolio....................... $226,733,888 $121,966,988 $192,481,448
V IDS Life Series Fund Income Portfolio....................... 20,320,237 15,630,034 17,388,084
W IDS Life Series Fund Money Market Portfolio................. 19,356,076 20,383,104 12,976,023
X IDS Life Series Fund Managed Portfolio...................... 94,424,448 92,732,258 77,193,596
Y IDS Life Series Fund Government Securities Portfolio........ 5,166,525 4,076,984 3,488,184
IL IDS Life Series Fund International Equity Portfolio......... 52,222,291 63,357,169 72,175,223
FGI AIM V.I. Growth and Income Fund............................. 84,722,297 46,942,418 1,296,276*
FNO Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund............................ 65,398,582 42,159,212 2,369,506*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combined Variable Account $568,344,344 $407,248,167 $379,368,340
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*Commenced operations on Nov. 22, 1996.
70 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM SURVIVORSHIP VARIABLE
LIFE SUBACCOUNTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following tables give per-unit information about the financial history of
each subaccount.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ended Dec. 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBACCOUNT U (INVESTING IN SHARES OF IDS LIFE
SERIES FUND EQUITY PORTFOLIO)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period.................................. $4.00 $3.33 $2.80 $2.04 $2.01 $1.79 $1.71 $1.04
Accumulation unit value at end of
period.................................. $4.32 $4.00 $3.33 $2.80 $2.04 $2.01 $1.79 $1.71
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted).......... 205,971 181,225 153,373 112,398 86,672 54,422 35,765 20,713
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBACCOUNT V (INVESTING IN SHARES OF IDS LIFE
SERIES FUND INCOME PORTFOLIO)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period.................................. $2.18 $2.03 $1.98 $1.65 $1.74 $1.53 $1.41 $1.23
Accumulation unit value at end of
period.................................. $2.28 $2.18 $2.03 $1.98 $1.65 $1.74 $1.53 $1.41
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted).......... 36,390 30,615 26,775 21,094 16,248 13,255 8,848 6,088
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBACCOUNT W (INVESTING IN SHARES OF IDS LIFE
SERIES FUND MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period.................................. $1.58 $1.52 $1.46 $1.40 $1.36 $1.34 $1.31 $1.25
Accumulation unit value at end of
period.................................. $1.65 $1.58 $1.52 $1.46 $1.40 $1.36 $1.34 $1.31
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted).......... 21,082 17,864 11,458 7,292 4,148 2,911 2,981 2,876
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBACCOUNT X (INVESTING IN SHARES OF IDS LIFE
SERIES FUND MANAGED PORTFOLIO)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period.................................. $3.54 $3.03 $2.67 $2.27 $2.27 $1.91 $1.75 $1.34
Accumulation unit value at end of
period.................................. $4.02 $3.54 $3.03 $2.67 $2.27 $2.27 $1.91 $1.75
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted).......... 139,809 125,875 109,309 89,226 70,903 45,870 30,475 21,753
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBACCOUNT Y (INVESTING IN SHARES OF IDS LIFE
SERIES FUND GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PORTFOLIO)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period.................................. $2.05 $1.89 $1.89 $1.62 $1.71 $1.54 $1.46 $1.26
Accumulation unit value at end of
period.................................. $2.20 $2.05 $1.89 $1.89 $1.62 $1.71 $1.54 $1.46
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted).......... 5,729 4,936 4,856 3,992 3,949 3,444 2,556 1,504
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBACCOUNT IL(1) (INVESTING IN SHARES OF IDS LIFE
SERIES FUND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period.................................. $1.75 $1.67 $1.36 $0.99 $1.00 -- -- --
Accumulation unit value at end of
period.................................. $2.11 $1.75 $1.67 $1.36 $0.99 -- -- --
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted).......... 114,892 93,664 59,453 18,303 2,582 -- -- --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBACCOUNT FGI(2) (INVESTING IN SHARES OF AIM V.I.
GROWTH AND INCOME FUND)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period.................................. $1.25 $1.00 $1.00 -- -- -- -- --
Accumulation unit value at end of
period.................................. $1.58 $1.25 $1.00 -- -- -- -- --
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted).......... 102,426 41,101 1,289 -- -- -- -- --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBACCOUNT FNO(2) (INVESTING IN SHARES OF PUTNAM
VT NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period.................................. $1.19 $0.98 $1.00 -- -- -- -- --
Accumulation unit value at end of
period.................................. $1.47 $1.19 $0.98 -- -- -- -- --
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted).......... 92,520 41,574 2,406 -- -- -- -- --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
1990 1989
<S> <C> <C>
- ----------------------------------------
SUBACCOUNT U (INVESTING IN SHARES OF IDS
SERIES FUND EQUITY PORTFOLIO)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period.................................. $1.10 $0.90
Accumulation unit value at end of
period.................................. $1.04 $1.10
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted).......... 13,993 9,013
- ----------------------------------------
SUBACCOUNT V (INVESTING IN SHARES OF IDS
SERIES FUND INCOME PORTFOLIO)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period.................................. $1.17 $1.06
Accumulation unit value at end of
period.................................. $1.23 $1.17
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted).......... 4,646 3,207
- ----------------------------------------
SUBACCOUNT W (INVESTING IN SHARES OF IDS
SERIES FUND MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period.................................. $1.17 $1.08
Accumulation unit value at end of
period.................................. $1.25 $1.17
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted).......... 2,221 1,497
- ----------------------------------------
SUBACCOUNT X (INVESTING IN SHARES OF IDS
SERIES FUND MANAGED PORTFOLIO)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period.................................. $1.25 $0.97
Accumulation unit value at end of
period.................................. $1.34 $1.25
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted).......... 15,649 10,496
- ----------------------------------------
SUBACCOUNT Y (INVESTING IN SHARES OF IDS
SERIES FUND GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PORTFO
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period.................................. $1.20 $1.05
Accumulation unit value at end of
period.................................. $1.26 $1.20
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted).......... 1,096 491
- ----------------------------------------
SUBACCOUNT IL(1) (INVESTING IN SHARES OF
SERIES FUND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOL
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period.................................. -- --
Accumulation unit value at end of
period.................................. -- --
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted).......... -- --
- ----------------------------------------
SUBACCOUNT FGI(2) (INVESTING IN SHARES O
GROWTH AND INCOME FUND)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period.................................. -- --
Accumulation unit value at end of
period.................................. -- --
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted).......... -- --
- ----------------------------------------
SUBACCOUNT FNO(2) (INVESTING IN SHARES O
VT NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period.................................. -- --
Accumulation unit value at end of
period.................................. -- --
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted).......... -- --
- ----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1)Operations commenced on Oct. 28, 1994.
(2)Operations commenced on Nov. 22, 1996.
71 PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
IDS LIFE FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
The financial statements shown below are those of the insurance company and not
those of any other entity. They are included for the purpose of informing the
investor as to the financial condition of the insurance company and its ability
to carry out its obligations under its variable contracts.
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS DEC. 31, 1998 DEC. 31, 1997
ASSETS ($ thousands, except share amounts)
<S> <C> <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments:
Fixed maturities:
Held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value: 1998,
$8,420,035; 1997, $9,743,410).................................... $ 7,964,114 $ 9,315,450
Available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 1998,
$13,344,949; 1997, $12,515,030).................................. 13,613,139 12,876,694
Mortgage loans on real estate.................................... 3,505,458 3,618,647
Policy loans..................................................... 525,431 498,874
Other investments................................................ 366,604 318,591
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total investments................................................ 25,974,746 26,628,256
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents........................................ 22,453 19,686
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers.............................. 262,260 205,716
Amounts due from brokers......................................... 327 8,400
Other accounts receivable........................................ 47,963 37,895
Accrued investment income........................................ 366,574 357,390
Deferred policy acquisition costs................................ 2,496,352 2,479,577
Other assets..................................................... 30,487 22,700
Separate account assets.......................................... 27,349,401 23,214,504
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets..................................................... $ 56,550,563 $ 52,974,124
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
<S> <C> <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits:
Fixed annuities.................................................. $ 21,172,303 $ 22,009,747
Universal life-type insurance.................................... 3,343,671 3,280,489
Traditional life insurance....................................... 225,306 213,676
Disability income and long-term care insurance................... 660,320 533,124
Policy claims and other policyholders' funds..................... 70,309 68,345
Deferred income taxes, net....................................... 16,930 61,582
Amounts due to brokers........................................... 195,406 381,458
Other liabilities................................................ 410,285 345,383
Separate account liabilities..................................... 27,349,401 23,214,504
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities................................................ 53,443,931 50,108,308
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholder's equity:
Capital stock, $30 par value per share; 100,000 shares
authorized, issued and outstanding............................... 3,000 3,000
Additional paid-in capital....................................... 288,327 290,847
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Net unrealized securities gains.................................. 169,584 226,359
Retained earnings................................................ 2,645,721 2,345,610
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total stockholder's equity....................................... 3,106,632 2,865,816
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity....................... $ 56,550,563 $ 52,974,124
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-1
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DEC. 31,
1998 1997 1996
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME ($ thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues:
Premiums:
Traditional life insurance....................................... $ 53,132 $ 52,473 $ 51,403
Disability income and long-term care insurance................... 176,298 154,021 131,518
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total premiums................................................... 229,430 206,494 182,921
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Policyholder and contractholder charges.......................... 383,965 341,726 302,999
Management and other fees........................................ 401,057 340,892 271,342
Net investment income............................................ 1,986,485 1,988,389 1,965,362
Net realized gain (loss) on investments.......................... 6,902 860 (159)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total revenues................................................... 3,007,839 2,878,361 2,722,465
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits and expenses:
Death and other benefits:
Traditional life insurance....................................... 29,835 28,951 26,919
Universal life-type insurance and investment contracts........... 108,349 92,814 85,017
Disability income and long-term care insurance................... 27,414 22,333 19,185
Increase in liabilities for future policy benefits:
Traditional life insurance....................................... 6,052 3,946 1,859
Disability income and long-term care insurance................... 73,305 63,631 57,230
Interest credited on universal life-type insurance and investment
contracts........................................................ 1,317,124 1,386,448 1,370,468
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs................ 382,642 322,731 278,605
Other insurance and operating expenses........................... 287,326 276,596 261,468
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total benefits and expenses...................................... 2,232,047 2,197,450 2,100,751
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes....................................... 775,792 680,911 621,714
Income taxes..................................................... 235,681 206,664 207,138
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income....................................................... $ 540,111 $ 474,247 $ 414,576
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-2
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCUMULATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY OTHER
TOTAL ADDITIONAL COMPREHENSIVE
STOCKHOLDER'S CAPITAL PAID-IN INCOME, RETAINED
THREE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31, 1998 ($ thousands) EQUITY STOCK CAPITAL NET OF TAX EARNINGS
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1995................................ $2,331,708 $3,000 $278,814 $ 230,129 $1,819,765
Comprehensive income:
Net income................................................ 414,576 -- -- -- 414,576
Unrealized holding losses arising during the year, net of
deferred policy acquisition costs of $10,325 and taxes of
$82,982................................................... (154,111) -- -- (154,111) --
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net
income, net of tax of $(5,429)............................ 10,084 -- -- 10,084 --
----------- ----------
Other comprehensive loss.................................. (144,027) -- -- (144,027) --
-----------
Comprehensive income...................................... 270,549 -- -- -- --
Capital contribution from parent.......................... 4,801 -- 4,801 -- --
Other changes............................................. 2,022 -- -- -- 2,022
Cash dividends to parent.................................. (165,000) -- -- -- (165,000)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996................................ 2,444,080 3,000 283,615 86,102 2,071,363
Comprehensive income:
Net income................................................ 474,247 -- -- -- 474,247
Unrealized holding gains arising during the year, net of
effect on deferred policy acquisition costs of $(7,714)
and taxes of $(75,215).................................... 139,686 -- -- 139,686 --
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net
income, net of tax of $(308).............................. 571 -- -- 571 --
----------- ----------
Other comprehensive income................................ 140,257 -- -- 140,257 --
-----------
Comprehensive income...................................... 614,504 -- -- -- --
Capital contribution from parent.......................... 7,232 -- 7,232 -- --
Cash dividends to parent.................................. (200,000) -- -- -- (200,000)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1997................................ 2,865,816 3,000 290,847 226,359 2,345,610
Comprehensive income:
Net income................................................ 540,111 -- -- -- 540,111
Unrealized holding losses arising during the year, net of
effect on deferred policy acquisition costs of $6,333 and
taxes of $32,826.......................................... (60,964) -- -- (60,964) --
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net
income, net of tax of $(2,254)............................ 4,189 -- -- 4,189 --
----------- ----------
Other comprehensive loss.................................. (56,775) -- -- (56,775) --
-----------
Comprehensive income...................................... 483,336 -- -- -- --
Other changes............................................. (2,520) -- (2,520) -- --
Cash dividends to parent.................................. (240,000) -- -- -- (240,000)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1998................................ $3,106,632 $3,000 $288,327 $ 169,584 $2,645,721
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-3
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DEC. 31,
1998 1997 1996
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income....................................................... $ 540,111 $ 474,247 $ 414,576
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used
in) operating activities:
Policy loan issuance, excluding universal life-type insurance.... (53,883) (54,665) (49,314)
Policy loan repayment, excluding universal life-type insurance... 57,902 46,015 41,179
Change in amounts recoverable from reinsurers.................... (56,544) (47,994) (43,335)
Change in other accounts receivable.............................. (10,068) 6,194 (4,981)
Change in accrued investment income.............................. (9,184) (14,077) 4,695
Change in deferred policy acquisition costs, net................. (10,443) (156,486) (294,755)
Change in liabilities for future policy benefits for traditional
life, disability income and long-term care insurance............. 138,826 112,915 97,479
Change in policy claims and other policyholders' funds........... 1,964 (15,289) 27,311
Change in deferred income tax provision (benefit)................ (19,122) 19,982 (65,609)
Change in other liabilities...................................... 64,902 13,305 46,724
Amortization of premium (accretion of discount), net............. 9,170 (5,649) (23,032)
Net realized (gain) loss on investments.......................... (6,902) (860) 159
Policyholder and contractholder charges, non-cash................ (172,396) (160,885) (154,286)
Other, net....................................................... 10,786 7,161 (10,816)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities.............. $ 485,119 $ 223,914 $ (14,005)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Fixed maturities held to maturity:
Purchases........................................................ $ (1,020) $ (1,996) $ (43,751)
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls...................... 1,162,731 686,503 759,248
Sales............................................................ 236,963 236,761 279,506
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Purchases........................................................ (4,100,238) (3,160,133) (2,299,198)
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls...................... 2,967,311 1,206,213 1,270,240
Sales............................................................ 278,955 457,585 238,905
Other investments, excluding policy loans:
Purchases........................................................ (555,647) (524,521) (904,536)
Sales............................................................ 579,038 335,765 236,912
Change in amounts due from brokers............................... 8,073 2,647 (11,047)
Change in amounts due to brokers................................. (186,052) 119,471 140,369
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities.............. 390,114 (641,705) (333,352)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Activity related to universal life-type insurance and
investment contracts:
Considerations received.......................................... 1,873,624 2,785,758 3,567,586
Surrenders and death benefits.................................... (3,792,612) (3,736,242) (4,250,294)
Interest credited to account balances............................ 1,317,124 1,386,448 1,370,468
Universal life-type insurance policy loans:
Issuance......................................................... (97,602) (84,835) (86,501)
Repayment........................................................ 67,000 54,513 58,753
Capital transaction with parent.................................. -- 7,232 4,801
Dividends paid................................................... (240,000) (200,000) (165,000)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by financing activities........................ (872,466) 212,874 499,813
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents............. 2,767 (204,917) 152,456
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year................... 19,686 224,603 72,147
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year......................... $ 22,453 $ 19,686 $ 224,603
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-4
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ($ THOUSANDS)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
NATURE OF BUSINESS
IDS Life Insurance Company (the Company) is a stock life insurance company
organized under the laws of the State of Minnesota. The Company is a wholly
owned subsidiary of American Express Financial Corporation (AEFC), which is a
wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company. The Company serves
residents of all states except New York. IDS Life Insurance Company of New York
is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and serves New York State residents.
The Company also wholly owns American Enterprise Life Insurance Company,
American Centurion Life Assurance Company, American Partners Life Insurance
Company and American Express Corporation.
The Company's principal products are deferred annuities and universal life
insurance, which are issued primarily to individuals. It offers single premium
and flexible premium deferred annuities on both a fixed and variable dollar
basis. Immediate annuities are offered as well. The Company's insurance products
include universal life (fixed and variable), whole life, single premium life and
term products (including waiver of premium and accidental death benefits). The
Company also markets disability income and long-term care insurance.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts
and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles which vary in certain
respects from reporting practices prescribed or permitted by state insurance
regulatory authorities (see Note 4).
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
INVESTMENTS
Fixed maturities that the Company has both the positive intent and the ability
to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized
cost. All other fixed maturities and all marketable equity securities are
classified as available for sale and carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and
losses on securities classified as available for sale are reported as a separate
component of other comprehensive income, net of deferred policy acquisition
costs and deferred taxes.
Realized investment gain or loss is determined on an identified cost basis.
Prepayments are anticipated on certain investments in mortgage-backed securities
in determining the constant effective yield used to recognize interest income.
Prepayment estimates are based on information received from brokers who deal in
mortgage-backed securities.
Mortgage loans on real estate are carried at amortized cost less reserves for
mortgage loan losses. The estimated fair value of the mortgage loans is
determined by a discounted cash flow analysis using mortgage interest rates
currently offered for mortgages of similar maturities.
Impairment of mortgage loans is measured as the excess of a loan's recorded
investment over its present value of expected principal and interest payments
discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, or the fair value of
collateral. The amount of the impairment is recorded in a reserve for mortgage
loan losses. The reserve for mortgage loan losses is maintained at a level that
management believes is adequate to absorb estimated losses in the portfolio. The
level of the reserve account is determined based on several factors, including
historical
F-5
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ($ THOUSANDS) (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
experience, expected future principal and interest payments, estimated
collateral values, and current and anticipated economic and political
conditions. Management regularly evaluates the adequacy of the reserve for
mortgage loan losses.
The Company generally stops accruing interest on mortgage loans for which
interest payments are delinquent more than three months. Based on management's
judgment as to the ultimate collectibility of principal, interest payments
received are either recognized as income or applied to the recorded investment
in the loan.
The cost of interest rate caps and floors is amortized to investment income over
the life of the contracts and payments received as a result of these agreements
are recorded as investment income when realized. The amortized cost of interest
rate caps and floors is included in other investments. Amounts paid or received
under interest rate swap agreements are recognized as an adjustment to
investment income.
The Company purchases and writes index options to hedge the fee income earned on
the management of equity securities in separate accounts and the underlying
mutual funds. These index options are carried at market value and are included
in other investments or other liabilities, as appropriate. Gains or losses on
index options that qualify as hedges are deferred and recognized in management
and other fees in the same period as the hedged fee income. Gains or losses on
index options that do not qualify as hedges are marked to market through the
income statement.
The Company also uses index options to manage the risks related to a certain
annuity product that pays interest based upon the relative change in a major
stock market index between the beginning and end of the product's term.
Purchased options used in conjunction with this product are reported in other
investments and written options are included in other liabilities. The
amortization of the cost of purchased options, the proceeds of written options
and the changes in intrinsic value of the contracts are included in net
investment income.
Policy loans are carried at the aggregate of the unpaid loan balances which do
not exceed the cash surrender values of the related policies.
When evidence indicates a decline, which is other than temporary, in the
underlying value or earning power of individual investments, such investments
are written down to the fair value by a charge to income.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The Company considers investments with a maturity at the date of their
acquisition of three months or less to be cash equivalents. These securities are
carried principally at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
Supplementary information to the consolidated statements of cash flows for the
years ended December 31 is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
CASH PAID DURING THE YEAR FOR:
Income taxes....................... $215,003 $174,472 $317,283
Interest on borrowings............. 14,529 8,213 4,119
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
RECOGNITION OF PROFITS ON ANNUITY CONTRACTS AND INSURANCE POLICIES
Profits on fixed deferred annuities are recognized by the Company over the lives
of the contracts, using primarily the interest method. Profits represent the
excess of investment income earned from investment of contract considerations
over interest credited to contract owners and other expenses.
F-6
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ($ THOUSANDS) (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
The retrospective deposit method is used in accounting for universal life-type
insurance. Under this method, profits are recognized over the lives of the
policies in proportion to the estimated gross profits expected to be realized.
Premiums on traditional life, disability income and long-term care insurance
policies are recognized as revenue when due, and related benefits and expenses
are associated with premium revenue in a manner that results in recognition of
profits over the lives of the insurance policies. This association is
accomplished by means of the provision for future policy benefits and the
deferral and subsequent amortization of policy acquisition costs.
Policyholder and contractholder charges include the monthly cost of insurance
charges, issue and administrative fees and surrender charges. These charges also
include the minimum death benefit guarantee fees received from the variable life
insurance separate accounts. Management and other fees include investment
management fees from underlying proprietary mutual funds and mortality and
expense risk fees received from the variable annuity and variable life insurance
separate accounts.
DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS
The costs of acquiring new business, principally sales compensation, policy
issue costs, underwriting and certain sales expenses, have been deferred on
insurance and annuity contracts. The deferred acquisition costs for most single
premium deferred annuities and installment annuities are amortized using
primarily the interest method. The costs for universal life-type insurance and
certain installment annuities are amortized as a percentage of the estimated
gross profits expected to be realized on the policies. For traditional life,
disability income and long-term care insurance policies, the costs are amortized
over an appropriate period in proportion to premium revenue.
LIABILITIES FOR FUTURE POLICY BENEFITS
Liabilities for universal life-type insurance and deferred annuities are
accumulation values.
Liabilities for fixed annuities in a benefit status are based on established
industry mortality tables and interest rates ranging from 5% to 9.5%, depending
on year of issue.
Liabilities for future benefits on traditional life insurance are based on the
net level premium method, using anticipated mortality, policy persistency and
interest earning rates. Anticipated mortality rates are based on established
industry mortality tables. Anticipated policy persistency rates vary by policy
form, issue age and policy duration with persistency on cash value plans
generally anticipated to be better than persistency on term insurance plans.
Anticipated interest rates range from 4% to 10%, depending on policy form, issue
year and policy duration.
Liabilities for future disability income and long-term care policy benefits
include both policy reserves and claim reserves. Policy reserves are based on
the net level premium method, using anticipated morbidity, mortality, policy
persistency and interest earning rates. Anticipated morbidity and mortality
rates are based on established industry morbidity and mortality tables.
Anticipated policy persistency rates vary by policy form, issue age, policy
duration and, for disability income policies, occupation class. Anticipated
interest rates for disability income and long-term care policy reserves are 3%
to 9.5% at policy issue and grade to ultimate rates of 5% to 7% over 5 to 10
years.
Claim reserves are calculated based on claim continuance tables and anticipated
interest earnings. Anticipated claim continuance rates are based on established
industry tables. Anticipated interest rates for claim reserves for both
disability income and long-term care range from 6% to 8%.
REINSURANCE
The maximum amount of life insurance risk retained by the Company on any one
life is $750 of life benefit plus $50 of accidental death benefits. The maximum
amount of life insurance risk retained on any joint-life
F-7
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ($ THOUSANDS) (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
combination is $1,500. The excesses are reinsured with other life insurance
companies, primarily on a yearly renewable term basis. Long-term care policies
are primarily reinsured on a coinsurance basis. Beginning in 1998, the Company
retains all disability income and waiver of premium risk.
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The Company's taxable income is included in the consolidated federal income tax
return of American Express Company. The Company provides for income taxes on a
separate return basis, except that, under an agreement between AEFC and American
Express Company, tax benefit is recognized for losses to the extent they can be
used on the consolidated tax return. It is the policy of AEFC and its
subsidiaries that AEFC will reimburse subsidiaries for all tax benefits.
Included in other liabilities at December 31, 1998 and 1997 are $26,291 payable
to and $12,061, receivable from, respectively, AEFC for federal income taxes.
SEPARATE ACCOUNT BUSINESS
The separate account assets and liabilities represent funds held for the
exclusive benefit of the variable annuity and variable life insurance contract
owners. The Company receives investment management fees from the proprietary
mutual funds used as investment options for variable annuities and variable life
insurance. The Company receives mortality and expense risk fees from the
separate accounts.
The Company makes contractual mortality assurances to the variable annuity
contract owners that the net assets of the separate accounts will not be
affected by future variations in the actual life expectancy experience of the
annuitants and beneficiaries from the mortality assumptions implicit in the
annuity contracts. The Company makes periodic fund transfers to, or withdrawals
from, the separate account assets for such actuarial adjustments for variable
annuities that are in the benefit payment period. The Company also guarantees
that the rates at which administrative fees are deducted from contract funds
will not exceed contractual maximums.
For variable life insurance, the Company guarantees that the rates at which
insurance charges and administrative fees are deducted from contract funds will
not exceed contractual maximums. The Company also guarantees that the death
benefit will continue payable at the initial level regardless of investment
performance so long as minimum premium payments are made.
ACCOUNTING CHANGES
Effective January 1, 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive Income." SFAS No. 130 requires the reporting and display of
comprehensive income and its components. Comprehensive income is defined as the
aggregate change in stockholder's equity excluding changes in ownership
interests. For the Company, it is net income and the unrealized gains or losses
on available-for-sale securities, net of the effect on deferred policy
acquisition costs, taxes and reclassification adjustment.
In March 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
issued Statement of Position (SOP) 98-1, "Accounting for Costs of Computer
Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." The SOP, which is effective
January 1, 1999, requires the capitalization of certain costs incurred after the
date of adoption to develop or obtain software for internal use. Software
utilized by the Company is owned by AEFC and will be capitalized by AEFC. As a
result, the new rule will not have a material impact on the Company's results of
operations or financial condition.
In December 1997, the AICPA issued SOP 97-3, "Accounting by Insurance and Other
Enterprises for Insurance-Related Assessments," providing guidance for the
timing of recognition of liabilities related to guaranty fund assessments. The
Company will adopt the SOP on January 1, 1999. The Company has historically
carried a balance
F-8
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ($ THOUSANDS) (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
in other liabilities on the balance sheet for potential guaranty fund assessment
exposure. Adoption of the SOP will not have a material impact on the Company's
results of operations or financial condition.
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities," which is effective January 1, 2000. This Statement
establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments,
including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for
hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as
either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measure those instruments
at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative
depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation.
Earlier application of all of the provisions of this Statement is encouraged,
but it is permitted only as of the beginning of any fiscal quarter that begins
after issuance of the Statement. This Statement cannot be applied retroactively.
The ultimate financial impact of the new rule will be measured based on the
derivatives in place at adoption and cannot be estimated at this time.
RECLASSIFICATION
Certain 1997 and 1996 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 1998
presentation.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. INVESTMENTS
Fair values of investments in fixed maturities represent quoted market prices
and estimated values when quoted prices are not available. Estimated values are
determined by established procedures involving, among other things, review of
market indices, price levels of current offerings of comparable issues, price
estimates and market data from independent brokers and financial files.
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair values of
investments in fixed maturities and equity securities at December 31, 1998 are
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS GROSS
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
HELD TO MATURITY COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government agency obligations........... $ 39,888 $ 4,460 $ -- $ 44,348
State and municipal obligations.............. 9,683 491 -- 10,173
Corporate bonds and obligations.............. 6,305,476 447,752 27,087 6,726,141
Mortgage-backed securities................... 1,609,067 30,458 152 1,639,373
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$7,964,114 $483,161 $ 27,239 $ 8,420,035
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS GROSS
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
AVAILABLE FOR SALE COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government agency obligations........... $ 52,043 $ 3,324 $ -- $ 55,367
State and municipal obligations.............. 11,060 1,231 -- 12,291
Corporate bonds and obligations.............. 7,332,344 271,174 155,181 7,448,337
Mortgage-backed securities................... 5,949,502 151,511 3,869 6,097,144
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total fixed maturities....................... 13,344,949 427,240 159,050 13,613,139
Equity securities............................ 3,000 158 -- 3,158
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$13,347,949 $427,398 $159,050 $ 13,616,297
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
F-9
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ($ THOUSANDS) (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair values of
investmentsin fixed maturities and equity securities at December 31, 1997 are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS GROSS
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED
HELD TO MATURITY COST GAINS LOSSES FAIR VALUE
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government agency obligations........... $ 41,932 $ 2,949 $ -- $ 44,881
State and municipal obligations.............. 9,684 568 -- 10,252
Corporate bonds and obligations.............. 7,280,646 415,700 9,322 7,687,024
Mortgage-backed securities................... 1,983,188 25,976 7,911 2,001,253
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$9,315,450 $445,193 $17,233 $ 9,743,410
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS GROSS
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
AVAILABLE FOR SALE COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government agency obligations........... $ 65,291 $ 4,154 $ -- $ 69,445
State and municipal obligations.............. 11,045 1,348 -- 12,393
Corporate bonds and obligations.............. 5,308,129 232,761 30,198 5,510,692
Mortgage-backed securities................... 7,130,565 160,478 6,879 7,284,164
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total fixed maturities....................... 12,515,030 398,741 37,077 12,876,694
Equity securities............................ 3,000 361 -- 3,361
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$12,518,030 $399,102 $37,077 $ 12,880,055
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturities at December
31, 1998 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>
AMORTIZED FAIR
HELD TO MATURITY COST VALUE
<S> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Due in one year or less................. $ 354,296 $ 359,020
Due from one to five years.............. 2,111,369 2,249,847
Due from five to ten years.............. 3,012,227 3,189,789
Due in more than ten years.............. 877,155 982,006
Mortgage-backed securities.............. 1,609,067 1,639,373
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
$7,964,114 $ 8,420,035
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMORTIZED FAIR
AVAILABLE FOR SALE COST VALUE
<S> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Due in one year or less................. $ 102,463 $ 104,475
Due from one to five years.............. 682,336 725,859
Due from five to ten years.............. 3,904,326 4,044,378
Due in more than ten years.............. 2,718,659 2,654,382
Mortgage-backed securities.............. 5,937,165 6,084,045
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
$13,344,949 $13,613,139
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
During the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, fixed maturities
classified as held to maturity were sold with amortized cost of $230,036,
$229,848 and $277,527, respectively. Net gains and losses on these sales were
not significant. The sale of these fixed maturities was due to significant
deterioration in the issuers' credit worthiness.
Fixed maturities available for sale were sold during 1998 with proceeds of
$278,955 and gross realized gains and losses of $15,658 and $22,102,
respectively. Fixed maturities
F-10
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ($ THOUSANDS) (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
available for sale were sold during 1997 with proceeds of $457,585 and gross
realized gains and losses of $6,639 and $7,518, respectively. Fixed maturities
available for sale were sold during 1996 with proceeds of $238,905 and gross
realized gains and losses of $571 and $16,084, respectively.
At December 31, 1998, bonds carried at $14,302 were on deposit with various
states as required by law.
At December 31, 1998, investments in fixed maturities comprised 83 percent of
the Company's total invested assets. These securities are rated by Moody's and
Standard & Poor's (S&P), except for securities carried at approximately $3.6
billion which are rated by AEFC's internal analysts using criteria similar to
Moody's and S&P. A summary of investments in fixed maturities, at amortized
cost, by rating on December 31 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATING 1998 1997
<S> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Aaa/AAA................................. $ 7,629,628 $ 9,195,619
Aaa/AA.................................. 2,277 --
Aa/AA................................... 308,053 232,451
Aa/A.................................... 301,325 246,792
A/A..................................... 2,525,283 2,787,936
A/BBB................................... 1,148,736 1,200,345
Baa/BBB................................. 6,237,014 5,226,616
Baa/BB.................................. 492,696 475,084
Below investment grade.................. 2,664,051 2,465,637
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
$21,309,063 $21,830,480
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1998, 93 percent of the securities rated Aaa/AAA are GNMA, FNMA
and FHLMC mortgage-backed securities. No holdings of any other issuer are
greater than one percent of the Company's total investments in fixed maturities.
At December 31, 1998, approximately 13 percent of the Company's invested assets
were mortgage loans on real estate. Summaries of mortgage loans by region of the
United States and by type of real estate are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ON BALANCE COMMITMENTS ON BALANCE COMMITMENTS
REGION SHEET TO PURCHASE SHEET TO PURCHASE
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
East North Central............ $ 750,705 $ 16,393 $ 748,372 $ 32,462
West North Central............ 491,006 81,648 456,934 14,340
South Atlantic................ 839,233 21,020 922,172 14,619
Middle Atlantic............... 476,448 6,169 545,601 15,507
New England................... 263,761 2,824 316,250 2,136
Pacific....................... 195,851 16,946 184,917 3,204
West South Central............ 136,841 1,412 125,227 --
East South Central............ 46,029 -- 60,274 --
Mountain...................... 345,379 8,473 297,545 28,717
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3,545,253 154,885 3,657,292 110,985
Less allowance for losses..... 39,795 -- 38,645 --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$3,505,458 $154,885 $3,618,647 $110,985
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
F-11
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ($ THOUSANDS) (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ON BALANCE COMMITMENTS ON BALANCE COMMITMENTS
PROPERTY TYPE SHEET TO PURCHASE SHEET TO PURCHASE
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department/retail stores...... $ 1,139,349 $ 59,305 $ 1,189,203 $ 27,314
Apartments.................... 960,808 9,272 1,089,127 16,576
Office buildings.............. 783,576 50,450 716,729 34,546
Industrial buildings.......... 298,549 13,263 295,889 21,200
Hotels/motels................. 109,185 14,122 101,052 --
Medical buildings............. 124,369 -- 99,979 9,748
Nursing/retirement homes...... 46,696 -- 72,359 --
Mixed Use..................... 65,151 -- 71,007 --
Other......................... 17,570 8,473 21,947 1,601
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3,545,253 154,885 3,657,292 110,985
Less allowance for losses..... 39,795 -- 38,645 --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 3,505,458 $ 154,885 $ 3,618,647 $ 110,985
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Mortgage loan fundings are restricted by state insurance regulatory authorities
to 80 percent or less of the market value of the real estate at the time of
origination of the loan. The Company holds the mortgage document, which gives it
the right to take possession of the property if the borrower fails to perform
according to the terms of the agreement. Commitments to purchase mortgages are
made in the ordinary course of business. The fair value of the mortgage
commitments is $nil.
At December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company's recorded investment in impaired
loans was $24,941 and $45,714, respectively, with allowances of $6,662 and
$9,812, respectively. During 1998 and 1997, the average recorded investment in
impaired loans was $37,873 and $61,870, respectively.
The Company recognized $1,809, $2,981and $4,889 of interest income related to
impaired loans for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
respectively.
The following table presents changes in the allowance for investment losses
related to all loans:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, January 1................. $38,645 $37,495 $37,340
Provision for investment losses.... 7,582 8,801 10,005
Loan payoffs....................... (800) (3,851) (4,700)
Foreclosures and writeoffs......... (5,632) (3,800) (5,150)
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31............... $39,795 $38,645 $37,495
- --------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1998, the Company had commitments to purchase investments other
than mortgage loans for $223,011. Commitments to purchase investments are
made in the ordinary course of business. The fair value of these commitments is
$nil.
Net investment income for the years ended December 31 is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest on fixed maturities....... $1,676,984 $1,692,481 $1,666,929
Interest on mortgage loans......... 301,253 305,742 283,830
Other investment income............ 43,518 25,089 43,283
Interest on cash equivalents....... 5,486 5,914 5,754
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
2,027,241 2,029,226 1,999,796
Less investment expenses........... 40,756 40,837 34,434
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
$1,986,485 $1,988,389 $1,965,362
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
F-12
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ($ THOUSANDS) (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments for the years ended December 31 is
summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed maturities................... $12,084 $16,115 $ 8,736
Mortgage loans..................... (5,933) (6,424) (8,745)
Other investments.................. 751 (8,831) (150)
- --------------------------------------------------------------
$ 6,902 $ 860 $ (159)
- --------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Changes in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments for the
years ended December 31 are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed maturities available for sale..... $(93,474) $ 223,441 $(231,853)
Equity securities....................... (203) 53 (52)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. INCOME TAXES
The Company qualifies as a life insurance company for federal income tax
purposes. As such, the Company is subject to the
Internal Revenue Code provisions applicable to life insurance companies.
The income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31 consists of the
following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Federal income taxes:
Current............................ $244,946 $176,879 $260,357
Deferred........................... (16,602) 19,982 (65,609)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
228,344 196,861 194,748
State income taxes-current......... 7,337 9,803 12,390
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax expense................. $235,681 $206,664 $207,138
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Increases (decreases) to the federal tax provision applicable to pretax income
based on the statutory rate are attributable to:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROVISION RATE PROVISION RATE PROVISION RATE
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal income taxes based
on the statutory rate....................................... $271,527 35.0% $238,319 35.0% $217,600 35.0%
(Decreases) increases are attributable to:
Tax-excluded interest and dividend income................... (12,289) (1.6) (10,294) (1.5) (9,636) (1.5)
State taxes, net of federal benefit......................... 4,769 .6 6,372 .9 8,053 1.3
Affordable housing credits.................................. (19,688) (2.5) (20,705) (3.0) (5,090) (.8)
Other, net.................................................. (8,638) (1.1) (7,028) (1.0) (3,789) (.7)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal income taxes........................................ $235,681 30.4% $206,664 30.4% $207,138 33.3%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
A portion of life insurance company income earned prior to 1984 was not subject
to current taxation but was accumulated, for tax purposes, in a policyholders'
surplus account. At December 31, 1998, the Company had a policyholders' surplus
account balance of $20,114. The policyholders' surplus account is only
F-13
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ($ THOUSANDS) (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
taxable if dividends to the stockholder exceed the stockholder's surplus account
or if the Company is liquidated. Deferred income taxes of $7,040 have not been
established because no distributions of such amounts are contemplated.
Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities as
of December 31 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
<S> <C> <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax assets:
Policy reserves........................................ $756,769 $748,204
Life insurance guaranty fund assessment reserve........ 15,289 20,101
Other.................................................. 4,253 9,589
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred tax assets.............................. 776,311 777,894
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred policy acquisition costs...................... 698,471 700,032
Unrealized gain on investments......................... 91,315 121,885
Investments, other..................................... 3,455 17,559
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred tax liabilities......................... 793,241 839,476
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax liabilities........................... $ 16,930 $ 61,582
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The Company is required to establish a valuation allowance for any portion of
the deferred tax assets that management believes will not be realized. In the
opinion of management, it is more likely than not that the Company will realize
the benefit of the deferred tax assets and, therefore, no such valuation
allowance has been established.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Retained earnings available for distribution as dividends to the parent are
limited to the Company's surplus as determined in accordance with accounting
practices prescribed by state insurance regulatory authorities. Statutory
unassigned surplus aggregated $1,598,203 as of December 31, 1998 and $1,468,677
as of December 31, 1997 (see Note 3 with respect to the income tax effect of
certain distributions). In addition, any dividend distributions in 1999 in
excess of approximately $353,933 would require approval of the Department of
Commerce of the State of Minnesota.
Statutory net income for the years ended December 31 and capital and surplus as
of December 31 are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Statutory net income............... $ 429,903 $ 379,615 $ 365,585
Statutory capital and surplus...... 1,883,405 1,765,290 1,565,082
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
F-14
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ($ THOUSANDS) (CONTINUED)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company loans funds to AEFC under a collateral loan agreement. The balance
of the loan was $nil at December 31, 1998 and 1997. This loan can be increased
to a maximum of $75,000 and pays interest at a rate equal to the preceding
month's effective new money rate for the Company's permanent investments.
Interest income on related party loans totaled $nil, $103 and $780 in 1998, 1997
and 1996, respectively.
The Company participates in the American Express Company Retirement Plan which
covers all permanent employees age 21 and over who have met certain employment
requirements. Employer contributions to the plan are based on participants' age,
years of service and total compensation for the year. Funding of retirement
costs for this plan complies with the applicable minimum funding requirements
specified by ERISA. The Company's share of the total net periodic pension cost
was $211, $201 and $174 in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
The Company also participates in defined contribution pension plans of American
Express Company which cover all employees who have met certain employment
requirements. Company contributions to the plans are a percent of either each
employee's eligible compensation or basic contributions. Costs of these plans
charged to operations in 1998, 1997 and 1996 were $1,503, $1,245 and $990,
respectively.
The Company participates in defined benefit health care plans of AEFC that
provide health care and life insurance benefits to retired employees and retired
financial advisors. The plans include participant contributions and service
related eligibility requirements. Upon retirement, such employees are considered
to have been employees of AEFC. AEFC expenses these benefits and allocates the
expenses to its subsidiaries. The Company's share of postretirement benefits in
1998, 1997 and 1996 was $1,352, $1,330 and $1,449, respectively.
Charges by AEFC for use of joint facilities, technology support, marketing
services and other services aggregated $411,337, $414,155 and $397,362 for 1998,
1997 and 1996, respectively. Certain of these costs are included in deferred
policy acquisition costs.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
At December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, traditional life insurance and universal
life-type insurance in force aggregated $81,074,928, $74,730,720 and
$67,274,354, respectively, of which $4,912,313, $4,351,904 and $3,875,921 were
reinsured at the respective year ends. The Company also reinsures a portion of
the risks assumed under disability income and long-term care policies. Under all
reinsurance agreements, premiums ceded to reinsurers amounted to $66,378,
$60,495 and $48,250 and reinsurance recovered from reinsurers amounted to
$20,982, $19,042, and $15,612 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996, respectively. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its
primary obligation to policyholders.
A number of lawsuits have been filed against life and health insurers in
jurisdictions in which the Company, its parent and its subsidiaries conduct
business involving insurers' sales practices, alleged agent misconduct, failure
to properly supervise agents, and other matters. The Company has been named as a
defendant in three of these types of actions.
The plaintiffs purport to represent a class consisting of all persons who
purchased policies or contracts from the Company and its subsidiaries. The
complaints put at issue various alleged sales practices and misrepresentations,
alleged breaches of fiduciary duties and alleged violations of consumer fraud
statutes. The Company and its subsidiaries believe they have meritorious
defenses to the claims raised in these lawsuits.
The outcome of any litigation cannot be predicted with certainty. In the opinion
of
F-15
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ($ THOUSANDS) (CONTINUED)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
management, however, the ultimate resolution of these lawsuits, taken in the
aggregate, should not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
consolidated financial position.
The IRS routinely examines the Company's federal income tax returns, and is
currently auditing the Company's returns for the 1990 through 1992 tax years.
Management does not believe there will be a material adverse effect on the
Company's consolidated financial position as a result of this audit.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. LINES OF CREDIT
The Company has available lines of credit with its parent aggregating $100,000.
The interest rate for any borrowings is established by reference to various
indices plus 20 to 45 basis points, depending on the term. Borrowings
outstanding under this agreement were $nil at December 31, 1998 and 1997.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company enters into transactions involving derivative financial instruments
to manage its exposure to interest rate risk and equity market risk, including
hedging specific transactions. The Company does not hold derivative instruments
for trading purposes. The Company manages risks associated with these
instruments as described below.
Market risk is the possibility that the value of the derivative financial
instruments will change due to fluctuations in a factor from which the
instrument derives its value, primarily an interest rate or equity market index.
The Company is not impacted by market risk related to derivatives held for
non-trading purposes beyond that inherent in cash market transactions.
Derivatives held for purposes other than trading are largely used to manage risk
and, therefore, the cash flow and income effects of the derivatives are inverse
to the effects of the underlying transactions.
Credit risk is the possibility that the counterparty will not fulfill the terms
of the contract. The Company monitors credit risk related to derivative
financial instruments through established approval procedures, including setting
concentration limits by counterparty, and requiring collateral, where
appropriate. A vast majority of the Company's counterparties are rated A or
better by Moody's and Standard & Poor's.
Credit risk related to interest rate caps and floors and index options is
measured by the replacement cost of the contracts. The replacement cost
represents the fair value of the instruments.
The notional or contract amount of a derivative financial instrument is
generally used to calculate the cash flows that are received or paid over the
life of the agreement. Notional amounts are not recorded on the balance sheet.
Notional amounts far exceed the related credit risk.
F-16
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ($ THOUSANDS) (CONTINUED)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
8. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)
The Company's holdings of derivative financial instruments are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL
DECEMBER 31, 1998 NOTIONAL CARRYING FAIR CREDIT
ASSETS: AMOUNT AMOUNT VALUE EXPOSURE
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets:
Interest rate caps............ $ 3,400,000 $ 15,985 $ 4,256 $ 4,256
Interest rate floors.......... 1,000,000 1,082 13,971 13,971
Options purchased............. 110,912 24,094 29,453 29,453
Liabilities:
Options purchased/written..... 265,454 (10,526) (11,062) --
Off balance sheet:
Interest rate swaps........... 1,667,000 -- (73,477) --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 30,635 $ (36,859) $47,680
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1997 NOTIONAL CARRYING FAIR TOTAL CREDIT
ASSETS: AMOUNT AMOUNT VALUE EXPOSURE
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets:
Interest rate caps............ $4,600,000 $24,963 $ 15,665 $15,665
Interest rate floors.......... 1,000,000 1,561 4,551 4,551
Options purchased/written..... 279,737 9,808 10,449 10,449
Liabilities:
Options written............... 7,373 (89) 114 --
Off balance sheet:
Interest rate swaps........... 1,267,000 -- (45,799) --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$36,243 $ (15,020) $30,655
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The fair values of derivative financial instruments are based on market values,
dealer quotes or pricing models. The interest rate caps, floors and swaps expire
on various dates from 1999 to 2003. The put and call options expire on various
dates from 1999 to 2005.
Interest rate caps, swaps and floors are used principally to manage the
Company's interest rate risk. These instruments are used to protect the margin
between interest rates earned on investments and the interest rates credited to
related annuity contract holders.
The Company is also using interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk
related to the level of fee income earned on the management of fixed income
securities in separate accounts and the underlying mutual funds. The amount of
fee income received is based upon the daily market value of the separate account
and mutual fund assets. As a result, changing interest rate conditions could
impact the Company's fee income significantly. The Company entered into interest
rate swaps to hedge anticipated fee income for 1999 related to separate accounts
and mutual funds which invest in fixed income securities. Interest will be
accrued and reported in accrued investment income and other liabilities, as
appropriate, and management and other fees.
The Company offers a certain annuity product that pays interest based upon the
relative change in a major stock market index between the beginning and end of
the product's term. As a means of hedging its obligation under the provisions of
this product, the Company purchases and writes options on the major stock market
index.
Index options are used to manage the equity market risk related to the fee
income that the Company receives from its separate accounts and the underlying
mutual funds. The amount of the fee income received is based upon the daily
market value of the separate account and mutual fund assets. As a result, the
Company's fee income could be impacted significantly by changing economic
conditions in the equity market. The Company entered into index option
F-17
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ($ THOUSANDS) (CONTINUED)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
8. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)
collars (combination of puts and calls) to hedge anticipated fee income for 1998
and 1999 related to separate accounts and mutual funds which invest in equity
securities. Testing has demonstrated the impact of these instruments on the
income statement closely correlates with the amount of fee income the Company
realizes. In the event that testing demonstrates that this correlation no longer
exists, or in the event the Company disposes of the index options collars, the
instruments will be marked-to-market through the income statement. At December
31, 1998 deferred losses on purchased put and written call index options were
$2,933 and $7,435, respectively. At December 31, 1997 deferred losses on
purchased put index options were $2,428 and deferred gains on written call index
options were $5,275.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company discloses fair value information for most on- and off-balance sheet
financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value. Fair
values of life insurance obligations and all non-financial instruments, such as
deferred acquisition costs are excluded.
Off-balance sheet intangible assets, such as the value of the field force, are
also excluded. Management believes the value of excluded assets and liabilities
is significant. The fair value of the Company, therefore, cannot be estimated by
aggregating the amounts presented.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CARRYING FAIR CARRYING FAIR
VALUE VALUE VALUE VALUE
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL ASSETS
Investments:
Fixed maturities (Note 2):
Held to maturity.............. $ 7,964,114 $ 8,420,035 $ 9,315,450 $ 9,743,410
Available for sale............ 13,613,139 13,613,139 12,876,694 12,876,694
Mortgage loans on real estate
(Note 2)...................... 3,505,458 3,745,617 3,618,647 3,808,570
Other:
Equity securities (Note 2).... 3,158 3,158 3,361 3,361
Derivative financial
instruments (Note 8).......... 41,161 47,680 36,332 30,665
Other......................... 28,872 28,872 82,347 85,383
Cash and cash equivalents
(Note 1)...................... 22,453 22,453 19,686 19,686
Separate account assets
(Note 1)...................... 27,349,401 27,349,401 23,214,504 23,214,504
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
Future policy benefits for
fixed annuities............... $19,855,203 $19,144,838 $20,731,052 $19,882,302
Derivative financial
instruments (Note 8).......... 10,526 84,539 89 45,685
Separate account
liabilities................... 25,005,732 24,179,115 21,488,282 20,707,620
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1998 and 1997, the carrying amount and fair value of future
policy benefits for fixed annuities exclude life insurance-related contracts
carried at $1,226,985 and $1,185,155, respectively, and policy loans of $90,115
and $93,540, respectively. The fair value of these benefits is based on the
status of the annuities at December 31, 1998 and 1997. The fair value of
deferred annuities is estimated as the carrying amount less any applicable
surrender charges and related loans. The fair value for annuities in non-life
contingent payout status is estimated as the present value of projected benefit
payments at rates appropriate for contracts issued in 1998 and 1997.
At December 31, 1998 and 1997, the fair value of liabilities related to separate
accounts is estimated as the carrying amount less any applicable surrender
charges and less variable insurance contracts carried at $2,343,669 and
$1,726,222, respectively.
F-18
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors
IDS Life Insurance Company
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of IDS Life
Insurance Company (a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Financial
Corporation) as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated
statements of income, stockholder's equity and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1998. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of IDS Life Insurance
Company at December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the consolidated results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 4, 1999
F-19
<PAGE>
PART II
UNDERTAKINGS TO FILE REPORTS
Subject to the terms and conditions of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission such supplementary and periodic information,
documents, and reports as may be prescribed by any rule or regulation of the
Commission hereto or hereafter duly adopted pursuant to authority conferred in
that section.
RULE 484 UNDERTAKING
The By-Laws of IDS Life Insurance Company provide that:
The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party, by reason of the fact that he is or was a Manager
of Variable Annuity Funds A and B, director, officer, employee or agent of this
Corporation, or is or was serving at the direction of the Corporation as a
Manager of Variable Annuity Funds A and B, director, officer, employee or agent
of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, wherever
brought, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Minnesota,
as now existing or hereafter amended, provided that this Article shall not
indemnify or protect any such Manager of Variable Annuity Funds A and B,
director, officer, employee or agent against any liability to the Corporation or
its security holders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence, in the performance of his duties or
by reason of his reckless disregard of his obligations and duties.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
REPRESENTATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 26(e) OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
The sponsoring insurance company represents that the fees and charges deducted
under the contract, in the aggregate, are reasonable in relation to the services
rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred, and the risks assumed by the
insurance company.
<PAGE>
CONTENTS OF POST EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT
NO. 33-62457
This Post-Effective Amendment No.4 comprises the following papers and documents:
The facing sheet.
The prospectus consisting of 71 pages.
The undertakings to file reports.
The signatures.
The following exhibits:
1. A. Copies of all exhibits required by paragraph A of instructions
for Exhibits in Form N-8B-2 to the Registration Statement.
(1) (a) Resolution of Board of Directors of IDS Life
Insurance Company establishing the Trust,
adopted May 9, 1985.*
(b) Resolution of Board of Directors of IDS Life
Insurance Company reconstituting the Trust,
adopted October 16, 1985.*
(c) Resolution of Board of Directors of IDS Life
Insurance Company reconstituting the Trust
adopted August 5, 1994.**
(2) Not applicable.
(3) (a) Not applicable.
(b) (1) Form of Division Vice President's
Employment Agreement dated November
1991.*
(2) Form of District Manager's Rider to
IDS Life Insurance Company, Persona
Financial Planner's Agreement dated
November 1986.*
(3) Form of Personal Financial Planner's
Agreement dated November 1986.*
(c) Schedules of Sales Commissions.**
(4) Not applicable.
(5) Flexible Premium Survivorship Variable Life Insurance
Policy.**
(6) (a) Certificate of Incorporation of IDS Life
Insurance Company, dated July 23, 1957.*
(b) Amended By-Laws of IDS Life Insurance
Company.*
(7) Not applicable.
<PAGE>
(8) (a) Form of Investment Management and
Services Agreement dated December 17, 1985,
between IDS Life and IDS Life Series Fund,
Inc.*
(b) Form of Investment Advisory Agreement dated
July 11, 1984, between IDS Life and IDS
Financial Services Inc. relating to the
Variable Account.*
(c) Addendum to Investment Management and
Services Agreement.**
(d) Addendum to Investment Advisory Agreement.**
(9) None.
(10 Application form for the Flexible Premium Survivorship
Variable Life Insurance Policy.**
(11) IDS Life Insurance Company's Description of Transfer
and Redemption Procedures and Method of Conversion to
Fixed Benefit Policies.**
B. (1) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable.
C. Not applicable.
2. Opinion of counsel is filed electronically herewith.
3. Not applicable.
4. Not applicable.
5. Not applicable.
6. Actuarial opinion of James M. Jensen, F.S.A., M.A.A.A., Vice President
- Insurance Product Development is filed electronically herewith.
7. Written actuarial consent of James M. Jensen, F.S.A., M.A.A.A., Vice
President Insurance Product Development is filed electronically
herewith.
8. Written consent of Ernst & Young LLP is filed electronically herewith.
9. Power of Attorney dated August 19, 1997***
10. Power of Attorney dated April 9, 1998***
*Filed as an Exhibit to the original Registration Statement to form S-6 and is
herein incorporated by reference.
**Filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Form N-8B-2 with Pre-Effective Amendment
No. 1, File No. 33-62457 and is herein incorporated by reference.
***Filed as an Exhibit to Registrant's Form S-6, Post-Effective Amendment No. 3
File No. 33-62457 and is herein incorporated by reference.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, IDS Life Insurance Company, on behalf of the Registrant,
certifies that it meets requirements for the effectiveness of this Amendment to
its Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of
1933 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on behalf of
the Registrant by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in this City of
Minneapolis, and State of Minnesota on the 28th day of April, 1999.
IDS Life Variable Separate Account
(Registrant)
By IDS Life Insurance Company
(Sponsor)
By /s/ Richard W. Kling*
Richard W. Kling
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following Officers and Directors of IDS Life
Insurance Company in the capacities indicated on the 28th day of April, 1999:
Signature Title
/s/ James A. Mitchell* Director, Chairman of the Board
James A. Mitchell and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Richard W. Kling* Director and President
Richard W. Kling
/s/ Jeffrey S. Horton** Vice President , Treasurer
Jeffrey S. Horton and Assistant Secretary
/s/ David R. Hubers* Director
David R. Hubers
/s/ Paul F. Kolkman* Director and Executive Vice
Paul F. Kolkman President
/s/ Paula S. Meyer* Director and Executive Vice President,
Paula S. Meyer Assured Assets
/s/ Barry J. Murphy* Director and Executive Vice
Barry J. Murphy President, Client Service
/s/ Stuart A. Sedlacek* Director and Executive Vice
Stuart A. Sedlacek President
/s/ Philip C. Wentzel** Vice President and Controller
Philip C. Wentzel
<PAGE>
*Signed pursuant to Power of Attorney dated August 19, 1997 filed electronically
as an Exhibit to Registrant's Form S-6, Post-Effective No. 3, File No. 33-62457
and is herein incorporated by reference.
**Signed pursuant to Power of Attorney dated April 9, 1998, filed electronically
as an Exhibit to Registrant's Form S-6, Post-Effective No. 3, File No. 33-62457
and is herein incorporated by reference.
By:
/s/ Mary Ellyn Minenko
Mary Ellyn Minenko
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit 2: Opinion of counsel
Exhibit 6: Actuarial Opinion of James M. Jensen, F.S.A., M.A.A.A.
Exhibit 7: Actuarial Consent of James M. Jensen, F.S.A., M.A.A.A.
Exhibit 8: Auditor consent of Ernst & Young LLP
April 28, 1999
IDS Life Insurance Company
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440-0010
RE: IDS Life Variable Life Separate Account, Form S-6
Post-Effective Amendment No. 4
File No. 33-62457/811-4298
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am familiar with the establishment of the IDS Life Variable Life Separate
Account ("Account"), which is a separate account of IDS Life Insurance Company
("Company") established by the Company's Board of Directors according to
applicable insurance law. I also am familiar with the above-referenced
Registration Statement filed by the Company on behalf of the Account with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
I have made such examination of law and examined such documents and records as
in my judgment are necessary and appropriate to enable me to give the following
opinion:
1. The Company is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing
under applicable state law and is duly licensed or qualified to do
business in each jurisdiction where it transacts business. The Company
has all corporate powers required to carry on its business and to issue
the contracts.
2. The Account is a validly created and existing separate account of the
Company and is duly authorized to issue the securities registered.
3. The contracts issued by the Company, when offered and sold in
accordance with the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement
and in compliance with applicable law, will be legally issued and
represent binding obligations of the Company in accordance with their
terms.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.
Sincerely
/s/ Mary Ellyn Minenko
Mary Ellyn Minenko
Group Counsel
April 26, 1999
IDS Life Insurance Company
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440
Gentlemen:
This opinion is furnished in connection with the Post-Effective Amendment No. 4
(Amendment) by IDS Life Insurance Company for the filing of the Flexible Premium
Survivorship Variable Life Insurance Policy ("the Policy") under the Securities
Act of 1933. The prospectus included on Form S-6 in the Amendment describes the
Policy. I am familiar with the Policy, the Amendment and the exhibits thereto.
In my opinion, the illustrations of Death Benefits, Policy Values, and Surrender
Values included in the section of the prospectus entitled "Illustrations", under
the assumptions stated in that section, are consistent with the provisions of
the Policy.
I hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the registration
statement and to the reference to my name under the heading "Experts" in this
prospectus.
Very Truly Yours,
/s/ James M. Jensen
James M. Jensen, F.S.A., M.A.A.A.
Vice President - Insurance Product Development
CONSENT OF ACTUARY
The Board of Directors
IDS Life Insurance Company
I consent to the reference to me under the caption "Experts" and to the use of
my opinion dated April 26, 1999 on the Illustrations used by IDS Life Insurance
Company in the Prospectus for the Flexible Premium Survivorship Variable Life
Insurance Policy offered by IDS Life Insurance Company as part of the
Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 being filed under the Securities Act of 1933.
/s/ James M. Jensen
James M. Jensen, F.S.A., M.A.A.A.
Vice President - Insurance Product Development
Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 26, 1999
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to the
use of our report dated February 4, 1999 on the consolidated financial
statements and schedules of IDS Life Insurance Company and our report dated
March 12, 1999 on the financial statements of IDS Life Variable Life Separate
Account - Flexible Premium Survivorship Variable Life Subaccounts in
Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement (Form S-6, No.
33-62457) and related Prospectus for the registration of the Flexible Premium
Survivorship Variable Life Insurance Policies offered by IDS Life Insurance
Company.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 27, 1999
