MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT
485BPOS, 1997-04-28
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<PAGE>
 
                                                            File Number 33-64395

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


                             Washington, D.C.  20549


                                    FORM S-6
                        
                    POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NUMBER 1     
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                     MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT
                     --------------------------------------
                                 (Name of Trust)


                   The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company
                   -------------------------------------------
                                   (Depositor)

            400 Robert Street North, St. Paul, Minnesota  55101-2098
            --------------------------------------------------------
                    (Depositor's Principal Executive Offices)

                               Dennis E. Prohofsky
             Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
                   The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company
                             400 Robert Street North
                         St. Paul, Minnesota  55101-2098
                         -------------------------------
                               (Agent for Service)
    
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

    immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
___
 X  on May 1, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
___
    60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of Rule 485
___
    on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of Rule 485
___
    this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
___ previously filed post-effective amendment     

                                    Copy to:
                              J. Sumner Jones, Esq.
                              Jones & Blouch L.L.P.
                       1025 Thomas Jefferson Street, N.W.
                             Washington, D.C.  20007


    
Pursuant to Regulation 270.24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, 
Registrant has previously elected to register an indefinite amount of Variable 
Adjustable Life Insurance policies under the Securities Act of 1933. The Rule
24f-2 Notice for Registrant's most recent fiscal year was filed on February 26,
1997.    
<PAGE>
 
                                MINNESOTA MUTUAL
                              VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT

                                       OF

                   THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                            CROSS REFERENCE TO ITEMS
                             REQUIRED BY FORM N-8B-2

N-8B-2 Item    Caption in Prospectus
- -----------    ---------------------

      1.       Cover Page

      2.       Cover Page; General Descriptions, The Minnesota Mutual Life
               Insurance Company, Variable Life Account

      3.       Not Applicable

      4.       Distribution of Policies

      5.       General Descriptions, Variable Life Account

      6.       General Descriptions, Variable Life Account

      7.       Not Applicable

      8.       Not Applicable

      9.       Legal Proceedings

     10.       Summary; Detailed Information About the Variable Adjustable Life
               Insurance Policy; Policy Charges; Voting Rights
    
     11.       Summary; Detailed Information About the Variable Adjustable Life
               Insurance Policy; General Descriptions, Advantus Series Fund,
               Inc.

     12.       Summary; Detailed Information About the Variable Adjustable Life
               Insurance Policy; General Descriptions, Advantus Series Fund,
               Inc.     

     13.       Detailed Information About the Variable Adjustable Life Insurance
               Policy; Policy Charges

     14.       Detailed Information About the Variable Adjustable Life Insurance
               Policy, Adjustable Life Insurance; Applications and Policy Issue

     15.       Detailed Information About the Variable Adjustable Life Insurance
               Policy, Policy Premiums

     16.       Not Applicable

     17.       Summary; Detailed Information About the Variable Adjustable Life
               Insurance Policy
    
     18.       Advantus Series Fund, Inc.     

     19.       Voting Rights
<PAGE>
     
     20.       Not Applicable

     21.       Not Applicable

     22.       Not Applicable

     23.       Not Applicable

     24.       Not Applicable

     25.       General Descriptions, The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company

     26.       Not Applicable

     27.       General Descriptions, The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company

     28.       Trustees and Principal Officers of Minnesota Mutual

     29.       General Descriptions, The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company

     30.       Not Applicable

     31.       Not Applicable

     32.       Not Applicable

     33.       Not Applicable

     34.       Not Applicable

     35.       General Descriptions, The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company

     36.       Not Applicable

     37.       Not Applicable

     38.       Distribution of Policies

     39.       Distribution of Policies

     40.       Not Applicable

     41.       Distribution of Policies

     42.       Not Applicable

     43.       Not Applicable

     44.       Detailed Information About the Variable Adjustable Life Insurance
               Policy, Policy Values

     45.       Not Applicable

     46.       Detailed Information About the Variable Adjustable Life Insurance
               Policy, Policy Loans, Surrender

     47.       Not Applicable     
<PAGE>
 
     48.       Not Applicable

     49.       Not Applicable

     50.       General Descriptions, Variable Life Account

     51.       Summary; Detailed Information About the Variable Adjustable Life
               Insurance Policy, Policy Charges
    
     52.       Summary; General Descriptions, Variable Life Account; Advantus
               Series Fund, Inc.     

     53.       Federal Tax Status

     54.       Not Applicable

     55.       Not Applicable

     56.       Not Applicable

     57.       Not Applicable

     58.       Not Applicable

     59.       Financial Statements
<PAGE>

     
                                     PART I

                       INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS     
<PAGE>
 
 
  PROSPECTUS
 
  VARIABLE ADJUSTABLE LIFE
    SECOND DEATH INSURANCE
                    POLICY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                          [LOGO OF MINNESOTA MUTUAL]

This prospectus describes a Variable Adjustable Life Second Death Insurance
Policy ("VAL-SD") issued by The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company
("Minnesota Mutual"). It provides life insurance protection payable at the
death of the second insured to die ("second death") so long as scheduled
premiums are paid. Under some plans of insurance, the face amount of insurance
may decrease or terminate during the life of the insureds. The lowest annual
base premium allowed for any plan of insurance is $600. The minimum face amount
on a Policy is $200,000.
 
The Policy may be adjusted, within described limits, as to face amount, premium
amount and the plan of insurance.
 
We assess certain charges under the Policy and these are fully described under
the heading "Policy Charges" in this prospectus on page 28. The Policy also
contains a cancellation right which is fully described under the heading "Free
Look" in this prospectus on page 28.
   
VAL-SD policy values may be invested in a separate account of Minnesota Mutual
called the Variable Life Account. Policy values may also be invested in a
Minnesota Mutual general account option. The actual cash value of all Policies
will vary with the investment experience of these options. The Variable Life
Account, through its sub-accounts, invests its assets in shares of Advantus
Series Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"). The Fund has ten Portfolios which are available
to the Variable Life Account. They are: the Growth Portfolio; the Bond
Portfolio; the Money Market Portfolio; the Asset Allocation Portfolio; the
Mortgage Securities Portfolio; the Index 500 Portfolio; the Capital
Appreciation Portfolio; the International Stock Portfolio; the Small Company
Portfolio and the Value Stock Portfolio. There is no minimum cash value
associated with these variable sub-accounts.     
 
VAL-SD provides two death benefit options: the Cash Option and the Protection
Option. The Cash Option provides a guaranteed death benefit equal to the
current face amount. Favorable investment returns, if any, will be reflected
only in increased actual cash values, unless the policy value exceeds the net
single premium for the then current face amount, at which time the death
benefit will increase. The Protection Option provides a variable death benefit
guaranteed to be at least equal to the current face amount. Favorable
investment returns, if any, will be reflected primarily in increased life
insurance coverage as well as increased actual cash values. The Protection
Option is only available until the policy anniversary nearest the younger
insured's age 70. At the policy anniversary nearest the younger insured's age
70, the death benefit option will be changed to the Cash Option.
 
Replacing existing insurance with a Policy described in this prospectus may not
be to your advantage.
   
THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT VALID UNLESS ATTACHED TO A CURRENT PROSPECTUS OF
ADVANTUS SERIES FUND, INC. THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY AND
RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.     
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
 
The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company
400 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN 55101-2098
   
Ph 612/665-3500     
http:/www.minnesotamutual.com
   
Dated: May 1, 1997     
<PAGE>
 
             TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Page
<S>                                                                       <C>
Summary..................................................................   1
Condensed Financial Information..........................................   7
General Descriptions
  The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company............................   9
  Variable Life Account..................................................   9
  Advantus Series Fund, Inc..............................................   9
  Additions, Deletions or Substitutions..................................  10
  Selection of Sub-Accounts..............................................  10
  The Guaranteed Principal Account.......................................  11
Detailed Information about the Variable Adjustable Life Second Death In-
 surance Policy
  Adjustable Life Insurance..............................................  12
  Policy Adjustments.....................................................  14
  Applications and Policy Issue..........................................  18
  Policy Premiums........................................................  18
  Policy Values..........................................................  22
  Death Benefit Options..................................................  24
  Variations in Death Benefit............................................  25
  Policy Loans...........................................................  25
  Surrender..............................................................  27
  Free Look..............................................................  28
  Conversion.............................................................  28
  Policy Exchange........................................................  28
  Policy Charges.........................................................  28
  Other Policy Provisions................................................  31
Other Matters
  Federal Tax Status.....................................................  34
  Trustees and Principal Management Officers of Minnesota Mutual.........  39
  Voting Rights..........................................................  40
  Distribution of Policies...............................................  40
  Legal Matters..........................................................  41
  Legal Proceedings......................................................  41
  Experts................................................................  41
  Registration Statement.................................................  41
Special Terms............................................................  42
Financial Statements of Minnesota Mutual Variable Life Account...........  43
Financial Statements of The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company......  58
Appendix I-Illustrations of Policy Values, Death Benefits and Premiums...  80
Appendix II-Summary of Policy Charges....................................  86
Appendix III-Illustration of Death Benefit Calculation...................  91
Appendix IV-Policy Loan Example..........................................  92
Appendix V-Example of Sales Load Computation.............................  93
Appendix VI-Average Annual Returns.......................................  94
Appendix VII-S&P 500 Performance History.................................  95
Appendix VIII-Range of Returns...........................................  96
</TABLE>    
<PAGE>
 
                                                           SUMMARY
  The following summary is designed to answer certain general questions
concerning the Policy and to give you a brief overview of the more significant
Policy features. This summary is not comprehensive and is qualified in its
entirety by the more specific information contained elsewhere in this
prospectus. Reference should be made to the heading "Special Terms" for the
definitions of unfamiliar terms.
 
WHAT IS A VARIABLE ADJUSTABLE LIFE SECOND DEATH INSURANCE POLICY?
   
  The Variable Adjustable Life Insurance Policy (the "Policy") described in
this prospectus combines traditional insurance provisions, flexible
administrative procedures and significant and useful market sensitive
investment features. First and foremost, the Policy provides a guaranteed death
benefit payable at the second death so long as scheduled premiums are paid. In
this respect, the Policy is similar to conventional survivorship life policies.
In addition, however, the Policy contains adjustment features which give you
the flexibility to tailor the Policy to your individual requirements at issue
and to adjust the Policy thereafter as your insurance needs change. Policy
values are invested at your direction in the several portfolios of Advantus
Series Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") or in a Minnesota Mutual general account option.
Such investment enables you to obtain market rates of return on your investment
in the Policy in combination with guaranteed insurance protection.     
 
WHAT IS THE GUARANTEED DEATH BENEFIT?
  We guarantee that the face amount of insurance shown on the policy
specification page will be paid at the second death so long as you do not have
policy indebtedness and all scheduled premiums have been paid. Some Policies
will have a scheduled decrease in such guaranteed face amount at the end of the
initial policy protection period. In such case, the time and amount of the
decrease are also shown on the policy specification page. The importance of the
guarantee is that adverse investment performance may never reduce your life
insurance protection below the guaranteed amount. We impose a charge not to
exceed 3 cents per thousand dollars of face amount per month for providing this
guarantee.
 
WHAT MAKES THE POLICY "ADJUSTABLE"?
  The Policy is termed "Adjustable" because it allows you the flexibility to
custom-design your Policy at issue and thereafter to change or "adjust" your
Policy as your insurance needs change. The three major components in designing
your Policy are the level of premiums you wish to pay, the level of death
benefit protection you need and the appropriate "plan" of insurance for you.
You may choose any two of the three components--premium, face amount and plan--
and we will calculate the third component.
  Within very broad limits, including those designed to assure that the Policy
qualifies as life insurance for tax purposes, you may choose any level of
premium or death benefit that you wish. In addition, we offer a broad range of
"plans" of insurance. Generally speaking, a plan refers to the level of cash
value accumulation assumed in the design of the Policy and, for whole life
plans, the period of time over which you will have to pay premiums. The greater
your plan of insurance, the larger the policy values you may expect to be
available for investment in the Policy's actual cash value, loans or partial
surrenders and, for whole life plans, the shorter the period of time for which
you will have to pay premiums.
  The maximum plan of insurance available is one where the Policy becomes paid-
up after the payment of ten annual premiums. A paid-up Policy is one for which
no additional premiums are required to guarantee the face amount of insurance
until the second death, provided there is no policy indebtedness. Whole life
plans may be suitable for individuals who wish to ensure lifetime coverage,
without any scheduled reduction in face amount as described below, by the
payment of relatively higher premiums and, in certain cases, for a lesser
period of time, or who wish to accumulate substantial cash values by utilizing
the investment features of the Policy.
  The minimum plan that we offer at original issue is a ten year protection
Policy.
 
1
<PAGE>
 
If the younger insured's age at original issue is over 70, the minimum plan of
protection will be less than ten years, as described in the table below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YOUNGER INSURED'S                                                 MINIMUM PLAN
    ISSUE AGE                                                      (IN YEARS)
- -----------------                                                 ------------
<S>                                                               <C>
       71                                                               9
       72                                                               8
       73                                                               7
       74                                                               6
  75 or greater                                                         5
</TABLE>
 
  As used herein a protection Policy is one which provides only a term plan of
insurance, namely one with a stated face amount and premium level, providing
an illustrated face amount for a specified number of years, always less than
for whole life. A protection plan of insurance is designed to accumulate cash
value at the end of the time during which the initial face amount is in force
only to the extent that investment returns exceed the assumed rate of return
indicated in your Policy as the tabular cash value. Absent an adjustment to a
new plan, at the end of the initial protection period you would have a whole
life plan of insurance for a lower face amount, based on continued payment of
your scheduled premiums. A protection plan requires the lowest initial level
of premiums and offers the most insurance protection with the lowest
investment element. The protection plan may be a suitable starting point for
young policy owners who have not reached their peak earning years but who have
substantial life insurance needs.
  For any given face amount of insurance, you may select a plan that falls
anywhere between the minimum protection plan and the maximum ten premium
payment whole life plan. The higher the premium you pay, the greater will be
your cash value accumulation at any given time and therefore, for whole life
plans, the shorter the period during which you need to pay premiums before
your Policy becomes paid-up. For example, the table below shows the premium
required for various plans for two insureds, one female age 40 and one male
age 40, both standard nonsmokers for a $1,000,000 face amount VAL-SD Policy.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  ANNUAL
PLAN OF INSURANCE                 PREMIUM
- -----------------                 -------
<S>                               <C>
Minimum--10 year protection plan  $   712
     20 year protection plan      $ 1,019
     Whole life plan              $10,805
     25 pay life plan             $13,396
Maximum--10 pay life plan         $26,265
</TABLE>
 
  The flexibility described above with respect to designing your Policy to
suit your needs at issue continues throughout the time the Policy remains in
force by virtue of its adjustability features. As your insurance needs and
personal circumstances change over the years, you may change, subject to the
limitations described herein, the premium and face amount and thus the plan.
  Some limitations do apply to policy adjustments, and these limitations are
more fully described in this prospectus. See the heading "Policy Adjustments"
in this prospectus on page 14. Any policy adjustment for a change in premium
must result in a change of the annual premium of at least $300 and any
adjustment to a Policy's face amount generally must result in a change of the
face amount of at least $50,000. Other than an automatic adjustment at the
point when the face amount is scheduled to decrease, an automatic adjustment
upon the change to the Cash Option death benefit at the younger insured's age
70, or an adjustment to a zero or stop premium, an adjusted Policy must
provide a level face amount of insurance to the next policy anniversary after
the later of: (a) five years from the date of adjustment; or (b) ten years
from the date of policy issue. If the younger insured's age at original issue
is over 70, the adjusted Policy must provide a level face amount of insurance
to the next policy anniversary after the later of: (a) five years from the
date of adjustment; or (b) a certain number of years from the date of policy
issue, based on the table below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YOUNGER INSURED'S                                                 MINIMUM PLAN
    ISSUE AGE                                                      (IN YEARS)
- -----------------                                                 ------------
<S>                                                               <C>
       71                                                               9
       72                                                               8
       73                                                               7
       74                                                               6
  75 or greater                                                         5
</TABLE>
 
WHAT MAKES THE POLICY "VARIABLE"?
  The Policy is termed "Variable" because unlike traditional whole life and
universal life contracts which provide for accumulations of contract values at
fixed rates determined by the insurance company, VAL-SD Policy values may be
invested in a separate account of ours called the Minnesota Mutual Variable
Life Account ("Variable Life Account"), the sub-accounts of which invest in
corresponding Portfolios of the Fund. Thus,
 
2
<PAGE>
 
your policy values invested in these sub-accounts will reflect market rates of
return.
  The actual cash value of the Policies, to the extent invested in sub-
accounts of the Variable Life Account, will vary with the investment
experience of the sub-accounts of the Variable Life Account. These have no
guaranteed minimum actual cash value. Therefore, you bear the risk that
adverse investment performance may depreciate your investment in the Policy.
At the same time, the Policy offers you the opportunity to have your actual
cash value appreciate more rapidly than it would under comparable fixed
benefit contracts by virtue of favorable investment performance. In addition,
under some Policies, the death benefit will also increase and decrease (but
not below the guaranteed amount) with investment experience.
  Those seeking the traditional insurance protections of a guaranteed cash
value may allocate premiums to the guaranteed principal account. The
guaranteed principal account is a general account option with a guaranteed
accumulation at a fixed rate of interest. While it is more fully described in
the Policy, additional information on this option may be found under the
heading "The Guaranteed Principal Account" in this prospectus on page 11.
 
WHAT VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
  The Variable Life Account invests in ten Portfolios of the Fund. These offer
policy owners the opportunity to invest in stocks, bonds, mortgage securities
and money market instruments. Policy owners who wish to actively manage the
investment of their actual cash values may direct their funds to the Growth,
Bond, Money Market, Mortgage Securities, Index 500, Capital Appreciation,
International Stock, Small Company and Value Stock Portfolios. We also offer
an Asset Allocation Portfolio, which is designed to offer policy owners who do
not wish to direct their investment the opportunity to have the Fund's
investment adviser make the decisions concerning what percentages of the
assets should be invested in stocks, bonds and money market instruments at any
given time. The investment objectives and certain policies of these Portfolios
of the Fund are as follows:
   The GROWTH PORTFOLIO seeks the long-term accumulation of capital. Current
 income, while a factor in portfolio selection, is a secondary objective. The
 Growth Portfolio will invest primarily in common stocks and other equity
 securities. Common stocks are more volatile than debt securities and involve
 greater investment risk.
   The BOND PORTFOLIO seeks as high a level of long-term total rate of return
 as is consistent with prudent investment risk. A secondary objective is to
 seek preservation of capital. The Bond Portfolio will invest primarily in
 long-term, fixed-income, high-quality debt instruments. The value of debt
 securities will tend to rise and fall inversely with the rise and fall of
 interest rates.
   The MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO seeks maximum current income to the extent
 consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. The Money Market
 Portfolio will invest in money market instruments and other debt securities
 with maturities not exceeding one year. The return produced by these
 securities will reflect fluctuations in short-term interest rates.
   An investment in the Money Market Portfolio is neither insured nor
 guaranteed by the U.S. Government and there can be no assurance that the
 Portfolio will be able to maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per
 share.
   The ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO seeks as high a level of long-term total
 rate of return as is consistent with prudent investment risk. The Asset
 Allocation Portfolio will invest in common stocks and other equity
 securities, bonds and money market instruments. The Asset Allocation
 Portfolio involves the risks inherent in stocks and debt securities of
 varying maturities and the risk that the Portfolio may invest too much or too
 little of its assets in each type of security at any particular time.
   The MORTGAGE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO seeks a high level of current income
 consistent with prudent investment risk. In pursuit of this objective the
 Mortgage Securities Portfolio will follow a policy of investment primarily in
 mortgage-related securities. Prices of mortgage-related securities will tend
 to rise and fall inversely
 
3
<PAGE>
 
 with the rise and fall of the general level of interest rates.
   The INDEX 500 PORTFOLIO seeks investment results that correspond generally
 to the price and yield performance of the common stocks included in the
 Standard & Poor's Corporation 500 Composite Stock Price Index (the "Index").
 It is designed to provide an economical and convenient means of maintaining a
 broad position in the equity market as part of an overall investment
 strategy. All common stocks, including those in the Index, involve greater
 investment risk than debt securities. The fact that a stock has been included
 in the Index affords no assurance against declines in the price or yield
 performance of that stock.
   The CAPITAL APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO seeks growth of capital. Investments
 will be made based upon their potential for capital appreciation. Therefore,
 current income will be incidental to the objective of capital growth. Because
 of the market risks inherent in any equity investment, the selection of
 securities on the basis of their appreciation possibilities cannot ensure
 against possible loss in value.
   The INTERNATIONAL STOCK PORTFOLIO seeks long-term capital growth. In
 pursuit of this objective the International Stock Portfolio will follow a
 policy of investing in stocks issued by companies, large and small, and debt
 obligations of companies and governments outside the United States. Current
 income will be incidental to the objective of capital growth. The Portfolio
 is designed for persons seeking international diversification. Investors
 should consider carefully the substantial risks involved in investing in
 securities issued by companies and governments of foreign nations, which are
 in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic investments.
   The SMALL COMPANY PORTFOLIO seeks long-term accumulation of capital. In
 pursuit of this objective, the Small Company Portfolio will follow a policy
 of investing primarily in common and preferred stocks issued by small
 companies, defined in the terms of either market capitalization or gross
 revenues. Investments in small companies usually involve greater investment
 risks than fixed income securities or corporate equity securities generally.
 Small companies will typically have a market capitalization of less than $1.5
 billion or annual gross revenues of less than $1.5 billion.
   The VALUE STOCK PORTFOLIO seeks long-term accumulation of capital. The
 production of income through the holding of dividend paying stocks will be a
 secondary objective of the Portfolio. The Value Stock Portfolio will invest
 primarily in equity securities of companies which, in the opinion of the
 Portfolio's investment adviser, have market values which appear low relative
 to their underlying value or future earnings and growth potential.
  There is no assurance that any Portfolio will meet its objectives.
Additional information concerning the investment objectives, policies and
risks of the Portfolios can be found in the current prospectus for the Fund,
which is attached to this prospectus.
 
HOW DO YOU ALLOCATE YOUR NET PREMIUMS?
  In your initial policy application, you indicate how you want your net
premiums allocated among the guaranteed principal account and the sub-accounts
of the Variable Life Account. All future net premiums will be allocated in the
same proportion until you send us a written request to change the allocation.
Similarly, you may transfer amounts from one sub-account to another by sending
us a written request or by calling Minnesota Mutual.
 
WHAT DEATH BENEFIT OPTIONS ARE OFFERED UNDER THE POLICY?
  The Policy provides two death benefit options: the Cash Option and the
Protection Option. Your choice will depend on whether you want favorable
investment experience of amounts invested in sub-accounts of the Variable Life
Account to be reflected in accelerated accumulations of actual cash value or
in enhanced life insurance coverage. If investment performance is less than
that assumed in the design of the Policy, the death benefit will still equal
the current face amount.
  The Cash Option provides a fixed death benefit equal to the guaranteed face
amount. Favorable investment returns, if any, will be reflected in increased
actual cash values which will, on whole life plans, shorten the
 
4
<PAGE>
 
premium paying period. Only if and when the policy value exceeds the net
single premium for the then current face amount will the death benefit vary.
  The Protection Option provides a variable death benefit from the issue date
as well as variable actual cash values. Favorable investment returns will be
reflected both in increased life insurance coverage and increased cash value
accumulations, although any increases in actual cash values under the
Protection Option will not be as great as under the Cash Option. The
Protection Option is only available until the policy anniversary nearest the
younger insured's age 70. At the policy anniversary nearest the younger
insured's age 70, the Protection Option is automatically converted to the Cash
Option. At that time we will automatically adjust your Policy. We will retain
the current premium amount, adjust the face amount to equal the death benefit
immediately preceding the adjustment, and waive any adjustment restrictions
that would otherwise apply.
 
DO YOU HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR POLICY VALUES?
  Yes. Your actual cash value is available to you until the second death. You
may use the actual cash value to provide retirement income, as collateral for
a loan, to continue some insurance protection if you do not wish to continue
paying premiums or to obtain cash by surrendering your Policy in full or in
part.
  You may also borrow up to 90 percent of your policy value as a policy loan.
Each alternative may be subject to conditions described in the Policy or in
this prospectus under the heading "Policy Values" on page 22 and certain
transactions may have tax consequences as described under the heading "Federal
Tax Status" on page 34.
 
WHAT CHARGES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE POLICY?
  We assess certain charges from each premium payment, from policy values and
from the amounts held in the Variable Life Account. All of these charges,
which are largely designed to cover our expenses in providing insurance
protection and in distributing and administering the Policies, are fully
described under the heading "Policy Charges" in this prospectus on page 28.
Because of the significance of these charges in early policy years,
prospective purchasers should purchase a Policy only if they intend to and
have the financial capacity to keep it in force for a substantial period.
  Against premiums we deduct sub-standard risk charges and premiums for
additional benefits.
  Against base premiums we deduct a basic sales load of 7 percent and we may
also deduct a first year sales load not to exceed 23 percent. We also deduct
from premiums an underwriting charge, a premium tax charge of 2.5 percent and
a federal tax charge of 1.25 percent. Nonrepeating premiums are currently
subject to the premium tax charge and the federal tax charge.
  Against the actual cash value of a Policy we deduct an administration charge
not to exceed $15 per month, a face amount guarantee charge not to exceed 3
cents per thousand dollars of face amount per month, a transaction charge for
each Policy adjustment or transfer, and a cost of insurance charge.
  Against the assets held in the Variable Life Account we assess a mortality
and expense risk charge which is deducted from the Variable Life Account
assets on each valuation date at an annual rate of .50 percent of the Variable
Life Account average daily net assets.
   
  Advantus Capital Management, Inc., one of our subsidiaries, acts as the
investment adviser to the Fund and also deducts from the asset value of each
Portfolio of the Fund a fee for its services which are provided under an
investment advisory agreement. The investment advisory agreement provides that
the fee shall be computed at a maximum annual rate of .4 percent of the Index
500 Portfolio, .75 percent of the Capital Appreciation, Small Company and
Value Stock Portfolios, 1.0 percent of the International Stock Portfolio and
 .5 percent of each of the remaining Portfolio's average daily net assets.     
   
  For more information about the Fund, see the prospectus of Advantus Series
Fund, Inc. which is attached to this prospectus.     
 
ARE THE BENEFITS UNDER A POLICY SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAX?
  Under current federal tax law, life insurance policies receive tax-favored
treatment. The death benefit is generally excludable from the beneficiary's
gross income for federal income tax purposes, according to Section 101(a)(1)
of the Internal
 
5
<PAGE>
 
Revenue Code. Owners of a life insurance policy are not taxed on any increase
in the cash value while the policy remains in force.
  If a Policy is a modified endowment policy under federal tax law, certain
distributions made during either insured's lifetime, such as loans and partial
withdrawals from, and collateral assignments of, the Policy are includable in
gross income on an income-first basis. A 10 percent penalty tax may also be
imposed on distributions made before the policy owner attains age 59 1/2.
Policies that are not modified endowment policies under federal tax law
receive preferential tax treatment with respect to certain distributions.
  For a discussion of the tax issues associated with this Policy, see "Federal
Tax Status" in this prospectus on page 34.
 
HOW DO YOU PURCHASE A POLICY?
  To be eligible to purchase a Policy both insureds must be between age 20 and
age 85 inclusive, satisfy our underwriting standards and the Policy must have
a face amount of at least $200,000. The procedure to purchase a Policy is to
complete an application, provide us with evidence of insurability satisfactory
to us and pay your first scheduled premium. See the heading "Applications and
Policy Issue" in this prospectus on page 18.
  For a limited time after your application for the Policy and delivery of it,
the Policy may be returned for a refund of all premium payments within the
terms of its "free look" provision. See the heading "Free Look" in this
prospectus on page 28. As a conversion privilege you can obtain comparable
fixed insurance coverage by transferring all of the policy value to the
guaranteed principal account and thereafter allocating all premiums to that
account.
 
6
<PAGE>
 
                                   CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  The financial statements of The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company and
of Minnesota Mutual Variable Life Account may be found elsewhere in this
prospectus.
   
  The table below gives per unit information about the financial history of
each sub-account from the inception of each to December 31, 1996. This
information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and
related notes of Minnesota Mutual Variable Life Account included in this
prospectus.     
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              PERIOD FROM
                                                                                                             JUNE 1, 1987
                                                                                                             (COMMENCEMENT
                                                                                                                  OF
                                                                                                              OPERATIONS)
                                                                                                              TO DECEMBER
                      1996       1995       1994       1993      1992      1991      1990     1989    1988     31, 1987
                   ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- ------- ------- -------------
 <S>               <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>           <C>
 Growth Sub-
  Account:
 Unit value at
  beginning of
  period               $2.218     $1.794     $1.788     $1.718    $1.647    $1.234    $1.237  $0.987  $0.859    $1.000
 Unit value at
  end of period        $2.586     $2.218     $1.794     $1.788    $1.718    $1.647    $1.234  $1.237  $0.987    $0.859
 Number of units
  outstanding at
  end of period    16,176,371 12,822,494  9,964,217  6,671,352 3,703,167 1,251,845   511,276 257,995  98,047    11,899
 Bond Sub-
  Account:
 Unit value at
  beginning of
  period               $1.946     $1.634     $1.720     $1.567    $1.477    $1.262    $1.184  $1.056  $0.994    $1.000
 Unit value at
  end of period        $1.994     $1.946     $1.634     $1.720    $1.567    $1.477    $1.262  $1.184  $1.056    $0.994
 Number of units
  outstanding at
  end of period     7,366,222  5,340,539  3,659,230  2,240,344 1,281,711   654,954   484,684 247,525  93,351     8,295
 Money Market
  Sub-Account:
 Unit value at
  beginning of
  period               $1.518     $1.447     $1.403     $1.373    $1.337    $1.274    $1.188  $1.100  $1.038    $1.000
 Unit value at
  end of period        $1.585     $1.518     $1.447     $1.403    $1.373    $1.337    $1.274  $1.188  $1.100    $1.038
 Number of units
  outstanding at
  end of period     4,082,791  3,509,791  2,920,337  1,849,721 1,167,590   536,680   341,717 141,494  41,617     2,814
 Asset Allocation
  Sub-Account:
 Unit value at
  beginning of
  period               $2.231     $1.793     $1.828     $1.726    $1.617    $1.261    $1.223  $1.022  $0.927    $1.000
 Unit value at
  end of period        $2.497     $2.231     $1.793     $1.828    $1.726    $1.617    $1.261  $1.223  $1.022    $0.927
 Number of units
  outstanding at
  end of period    32,104,595 27,633,273 23,769,797 18,341,417 8,943,507 2,587,520 1,202,183 408,152 181,732    62,173
 Mortgage
  Securities
  Sub-Account:
 Unit value at
  beginning of
  period               $2.032     $1.731     $1.800     $1.656    $1.564    $1.352    $1.242  $1.100  $0.998    $1.000
 Unit value at
  end of period        $2.128     $2.032     $1.731     $1.800    $1.656    $1.564    $1.352  $1.242  $1.100    $0.998
 Number of units
  outstanding at
  end of period     4,175,648  3,616,256  3,250,971  2,419,453 1,471,984   555,964   241,631  95,633  32,351     4,520
 Index 500 Sub-
  Account:
 Unit value at
  beginning of
  period               $2.421     $1.778     $1.766     $1.617    $1.514    $1.173    $1.226  $0.945  $0.819    $1.000
 Unit value at
  end of period        $2.930     $2.421     $1.778     $1.766    $1.617    $1.514    $1.173  $1.226  $0.945    $0.819
 Number of units
  outstanding at
  end of period    17,250,529 11,917,281  8,997,722  6,074,831 4,026,796 1,307,951   658,612 237,854  37,484     5,936
</TABLE>    
 
 
7
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                PERIOD FROM
                                                                                                               JUNE 1, 1987
                                                                                                               (COMMENCEMENT
                                                                                                                    OF
                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                                       OPERATIONS)
                   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  TO DECEMBER
                      1996       1995       1994         1993        1992       1991     1990    1989    1988    31, 1987
                   ---------- ---------- ----------    ---------   ---------  --------- ------- ------- ------ -------------
 <S>               <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>    <C>
 Capital
  Appreciation
  Sub-Account:
 Unit value at
  beginning of
  period               $2.559     $2.095     $2.059       $1.874      $1.793     $1.272  $1.303  $0.948 $0.885    $1.000
 Unit value at
  end of period        $2.995     $2.559     $2.095       $2.059      $1.874     $1.793  $1.272  $1.303 $0.948    $0.885
 Number of units
  outstanding at
  end of period    19,778,274 16,587,673 12,929,134    9,082,661   5,053,453  1,689,614 802,456 181,898 74,444    17,514
 International
  Stock Sub-
  Account:
 Unit value at
  beginning of
  period               $1.502     $1.321     $1.332       $0.929      $1.000*
 Unit value at
  end of period        $1.790     $1.502     $1.321       $1.332      $0.929
 Number of units
  outstanding at
  end of period    28,056,128 20,883,317 15,062,750    6,244,750   1,615,754
 Small Company
  Sub-Account:
 Unit value at
  beginning of
  period               $1.594     $1.213     $1.149       $1.000**
 Unit value at
  end of period        $1.689     $1.594     $1.213       $1.149
 Number of units
  outstanding at
  end of period    19,918,050 13,089,758  7,074,933    1,261,521
 Value Stock Sub-
  Account:
 Unit value at
  beginning of
  period               $1.369     $1.035     $1.000***
 Unit value at
  end of period        $1.784     $1.369     $1.035
 Number of units
  outstanding at
  end of period     9,648,331  3,864,294    971,938
</TABLE>    
 
* The information for the sub-account is shown for the period May 1, 1992 to
  December 31, 1992. May 1, 1992 was the effective date of the 1933 Act
  Registration.
 
** The information for the sub-account is shown for the period May 3, 1993 to
   December 31, 1993. May 3, 1993 was the effective date of the 1933 Act
   Registration.
 
*** The information for the sub-account is shown for the period May 2, 1994 to
    December 31, 1994. May 2, 1994 was the effective date of the 1933 Act
    Registration.
 
8
<PAGE>
 
                                              GENERAL DESCRIPTIONS
   
THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY     
   
  We are a mutual life insurance company organized in 1880 under the laws of
Minnesota. Our home office is at 400 Robert Street North, St. Paul, Minnesota
55101-2098, telephone: (612) 665-3500. We are licensed to do a life insurance
business in all states of the United States (except New York where we are an
authorized reinsurer), the District of Columbia, Canada, Puerto Rico and Guam.
       
VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT     
  A separate account called the Minnesota Mutual Variable Life Account was
established on October 21, 1985, by our Board of Trustees in accordance with
certain provisions of the Minnesota insurance law. The separate account is
registered as a "unit investment trust" with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, but such registration does
not signify that the Securities and Exchange Commission supervises the
management, or the investment practices or policies, of the Variable Life
Account. The separate account meets the definition of a "separate account"
under the federal securities laws.
  We are the legal owner of the assets in the Variable Life Account. The
obligations to policy owners and beneficiaries arising under the Policies are
general corporate obligations of Minnesota Mutual and thus our general assets
back the Policies. The Minnesota law under which the Variable Life Account was
established provides that the assets of the Variable Life Account shall not be
chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business which we may
conduct, but shall be held and applied exclusively to the benefit of the
holders of those variable life insurance policies for which the separate
account was established. The investment performance of the Variable Life
Account is entirely independent of both the investment performance of our
general account and of any other separate account which we may have established
or may later establish.
  The Variable Life Account currently has ten sub-accounts to which policy
owners may allocate premiums. Each sub-account invests in shares of a
corresponding Portfolio of the Fund.
   
ADVANTUS SERIES FUND, INC.     
   
  The Variable Life Account currently invests exclusively in Advantus Series
Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), a mutual fund of the series type. Prior to May 1,
1997, the name of the Fund was "MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc." On January 14, 1997,
the Fund's Board of Directors approved an amendment of the Fund's Articles of
Incorporation for the purpose of changing the name of the Fund to "Advantus
Series Fund, Inc." effective May 1, 1997. The purpose of the name change is to
provide the Fund with a more distinctive name which may provide greater
visibility and name recognition, which reflects the name of its adviser, and
which may provide additional marketing opportunities for variable contracts
investing in shares of the Fund. The change in the Fund's name will not result
in any change in investment objectives, policies or practices for the Fund or
any of its Portfolios. The Fund is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as a diversified, open-end management investment company, but such
registration does not signify that the Commission supervises the management, or
the investment practices or policies, of the Fund. The Fund issues its shares,
continually and without sales charge, only to us and certain of our separate
accounts including the Variable Life Account. Shares are sold and redeemed at
net asset value.     
   
  The Fund's investment adviser is Advantus Capital Management, Inc. ("Advantus
Capital"). Advantus Capital is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MIMLIC Asset
Management Company ("MIMLIC Management") which, prior to May 1, 1997, served as
investment adviser to the Fund. MIMLIC Management is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Minnesota Mutual. The same portfolio managers and other personnel who
previously provided investment advisory services to the Fund through MIMLIC
Management continue to provide the same services through Advantus Capital. It
acts as an investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an advisory agreement.
       
  While Advantus Capital acts as investment adviser to the Fund and its     
 
9
<PAGE>
 
Portfolios, Winslow Capital Management, Inc., a Minnesota corporation with
principal offices in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been retained under an
investment sub-advisory agreement to provide investment advice to the Capital
Appreciation Portfolio of the Fund. Similarly, Templeton Investment Counsel,
Inc., a Florida corporation with principal offices in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida, has been retained under an investment sub-advisory agreement to
provide investment advice to the International Stock Portfolio of the Fund.
   
  The Fund currently has twenty investment Portfolios, ten of which are
available to the Variable Life Account. A series of the Fund's common stock is
issued for each Portfolio. The assets of each Portfolio are separate from the
others and each has different investment objectives and policies. Therefore,
each Portfolio operates as a separate investment fund and the investment
performance of one has no effect on the investment performance of any other
Portfolio.     
  All dividends and capital gains distributions from the Portfolios are
automatically reinvested in shares of that Portfolio at net asset value.
   
  For more information on the Fund and its Portfolios, see "Summary--What
investment options are available?" in this prospectus and the prospectus of
the Advantus Series Fund, Inc. which is attached to this prospectus.     
   
ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR SUBSTITUTIONS     
  We reserve the right to add, combine or remove any sub-accounts of the
Variable Life Account when permitted by law. Each additional sub-account will
purchase shares in a new portfolio or mutual fund. Such sub-accounts may be
established when, in our sole discretion, marketing, tax, investment or other
conditions warrant such action. We will use similar considerations should
there be a determination to eliminate one or more of the sub-accounts of the
Variable Life Account. The addition of any investment option will be made
available to existing policy owners on such basis as may be determined by us.
  We retain the right, subject to any applicable law, to make substitutions
with respect to the investments of the sub-accounts of the Variable Life
Account. If investment in a Fund Portfolio should no longer be possible or if
we determine it
becomes inappropriate for variable policies, we may substitute another mutual
fund or portfolio for a sub-account. Substitution may be made with respect to
existing policy values and future premium payments. A substitution may be made
only with any necessary approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
  We reserve the right to transfer assets of the Variable Life Account as
determined by us to be associated with the Policies to another separate
account. A transfer of this kind may require the approvals of state regulatory
authorities and of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
  We also reserve the right, when permitted by law, to de-register the
Variable Life Account under the Investment Company Act of 1940, to restrict or
eliminate any voting rights of the policy owners, and to combine the Variable
Life Account with one or more of our other separate accounts.
  Shares of the Portfolios of the Fund are also sold to other of our separate
accounts, which are used to receive and invest premiums paid under our
variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. It is
conceivable that in the future it may be disadvantageous for variable life
insurance separate accounts and variable annuity separate accounts to invest
in the Fund simultaneously. Although neither Minnesota Mutual nor the Fund
currently foresees any such disadvantages either to variable life insurance
policy owners or to variable annuity contract owners, the Fund's Board of
Directors intends to monitor events in order to identify any material
conflicts between such policy owners and contract owners and to determine what
action, if any, should be taken in response thereto. Such action could include
the sale of Fund shares by one or more of the separate accounts, which could
have adverse consequences. Material conflicts could result from, for example,
(1) changes in state insurance laws, (2) changes in federal income tax laws,
(3) changes in the investment management of any of the Portfolios of the Fund,
or (4) differences in voting instructions between those given by policy owners
and those given by contract owners.
   
SELECTION OF SUB-ACCOUNTS     
  Although the purpose of the Policy is primarily to provide lifetime life
insurance protection payable at the second death, a
 
10
<PAGE>
 
central objective is to provide benefits that will increase in value if
favorable investment results are achieved. Historically, for investments held
over relatively long periods, the investment performance of common stocks has
generally been superior to that of long-term or short-term debt securities,
even though common stocks have been subject to more dramatic changes in value
over short periods of time. Accordingly, the common stock sub-accounts, growth
or value, may be the more desirable option for policy owners who are willing
to accept such short-term risks. The selection of the aggressive growth sub-
account and the small company sub-account will tend to magnify such risks, as
will the international stock sub-account, while the selection of the index
sub-account will tend to match those risks with the performance of those
common stocks included in the underlying index.
   
  On the other hand, the experience of the recent past has been sharply
divergent from the long-term historical record. Since 1980, short-term
interest rates were, for a time, at a historically high level and for some
period the prices of a diversified portfolio of equity securities were
declining during a period when the cost of living was rising. The value of
long-term bonds and mortgage securities have fallen and risen to a much
greater extent than in the past. Some policy owners, who desire the greatest
safety of principal, may prefer the money market sub-account, recognizing that
the level of short-term rates may change rather rapidly. Some policy owners
may wish to divide their funds among two or more sub-accounts. Some may wish
to rely on Advantus Capital's judgment for an appropriate asset mix by
choosing the asset allocation sub-account. You must make a choice, taking into
account how willing you might be to accept investment risks and the manner in
which your other assets are invested.     
   
THE GUARANTEED PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT     
  The guaranteed principal account is a general account option. You may
allocate net premiums and may transfer your actual cash value subject to
Policy limitations to the guaranteed principal account which is part of
Minnesota Mutual's general account.
  Because of exemptive and exclusionary provisions, interests in Minnesota
Mutual's
general account have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, and
the general account has not been registered as an investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. Therefore, neither the guaranteed principal
account nor any interest therein is subject to the provisions of these Acts,
and Minnesota Mutual has been advised that the staff of the SEC does not
review disclosures relating to it. Disclosures regarding the guaranteed
principal 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.
  This prospectus describes a VAL-SD insurance policy and is generally
intended to serve as a disclosure document only for the aspects of the Policy
relating to the sub-accounts of the Variable Life Account. For complete
details regarding the guaranteed principal account, please see the VAL-SD
Policy.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION Minnesota Mutual's general account consists of all assets
owned by Minnesota Mutual other than those in the Variable Life Account and
any other separate accounts which Minnesota Mutual may establish. The
guaranteed principal account is that portion of the general assets of
Minnesota Mutual which is attributable to this Policy and other variable
policies, exclusive of policy loans. The description is for accounting
purposes only and does not represent a division of the general account assets
for the specific benefit of variable life policies. Allocations to the
guaranteed principal account become part of the general assets of Minnesota
Mutual and are used to support insurance and annuity obligations. Subject to
applicable law, Minnesota Mutual has sole discretion over the investment of
assets of the general account. Policy owners do not share in the actual
investment experience of the assets in the general account.
  A portion or all the net premiums may be allocated or transferred to
accumulate at a fixed rate of interest in the guaranteed principal account.
Such amounts are guaranteed by Minnesota Mutual as to principal and a minimum
rate of interest. Transfers from the guaranteed principal account to the sub-
accounts of the Variable Life Account are subject to certain limitations with
respect to timing and amount.
 
11
<PAGE>
 
             DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE VARIABLE
             ADJUSTABLE LIFE SECOND DEATH INSURANCE POLICY
GENERAL ACCOUNT VALUE Minnesota Mutual bears the full investment risk for
amounts allocated to the guaranteed principal account and guarantees that
interest credited to each policy owner's actual cash value in the guaranteed
principal account will not be less than an annual rate of 4 percent without
regard to the actual investment experience of the general account.
Consequently, if a policy owner allocates all net premiums only to the
guaranteed principal account, and if all scheduled premiums are paid when due,
there is no policy adjustment, and we deduct the maximum cost of insurance
charges and all other charges as set forth in this Policy, then the actual cash
value will be at least equal to the tabular cash value of the Policy. Minnesota
Mutual may, at its sole discretion, credit a higher rate of interest, "excess
interest," although it is not obligated to credit interest in excess of 4
percent per year, and might not do so. Any interest credited on the Policy's
actual cash value in the guaranteed principal account in excess of the
guaranteed minimum rate per year will be determined at the sole discretion of
Minnesota Mutual. The policy owner assumes the risk that interest credited may
not exceed the guaranteed minimum rate.
  Even if excess interest is credited to the actual cash value in the
guaranteed principal account, no excess interest will be credited to that
portion of the policy value which is in the loan account in the general
account. However, such loan account will be credited interest at a rate which
is not less than the policy loan interest rate minus 2 percent per annum.
   
ADJUSTABLE LIFE INSURANCE     
VARIABLE ADJUSTABLE LIFE SECOND DEATH This Policy is similar both to a
Minnesota Mutual product known as "adjustable life" and to a Minnesota Mutual
product known as "joint survivor life". This Policy, like joint survivor life
insurance, pays a death benefit at the death of the second to die of two named
insureds. This Policy, like adjustable life insurance, permits you to determine
the amount of life insurance protection you need and the amount of money you
can afford to pay. Based on your selection of any two of the three components
of a Policy--face amount, premium and plan--we will then calculate the third.
Thus, adjustable life allows you the flexibility to custom-design a Policy to
meet your needs. Theoretically, each Policy can be unique because of the
different combinations of ages, amount of life insurance protection and
premium. In addition, adjustable life is designed to adapt to your changing
needs and objectives by allowing you to change your Policy after issue. The
face amount and premium level, and thus the plan of insurance, may be adjusted
by you, subject to the limitations described herein, so long as the Policy
remains in force.
 
FLEXIBILITY AT ISSUE The Policy offered by this prospectus provides the same
type of flexibility found in conventional adjustable life. Subject to certain
minimums, maximums and
our underwriting standards, you may choose any level of premium or face amount
that you wish. This flexibility results in a broad range of plans of insurance.
Generally speaking, a plan, when used with respect to the Policy, refers to the
level of cash value accumulation assumed in the design of the Policy and, for
whole life plans, the period of coverage over which you will have to pay
premiums.
  Whole life insurance plans provide life insurance in an amount at least equal
to the initial face amount at the second death whenever that occurs. Premiums
may be payable for a specified number of years or until the second death. Whole
life insurance plans contemplate an eventual cash value accumulation, at or
before the younger insured's age 100, equal to the net single premium required
for that face amount of insurance. The net single premium for a whole life
insurance plan is the amount of money that is necessary, on any given date, to
pay for all future guaranteed cost of insurance charges for the entire lifetime
of both insureds without the payment of additional premium. This determination
assumes that the current face amount of the Policy will be constant and that
the Policy will perform at its assumed rate of return.
  Protection insurance plans provide life insurance in an amount at least equal
to the initial face amount at the second death for a specified period.
Protection plans of
 
12
<PAGE>
 
insurance assume an eventual exhaustion of cash value at the end of that
period, except for the cash value associated with a residual amount of
insurance coverage at the end of the initial protection period. Under this
Policy, after that initial protection period, insurance coverage in a reduced
amount is available until the second death.
  The "greater" your plan of insurance, the larger the policy values you may
expect to be available for investment in the Fund Portfolios, loans or partial
surrenders and, for whole life plans of insurance, the shorter the period of
time for which you will have to pay premiums. Under the Policy, the highest
premium amount permitted at the time of issue, or the maximum plan of
insurance, for a specific face amount is one which will provide a fully paid-
up Policy after the payment of ten annual premium payments. A Policy is paid-
up when its policy value is such that no further premiums are required to
provide the face amount of insurance coverage until the second death, provided
there is no policy indebtedness.
  Examples of such whole life plans include Policies which become paid-up upon
the payment of a designated number of annual premiums, such as ten pay life or
twenty pay life. If you select a premium level for a specific face amount
which would cause the Policy to become paid-up at other than a policy
anniversary, you will be required to pay scheduled premiums until the policy
anniversary immediately following the date
the Policy is scheduled to become paid-up.
The Policy will be issued with a scheduled increase in face amount to reflect
the fact that
the scheduled premiums were in excess of the premiums required to have a paid-
up Policy for the initial face amount of coverage.
  If you select a premium amount which is less than the premium required for a
whole life plan or, in other words, if you select a protection plan of
insurance, the guaranteed face amount of insurance provided by the Policy will
not be level during the lifetimes of both insureds. In that instance, the
initial face amount will be in effect until the Policy's tabular cash value,
i.e., the cash value which is assumed in designing the Policy and which would
be guaranteed in a conventional fixed-benefit policy, is exhausted. At that
time a lower amount of insurance will become effective, such amount being
calculated on the basis of the continued payment of the scheduled premiums and
a whole life plan of insurance. The result is that the Policy, on issue, will
have an initial guaranteed death benefit extending to a stated date. In
addition, a lower death benefit is illustrated, which is guaranteed thereafter
until the second death.
  For example, if a standard risk VAL-SD Policy were issued with a face amount
of $1,000,000 and an annual premium of $11,300, the plan of insurance for a
male age 40 and a female age 40 at issue, both nonsmokers, would be full
coverage for twenty years at which time the face amount would be reduced to
$95,615 guaranteed until the second death.
  The table below shows the tabular cash values and guaranteed death benefits
for the Policy described in the above example, and the scheduled reduction
which occurs twenty years after issue.
                              SCHEDULED REDUCTION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              GUARANTEED
                                                          TABULAR                              MINIMUM
                                                           VALUE                                DEATH
POLICY                ANNUAL                              END OF                              BENEFIT AT
 YEAR                 PREMIUM                              YEAR                                 ISSUE
- ------                -------                             -------                             ----------
<S>                   <C>                                 <C>                                 <C>
   5                  $11,300                             $38,443                             $1,000,000
  10                   11,300                              80,437                              1,000,000
  15                   11,300                              91,878                              1,000,000
  20                   11,300                                 590                              1,000,000
  21                   11,300                               6,289                                 95,615
  25                   11,300                              26,742                                 95,615
</TABLE>
 
  At the policy anniversary when the scheduled reduction is to occur, we will
attempt to make a policy adjustment to maintain the face amount of $1,000,000
and the annual premium of $11,300. If the actual cash value with the annual
premium is sufficient to provide at least one year of protection at the then
current face amount, we will adjust your Policy, keeping your face amount and
annual premium constant, either eliminating the scheduled reduction in the
face amount or providing that reduction at a later policy anniversary.
  If we cannot make the adjustment to maintain the current face amount, the
scheduled reduction in face amount will occur as scheduled; the resulting face
amount will not be less than that guaranteed.
 
13
<PAGE>
 
 
  The lowest annual base premium allowed for any plan of insurance is $600.
Subject to this limitation, the lowest premium you may choose for any specific
amount of life insurance protection is a premium which will provide a level
death benefit for a period which shall be the longer of ten years from the
policy issue date or five years from the date of a policy adjustment. If the
younger insured's age at original issue is over age 70, the minimum plan of
protection will be less than ten years, as described in the table below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YOUNGER INSURED'S                                                 MINIMUM PLAN
    ISSUE AGE                                                      (IN YEARS)
- -----------------                                                 ------------
<S>                                                               <C>
     71                                                                9
     72                                                                8
     73                                                                7
     74                                                                6
75 or greater                                                          5
</TABLE>
 
  This is the minimum plan of insurance for any given face amount. The minimum
initial face amount on a Policy is $200,000.
 
POLICY ADJUSTMENTS
  Adjustable life insurance policies allow an owner to change the premium,
face amount or the plan of insurance of the Policy after it is issued. Subject
to the limitations described more fully below, you can at any time change the
face amount of your Policy or your scheduled premium. A change in scheduled
premium or face amount will usually result in a change in the plan of
insurance. Depending upon the change you request, the premium paying period
may be lengthened or shortened for whole life plans or the plan may be
converted from a whole life plan to a protection type plan which provides for
a scheduled reduction in face amount at a future date. For Policies having a
protection type plan, a change in face amount or premium may convert the
Policy to a whole life plan by eliminating the scheduled decrease in face
amount or it may change the time at which the decrease is scheduled to occur.
  Changes in premium, face amount or the plan of insurance are referred to as
policy adjustments. They may be made singly or in combination with one
another. There are also four other types of policy adjustments: (1) a partial
surrender of a Policy's cash value; (2) an adjustment so that there are no
further scheduled base premiums; (3) an automatic adjustment at the point when
the face amount is scheduled to decrease; and (4) an automatic adjustment made
upon the change in the death benefit option at the policy anniversary nearest
the younger insured's age 70. When a Policy is adjusted, we compute a new plan
of insurance, face amount or premium amount, if any. If a partial surrender of
actual cash value is made, the Policy will be automatically adjusted to a new
face amount which will be equal to the old face amount less the amount of the
partial surrender, unless a different face amount is requested or required to
satisfy the restrictions on adjustability described below. An adjustment
providing for no further scheduled base premium payments, regardless of
whether the Policy is paid-up, is also referred to as a "stop premium" mode
and is described under the caption "Avoiding Lapse" on page 21 of this
prospectus. At the point when the face amount is scheduled to decrease, an
adjustment may be made to maintain the current face amount and premium of the
Policy, as described on page 15. Certain adjustments may cause a Policy to
become a modified endowment contract. See "Federal Tax Status" in this
prospectus on page 34 for a description of the federal tax treatment of
modified endowment contracts.
  In computing either a new face amount or new plan of insurance as a result
of an adjustment, we will make the calculation on the basis of the higher of
the Policy's "policy value" or its "tabular cash value" at the time of the
change. The "policy value" is the actual cash value of the Policy plus the
amount of any policy loan, while the "tabular cash value" is what the actual
cash value of the Policy would have been if all scheduled premiums were paid
annually on the premium due date, there were no policy adjustments or policy
loans, any percentage increase in the actual cash value matched the Policy's
assumed rate of return, the net investment experience of the sub-accounts
selected by the owner or the interest credited to the guaranteed principal
account matched the policy's assumed rate of return, the maximum cost of
insurance charges were deducted once at the end of the policy year and other
charges provided for in the Policy were deducted at the maximum amount. See,
for a further description of these values, the sections "Policy Values" and
"Variations in Death Benefit" in this prospectus on pages 22 and 25. If the
policy value is higher than
 
14
<PAGE>
 
the tabular cash value, a policy adjustment will translate the excess value
into enhanced insurance coverage, as either a higher face amount or an
improved plan of insurance. If the policy value is less than the tabular cash
value, use of the tabular cash value insures that the Policy's guarantee of a
minimum death benefit is not impaired by the adjustment.
  Any adjustment will result in a redetermination of a Policy's tabular cash
value. For a further discussion of the tabular cash value, see the heading
"Variations in Death Benefit" in this prospectus on page 25. After adjustment,
the tabular cash value shall be equal to the greater of the policy value or
the tabular cash value prior to that adjustment, plus any nonrepeating premium
paid at the time of the adjustment and minus the amount of any partial
surrender made at the time of the adjustment.
  On adjustment, you may request a new Policy face amount. In the absence of
instructions to the contrary, we will calculate the face amount after
adjustment depending on the Policy's death benefit option and the type of
adjustment. If the Policy has the Cash Option death benefit the new face
amount will be equal to the face amount of the Policy less the amount of any
partial surrender made as part of the adjustment. With the Protection Option
death benefit, the face amount after adjustment will be equal to the face
amount of the Policy immediately prior to the adjustment.
  All of these changes may be accomplished under a single Policy. There is no
need to surrender the Policy or purchase a new one simply because of a change
in your insurance needs. Whenever adjustments are made, new policy information
pages will be provided. These pages state the new face amount, scheduled
premium, plan of insurance, attained ages and tabular cash value.
NONREPEATING PREMIUMS The Policy also allows a policy owner to pay a premium
called a nonrepeating premium. This payment of premium is in addition to the
scheduled premium payments called for by the terms of the Policy. While the
payment of a nonrepeating premium does not cause an adjustment to the Policy,
any such payment will be reflected in the tabular cash value of the Policy at
issue or upon any later adjustment. The payment of a nonrepeating premium will
increase the policy values you have available for investment in the Fund. We
may impose additional restrictions or refuse to permit nonrepeating premiums
at our discretion.
RESTRICTIONS OF ADJUSTMENTS Adjustments can be made on any monthly anniversary
of the policy date. You may request a policy adjustment by completing an
application for adjustment. Adjustments will not apply to any additional
benefit agreements which are attached to your Policy. Any adjustment will be
effective on the date that it is approved by us and recorded at our home
office.
  An adjustment must satisfy certain limitations on premiums, face amount and
plan. Other limitations on adjustments and combinations of adjustments may
also apply. The current limits on adjustments are those described here. We
reserve the right to change these limitations from time to time.
  An adjustment may not result in more than a paid-up whole life plan for the
then current face amount. If either insured is over age 85, increases in face
amount requiring evidence of insurability will not be allowed.
  Any adjustment for a change of premium must result in a change of the annual
premium of at least $300. Any adjustment involving an increase in premium may
not result in a whole life plan of insurance requiring the payment of premiums
for less than ten years or to the younger insured's age 100, if less. In
addition, any Policy adjustment, other than a change to a stop premium, must
result in a Policy with an annual base premium of at least $600.
  Any adjustment for a change of the face amount must result in a change of
the face amount of at least $50,000, except for a partial surrender under the
Policy or face amount changes which are required to satisfy limitations
pertaining to plans of insurance. The face amount requested must be at least
$200,000, except in the case of a reduction in face amount equal to the amount
of a partial surrender.
  After adjustment, other than an automatic adjustment at the point when the
face amount is scheduled to decrease, an automatic adjustment made upon the
change to the Cash Option death benefit at the younger insured's age 70, or
adjustment to stop premium, the Policy must provide a level face amount of
insurance to the next policy anniversary after the later of: (a) five years
 
15
<PAGE>
 
from the date of adjustment; or (b) ten years from the date of issue. If the
younger insured's age at original issue is over age 70, the minimum plan of
protection will be less than ten years from the policy issue date, as
described on page 14. An automatic adjustment at the point when the face
amount is scheduled to decrease or an adjustment to stop premium requires that
a Policy have an actual cash value at the time of the adjustment as would be
sufficient to keep the Policy in force until the next policy anniversary.
  If you are disabled and receiving, or are entitled to receive, waiver of
premium benefits under a Waiver of Premium Agreement attached to this Policy,
no adjustments will be permitted, except as provided in the Waiver of Premium
Agreement.
PROOF OF INSURABILITY All adjustments resulting in an increase in face amount
require proof of insurability on both insureds. In addition, proof of
insurability is required for partial surrenders where, at the request of the
policy owner, no reduction is made in the Policy's death benefit. Decreases in
face amount or premium and increases in premium not resulting in any increase
in death benefit do not require evidence of insurability. We may require
evidence of insurability when a nonrepeating premium is paid if the death
benefit of your Policy increases as a result of the payment of a nonrepeating
premium.
CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH POLICY ADJUSTMENTS In connection with a policy
adjustment, we will make a special $95 charge to cover the administrative
costs associated with processing the adjustment. If, however, the only policy
adjustment is a partial surrender, the transaction charge shall be the lesser
of $95 or 2 percent of the amount surrendered. In addition, because of the
underwriting and selling expenses anticipated for any change resulting in an
increase in premium, we will assess a new first year sales load on any
increase in premium on adjustment. We will also assess an underwriting charge
on any increase in face amount requiring evidence of insurability. See, for a
further description of these charges, the section "Policy Charges" in this
prospectus on page 28. Limiting the first year sales load and underwriting
charge to the increased premium or face amount is in substance the equivalent
of issuing a new Policy for the increase. A policy adjustment will always be
more favorable than the purchase of a second Policy for the increased amount
since there is no duplication of administrative charges.
 
16
<PAGE>
 
  The chart below illustrates the kinds of changes that may be made as a
policy adjustment and the effect of each.
 
IF YOU MAKE THIS                          IT WILL DO THIS:
KIND OF
ADJUSTMENT,
 
 
 If you . . .
 
<TABLE>
  <S>                    <C>                         <C>
  Decrease the current                               then: a scheduled decrease
  face amount..........  while the premium remains   in the current face amount,
  or                     the same................... if any, will take place at
  Retain the current                                 a later policy anniversary; a
  face amount..........  while the premium increases scheduled decrease in the face
                                                     amount will be eliminated; or
                                                     the
                                                     premium paying period will
                                                     be shortened.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 If you . . .
 
  Increase the current                               then: a scheduled decrease
  face amount..........  with no increase in premium in the current face amount,
  or                                                 if any, will take place at an
  Retain the current                                 earlier policy anniversary;
  face amount..........  while the premium           a scheduled decrease in
  or                     decreases.................. the face amount will occur;
  Make a partial                                     or the premium paying
  surrender............  while the premium and face  period will be
                         amount remain the same..... lengthened.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  If you . . .
  Stop base premium....  while the face amount       then: a scheduled decrease
                         remains the same........... in the current face amount, if
                                                     any, will take place at an
                                                     earlier policy anniversary and
                                                     no insurance will be provided
                                                     after the decrease; or, a
                                                     scheduled decrease in the face
                                                     amount will occur. However, you
                                                     must continue to pay the charge
                                                     for a sub-standard risk, or
                                                     your Policy will lapse.
</TABLE>
 
  You may request a description of the effect of other types or combinations
of adjustments from us.
 
17
<PAGE>
 
APPLICATIONS AND POLICY ISSUE
  Persons wishing to purchase a Policy must send a completed application to us
at our home office. The minimum face amount we will issue on a Policy is
$200,000 and we require an annual base premium on each Policy of at least
$600. The minimum plan of insurance at policy issue is a protection plan which
has a level death benefit for a period of ten years. If the younger insured's
age at original issue is over age 70, the minimum plan of protection will be
less than ten years from the Policy issue date, as described on page 14. Both
insureds must be between age 20 and age 85 inclusive when the Policy is
issued. Before issuing any Policy, we require evidence of insurability
satisfactory to us on both insureds. In some cases we will require a medical
examination. Persons whom we evaluate as good mortality risks are offered the
most favorable premium rates, while a higher premium is charged to persons
with a greater mortality risk. Acceptance of an application is subject to our
underwriting rules and we reserve the right to reject an application for any
reason.
  If we accept an application, accompanied by a check for all or at least one-
twelfth of the annual premium, the policy date will be the issue date, which
is the date the decision to accept the application and issue the Policy is
made. The policy date will be used to determine subsequent policy
anniversaries and premium due dates.
  If we accept an application not accompanied by a check for the initial
premium, a Policy will be issued with a policy date which is 15 days after the
issue date. The 15 day period has been determined to be the normal time during
which delivery of the Policy to the policy owner is expected to occur. We or
our agent must receive the initial premium within 60 days after the issue
date. No life insurance coverage is provided until the initial premium is
paid. If the initial premium is paid after the policy date (and the policy
date is not changed as described below), you will have paid for insurance
coverage during a period when no coverage was in force. Therefore, in such
circumstance you should consider requesting a current policy date, i.e., the
date on which our home office receives the premium. You will be sent updated
policy pages to reflect the change in policy date. This request should be made
at or prior to the time you pay the initial premium.
  In certain circumstances it may be to your advantage to have the policy date
be the same as the issue date in order to preserve an issue age on which
premium rates are based. In that case, all premiums due between the issue date
and the date of delivery of the Policy must be paid on delivery.
  When the Policy is issued, the face amount, premium, tabular cash values and
a listing of any supplemental agreements are stated on the policy information
pages of the policy form, page 1.
 
POLICY PREMIUMS
  The Policy has a level premium until the second death or until the Policy
becomes paid-up. We guarantee that we will not increase the amount of premiums
for a Policy in force. Subject to the limitations discussed under the heading
"Restrictions on Adjustments" in this prospectus on page 15, you may choose to
adjust the Policy at any time and alter the amount of future premiums.
  In addition to scheduled premiums, you may pay a nonrepeating premium. We
may refuse to accept a nonrepeating premium. The maximum nonrepeating premium
we will accept is the amount sufficient to change your Policy to a paid-up
whole life policy for the then current face amount. The minimum nonrepeating
premium is $500. We will waive this minimum amount for nonrepeating premiums
if you make arrangements for the payment of a nonrepeating premium through an
automatic bank check plan and the amount of each such payment under that plan
is an amount of at least $200. We will bill for nonrepeating premiums in
connection with Policies having a minimum base premium of at least $2,400. The
minimum nonrepeating premium in those circumstances remains at $500. We may
impose additional restrictions or refuse to permit nonrepeating premiums at
our discretion.
  The payment of a nonrepeating premium may have federal income tax
consequences. See the heading "Federal Tax Status" in this prospectus on page
34.
  The amount of premium required for a Policy will depend on the Policy's
initial face amount; the plan of insurance; the insureds' ages at issue; sex,
risk classification and smoking status of each insured and the additional
benefits associated with the Policy.
  The first premium is due as of the policy date and must be paid on or before
the date
 
18
<PAGE>
 
your Policy is delivered. Between the date we receive an initial premium for
the Policy, either a full first premium or a partial premium, and the date
insurance coverage commences under the Policy, insurance may be in effect
under the terms of a conditional insurance agreement. All scheduled premiums
after the first premium are payable on or before the date they are due and
must be mailed to us at our home office. In some cases, you may elect to have
premiums paid automatically under our automatic bank check plan through pre-
authorized transfers from a bank checking account or such other account as may
be approved by your bank.
  Scheduled premiums on the Policy are payable until the second death on an
annual, semi-annual, quarterly or monthly basis on the due dates set forth in
the Policy. For this purpose, a scheduled premium may be paid no earlier than
twenty days prior to the date that it is due. For premiums paid after the due
date, see the paragraph following the heading "Lapse" in this section of the
prospectus.
  Charges for additional benefits and for sub-standard risks are deducted from
premiums to calculate base premiums. From base premiums we deduct charges
assessed against premiums and nonrepeating premiums to calculate net premiums.
  Net premiums, namely premiums after the deduction of the charges assessed
against premiums and nonrepeating premiums, are allocated to the guaranteed
principal account or sub-accounts of the Variable Life Account which, in turn,
invest in Fund shares.
  You make your selection on your application for the Policy. You may change
your allocation instructions for future premiums by giving us a written
request. The allocation to the guaranteed principal account or to any sub-
account of the Variable Life Account must be at least 10 percent of the net
premium. We reserve the right to delay the allocation of net premiums to named
sub-accounts for a period of 30 days after Policy issue or an adjustment. If
we exercise this right, net premiums will be allocated to the Money Market
sub-account until the end of that period. This right, which has not been
implemented to date, will be exercised by us only when we believe economic
conditions make such an allocation necessary to reduce market risk during the
free look period.
  We reserve the right to restrict the allocation of premiums to the
guaranteed principal account. If we do so, no more than 50 percent of the net
premium may be allocated to the guaranteed principal account. Currently, we do
not exercise such a restriction, and this restriction is not applicable when
you are allocating all of your premiums to the guaranteed principal account as
a conversion privilege.
  The Policy allows for transfers of the actual cash value between the
guaranteed principal account and the Variable Life Account or among the sub-
accounts of the Variable Life Account. You may request a transfer at any time
or you may arrange in advance for systematic transfers: transfers of specified
dollar or unit value amounts to be made periodically among the sub-accounts
and the guaranteed principal account. The amount to be transferred to or from
a sub-account or the guaranteed principal account must be at least $250. If
the balance is less than $250, the entire actual cash value attributable to
that sub-account or the guaranteed principal account must be transferred. If a
transfer would reduce the actual cash value in the sub-account from which the
transfer is to be made to less than $250, we reserve the right to include that
remaining sub-account actual cash value in the amount transferred. We will
make the transfer on the basis of sub-account unit values as of the end of the
valuation period during which your written or telephone request is received at
our home office. A transfer is subject to a transaction charge, not to exceed
$25, for each transfer of actual cash value among the sub-accounts and the
guaranteed principal account. Currently, there is a charge of $10 only for
non-systematic transfers in excess of four per year. Establishing a systematic
transfer program will be deemed to be a non-systematic transfer for purposes
of determining the transfer charge. None of these requirements will apply when
you are transferring all of the policy value to the guaranteed principal
account as a conversion privilege.
   
  Your instructions for transfer may be made in writing by you, or a person
authorized by you, may make such changes by telephone. To do so, you may call
us at 1-800-277-9244 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Central
Time, our regular business hours. Policy owners may also     
 
19
<PAGE>
 
   
submit their requests for transfer, surrender or other transactions to us by
facsimile (FAX) transmission. Our FAX number is (612) 665-4194.     
  Transfers made pursuant to a telephone call are subject to the same
conditions and procedures as would apply to written transfer requests. During
periods of marked economic or market changes, policy owners may experience
difficulty in implementing a telephone transfer due to a heavy volume of
telephone calls. In such a circumstance, policy owners should consider
submitting a written transfer request while continuing to attempt a telephone
redemption. We reserve the right to restrict the frequency of, or otherwise
modify, condition, terminate or impose charges upon, telephone transfer
privileges. For more information on telephone transfers, contact us.
  While for some policy owners we have used a form to pre-authorize telephone
transactions, we now make this service automatically available to all policy
owners. We will employ reasonable procedures to satisfy ourselves that
instructions received from policy owners are genuine and, to the extent that we
do not, we may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent
instructions. We require policy owners to identify themselves in those
telephone conversations through policy numbers, social security numbers and
such other information as we may deem to be reasonable. We record telephone
transfer instruction conversations and we provide the policy owners with a
written confirmation of the telephone transfer.
  The maximum amount of actual cash value to be transferred out of the
guaranteed principal account to the sub-accounts of the Variable Life Account
may be limited to 20 percent of the guaranteed principal account balance.
Transfers to or from the guaranteed principal account may be limited to one
such transfer per policy year. Neither of these restrictions will apply when
you are transferring all of the policy value to the guaranteed principal
account as a conversion privilege.
  Transfers from the guaranteed principal account must be made by a written or
telephone request. It must be received by us or postmarked in the 30-day period
before or after the last day of the policy year. Written requests for transfers
which meet these conditions will be effective after we approve and record them
at our home office. Currently, we do not impose such restrictions.
  In the case of a transfer, the charge is assessed against the amount
transferred.
LAPSE Your Policy may lapse in one of two ways: (1) if a scheduled premium is
not paid; or (2) if there is no actual cash value when there is a policy loan.
  As a scheduled premium policy, your Policy will lapse if a premium is not
paid on or before the date it is due or within the 31-day grace period provided
by the Policy. You may pay that premium during the 31-day period immediately
following the premium due date. Your premium payment, however, must be received
in our home office within the 31-day grace period. The insurance provided by
this Policy will continue during this 31-day period. If the second death occurs
during the 31-day grace period, we will deduct a premium for the 31-day grace
period from the death proceeds.
  If a Policy covers an insured in a sub-standard risk class, the portion of
the scheduled premium equal to the charge for such risk will continue to be
payable notwithstanding the adjustment to a stop premium mode. As with any
scheduled premium, failure to pay the premium for the sub-standard risk within
the grace period provided will cause the Policy to lapse.
  If scheduled premiums are paid on or before the dates they are due or within
the grace period, absent any policy loans, the Policy will remain in force even
if the investment results of the sub-accounts have been so unfavorable that the
actual cash value has decreased to zero. However, should the actual cash value
decrease to zero while there is an outstanding policy loan the Policy will
lapse, even if the Policy was paid-up and all scheduled premiums had been paid.
  If the Policy lapses because not all scheduled premiums have been paid or if
a Policy with a policy loan has no actual cash value, we will send you a notice
of default that will indicate the payment required to keep the Policy in force
on a premium paying basis. If the payment is not received within 31 days after
the date of mailing the notice of default, the Policy will terminate or the
nonforfeiture benefits will apply. For more information on lapse, see "Avoiding
Lapse" on page 21.
 
20
<PAGE>
 
  If at the time of any lapse a Policy has a surrender value, that is, an
amount remaining after subtracting from the actual cash value all unpaid
policy charges, it will be used to purchase extended term insurance. The
extended term benefit is a fixed life insurance benefit calculated on the 1980
Commissioners Standard Ordinary Mortality Tables with 4 percent interest. As
an alternative to the extended term insurance, you may have the surrender
value paid to you in a single sum payment, thereby terminating the Policy.
Unless you request a single sum payment of your surrender value within 62 days
of the date of the first unpaid premium, we will apply it to purchase extended
term insurance, payable at the second death.
  The duration of the extended term benefit is determined by applying the
surrender value of your Policy as of the end of the grace period as a net
single premium to buy fixed benefit term insurance. The extended term benefit
is not provided through the Variable Life Account and the death benefit will
not vary during the extended term insurance period. The amount of this
insurance will be equal to the face amount of your Policy, less the amount of
any policy loans at the date of lapse. During the extended term period a
Policy has a surrender value equal to the reserve for the insurance coverage
for the remaining extended term period. At the end of the extended term period
all insurance provided by your Policy will terminate and the Policy will have
no further value.
  You may arrange for automatic premium loans to keep the Policy in force in
the event that a scheduled premium payment is not made. For more information
on this option, please see the heading "Policy Loans" in this prospectus on
page 25.
REINSTATEMENT At any time within three years from the date of lapse you may
ask us to restore your Policy to a premium paying status. We will require:
(1) your written request to reinstate the Policy;
(2) that you submit to us at our home office during the lifetime of both
    insureds evidence satisfactory to us of the insurability of both insureds
    so that we may have time to act on the evidence during the lifetime of
    both insureds; and
(3) at our option a premium payment which is equal to all overdue premiums
    with interest at a rate not to exceed 6 percent per annum compounded
    annually and any policy loan in effect at the end of the grace period
    following the date of default with interest at a rate not exceeding 8
    percent per annum compounded annually. At the present time we do not
    require the payment of all overdue premiums.
  If your Policy is reinstated, it will be contestable for two years from the
date of reinstatement as to representations contained in your request to
reinstate.
  After a lapse and reinstatement, the reinstated Policy may be adjusted. The
standard minimum requirements for adjustments will continue to apply, as
described under the section "Restrictions on Adjustments" in this prospectus
on page 15.
AVOIDING LAPSE If your Policy has sufficient loan value, you can avoid a lapse
due to the failure to pay a scheduled premium by arranging for an automatic
premium loan. The effect of a policy loan on policy values and the
restrictions applicable thereto are described under the caption "Policy Loans"
on page 25 of this prospectus. An automatic premium loan is particularly
advantageous for a policy owner who contemplates early repayment of the amount
loaned, since it permits the policy owner to restore policy values without
additional sales and underwriting charges. Automatic premium loans for the
long term are generally not advantageous.
  You may also avoid a lapse due to the failure to pay a scheduled premium by
adjusting your Policy to a stop premium mode. The greater of your policy value
or tabular cash value will be used to determine a new plan of insurance based
on the greater of the then current face amount or death benefit of the Policy
and the assumption that no further base premiums will be paid. The new plan
may be a term or protection plan, but unlike other term plans there will be no
reduced face amount of coverage at the time the tabular cash value is
scheduled to expire because no further premiums will be payable. If at that
time the Policy has a surrender value, it will be used either to purchase
extended term coverage or it will be paid to you in a single sum thereby
terminating the Policy.
  The insurance coverage resulting from an adjustment to a stop premium mode
is similar to the coverage available under the
 
21
<PAGE>
 
extended term option in that under both, the coverage is available only for a
limited period of time. The arrangements are, however, fundamentally
different. Extended term coverage is a fixed benefit with fixed cash values
providing a longer guaranteed period of coverage than the same amount applied
as a stop premium. The stop premium mode provides variable insurance with an
actual cash value and, under the Protection Option, a death benefit that will
vary to reflect any investment experience of selected sub-accounts and the
deduction of smaller cost of insurance charges than the maximum charges
derived from the 1980 CSO mortality tables. Because the actual cash value
continues to exist, policy charges assessed to the actual cash value will
continue to be made while the Policy is on stop premium. For example, if a
Policy covers an insured in a sub-standard risk class, the portion of the
scheduled premium equal to the charge for such risk will continue to be
payable.
  There are also other differences which should be considered. In general, if
you contemplate resuming premium payments at a future date, the stop premium
mode may be more desirable in that you may resume premium payments at any time
without evidence of insurability, while the reinstatement option available
during the extended term period requires proof of insurability and must be
exercised within three years following the date of lapse.
  If you do not contemplate resuming premium payments, your choice between
permitting your Policy to lapse and adjusting it to a stop premium mode should
depend on, first, whether the surrender value of your Policy at that time
exceeds its tabular cash value and, second, whether you expect your Policy's
policy value to exceed its tabular cash value in the future. If at the time of
possible lapse your Policy's surrender value is less than its tabular cash
value, you should consider adjusting to a stop premium mode because the period
of insurance coverage will be based on the higher tabular cash value while the
period of extended term coverage upon lapse would be computed on the basis of
the lower surrender value. If the two values are the same, the period of
guaranteed coverage under the extended term option will be longer than under
the stop premium mode. Thus, you should be sure that the benefit of using the
higher tabular cash value is not offset by the shorter period of guaranteed
insurance coverage usually resulting from the stop premium mode.
  On the other hand, if the surrender value of your Policy exceeds its tabular
cash value, you should evaluate the benefit of a guaranteed longer period of
insurance coverage under the extended term option against the possibility of
longer coverage under the stop premium mode. With the stop premium mode there
may be an available policy value at the end of the plan which could be used to
continue the face amount of the Policy to a later time than provided under the
extended term option. In considering this possibility, you should keep in mind
that a Policy with the Cash Option death benefit is more likely to have a
higher policy value than a comparable Policy with the Protection Option death
benefit.
 
POLICY VALUES
  The Policy has an actual cash value which varies with the investment
experience of the guaranteed principal account and the sub-accounts of the
Variable Life Account. Depending upon the death benefit selected, the death
benefit may also vary although it will never be less than the then current
face amount. Net premiums, namely premiums after the deduction of all charges,
will be allocated to the guaranteed principal account or sub-accounts of the
Variable Life Account selected by you on your application for the Policy.
  The value of the Policy's interest in the guaranteed principal account and
the sub-accounts of the Variable Life Account is known as its actual cash
value. It is determined separately for your guaranteed principal account
actual cash value and for your separate account actual cash value. The
separate account actual cash value will include all sub-accounts of the
Variable Life Account. Unlike a traditional fixed benefit life insurance
policy, a Policy's actual cash value cannot be determined in advance, even if
scheduled premiums are made when required, because the separate account actual
cash value varies daily with the investment performance of the sub-accounts of
the Variable Life Account in which the Policy participates. Even if the policy
owner continues to pay scheduled premiums when due, the separate account
actual cash value of a Policy could decline to zero because of
 
22
<PAGE>
 
unfavorable investment experience and the assessment of charges. Upon request,
we will tell you the actual cash value of your Policy. We will also send you a
report each year on the policy anniversary advising you of your Policy's
actual cash value, the face amount and the death benefit as of the date of the
report. It will also summarize Policy transactions during the year. It will be
as of a date within two months of its mailing.
  The guaranteed principal account actual cash value is the sum of all net
premium payments allocated to the guaranteed principal account. This amount
will be increased by any interest, dividends, loan repayments, policy loan
interest credits and transfers into the guaranteed principal account. This
amount will be reduced by any policy loans, unpaid policy loan interest,
partial surrenders, transfers into the sub-accounts of the Variable Life
Account and charges assessed against your guaranteed principal account actual
cash value. Interest is credited on the guaranteed principal account actual
cash value of your Policy. Interest is credited daily at a rate of not less
than 4 percent per year, compounded annually. We guarantee this minimum rate
for the life of the Policy without regard to the actual experience of the
general account. As conditions permit, we will credit additional amounts of
interest to the guaranteed principal account actual cash value. Your
guaranteed principal account actual cash value is guaranteed by us. It cannot
be reduced by any investment experience of the general account.
  The portion of a Policy's separate account actual cash value is determined
separately. The separate account actual cash value is not guaranteed. The
determination of the separate account actual cash value is made by multiplying
the current number of sub-account units credited to a Policy by the current
sub-account unit value. A unit is a measure of your Policy's interest in a
sub- account. The number of units credited with respect to each net premium
payment is determined by dividing the portion of the net premium payment
allocated to each sub-account by the then current unit value for that sub-
account. The number of units so credited is determined as of the end of the
valuation period during which we receive your premium at our home office.
  Once determined, the number of units credited to your Policy will not be
affected by changes in the unit value. However, the number will be increased
by the allocation of subsequent net premiums, nonrepeating premiums,
dividends, loan repayments, loan interest credits and transfers to that sub-
account. The number of units of each sub-account credited to your Policy will
be decreased by policy charges to the sub-account, policy loans and loan
interest, transfers from that sub-account and partial surrenders from that
sub-account. Such number of sub-account units will decrease to zero on a
policy surrender, the purchase of extended term insurance or termination.
  The unit value of a sub-account will be determined on each valuation date.
The amount of any increase or decrease will depend on the net investment
experience of that sub-account. The value of a unit for each sub-account was
originally set at $1.00 on the first valuation date. For any subsequent
valuation date, its value is equal to its value on the preceding valuation
date multiplied by the net investment factor for that sub-account for the
valuation period ending on the subsequent valuation date.
  The net investment factor for a valuation period is: the gross investment
rate for such valuation period, less a deduction for the mortality and expense
risk charge under this Policy which is assessed at an annual rate of .50
percent against the average daily net assets of each sub-account of the
Variable Life Account. The gross investment rate is equal to:
 
(1) the net asset value per share of a Fund share held in the sub-account of
    the Variable Life Account determined at the end of the current valuation
    period; plus
 
(2) the per share amount of any dividend or capital gain distributions by the
    Fund if the "ex-dividend" date occurs during the current valuation period;
    with the sum divided by
 
(3) the net asset value per share of that Fund share held in the sub-account
    determined at the end of the preceding valuation period.
  We determine the value of the units in each sub-account on each day on which
the Portfolios of the Fund are valued. The net asset value of the Fund's
shares is computed once daily, and, in the case of the Money
 
23
<PAGE>
 
Market Portfolio, after the declaration of the daily dividend, as of the
primary closing time for business on the New York Stock Exchange (as of the
date hereof the primary close of trading is 3:00 p.m. (Central Time), but this
time may be changed) on each day, Monday through Friday, except (i) days on
which changes in the value of the Fund's portfolio securities will not
materially affect the current net asset value of the Fund's shares, (ii) days
during which no Fund's shares are tendered for redemption and no order to
purchase or sell the Fund's shares is received by the Fund and (iii) customary
national business holidays on which the New York Stock Exchange is closed for
trading (as of the date hereof, New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas
Day).
  Although the actual cash value for each Policy is determinable on a daily
basis, we update our records to reflect that value on each monthly
anniversary. We also make policy value determinations on the date of the
second death and on a policy adjustment, surrender, and lapse. When the policy
value is determined, we will assess and update to the date of the transaction
those charges made against your actual cash value, namely the administration
charge not to exceed $15 per month, the face amount guarantee charge not to
exceed 3 cents per thousand of face amount per month, and the cost of
insurance charge. Increases or decreases in policy values will not be uniform
for all Policies but will be affected by policy transaction activity, cost of
insurance charges and the existence of policy loans.
   
  To illustrate the operation of the Policy under various assumptions, we have
prepared several tables, along with additional explanatory text, that may be
of assistance. For these tables, please see Appendix I, "Illustrations of
Policy Values, Death Benefits and Premiums," found on page 80 of this
prospectus. For additional materials and tables, including values after policy
charges, please see Appendix II, "Summary of Policy Charges," found on page 86
of this prospectus.     
 
DEATH BENEFIT OPTIONS
  The death benefit provided by the Policy depends upon the death benefit
option you choose. You may choose one of two available death benefit options--
the Cash Option or the Protection Option. If you fail to make an election, the
Cash Option will be in effect. The scheduled premium for a Policy is the same
no matter which death benefit option is chosen.
  Under the Cash Option, the death benefit will be the current face amount at
the time of the second death. The death benefit will not vary unless the
policy value exceeds the net single premium for the then current face amount.
  Under the Protection Option, the death benefit will be the policy value,
plus the larger of:
 
(a) the then current face amount; and
 
(b) the amount of insurance which could be purchased using the policy value as
    a net single premium.
 
  The Protection Option is only available until the policy anniversary nearest
the younger insured's age 70. At the policy anniversary nearest the younger
insured's age 70, the Protection Option death benefit is automatically
converted to the Cash Option death benefit. At that time, we will
automatically adjust your Policy and adjust the face amount to equal the death
benefit immediately preceding the adjustment.
   
  The different death benefit options meet different needs and objectives. The
Protection Option results primarily in an increased death benefit. If you are
satisfied with the amount of your insurance coverage and wish to have any
favorable investment results reflected to the maximum extent in increasing
actual cash values, you should choose the Cash Option. In addition, there are
other distinctions between the two options which may influence your selection.
In the event of a superior investment performance, the Cash Option will result
in a Policy becoming paid-up more rapidly than the Protection Option. This is
because of larger cost of insurance charges under the Protection Option
resulting from the additional amount of death benefit provided under that
option. But under the Cash Option favorable investment experience does not
increase the death benefit unless the policy value exceeds the net single
premium for the then current face amount, and the beneficiary will not benefit
from any larger actual cash value which exists at the time of the second death
because of the favorable investment experience.     
 
24
<PAGE>
 
  You may elect to have the death benefit option changed while the Policy is
in force by filing a written request with us at our home office. We may
require that you provide us with satisfactory evidence of the insurability of
both insureds before we make a change to the Protection Option. The change
will take effect when we approve and record it in our home office. A change in
death benefit option may have federal income tax consequences. See the heading
"Federal Tax Status" in this prospectus on page 34.
  The amount payable as death proceeds upon the second death will be the death
benefit provided by the Policy, plus any additional insurance provided by an
additional benefit agreement, if any, minus any policy charges and minus any
policy loans. In addition, if the Cash Option death benefit is in effect at
the second death, we will pay to the beneficiary any part of a paid premium
that covers the period from the end of the policy month in which the second
death occurred to the date to which premiums are paid.
 
VARIATIONS IN DEATH BENEFIT
PROTECTION OPTION The death benefit provided by the Protection Option will
vary with the investment experience of the allocation options selected by the
policy owner, any interest credited as a result of a policy loan and the
extent to which we assess lower insurance charges than those maximums derived
from the 1980 Commissioners Standard Ordinary Mortality Tables.
  The amount of the death benefit is equal to the policy value, plus the
larger of:
 
(a) the then current face amount; and
 
(b) the amount of insurance which could be purchased using the policy value as
    a net single premium.
 
CASH OPTION As noted, the death benefit under the Cash Option does not vary
from the Policy's face amount until the policy value exceeds the net single
premium for the current face amount. At this point, the death benefit under
the Cash Option is the greater of the face amount of the Policy when it became
paid-up or the amount of insurance which could be purchased at the date of the
second death by using the policy value as a net single premium based upon the
policy assumptions as defined in your Policy. The policy value of a Policy
will never exceed the net single premium for a death benefit payable at the
second death.
  A Policy is paid-up when no additional premiums are required to provide the
face amount of insurance. We may or may not accept additional premiums. When a
Policy becomes paid-up, the policy value will then equal or exceed the net
single premium needed to purchase an amount of insurance equal to the face
amount of the Policy. However, its actual cash value will continue to vary
daily to reflect the investment experience of the Variable Life Account and
any interest credited as a result of a policy loan. Once a Policy becomes
paid-up, it will always retain its paid-up status regardless of any subsequent
decrease in its policy value. However, on a paid-up Policy with indebtedness,
where the actual cash value decreases to zero, a loan repayment may be
required to keep the Policy in force. See the discussion in this prospectus
under the heading "Policy Loans," below.
  We will make a determination on each policy anniversary as to whether a
Policy is paid-up. When a Policy becomes paid-up, we will send you a new page
1.
   
  For an illustration of the calculation of the death benefit under the Policy
options, please see Appendix III, "Illustration of Death Benefit Calculation,"
on page 91 of this prospectus.     
 
POLICY LOANS
  You may borrow from us using only your Policy as the security for the loan.
The total amount of your loan may not exceed 90 percent of your policy value.
A loan taken from, or secured by a Policy, may have federal income tax
consequences. See the heading "Federal Tax Status" in this prospectus on page
34.
   
  The policy value is the actual cash value of your Policy plus any policy
loan. Any policy loan paid to you in cash must be in an amount of at least
$100. Policy loans in smaller amounts are allowed under the automatic premium
loan provision. We will deduct interest on the loan in arrears. At your
request, we will send you a loan request form for your signature. You may also
obtain a policy loan by calling Minnesota Mutual at 1-800-277-9244 between the
hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Central Time, our regular business hours.
Should you make a telephone call to us you will be asked, for security
purposes, for your personal identification and policy number. The Policy     
 
25
<PAGE>
 
will be the only security required for your loan. Your policy value will be
determined as of the date we receive your written request at our home office.
  When you take a loan, we will reduce the actual cash value. It will be
reduced by the amount you borrow and any unpaid interest. Unless you direct us
otherwise, the policy loan will be taken from your guaranteed principal
account actual cash value and separate account actual cash value in the same
proportion that those values bear to each other and, as to the actual cash
value in the separate account, from each sub-account in the proportion that
the actual cash value in such sub-account bears to your actual cash value in
all of the sub-accounts. The number of units to be cancelled will be based
upon the value of the units as of the end of the valuation period during which
we receive your loan request at our home office. This amount shall be
transferred to the loan account. The loan account continues to be part of the
Policy in the general account. A policy loan has no immediate effect on policy
value since at the time of the loan the policy value is the sum of your actual
cash value and any policy loan.
  The actual cash value of your Policy may decrease between premium due dates.
If your Policy has indebtedness and no actual cash value, the Policy will
lapse. In this event, to keep your Policy in force, you will have to make a
loan repayment. We will give you notice of our intent to terminate the Policy
and the loan repayment required to keep it in force. The time for repayment
will be within 31 days after our mailing of the notice.
POLICY LOAN INTEREST The interest rate on a policy loan will not be more than
the rate shown on page 1 of your Policy. The interest rate charged on a policy
loan will not be more than that permitted in the state in which the Policy is
delivered.
  Policy loan interest is due on the date of the second death, on a policy
adjustment, surrender, lapse, a policy loan transaction and on each policy
anniversary. If you do not pay the interest on your loan in cash, your policy
loan will be increased and your actual cash value will be reduced by the
amount of the unpaid interest. The new loan will be subject to the same rate
of interest as the loan in effect.
  Interest is also credited to your Policy when there is a policy loan.
Interest credits on a policy loan shall be at a rate which is not less than
your policy loan interest rate minus 2 percent per annum. Policy loan interest
credits are allocated to your actual cash value as of the date of the second
death, on a policy adjustment, surrender, lapse, a policy loan transaction and
on each policy anniversary. Interest credits are allocated to the guaranteed
principal account and separate account following your instructions to us. We
will use your instructions for the allocation of net premiums. In the absence
of such instructions, this amount will be allocated to the guaranteed
principal account actual cash value and separate account actual cash value in
the same proportion that those values bear to each other and, as to the actual
cash value in the separate account, to each sub-account in the proportion that
the actual cash value in such sub-account bears to your actual cash value in
all of the sub-accounts.
  Currently, the loan account credits interest, as described above, at a rate
which is not less than your policy loan interest rate minus 2 percent per
annum. However, depending on the insured's age and the period of time that the
Policy has been in force, we may credit the Policy with interest at a more
favorable rate. Under our current procedures, if all the conditions are met
then your loan will be credited at a rate which is equal to the policy loan
rate minus .75 percent per annum. The conditions which must be met are: (a)
the age of either insured must be age 55 or older as of the last policy
anniversary; and (b) the number of years during which the Policy has been in
force as a VAL-SD Policy, must be greater than or equal to 10.
  Policy loans may also be used as automatic premium loans to keep your Policy
in force. If you asked for this service in your application, or if you write
us and ask for this service after your Policy has been issued, we will make
automatic premium loans. You can also write to us at any time and tell us you
do not want this service. If you have this service and you have not paid the
premium that is due before the end of the grace period, we will make a policy
loan to pay the premium. Interest on such a policy loan is charged from the
date the premium was due. However, in order for an automatic premium loan to
occur, the amount available for a loan must be enough to pay at least a
quarterly premium. If
 
26
<PAGE>
 
the loan value is not enough to pay at least a quarterly premium, your Policy
will lapse.
 
POLICY LOAN REPAYMENTS If your Policy is in force, your loan can be repaid in
part or in full at any time before the second death. Your loan may also be
repaid within 60 days after the date of the second death, if we have not paid
any of the benefits under the Policy. Any loan repayment must be at least $100
unless the balance due is less than $100. When implemented, we will waive this
minimum loan repayment provision for loan repayments made under our automatic
payment plan where loan repayments are in an amount of at least $25.
  Loan repayments are allocated to the guaranteed principal account until all
loans from the guaranteed principal account have been repaid, thereafter, loan
repayments are allocated to the guaranteed principal account or the sub-
accounts of the Variable Life Account as you direct. In the absence of your
instructions, loan repayments will be allocated to the guaranteed principal
account actual cash value and separate account actual cash value in the same
proportion that those values bear to each other and, as to the actual cash
value in the separate account, to each sub-account in the proportion that the
actual cash value in such sub-account bears to your actual cash value in all
of the sub-accounts.
  Loan repayments reduce your loan account by the amount of the loan
repayment.
   
  A policy loan, whether or not it is repaid, will have a permanent effect on
the policy value because the investment results of the sub-accounts will apply
only to the amount remaining in the sub-accounts. The effect could be either
positive or negative. If net investment results of the sub-accounts are
greater than the amount being credited on the loan, the policy value will not
increase as rapidly as it would have if no loan had been made. If investment
results of the sub-accounts are less than the amount being credited on the
loan, the policy value will be greater than if no loan had been made. For an
example of the effect of a policy loan on a Policy and its death benefit,
please see Appendix IV, "Policy Loan Example," in this prospectus on page 92.
    
SURRENDER
  You may request a surrender or partial surrender of your Policy at any time
while either insured is living. On surrender, the surrender value of the
Policy is the actual cash value minus unpaid policy charges which are assessed
against actual cash value. The determination of the surrender value is made as
of the end of the valuation period during which we receive your surrender
request at our home office. You may surrender the Policy by sending us the
Policy and a written request for its surrender. You may request that the
surrender value be paid to you in cash or, as an alternative, you may request
that the surrender value be applied on a settlement option or to provide
extended term insurance.
  A partial surrender of the actual cash value of the Policy is also permitted
in any amount of $500 or more. In addition, the amount of a partial surrender
may not exceed the amount available as a policy loan.
   
  With the Cash Option death benefit, if the Policy is not paid-up, the face
amount of the Policy will be reduced by the amount of the partial surrender.
If the Policy is paid-up, the death benefit is reduced so as to retain the
same ratio between the policy value and the death benefit of the Policy as
existed prior to the partial surrender.     
   
  With the Protection Option death benefit, the face amount of the Policy is
not changed by the amount of the partial surrender. However, if the Policy is
not paid-up, the death benefit of the Policy is reduced by the amount of the
partial surrender; if the Policy is paid-up, the death benefit of the Policy
is reduced so as to retain the ratio between the policy value and the death
benefit of the Policy as existed prior to the partial surrender.     
  We are currently waiving these restrictions requiring a minimum amount for a
partial surrender where a partial withdrawal from a Policy, which is on stop
premium, is being used to pay premiums for sub-standard risks or premiums on
any benefits and riders issued as part of the Policy. Transaction fees
otherwise applicable to such a partial surrender are also waived.
  On a partial surrender, you may tell us which Variable Life Account sub-
accounts from which a partial surrender is to be taken
 
27
<PAGE>
 
or whether it is to be taken in whole or in part from the guaranteed principal
account. If you do not, partial surrenders will be deducted from your
guaranteed principal account actual cash value and separate account actual
cash value in the same proportion that those values bear to each other and, as
to the actual cash value in the separate account, from each sub-account in the
proportion that the actual cash value in such sub-account bears to your actual
cash value in all of the sub-accounts. We will tell you, on request, what
amounts are available for a partial surrender under your Policy.
  Payment of a surrender or partial surrender will be made as soon as
possible, but not later than seven days after our receipt of your written
request for surrender. However, an exception to this is that if any portion of
the actual cash value to be surrendered is attributable to a premium or
nonrepeating premium payment made by non-guaranteed funds such as a personal
check, we will delay mailing that portion of the surrender proceeds until we
have reasonable assurance that the payment has cleared and that good payment
has been collected. The amount you receive on surrender may be more or less
than the total premiums paid to your Policy.
 
FREE LOOK
  It is important to us that you are satisfied with this Policy after it is
issued. If you are not satisfied with it, you may return the Policy to us or
your agent by the later of: (a) ten days after you receive it; (b) 45 days
after you have signed the application; or (c) ten days after we mail to you a
notice of your right of withdrawal. If you return the Policy, you will receive
within seven days of the date we receive your notice of cancellation a full
refund of the premiums you have paid.
  If the Policy is adjusted, as described under the heading "Policy
Adjustments" in this prospectus on page 14, and if the adjustment results in
an increased premium, you will again have a right to examine the Policy and
you may return the Policy within the time periods stated in the immediately
preceding paragraph. If you return the Policy, the requested premium
adjustment will be cancelled. You will receive a refund of the additional
premiums paid within seven days of the date we receive your notice of
cancellation for that adjustment.
 
CONVERSION
  As a conversion privilege, you can obtain fixed insurance coverage by
transferring all of the policy value to the guaranteed principal account and
thereafter allocating all premiums to that account.
 
POLICY EXCHANGE
  So long as both insureds are alive, you may ask us to exchange this Policy
for two individual policies, insuring each of the insureds separately. We will
require evidence of insurability to make the exchange. The two new policies
will be issued on the variable or fixed policy form we are using on the date
of the exchange; each new policy will have one-half the death benefit, cash
value, loan and dividends of this Policy.
 
POLICY CHARGES
PREMIUM CHARGES Premium charges vary depending on whether the premium is a
scheduled premium or a nonrepeating premium. Generally, the word "premium"
when used in this prospectus means a scheduled premium only. Charges for sub-
standard risks and for additional benefits are deducted from the premium, to
calculate the base premium.
  From base premiums we deduct a sales load, an underwriting charge, a premium
tax charge and a federal tax charge.
 
(1) The SALES LOAD consists of a deduction from each premium of 7 percent and
    it may also include a first year sales load deduction not to exceed 23
    percent. The first year sales load will apply only to base premiums,
    scheduled to be paid in the twelve month period following either the
    policy date, or any policy adjustment involving an increase in base
    premium or any policy adjustment occurring during a period when a first
    year sales load is being assessed. It will also apply only to that portion
    of an annual base premium necessary for an original issue whole life plan
    of insurance. In other words, for base premiums greater than this whole
    life premium, the amount of the base premium in excess of such whole life
    base premium will be subject only to the 7 percent basic sales load.
 
    Only adjustments that involve an increase in base premium will result in
  additional first year sales load being assessed on that increase in premium.
  If
 
28
<PAGE>
 
  any adjustment occurs during a period when a first year sales load is being
  collected and the adjustment results in an increase in base premium, an
  additional first year sales load, not to exceed 23 percent of the increase
  in base premium, will be added to the uncollected portion of the first year
  sales load that was being collected prior to the adjustment. This total
  amount of first year sales load will then be collected during the 12 month
  period following the adjustment.
    If any adjustment occurs during the 12 month period when a first year
  sales load is being collected and the adjustment does not result in an
  increase in base premium, the first year sales load percentage, not to
  exceed 23 percent, that was in effect prior to the adjustment is multiplied
  by the base premium in effect after the adjustment; this number is then
  multiplied by a fraction equal to the number of months remaining in the
  previous 12 month period divided by 12. This amount of first year sales
  load will then be collected during the 12 month period following the
  adjustment.
    All of the sales load charges are designed to average not more than 9
  percent of the base premiums over the lesser of: the joint life expectancy
  of the insureds at policy issue or adjustment; or 15 years from the policy
  issue or adjustment; or the premium paying period. Compliance with the 9
  percent ceiling will be achieved by reducing the amount of the first year
  sales load, if necessary. For examples of how we compute sales load
  charges, see the heading "Examples of Sales Load Computations" in this
  prospectus on page 31.
    The sales load is designed to compensate us for distribution expenses
  incurred with respect to the Policies. The amount of the sales load in any
  policy year cannot be specifically related to sales expenses for that year.
  To the extent that sales expenses are not recovered from the sales load, we
  will recover them from our other assets or surplus including profits from
  mortality and expense risk charges.
   
(2) The UNDERWRITING CHARGE currently is an amount not to exceed $10 per
    $1,000 of face amount of insurance. This amount may vary by the age of the
    insureds and the premium level for a given amount of insurance. This
    charge is made ratably from premiums scheduled to be made during the first
    policy year and during the twelve months following certain policy
    adjustments. The underwriting charge is designed to compensate us for the
    administrative costs associated with issuance or adjustment of the
    Policies, including the cost of processing applications, conducting
    medical exams, classifying risks, determining insurability and risk class
    and establishing policy records. This charge is not guaranteed, so that on
    a policy adjustment the then current underwriting charge will apply to any
    increase in face amount which requires new evidence of insurability. In
    the event of a policy adjustment which results in a face amount increase
    and no base premium, you must then remit the then current underwriting
    charge to us prior to the effective date of the adjustment or we will
    assess the charge against your actual cash value as a transaction charge
    on adjustment.     
 
(3) The PREMIUM TAX CHARGE of 2.5 percent is deducted from each base premium.
    This charge is designed to cover the aggregate premium taxes we pay to
    state and local governments for this class of policies. This charge is not
    guaranteed and may be increased in the future, but only as necessary to
    cover our premium tax expenses.
 
(4) The FEDERAL TAX CHARGE of 1.25 percent is deducted from each base premium.
    This charge is designed to cover a federal tax related to premium
    payments. This charge is not guaranteed and may be increased in the
    future, but only as necessary to cover the federal tax related to premium
    payments.
 
CARGES TAKEN FROMH
  BASE PREMIUM
                   PLUS, IN THE
- ---------------     FIRST YEAR
                  ---------------
 7.00% Sales      Additional
      Load        Sales Load (up
 1.25% Federal    to 23%)
      Tax         Underwriting
 2.50% Premium    Charge (up to
      Tax         $10/$1000 of
- ---------------   Insurance
10.75% Total      Coverage)
 
29
<PAGE>
 
 
NONREPEATING PREMIUMS Nonrepeating premiums are currently subject to the 2.5
percent premium tax charge and the 1.25 percent federal tax charge, but not to
a sales load charge. No underwriting charge is assessed against nonrepeating
premiums.
 
ACTUAL CASH VALUE CHARGES In addition to deductions from premiums and
nonrepeating premiums, we assess from the actual cash value of a Policy an
administration charge, the face amount guarantee charge, certain transaction
charges and the cost of insurance charge. These charges are as follows:
   
(1) The ADMINISTRATION CHARGE is designed to cover certain of our
    administrative expenses, including those attributable to the records
    maintained for your Policy. The administration charge is guaranteed not to
    exceed $15 per month. Currently we charge $10 per month.     
   
(2) The FACE AMOUNT GUARANTEE CHARGE is guaranteed not to exceed 3 cents per
    thousand dollars of face amount per month. Currently we charge 2 cents per
    thousand dollars. This charge is designed to compensate us for our
    guarantee that the death benefit will always be at least equal to the
    current face amount in effect at the time of the second death regardless
    of the investment performance of the sub-accounts in which net premiums
    have been invested. The face amount of a Policy at issue or adjustment and
    the appropriate premium therefor reflect a "tabular cash value" (defined
    on page 13 above) based upon an assumed annual rate of return of 4
    percent. If the policy value is less than the tabular cash value at the
    time of the second death, it will not be sufficient to support the face
    amount of the Policy under the actuarial assumptions made in designing the
    Policy. The face amount guarantee is a guarantee that the face amount will
    be available as a death benefit notwithstanding the failure of the Policy
    to perform in accordance with the assumptions made in its design. Thus,
    even if the policy value should be less than the amount needed to pay the
    deductions to be made from the actual cash value on the next monthly
    policy anniversary, see discussion below, the Policy's guaranteed death
    benefit will remain in effect and the Policy will remain in force.     
 
(3) The COST OF INSURANCE CHARGE compensates us for providing the death
    benefit under a Policy. The charge is calculated by multiplying the net
    amount at risk under your Policy by a rate which is based on the age,
    gender, risk class, and the smoking habits of each insured. The rate also
    reflects the plan of insurance and any policy adjustments since issue. The
    rate is guaranteed not to exceed the maximum charges for mortality derived
    from the 1980 Commissioners Standard Ordinary Mortality Tables. The net
    amount at risk is the death benefit under your Policy less your policy
    value. Where circumstances require, we will base our rates on "unisex,"
    rather than sex-based, mortality tables.
 
(4) The TRANSACTION CHARGES are for expenses associated with processing
    transactions. There is a charge of $95 for each policy adjustment. We also
    reserve the right to make a charge, not to exceed $25, for each transfer
    of actual cash value among the guaranteed principal account and the sub-
    accounts of the Variable Life Account. Currently we charge $10 only for
    non-systematic transfers in excess of four per year. Establishing a
    systematic transfer program will be deemed to be a non-systematic transfer
    for purposes of determining the transfer charge. If the only policy
    adjustment is a partial surrender, the transaction charge shall be the
    lesser of $95 or 2 percent of the amount surrendered.
 
  Administration, face amount guarantee and cost of insurance charges are
assessed against your actual cash value on the monthly policy anniversary. In
addition, such charges are assessed on the occurrence of the second death,
policy surrender, lapse or a policy adjustment. Transaction charges are
assessed against your actual cash value at the time of a policy adjustment or
when a transfer is made. In the case of a transfer, the charge is assessed
against the amount transferred. Charges will be assessed against your
guaranteed principal account actual cash value and separate account actual
cash value in the same proportion that those values bear
 
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<PAGE>
 
to each other and, as to the actual cash value in the separate account, from
each sub-account in the proportion that the actual cash value in such sub-
account bears to your actual cash value in all of the sub-accounts.
 
                     CHARGES TAKEN FROM ACTUAL CASH VALUE
 
 .Administration Charge
 .Face Amount Guarantee Charge
 .Cost of Insurance Charge
 .Transaction Charge
 
SEPARATE ACCOUNT CHARGES We assess a mortality and expense risk charge
directly against the assets held in the Variable Life Account. The mortality
and expense risk charge compensates us for assuming the risks that cost of
insurance charges will be insufficient to cover actual mortality experience
and that the other charges will not cover our expenses in connection with the
Policy. The mortality and expense risk charge is deducted from Variable Life
Account assets on each valuation date at an annual rate of .50 percent of the
average daily net assets of the Variable Life Account.
  We reserve the right to charge or make provision for any taxes payable by us
with respect to the Variable Life Account or the Policies by a charge or
adjustment to such assets. No such charge or provision is made at the present
time.
 
                      CHARGES TAKEN FROM SEPARATE ACCOUNT
 
 ..50% Mortality and Expense Risk Charge
   
EXAMPLES OF SALES LOAD COMPUTATIONS As noted previously, all sales load
charges are designed to average not more than 9 percent of base premiums over
the lesser of: the joint life expectancy of the insureds at policy issue or
adjustment, or 15 years from the policy issue or adjustment; or the premium
paying period. A number of examples of sales load computations are included in
Appendix V, "Example of Sales Load Computation," in this prospectus on page
93.     
   
  It should be noted from the above that the sales load charges are designed
to be spread over time and they assume a continuation of the Policy. Early
adjustment of the Policy to lower premium levels or early surrender of policy
values will have the effect of increasing the portion of premium payments used
for sales load charges. In addition, because a first year sales load is
applied to increases in premium, a pattern of increases and decreases in
premium should be avoided.     
 
POLICIES ISSUED IN EXCHANGE Certain charges assessed against base premiums as
described above will be waived or modified in situations where policy owners
of existing Minnesota Mutual joint life policies wish to exchange their
policies for the Policies described herein. These policy owners may do so,
subject to their application for this Policy and our approval of the exchange.
An administrative charge of $250 is currently required for the exchange.
  In those situations where a Policy is issued in exchange for a current
policy issued by us, we will not assess any charges, except for the
administrative charge, to the existing cash values at the time they are
transferred to the Policy. Subsequent premium payments, absent adjustment and
unless the exchanged policy was not in force for at least one year, will not
be subject to a first year sales load or underwriting charge at the
established face amount and the level of premiums of the exchanged policy. All
other charges will apply to the Policy and premiums paid under it thereafter.
 
OTHER POLICY PROVISIONS
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS When a Policy is issued, you may be able to obtain
additional policy benefits. These benefits will be provided by a rider to the
Policy, which will require the payment of additional premium. The Waiver of
Premium Agreement provides for the payment of policy premium in the event of a
covered insured's disability. You may add the Waiver of Premium coverage on
either or both insureds.
   
  The Single Life Term Insurance Agreement, which has an extra cost, allows
you to purchase a specified amount of additional insurance, on one, specific,
named insured. The insurance provided is term insurance, renewable to age 90
and convertible to any whole life or adjustable life policy form we are then
offering. The premiums are indeterminate, which means that there is a table of
renewal premiums that we currently charge, along with a table of guaranteed
renewal premiums which are the maximums which we can charge. This agreement is
most useful in situations where there is also a need at the death of the first
insured.     
 
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<PAGE>
 
  The Estate Preservation Agreement permits you to purchase additional four-
year term insurance on the death of the designated insured, without evidence
of insurability. This right extends for a period of 90 days after the death of
that person. Typically, the person you designate will be the younger of the
two persons insured under this Policy. In the event that both insureds under
this Policy die simultaneously, we will pay nothing under this Agreement. The
Estate Preservation Agreement is useful if there is a need to have the Policy
owned initially by one or both of the insureds and subsequently to change the
ownership to a trust.
  The Short Term Agreement is temporary protection insurance, on a fixed death
benefit basis only, issued for a period of time less than a year. It is issued
to provide temporary life insurance coverage until the later issue date of the
Policy. It may be used in situations where specific policy dating is required,
yet insurance coverage is needed immediately. The Short Term Agreement
terminates on the policy issue date of the Policy.
 
BENEFICIARY When we receive proof satisfactory to us of the second death, we
will pay the death proceeds of a Policy to the beneficiary or beneficiaries
named in the application for the Policy unless the owner has changed the
beneficiary. In that event, we will pay the death proceeds to the beneficiary
named in the last change of beneficiary request as provided below. You must
give us proof of the first death as soon as is reasonably possible, even
though no death benefit is payable at the first death.
  If a beneficiary dies before the second death, that beneficiary's interest
in the Policy ends with that beneficiary's death. Only those beneficiaries who
are living at the second death will be eligible to share in the death
proceeds. If no beneficiary is living at the second death we will pay the
death proceeds of this Policy to the owner, if living, otherwise to the
owner's estate, or, if the owner is a corporation, to it or its successor.
  If both insureds die under circumstances which make it impossible to
determine the order of their deaths, we will assume that the older insured
died first.
  You may change the beneficiary designated to receive the proceeds. If you
have reserved the right to change the beneficiary, you can file a written
request with us to change the beneficiary. If you have not reserved the right
to change the beneficiary, the written consent of the irrevocable beneficiary
will be required.
  Your written request will not be effective until it is recorded in our home
office. After it has been so recorded, it will take effect as of the date you
signed the request. However, if the second death occurs before the request has
been so recorded, the request will not be effective as to those death proceeds
we have paid before your request was recorded in our home office records.
 
ASSIGNMENT The Policy may be assigned. The assignment must be in writing and
filed at our home office in St. Paul, Minnesota. We assume no responsibility
for the validity or effect of any assignment of the Policy or of any interest
in it. Any proceeds which become payable to an assignee will be payable in a
single sum. Any claim made by an assignee will be subject to proof of the
assignee's interest and the extent of the assignment.
 
SETTLEMENT OPTIONS The proceeds of a Policy will be payable if the Policy is
surrendered, or we receive proof satisfactory to us of the second death. These
events must occur while the Policy is in force. The proceeds will be paid at
our home office and in a single sum unless a settlement option has been
selected. We will deduct any indebtedness and unpaid charges from the
proceeds. Proof of any claim under this Policy must be submitted in writing to
our home office.
  We will pay interest on single sum death proceeds from the date of the
second death until the date of payment. Interest will be at an annual rate
determined by us, but never less than 3 percent.
  The proceeds of a Policy may be paid in other than a single sum and you may,
before the second death, request that we pay the proceeds under one of the
Policy's settlement options. We may also use any other method of payment that
is agreeable between you and us. A settlement option may be selected only if
the payments are to be made to a natural person in that person's own right.
  Each settlement option is payable in fixed amounts as described below. The
payments do not vary with the investment performance of the Variable Life
Account.
 
 
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<PAGE>
 
OPTION 1--INTEREST PAYMENTS
  This is an annuity based upon the payment of interest on the proceeds at
such times and for a period that is agreeable to you and us. Withdrawals of
proceeds may be made in amounts of at least $500. At the end of the period,
any remaining proceeds will be paid in either a single sum or under any other
method we approve.
 
OPTION 2--PAYMENTS FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD
  This is an annuity payable for a specified number of years. The amount of
guaranteed payments for each $1,000 of proceeds applied is as shown in the
Policy. Monthly payments for periods not shown and current rates are available
from us at your request.
 
OPTION 3--LIFE INCOME
  This is an annuity payable monthly during the lifetime of the person who is
to receive the income and terminating with the last monthly payment
immediately preceding that person's death. We may require proof of the gender
and sex of the annuitant. The amount of guaranteed payments for each $1,000 of
proceeds applied is as shown in the Policy. Monthly payments for ages not
shown and current rates are available from us at your request. It would be
possible under this option for the annuitant to receive only one annuity
payment if he died prior to the due date of the second annuity payment, two if
he died before the due date of the third annuity payment, etc.
 
OPTION 4--PAYMENTS OF A SPECIFIED AMOUNT
  This is an annuity payable in a specified amount until the proceeds and
interest are fully paid.
  If you request a settlement option, you will be asked to sign an agreement
covering the election which will state the terms and conditions of the
payments. Unless you elect otherwise, a beneficiary may select a settlement
option after the second death.
  The minimum amount of interest we will pay under any settlement option is 3
percent per annum. Additional interest earnings, if any, on deposits under a
settlement option will be payable as determined by us.
 
MISSTATEMENT OF AGE If the date of birth of either insured has been misstated,
the amount of proceeds payable under the Policy will be adjusted to reflect
cost of insurance charges based upon the insured's correct date of birth.
 
INCONTESTABILITY After a Policy has been in force during the lifetimes of both
insureds for two years from the original policy date, we cannot contest the
Policy, except for fraud or for nonpayment of premium. However, if there has
been a face amount increase or a reinstatement for which we required evidence
of insurability, that increase or the reinstatement will be contestable for
two years with respect to information provided at that time, during the
lifetimes of both insureds, from the effective date of the increase or the
reinstatement.
 
SUICIDE If either insured, whether sane or insane, dies by suicide, within two
years of the original policy date, our liability will be limited to an amount
equal to the premiums paid for the Policy. If there has been a face amount
increase for which we required evidence of insurability, and if either insured
dies by suicide within two years from the effective date of the increase, our
liability with respect to the increase will be limited to an amount equal to
the premiums paid for such increase.
 
DIVIDENDS The Policies are participating policies. Each year we will determine
if this class of Policies and your Policy will share in our divisible surplus.
We call your share of this participation a dividend. We do not anticipate that
dividends will be declared with respect to these Policies.
  Dividends, if received, may be added to your actual cash value or, if you so
elect, they may be paid in cash.
  A dividend applied to actual cash value will be allocated to the guaranteed
principal account or to the sub-accounts of the separate account in accordance
with your instructions for new premiums. In the absence of instruction,
dividends will be allocated to the guaranteed principal account actual cash
value and separate account actual cash value in the same proportion that those
actual cash values bear to each other and, as to the actual cash value in the
separate account, to each sub-account in the proportion that the actual cash
value in such sub-account bears to your actual cash value in all of the sub-
accounts.
   
REPORTS At least once each year we will send you a report. This report will
include the actual cash value, the face amount and the variable death benefit
as of the date of the     
 
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<PAGE>
 
             OTHER MATTERS
   
report. It will also show the premiums paid during the policy year, policy
loan activity and the policy value. The report will be sent to you without
cost. The report will be as of a date within two months of its mailing.     
 
PAYMENT OF PROCEEDS Normally, we will pay any policy proceeds within seven
days after our receipt of all the documents required for such a payment. Other
than the death proceeds, which are determined as of the date of the second
death, the amount of payment will be determined as of the end of the valuation
period during which a request is received at our home office. However, we
reserve the right to defer policy payments, including policy loans, for up to
six months from the date of your request, if such payments are based upon
policy values which do not depend on the investment performance of the
Variable Life Account. In that case, if we postpone a payment other than a
policy loan payment for more than 31 days, we will pay you interest at 3
percent per annum for the period beyond that time that payment is postponed.
For payments based on policy values which do depend on the investment
performance of the Variable Life Account, we may defer payment only: (a) for
any period during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed for trading
(except for normal holiday closing); or (b) when the Securities and Exchange
Commission has determined that a state of emergency exists which may make such
payment impractical.
FEDERAL TAX STATUS
INTRODUCTION
  The discussion contained herein is general in nature and is not intended as
tax advice. Each person concerned should consult a competent tax adviser. No
attempt is made to consider any applicable state or other tax laws. In
addition, this discussion is based on our understanding of federal income tax
laws as they are currently interpreted. No representation is made regarding
the likelihood of continuation of current income tax laws or the current
interpretations of the Internal Revenue Service.
  We are taxed as a "life insurance company" under the Internal Revenue Code.
The operations of the Variable Life Account form a part of, and are taxed
with, our other business activities. Currently, no federal income tax is
payable by us on income dividends received by the Variable Life Account or on
capital gains arising from the Variable Life Account's activities. The
Variable Life Account is not taxed as a "regulated investment company" under
the Code and it does not anticipate any change in that tax status.
  In order to qualify as a life insurance contract for federal tax purposes,
the Policy must meet the definition of a life insurance contract which is set
forth in Section 7702 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"). The manner in which Section 7702 should be applied to certain
features of the Policy offered in this prospectus is not directly addressed by
Section 7702 or any guidance issued to date under Section 7702. Nevertheless,
Minnesota Mutual believes it is reasonable to conclude that the Policy will
meet the Section 7702 definition of a life insurance contract. In the absence
of final regulations or other pertinent interpretations of Section 7702,
however, there is necessarily some uncertainty as to whether a Policy will
meet the statutory life insurance contract definition, particularly if it
insures a substandard risk. If a Policy were determined not to be a life
insurance contract for purposes of Section 7702, such Policy would not provide
most of the tax advantages normally provided by a life insurance contract.
  If it is subsequently determined that a Policy does not satisfy Section
7702, Minnesota Mutual may take whatever steps are appropriate and reasonable
to attempt to cause such a Policy to comply with Section 7702. For these
reasons, Minnesota Mutual reserves the right to restrict Policy transactions
as necessary to attempt to qualify it as a life insurance contract under
Section 7702.
  Section 817(h) of the Code authorizes the Treasury to set standards by
regulation or otherwise for the investments of the Variable Life Account to be
"adequately diversified" in order for the Policy to be treated as a life
      
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<PAGE>
 
insurance contract for federal tax purposes. The Variable Life Account,
through the Fund, intends to comply with the diversification requirements
prescribed in Regulations Section 1.817-5, which affect how the Fund's assets
may be invested. Although the investment adviser is an affiliate of Minnesota
Mutual, Minnesota Mutual does not have control over the Fund or its
investments. Nonetheless, Minnesota Mutual believes that each Portfolio of the
Fund in which the Variable Life Account owns shares will be operated in
compliance with the requirements prescribed by the Treasury.
  In certain circumstances, owners of variable life policies may be considered
the owners, for federal income tax purposes, of the assets of the separate
account used to support their policies. In those circumstances, income and
gains from the separate account assets would be includible in the variable
life policy owner's gross income. The IRS has stated in published rulings that
a variable policy owner will be considered the owner of separate account
assets if the policy owner possesses incidents of ownership in those assets,
such as the ability to exercise the investment control over the assets. The
Treasury Department has also announced, in connection with the issuance of
regulations concerning investment diversification, that those regulations "do
not provide guidance concerning the circumstances in which investor control of
the investments of a segregated asset account may cause the investor (i.e.,
the contract owner), rather than the insurance company, to be treated as the
owner of the assets in the account." This announcement also states that
guidance would be issued by way of regulations or rulings on the "extent to
which policyholders may direct their investments to particular subaccounts
without being treated as owners of the underlying assets." As of the date of
this prospectus, no such guidance has been issued.
  The ownership rights under the Policy are similar to, but different in
certain respects from, those described by the IRS in rulings in which it was
determined that policy owners were not owners of separate account assets. For
example, the owner of a Policy has the choice of more sub-accounts in which to
allocate net purchase payments and policy values, and may be able to transfer
among sub-accounts more frequently than in such rulings. These differences
could result in a policy owner being treated as the owner of the assets of the
Variable Life Account. In addition, we do not know what standards will be set
forth, if any, in the regulations or rulings which the Treasury Department has
stated it expects to issue. We therefore reserve the right to modify the
Policy as necessary to attempt to prevent a policy owner from being considered
the owner of a pro rata share of the assets of the Variable Life Account.
  The following discussion assumes that the Policy will qualify as a life
insurance contract for federal income tax purposes.
 
TAX TREATMENT OF POLICY BENEFITS
  In general the policy owner is not currently taxed on any part of his
interest until the policy owner actually receives cash from the Policy. As
discussed below, taxability is determined by the individual's contributions to
the Policy and prior Policy activity. The death benefit under a Policy should,
however, be excludable from the gross income of the beneficiary under Section
101(a)(1) of the Code.
  Depending on the circumstances, the exchange of a Policy, the receipt of a
Policy in an exchange, a change in the Policy's Death Benefit Option (e.g., a
change from Cash Option to Protection Option), a policy loan, a partial
surrender, a surrender, a change in ownership, a change of insured, an
adjustment of face amount, or an assignment of the Policy may have federal
income tax consequences. A person considering any such transaction should
consult a tax adviser before effecting the transaction.
   
  We also believe that policy loans will be treated as indebtedness and will
not be currently taxable as income to the policy owner. However, if there is
any borrowing against the Policy, whether a modified endowment contract or
not, the interest paid on loans will generally not be tax deductible.     
  A surrender or partial surrender of the actual cash values of a Policy may
have tax consequences. On surrender, a policy owner generally will not be
taxed on values received except to the extent that they exceed the gross
premiums paid under the Policy. An exception to this general rule occurs in
the case of a partial withdrawal, a decrease in the face amount, or any other
change that reduces benefits under the Policy in the first 15 years after the
Policy is issued and that
 
35
<PAGE>
 
results in a cash distribution to the policy owner in order for the Policy to
continue complying with the Section 7702 definitional limits. In that case,
such distribution will be taxed in whole or in part as ordinary income (to the
extent of any gain in the Policy) under rules prescribed in Section 7702.
Premiums for additional benefits are not used in the calculation for computing
the tax on actual cash values. Finally, upon a complete surrender or lapse of
a Policy or when benefits are paid at a Policy's maturity date, if the amount
received plus the amount of indebtedness exceeds the total investment in the
Policy, the excess will generally be treated as ordinary income subject to
tax.
  It should be noted, however, that under the Internal Revenue Code the tax
treatment described above is available only for policies not described as
modified endowment contracts. In general, the tests used in the Code to make
such a determination will have an impact on policies which have a high premium
in relation to the death benefit. Thus, the Code requires that the cumulative
premiums paid on a life insurance policy during the first seven contract years
not exceed the sum of the net level premiums which would be paid under a 7-pay
life policy ("7-pay test"). If the cumulative premiums during the first seven
contract years exceed the 7-pay test, the policy is a modified endowment
contract.
  Modified endowment contracts would still be treated as life insurance with
respect to the tax treatment of death proceeds and to the extent that the
inside build-up of cash value would not be taxed on a yearly basis. However,
any amounts received by the policy owner, such as dividends, cash withdrawals,
loans and amounts received from partial or total surrender of the contract
would be subject to the same tax treatment as the same amounts received under
an annuity. This annuity tax treatment includes the 10 percent additional
income tax which would be imposed on the portion of any distribution that is
included in income except where the distribution or loan is made on or after
the policy owner attains age 59 1/2, or is attributable to the policy owner
becoming disabled, or as part of a series of substantially equal periodic
payments for the life of the policy owner or the joint lives of the policy
owner and beneficiary.
  Compliance with the 7-pay test does not imply or guarantee that only seven
payments will be required for the initial death benefit to be guaranteed for
life. Making additional payments or reducing the benefits (for example,
through a partial withdrawal, a change in death benefit option, or a scheduled
reduction) may either violate the 7-pay test or reduce the amount that may be
paid in the future under the 7-pay test. Further, reducing the death benefit
at any time will require retroactive retesting and will probably result in a
failure of the 7-pay test regardless of any efforts by Minnesota Mutual to
provide a payment schedule that will not violate the 7-pay test.
  Any Policy received in an exchange for a modified endowment contract will be
considered a modified endowment contract and will be subject to the tax
treatment accorded to modified endowment contracts. A Policy that is not
originally classified as a modified endowment contract can become so
classified if there is a reduction in benefits at any time or if a material
change is made in the contract at any time. A material change includes, but is
not limited to, a change in the benefits that was not reflected in a prior 7-
pay test computation.
  A policy which is subject to a "material change" shall be treated as newly
entered into on the date on which such material change takes effect.
Appropriate adjustment shall be made in determining whether such a policy
meets the 7-pay test by taking into account the previously existing cash
surrender value. While certain adjustments described herein may result in a
material change, the law provides that any cost of living increase described
in the regulations and based upon an established broad-based index will not be
treated as a material change if any increase is funded ratably over the
remaining period during which premiums are required to be paid under the
policy. To date, no regulations under this provision have been issued.
  If a Policy becomes a modified endowment contract, distributions that occur
during the Policy year it becomes a modified endowment contract and any
subsequent Policy year will be taxed as distributions from a modified
endowment contract. In addition, distributions from a Policy within two years
before it becomes a modified endowment contract will be taxed in this manner.
This
 
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<PAGE>
 
means that a distribution made from a Policy that is not a modified endowment
contract could later become taxable as a distribution from a modified
endowment contract.
  Due to the Policy's flexibility, classification of a Policy as a modified
endowment contract will depend upon the circumstances of each Policy.
Accordingly, a prospective policy owner should contact a competent tax adviser
before purchasing a policy to determine the circumstances under which the
Policy would be a modified endowment contract. In addition, a policy owner
should contact a competent tax adviser before paying any nonrepeating premiums
or making any other change to, including an exchange of, a Policy to determine
whether such premium or change would cause the Policy (or the new Policy in
the case of an exchange) to be treated as a modified endowment contract.
 
MULTIPLE POLICIES
  All modified endowment contracts, issued by us (or an affiliated company) to
the same policy owner during any calendar year will be treated as one modified
endowment contract for purposes of determining the amount includable in gross
income under Section 72(e) of the Code. Additional rules may be promulgated
under this provision to prevent avoidance of its effects through serial
contracts or otherwise. For further information on current aggregation rules
under this provision, see your own tax adviser. A life insurance policy
received in exchange for a modified endowment contract will also be treated as
a modified endowment contract. Accordingly, a policy owner should consult a
tax adviser before effecting an exchange of any life insurance policy.
 
TAXATION OF POLICY SPLIT. A Policy may be split into two other individual
contracts upon the occurrence of certain events. 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 Section 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. Before you exercise rights provided by
the policy split provision, it is important that you consult with a competent
tax adviser regarding the possible consequences of a policy split.
 
OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS. The transfer of the Policy or the designation of a
beneficiary may have federal, state, and/or local transfer and inheritance tax
consequences, including the imposition of gift, estate and generation-skipping
transfer taxes. For example, the transfer of the Policy to, or the designation
as beneficiary of, or the payment of proceeds to, a person who is assigned to
a generation which is two or more generations below the generation assignment
of the policy owner, may have Generation-Skipping Transfer tax considerations
under Section 2601 of the Code.
  The individual situation of each policy owner or beneficiary will determine
the extent, if any, to which federal, state and local transfer taxes may be
imposed. Consult with your tax adviser for specific information in connection
with these taxes.
  The particular situation of each policy owner or beneficiary will determine
how ownership or receipt of policy proceeds will be treated for purposes of
federal estate tax as well as state and local estate, inheritance, generation
skipping and other taxes.
  In addition, the tax consequences associated with a Policy remaining in
force after the younger insured's 100th birthday are unclear. A tax adviser
should be consulted in such circumstances.
 
OTHER TRANSACTIONS. Changing the policy owner may have tax consequences.
Exchanging this Policy for another involving the same insureds should have no
federal income tax consequences if there is no debt and no cash or other
property is received, according to Section 1035(a)(1) of the Code. The new
policy would have to satisfy the 7-pay test from the date of the exchange to
avoid characterization as a modified endowment contract. An exchange of a life
insurance contract for a new life insurance contract may, however, result in a
loss of grandfathering status for statutory changes made after the old policy
was issued. A tax adviser should be consulted before effecting an exchange.
  The Policies may be used in various arrangements, including nonqualified
deferred compensation or salary continuance plans, split dollar insurance
plans, executive bonus plans, retiree medical benefit plans and
 
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<PAGE>
 
others. The tax consequences of such plans may vary depending on the
particular facts and circumstances of each individual arrangement. Therefore,
if you are contemplating the use of such Policies in any arrangement the value
of which depends in part on its tax consequences, you should be sure to
consult a qualified tax adviser regarding the tax attributes of the particular
arrangement.
  It should be understood that the foregoing description of the federal income
tax consequences under the Policies is not exhaustive and that special rules
are provided with respect to situations not discussed. Statutory changes in
the Internal Revenue Code, with varying effective dates, and regulations
adopted thereunder may also alter the tax consequences of specific factual
situations. Due to the complexity of the applicable laws, tax advice may be
needed by a person contemplating the purchase of a variable life insurance
policy or exercising elections under such a policy. For further information, a
qualified tax adviser should be consulted.
  At the present time, we make no charge to the Variable Life Account for any
federal, state or local taxes (other than state premium taxes) that we incur
that may be attributable to such Account or to the Policies. We, however,
reserve the right in the future to make a charge for any such tax or other
economic burden resulting from the application of the tax laws that we
determine to be properly attributable to the Variable Life Account or the
Policies.
 
38
<PAGE>
 
TRUSTEES AND PRINCIPAL MANAGEMENT OFFICERS OF MINNESOTA MUTUAL
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
           TRUSTEES                              PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
           --------                              --------------------
 <C>                          <S>
 Giulio Agostini              Senior Vice President, Finance and Administrative
                              Services, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company,
                              Maplewood, Minnesota
 Anthony L. Andersen          Chair-Board of Directors, H. B. Fuller Company, St. Paul,
                              Minnesota (Adhesive Products) since June 1995, prior
                              thereto for more than five years President and Chief
                              Executive Officer, H. B. Fuller Company
 John F. Grundhofer           Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
                              Officer, First Bank System, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota
                              (Banking)
 Harold V. Haverty            Retired since May 1995, prior thereto for more than five
                              years Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
                              Officer, Deluxe Corporation, Shoreview, Minnesota (Check
                              Printing)
 David S. Kidwell, Ph.D.      Dean and Professor of Finance, The Curtis L. Carlson
                              School of Management, University of Minnesota
 Reatha C. King, Ph.D.        President and Executive Director, General Mills
                              Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota
 Thomas E. Rohricht           Member, Doherty, Rumble & Butler Professional Association,
                              St. Paul, Minnesota (Attorneys)
 Terry Tinson Saario, Ph.D.   Prior to March 1996, and for more than five years,
                              President, Northwest Area Foundation, St. Paul, Minnesota
                              (Private Regional Foundation)
 Robert L. Senkler            Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
                              Officer, The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company since
                              August 1995; prior thereto for more than five years Vice
                              President and Actuary, The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance
                              Company
 Michael E. Shannon           Chairman, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer,
                              Ecolab Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota, since August 1992, prior
                              thereto President, Residential Services Group, Ecolab
                              Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota from October 1990 to July 1992
                              (Develops and Markets Cleaning and Sanitizing Products)
 Frederick T. Weyerhaeuser    Chairman, Clearwater Investment Trust since May 1996,
                              prior thereto for more than five years, Chairman,
                              Clearwater Management Company, St. Paul, Minnesota
                              (Financial Management)
</TABLE>    
 
39
<PAGE>
 
Principal Officers (other than Trustees)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      NAME               POSITION
      ----               --------
<S>                <C>
John F. Bruder     Senior Vice President
Keith M. Campbell  Vice President
Paul H. Gooding    Vice President and
                   Treasurer
Robert E. Hunstad  Executive Vice
                   President
James E. Johnson   Senior Vice President
                   and Actuary
Richard D. Lee     Vice President
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        NAME                 POSITION
        ----                 --------
<S>                   <C>
Joel W. Mahle         Vice President
Dennis E. Prohofsky   Senior Vice President,
                      General Counsel and
                      Secretary
Gregory S. Strong     Vice President and
                      Actuary
Terrence M. Sullivan  Senior Vice President
Randy F. Wallake      Senior Vice President
</TABLE>
  All Trustees who are not also officers of Minnesota Mutual have had the
principal occupation (or employers) shown for the last five years. All
officers of Minnesota Mutual have been employed by Minnesota Mutual for at
least five years.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
  We will vote the Fund shares held in the various sub-accounts of the
Variable Life Account at regular and special shareholder meetings of the Fund
in accordance with your instructions. If, however, the 1940 Act or any
regulation thereunder should change and we determine that it is permissible to
vote the Fund shares in our own right, we may elect to do so. The number of
votes as to which you have the right to instruct will be determined by
dividing your Policy's actual cash value in a sub-account by the net asset
value per share of the corresponding Fund portfolio. Fractional shares will be
counted. The number of votes as to which you have the right to instruct will
be determined as of the date coincident with the date established by the Fund
for determining shareholders eligible to vote at the meeting of the Fund.
Voting instructions will be solicited in writing prior to such meeting in
accordance with procedures established by the Fund. We will vote Fund shares
held by the Variable Life Account as to which no instructions are received in
proportion to the voting instructions which are received from policy owners
with respect to all Policies participating in the Variable Life Account. Each
policy owner having a voting interest will receive proxy material, reports and
other material relating to the Fund.
  We may, when required by state insurance regulatory authorities, disregard
voting instructions if the instructions require that shares be voted so as to
cause a change in subclassification or investment policies of the Fund or
approve or disapprove an investment advisory contract of the Fund. In
addition, we may disregard voting instructions in favor of changes in the
investment policies or the investment adviser of the Fund if we reasonably
disapprove of such changes. A change would be disapproved only if the proposed
change is contrary to state law or disapproved by state regulatory authorities
on a determination that the change would be detrimental to the interests of
policy owners or if we determined that the change would be inconsistent with
the investment objectives of the Fund or would result in the purchase of
securities for the Fund which vary from the general quality and nature of
investments and investment techniques utilized by other separate accounts
created by us or any of our affiliates which have similar investment
objectives. In the event that we disregard voting instructions, a summary of
that action and the reason for such action will be included in your next semi-
annual report.
 
DISTRIBUTION OF POLICIES
   
  The Policies will be sold by our state licensed life insurance agents who
are also registered representatives of MIMLIC Sales Corporation ("MIMLIC
Sales") or of other broker-dealers who have entered into selling agreements
with MIMLIC Sales. MIMLIC Sales acts as principal underwriter for the
Policies. MIMLIC Sales is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Advantus Capital, which
in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Minnesota Mutual. Advantus Capital is
a registered investment adviser and the investment adviser to the Fund.     
  MIMLIC Sales Corporation, whose address is 400 Robert Street North, St.
Paul, Minnesota 55101-2098, is a registered broker-dealer under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and a member of the National
 
40
<PAGE>
 
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. The Policies are sold in the states
where their sale is lawful. The insurance underwriting and the determination of
each proposed insured's risk classification and whether to accept or reject an
application for a Policy is done in accordance with our rules and standards.
  Commissions to registered representatives on the sale of Policies include: up
to 40 percent of gross premium in the first policy year; 3 percent of the gross
premium in policy years two through ten; 2 percent in policy years thereafter;
and 0 percent of nonrepeating premiums. This description of commissions shows
the maximum amount of commissions payable under the VAL-SD Insurance Policy for
plans of insurance described as protection and whole life insurance plans. The
commissions payable on premiums received for plans described as greater than
whole life plans will differ from the percentages shown above, as a first year
commission will be paid only on such amounts as we may classify as a first year
premium, based upon a whole life premium per $1,000 of face amount. The
premiums received in excess of that amount will pay commissions at a rate of 2
percent.
  In addition, MIMLIC Sales Corporation or Minnesota Mutual will pay, based
uniformly on the sales of VAL-SD Insurance Policies by registered
representatives, credits which allow registered representatives (Agents) who
are responsible for sales of the Policies to attend conventions and other
meetings sponsored by us or our affiliates for the purpose of promoting the
sale of insurance and/or investment products offered by us and our affiliates.
Such credits may cover the registered representatives' transportation, hotel
accommodations, meals, registration fees and the like. We may also pay
registered representatives additional amounts based upon their production and
the persistency of life insurance and annuity business placed with us.
 
LEGAL MATTERS
  Legal matters in connection with federal securities laws applicable to the
issue and sale of the VAL-SD Policies have been
passed upon by Jones & Blouch L.L.P., 1025
Thomas Jefferson Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007. All other legal matters,
including the right to issue such Policies under Minnesota law and applicable
regulations thereunder, have been passed upon by Donald F. Gruber, Esquire, 400
Robert Street North, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
  As an insurance company, we are ordinarily involved in litigation. We are of
the opinion that such litigation is not material with respect to the Policies
or the Variable Life Account.
 
EXPERTS
   
  The financial statements of Minnesota Mutual and Minnesota Mutual Variable
Life Account included in this prospectus have been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick
LLP, independent auditors, 4200 Norwest Center, 90 South Seventh Street,
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, whose reports thereon appears elsewhere herein,
and have been so included in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.     
  Actuarial matters included in this prospectus have been examined by Jaymes G.
Hubbell, F.S.A., Second Vice President and Actuary of Minnesota Mutual, as
stated in his opinion filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration
Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the
Policies offered hereby. This prospectus does not contain all the information
set forth in the registration statement and amendments thereto and the exhibits
filed as a part thereof, to all of which reference is hereby made for further
information concerning the Variable Life Account, Minnesota Mutual, and the
Policies. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of
Policies and other legal instruments are summaries, and reference is made to
such instruments as filed.
 
                                                                              41
<PAGE>
 
             SPECIAL TERMS
 
  As used in this prospectus, the following terms have the indicated meanings:
 
  ACTUAL CASH VALUE: the value of your Variable Life Account and guaranteed
principal account interest under a Policy. It is composed of a Policy's
interest in the guaranteed principal account and in one or more sub-accounts
of the Variable Life Account. The interest in each is valued separately. For
each Variable Life Account sub-account, the value is determined by multiplying
the current number of sub-account units credited to a Policy by the current
sub-account unit value. Actual cash value does not include the loan account.
 
  BASE PREMIUM: the premium less any amount deducted from the premium for
additional benefits and for sub-standard risks.
 
  CODE: the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
  FIRST DEATH: the death of the first insured to die. You must give us proof
of the first death as soon as is reasonably possible.
   
  FUND: the mutual fund or separate investment portfolio within a series
mutual fund which we have designated as an eligible investment for the
Variable Life Account, currently, Advantus Series Fund, Inc. and its
Portfolios.     
 
  GENERAL ACCOUNT: all of our assets other than those in the Variable Life
Account or in other separate accounts established by us.
 
  GUARANTEED PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT: the portion of the general account of
Minnesota Mutual which is attributable to variable policies, exclusive of
policy loans. It is not a separate account or a division of the general
account.
 
  LOAN ACCOUNT: the portion of the general account attributable to policy
loans under Policies of this type. The loan account balance is the sum of all
outstanding loans under this Policy.
  NET SINGLE PREMIUM: the amount of money necessary, at any given date, to pay
for all future guaranteed cost of insurance charges for the entire lifetime of
both insureds, or for the coverage period in the case of extended term
insurance, without the payment of additional premium. We will determine the
net single premium using the policy assumptions and the assumption that the
current face amount of the Policy will remain constant.
 
  NONREPEATING PREMIUM: a payment made to this Policy in addition to its
scheduled payments.
 
  POLICY OWNER: the owner of a Policy.
 
  POLICY VALUE: the actual cash value of a Policy plus any policy loan.
 
  POLICY YEAR: a period of one year beginning with the policy date or a policy
anniversary.
 
  PREMIUM: a scheduled payment required for this Policy.
 
  SECOND DEATH: the death of the second insured to die. We will pay the death
proceeds when we receive due proof of the second death.
 
  UNIT: an accounting device used to determine the interest of a Policy in the
sub-accounts of the Variable Life Account.
 
  VALUATION DATE: each date on which a Fund Portfolio is valued.
 
  VALUATION PERIOD: the period between successive valuation dates measured
from the time of one determination to the next.
 
  VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT: a separate investment account called the Minnesota
Mutual Variable Life Account, where the investment experience of its assets is
kept separate from our other assets.
 
  WE, OUR, US: The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company.
 
  YOU, YOUR: the policy owner.
 
42
<PAGE>
 
                                      INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
   
The Board of Trustees of The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company and
Contract Owners of Minnesota Mutual Variable Life Account:     
   
  We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of the
Growth, Bond, Money Market, Asset Allocation, Mortgage Securities, Index 500,
Capital Appreciation, International Stock, Small Company and Value Stock
Segregated Sub-Accounts of Minnesota Mutual Variable Life Account (the Account)
as of December 31, 1996 and the related statements of operations and changes in
net assets for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
1996 (years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the period from May 2, 1994 to
December 31, 1994 for the Value Stock Segregated Sub-Account) and the financial
highlights for periods in footnote (6). These financial statements and the
financial highlights are the responsibility of the Account's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and the
financial highlights based on our audits.     
   
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and the financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Investments owned at December 31, 1996 were verified by examination
of the underlying portfolios of MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.     
   
  In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Growth, Bond, Money
Market, Asset Allocation, Mortgage Securities, Index 500, Capital Appreciation,
International Stock, Small Company and Value Stock Segregated Sub-Accounts of
Minnesota Mutual Variable Life Account at December 31, 1996 and the results of
their operations, changes in their net assets and the financial highlights for
the periods stated in the first paragraph above, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.     
                                         
                                      KPMG Peat Marwick LLP     
   
Minneapolis, Minnesota     
   
February 14, 1997     
 
43
<PAGE>
 
 MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT
                      STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
                                
                             DECEMBER 31, 1996     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                    -------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
                                             MONEY     ASSET     MORTGAGE               CAPITAL
      ASSETS          GROWTH       BOND     MARKET   ALLOCATION SECURITIES INDEX 500  APPRECIATION
      ------        ----------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
<S>                 <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Investments in
shares of MIMLIC
Series Fund, Inc.:
 Growth Portfolio,
 17,843,664 shares
 at net asset
 value of $2.343
 per share (cost
 $36,799,248).....  $41,812,703        --        --         --        --          --          --
 Bond Portfolio,
 11,447,356 shares
 at net asset
 value of $1.283
 per share (cost
 $14,228,679).....          --  14,690,192       --         --        --          --          --
 Money Market
 Portfolio,
 6,472,735 shares
 at net asset
 value of $1.000
 per share (cost
 $6,472,735)......          --         --  6,472,735        --        --          --          --
 Asset Allocation
 Portfolio,
 42,990,825 shares
 at net asset
 value of $1.865
 per share (cost
 $71,092,231).....          --         --        --  80,173,829       --          --          --
 Mortgage Securi-
 ties Portfolio,
 7,488,503 shares
 at net asset
 value of $1.187
 per share (cost
 $8,578,929)......          --         --        --         --  8,885,876         --          --
 Index 500 Portfo-
 lio, 20,986,596
 shares at net as-
 set value of
 $2.409 per share
 (cost
 $40,143,423).....          --         --        --         --        --   50,550,629         --
 Capital Apprecia-
 tion Portfolio,
 23,969,997 shares
 at net asset
 value of $2.471
 per share (cost
 $48,530,230).....          --         --        --         --        --          --   59,240,353
 International
 Stock Portfolio,
 31,440,193 shares
 at net asset
 value of $1.597
 per share (cost
 $43,229,837).....          --         --        --         --        --          --          --
 Small Company
 Portfolio,
 21,911,074 shares
 at net asset
 value of $1.535
 per share (cost
 $32,846,806).....          --         --        --         --        --          --          --
 Value Stock Port-
 folio, 10,821,665
 shares at net as-
 set value of
 $1.591 per share
 (cost
 $15,551,266).....          --         --        --         --        --          --          --
                    ----------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------  ----------  ----------
                     41,812,703 14,690,192 6,472,735 80,173,829 8,885,876  50,550,629  59,240,353
Receivable from
Minnesota Mutual
for policy pur-
chase payments....      132,168     83,752    22,782    166,949     9,346     239,801     148,568
Receivable from
MIMLIC Series
Fund, Inc. for in-
vestments sold....       43,141     12,120     9,326     70,299     7,501      32,094      46,564
Dividends receiv-
able from MIMLIC
Series Fund, Inc..          --         --          1        --        --          --          --
                    ----------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------  ----------  ----------
  Total assets....   41,988,012 14,786,064 6,504,844 80,411,077 8,902,723  50,822,524  59,435,485
                    ----------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------  ----------  ----------
<CAPTION>
    LIABILITIES
    -----------
<S>                 <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Payable to MIMLIC
Series Fund, Inc.
for investments
purchased.........      132,168     83,752    22,782    166,949     9,346     239,801     148,568
Payable to Minne-
sota Mutual for
policy termina-
tions and mortal-
ity and expense
charges...........       43,141     12,120     9,326     70,299     7,501      32,094      46,564
                    ----------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------  ----------  ----------
  Total liabili-
  ties............      175,309     95,872    32,108    237,248    16,847     271,895     195,132
                    ----------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------  ----------  ----------
NET ASSETS APPLI-
CABLE TO POLICY
OWNERS............  $41,812,703 14,690,192 6,472,736 80,173,829 8,885,876  50,550,629  59,240,353
                    =========== ========== ========= ========== =========  ==========  ==========
UNITS OUTSTANDING.   16,176,371  7,366,222 4,082,791 32,104,595 4,175,648  17,250,529  19,778,274
                    =========== ========== ========= ========== =========  ==========  ==========
NET ASSET VALUE
PER UNIT..........  $     2.586      1.994     1.585      2.497     2.128       2.930       2.995
                    =========== ========== ========= ========== =========  ==========  ==========
<CAPTION>
                    -----------------------------------
                    INTERNATIONAL   SMALL      VALUE
      ASSETS            STOCK      COMPANY     STOCK
      ------        ------------- ---------- ----------
<S>                 <C>           <C>        <C>
Investments in
shares of MIMLIC
Series Fund, Inc.:
 Growth Portfolio,
 17,843,664 shares
 at net asset
 value of $2.343
 per share (cost
 $36,799,248).....          --           --         --
 Bond Portfolio,
 11,447,356 shares
 at net asset
 value of $1.283
 per share (cost
 $14,228,679).....          --           --         --
 Money Market
 Portfolio,
 6,472,735 shares
 at net asset
 value of $1.000
 per share (cost
 $6,472,735)......          --           --         --
 Asset Allocation
 Portfolio,
 42,990,825 shares
 at net asset
 value of $1.865
 per share (cost
 $71,092,231).....          --           --         --
 Mortgage Securi-
 ties Portfolio,
 7,488,503 shares
 at net asset
 value of $1.187
 per share (cost
 $8,578,929)......          --           --         --
 Index 500 Portfo-
 lio, 20,986,596
 shares at net as-
 set value of
 $2.409 per share
 (cost
 $40,143,423).....          --           --         --
 Capital Apprecia-
 tion Portfolio,
 23,969,997 shares
 at net asset
 value of $2.471
 per share (cost
 $48,530,230).....          --           --         --
 International
 Stock Portfolio,
 31,440,193 shares
 at net asset
 value of $1.597
 per share (cost
 $43,229,837).....   50,217,042          --         --
 Small Company
 Portfolio,
 21,911,074 shares
 at net asset
 value of $1.535
 per share (cost
 $32,846,806).....          --    33,630,035        --
 Value Stock Port-
 folio, 10,821,665
 shares at net as-
 set value of
 $1.591 per share
 (cost
 $15,551,266).....          --           --  17,213,125
                    ------------- ---------- ----------
                     50,217,042   33,630,035 17,213,125
Receivable from
Minnesota Mutual
for policy pur-
chase payments....      175,980      166,189    142,419
Receivable from
MIMLIC Series
Fund, Inc. for in-
vestments sold....       30,393       26,572     10,398
Dividends receiv-
able from MIMLIC
Series Fund, Inc..          --           --         --
                    ------------- ---------- ----------
  Total assets....   50,423,415   33,822,796 17,365,942
                    ------------- ---------- ----------
<CAPTION>
    LIABILITIES
    -----------
<S>                 <C>           <C>        <C>
Payable to MIMLIC
Series Fund, Inc.
for investments
purchased.........      175,980      166,189    142,419
Payable to Minne-
sota Mutual for
policy termina-
tions and mortal-
ity and expense
charges...........       30,393       26,572     10,398
                    ------------- ---------- ----------
  Total liabili-
  ties............      206,373      192,761    152,817
                    ------------- ---------- ----------
NET ASSETS APPLI-
CABLE TO POLICY
OWNERS............   51,217,042   33,630,035 17,213,125
                    ============= ========== ==========
UNITS OUTSTANDING.   28,056,128   19,918,050  9,648,331
                    ============= ========== ==========
NET ASSET VALUE
PER UNIT..........        1.790        1.689      1.784
                    ============= ========== ==========
</TABLE>    
                 

    
              See accompanying notes to financial statements. [/R]
 
44
<PAGE>
 
                           MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                          
                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                        SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                      ------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------------
                                                  MONEY        ASSET      MORTGAGE                  CAPITAL
                        GROWTH        BOND       MARKET     ALLOCATION   SECURITIES   INDEX 500   APPRECIATION
                      -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  ------------
<S>                   <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
Investment income
 (loss):
 Investment income
  distributions from
  underlying mutual
  fund (note 4)...... $   278,451     603,154      294,271    2,095,397     499,341      476,493          --
 Mortality and
  expense charges
  (note 3) ..........    (173,630)    (60,937)     (30,589)    (350,927)    (39,632)    (195,010)    (255,630)
                      -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
     Investment
      income (loss)--
      net ...........     104,821     542,217      263,682    1,744,470     459,709      281,483     (255,630)
                      -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Realized and
 unrealized gains
 (losses) on
 investments--net:
 Realized gain
  distributions from
  underlying mutual
  fund (note 4) .....   2,616,611     108,728          --     3,836,599         --       246,659    1,271,186
                      -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
 Realized gains on
  sales of
  investments:
   Proceeds from
    sales ...........  10,268,042   4,634,557   11,833,538   17,461,424   2,268,982   12,438,876   13,655,575
   Cost of invest-
    ments sold.        (9,164,050) (4,546,166) (11,833,538) (15,718,684) (2,242,472) (10,121,928) (11,287,215)
                      -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
                        1,103,992      88,391          --     1,742,740      26,510    2,316,948    2,368,360
                      -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
     Net realized
      gains on
      investments ...   3,720,603     197,119          --     5,579,339      26,510    2,563,607    3,639,546
                      -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
 Net change in
  unrealized appre-
  ciation or depre-
  ciation of invest-
  ments .............   1,398,787    (343,676)         --       682,688    (107,111)   4,756,817    4,331,602
                      -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
     Net gains
      (losses) on
      investments ...   5,119,390    (146,557)         --     6,262,027     (80,601)   7,320,424    7,971,148
                      -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
     Net increase in
      net assets
      resulting from
      operations .... $ 5,224,211     395,660      263,682    8,006,497     379,108    7,601,907    7,715,518
                      ===========  ==========  ===========  ===========  ==========  ===========  ===========
<CAPTION>
                      -------------------------------------
                      INTERNATIONAL   SMALL       VALUE
                          STOCK      COMPANY      STOCK
                      ------------- ----------- -----------
<S>                   <C>           <C>         <C>
Investment income
 (loss):
 Investment income
  distributions from
  underlying mutual
  fund (note 4)......      928,852      70,099     134,162
 Mortality and
  expense charges
  (note 3) ..........     (199,522)   (136,946)    (51,183)
                      ------------- ----------- -----------
     Investment
      income (loss)--
      net ...........     (729,630)    (66,847)     82,979
                      ------------- ----------- -----------
Realized and
 unrealized gains
 (losses) on
 investments--net:
 Realized gain
  distributions from
  underlying mutual
  fund (note 4) .....    1,016,871   3,093,113   1,024,043
                      ------------- ----------- -----------
 Realized gains on
  sales of
  investments:
   Proceeds from
    sales ...........   11,921,319   8,855,781   3,885,317
   Cost of invest-
    ments sold.        (10,844,232) (7,746,510) (3,415,633)
                      ------------- ----------- -----------
                         1,077,087   1,109,271     469,684
                      ------------- ----------- -----------
     Net realized
      gains on
      investments ...    2,093,958   4,202,384   1,493,727
                      ------------- ----------- -----------
 Net change in
  unrealized appre-
  ciation or depre-
  ciation of invest-
  ments .............    4,335,633  (2,840,532)  1,239,111
                      ------------- ----------- -----------
     Net gains
      (losses) on
      investments ...    6,429,591   1,361,852   2,732,838
                      ------------- ----------- -----------
     Net increase in
      net assets
      resulting from
      operations ....    7,158,921   1,295,005   2,815,817
                      ============= =========== ===========
</TABLE>    
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
45
<PAGE>
 
 MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT
                      STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
                          
                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                   SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                    ----------------------------------  -------------------------------------------------
                                              MONEY        ASSET      MORTGAGE     INDEX       CAPITAL
                      GROWTH       BOND       MARKET    ALLOCATION   SECURITIES     500      APPRECIATION
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------------
<S>                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
Investment income
 (loss):
 Investment income
  distributions
  from underlying
  mutual fund
  (note 4)......... $  199,832     261,591     208,114    1,419,229     418,709     345,109          --
 Mortality and
  expense charges
  (note 3).........   (115,565)    (40,308)    (19,640)    (258,919)    (32,719)   (108,911)    (178,191)
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
   Investment in-
    come (loss)--
    net............     84,267     221,283     188,474    1,160,310     385,990     236,198     (178,191)
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
Realized and
 unrealized gains
 on investments--
 net:
 Realized gain
  distributions
  from underlying
  mutual fund
  (note 4).........    752,601         --          --       518,544         --      136,462      820,112
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
 Realized gains on
  sales of
  investments:
   Proceeds from
    sales..........  6,707,133   3,668,871   5,767,756   15,788,909   2,440,457   6,976,079   10,629,551
   Cost of
    investments
    sold........... (6,150,138) (3,547,747) (5,767,756) (14,667,948) (2,419,084) (5,975,182)  (9,193,408)
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
                       556,995     121,124         --     1,120,961      21,373   1,000,897    1,436,143
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
   Net realized
    gains on
    investments....  1,309,596     121,124         --     1,639,505      21,373   1,137,359    2,256,255
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
Net change in
 unrealized
 appreciation or
 depreciation of
 investments.......  3,358,404   1,040,640         --     8,349,477     623,587   5,160,678    4,611,948
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
   Net gains on
    investments....  4,668,000   1,161,764         --     9,988,982     644,960   6,298,037    6,868,203
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
   Net increase in
    net assets
    resulting from
    operations..... $4,752,267   1,383,047     188,474   11,149,292   1,030,950   6,534,235    6,690,012
                    ==========  ==========  ==========  ===========  ==========  ==========   ==========
<CAPTION>
                    -------------------------------------
                    INTERNATIONAL   SMALL       VALUE
                        STOCK      COMPANY      STOCK
                    ------------- ----------- -----------
<S>                 <C>           <C>         <C>
Investment income
 (loss):
 Investment income
  distributions
  from underlying
  mutual fund
  (note 4).........         --        23,415      38,421
 Mortality and
  expense charges
  (note 3).........    (125,629)     (72,140)    (14,473)
                    ------------- ----------- -----------
   Investment in-
    come (loss)--
    net............    (125,629)     (48,725)     23,948
                    ------------- ----------- -----------
Realized and
 unrealized gains
 on investments--
 net:
 Realized gain
  distributions
  from underlying
  mutual fund
  (note 4).........         --       203,581     220,693
                    ------------- ----------- -----------
 Realized gains on
  sales of
  investments:
   Proceeds from
    sales..........   9,110,210    4,928,714   1,202,928
   Cost of
    investments
    sold...........  (8,713,211)  (4,259,828) (1,092,357)
                    ------------- ----------- -----------
                        396,999      668,886     110,571
                    ------------- ----------- -----------
   Net realized
    gains on
    investments....     396,999      872,467     331,264
                    ------------- ----------- -----------
Net change in
 unrealized
 appreciation or
 depreciation of
 investments.......   2,953,006    3,168,698     429,503
                    ------------- ----------- -----------
   Net gains on
    investments....   3,350,005    4,041,165     760,767
                    ------------- ----------- -----------
   Net increase in
    net assets
    resulting from
    operations.....   3,224,376    3,992,440     784,715
                    ============= =========== ===========
</TABLE>    
                 
              See accompanying notes to financial statements.     
 
46
<PAGE>
 
                           MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT
                      STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
              
           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 (PERIOD FROM MAY 2, 1994     
                      
                   TO DECEMBER 31, 1994 FOR VALUE STOCK)     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                      SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                      -----------------------------------  -------------------------------------------------
                                                 MONEY        ASSET      MORTGAGE     INDEX       CAPITAL
                        GROWTH        BOND       MARKET    ALLOCATION   SECURITIES     500      APPRECIATION
                      -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------------
<S>                   <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
Investment income
 (loss):
 Investment income
  distributions from
  underlying mutual
  fund (note 4)...... $   137,686     176,495     116,862      750,369     209,882     199,386       17,564
 Mortality and
  expense charges
  (note 3) ..........     (74,204)    (23,955)    (15,521)    (189,661)    (25,132)    (66,230)    (111,166)
                      -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
     Investment
      income (loss)--
      net ...........      63,482     152,540     101,341      560,708     184,750     133,156      (93,602)
                      -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
Realized and
 unrealized gains
 (losses) on
 investments--net:
 Realized gain
  distributions from
  underlying mutual
  fund (note 4)......     283,186     110,137         --       218,666      99,701      40,363      298,807
                      -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
 Realized gains on
  sales of
  investments:
   Proceeds from
    sales ...........   5,517,029   2,347,048   5,451,482   15,550,866   2,436,609   4,825,884    9,432,639
   Cost of
    investments sold
    .................  (5,436,921) (2,445,624) (5,451,482) (15,569,220) (2,529,982) (4,668,104)  (8,941,876)
                      -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
                           80,108     (98,576)        --       (18,354)    (93,373)    157,780      490,763
                      -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
     Net realized
      gains on
      investments ...     363,294      11,561         --       200,312       6,328     198,143      789,570
                      -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
Net change in
 unrealized
 appreciation or
 depreciation of
 investments ........    (346,307)   (384,138)        --    (1,400,184)   (369,942)   (229,615)     (85,694)
                      -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
     Net gains
      (losses) on
      investments ...      16,987    (372,577)        --    (1,199,872)   (363,614)    (31,472)     703,876
                      -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
Net increase
 (decrease) in net
 assets resulting
 from operations .... $    80,469    (220,037)    101,341     (639,164)   (178,864)    101,684      610,274
                      ===========  ==========  ==========  ===========  ==========  ==========   ==========
<CAPTION>
                      ----------------------------------
                      INTERNATIONAL   SMALL      VALUE
                          STOCK      COMPANY     STOCK
                      ------------- ----------- --------
<S>                   <C>           <C>         <C>
Investment income
 (loss):
 Investment income
  distributions from
  underlying mutual
  fund (note 4)......     351,737       11,999    7,337
 Mortality and
  expense charges
  (note 3) ..........     (70,069)     (22,967)  (1,056)
                      ------------- ----------- --------
     Investment
      income (loss)--
      net ...........     281,668      (10,968)   6,281
                      ------------- ----------- --------
Realized and
 unrealized gains
 (losses) on
 investments--net:
 Realized gain
  distributions from
  underlying mutual
  fund (note 4)......     577,998          --     2,954
                      ------------- ----------- --------
 Realized gains on
  sales of
  investments:
   Proceeds from
    sales ...........   5,232,132    2,297,893   75,011
   Cost of
    investments sold
    .................  (4,886,541)  (2,270,554) (75,414)
                      ------------- ----------- --------
                          345,591       27,339     (403)
                      ------------- ----------- --------
     Net realized
      gains on
      investments ...     923,589       27,339    2,551
                      ------------- ----------- --------
Net change in
 unrealized
 appreciation or
 depreciation of
 investments ........  (1,491,123)     391,884   (6,755)
                      ------------- ----------- --------
     Net gains
      (losses) on
      investments ...    (567,534)     419,223   (4,204)
                      ------------- ----------- --------
Net increase
 (decrease) in net
 assets resulting
 from operations ....    (285,866)     408,255    2,077
                      ============= =========== ========
</TABLE>    
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                                                              47
<PAGE>
 
 MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT
                       
                    STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS     
                          
                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                      SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                   -------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------------
                                                MONEY        ASSET      MORTGAGE     INDEX        CAPITAL
                      GROWTH        BOND       MARKET     ALLOCATION   SECURITIES      500      APPRECIATION
                   ------------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  ------------
<S>                <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
Operations:
 Investment
  income (loss)--
  net............  $    104,821     542,217      263,682    1,744,470     459,709      281,483     (255,630)
 Net realized
  gains on
  investments....     3,720,603     197,119          --     5,579,339      26,510    2,563,607    3,639,546
 Net change in
  unrealized
  appreciation or
  depreciation of
  investments....     1,398,787    (343,676)         --       682,688    (107,111)   4,756,817    4,331,602
                   ------------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Net increase in
 net assets
 resulting from
 operations......     5,224,211     395,660      263,682    8,006,497     379,108    7,601,907    7,715,518
                   ------------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Policy
 transactions
 (notes 3, 4 and
 5):
 Policy purchase
  payments.......    18,240,045   8,476,494   12,682,354   27,630,678   3,385,663   26,341,081   22,471,971
 Policy
  withdrawals and
  charges........   (10,094,412) (4,573,620) (11,802,949) (17,110,497) (2,229,350) (12,243,866) (13,399,945)
                   ------------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Increase in net
 assets from
 policy
 transactions....     8,145,633   3,902,874      879,405   10,520,181   1,156,313   14,097,215    9,072,026
                   ------------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Increase in net
 assets..........    13,369,844   4,298,534    1,143,087   18,526,678   1,535,421   21,699,122   16,787,544
Net assets at the
 beginning of
 year............    28,442,859  10,391,658    5,329,649   61,647,151   7,350,455   28,851,507   42,452,809
                   ------------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Net assets at the
 end of year.....  $ 41,812,703  14,690,192    6,472,736   80,173,829   8,885,876   50,550,629   59,240,353
                   ============  ==========  ===========  ===========  ==========  ===========  ===========
<CAPTION>
                   -------------------------------------
                   INTERNATIONAL   SMALL       VALUE
                       STOCK      COMPANY      STOCK
                   ------------- ----------- -----------
<S>                <C>           <C>         <C>
Operations:
 Investment
  income (loss)--
  net............       729,330     (66,847)     82,979
 Net realized
  gains on
  investments....     2,093,958   4,202,384   1,493,727
 Net change in
  unrealized
  appreciation or
  depreciation of
  investments....     4,335,633  (2,840,532)  1,239,111
                   ------------- ----------- -----------
Net increase in
 net assets
 resulting from
 operations......     7,158,921   1,295,005   2,815,817
                   ------------- ----------- -----------
Policy
 transactions
 (notes 3, 4 and
 5):
 Policy purchase
  payments.......    23,422,864  20,175,123  12,940,411
 Policy
  withdrawals and
  charges........   (11,721,797) (8,718,835) (3,834,134)
                   ------------- ----------- -----------
Increase in net
 assets from
 policy
 transactions....    11,701,067  11,456,288   9,106,277
                   ------------- ----------- -----------
Increase in net
 assets..........    18,859,988  12,751,293  11,922,094
Net assets at the
 beginning of
 year............    31,357,054  20,878,742   5,291,031
                   ------------- ----------- -----------
Net assets at the
 end of year.....    50,217,042  33,630,035  17,213,125
                   ============= =========== ===========
</TABLE>    
                 
              See accompanying notes to financial statements.     
 
48
<PAGE>
 
                           MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT
                STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (CONTINUED)
                          
                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                   SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                   -----------------------------------  -------------------------------------------------
                                              MONEY        ASSET      MORTGAGE                 CAPITAL
                     GROWTH        BOND       MARKET    ALLOCATION   SECURITIES  INDEX 500   APPRECIATION
                   -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------------
<S>                <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
Operations:
 Investment in-
  come (loss)--
  net............  $    84,267     221,283     188,474    1,160,310     385,990     236,198     (178,191)
 Net realized
  gains on in-
  vestments......    1,309,596     121,124         --     1,639,505      21,373   1,137,359    2,256,255
 Net change in
  unrealized ap-
  preciation or
  depreciation of
  investments....    3,358,404   1,040,640         --     8,349,477     623,587   5,160,678    4,611,948
                   -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------
Net increase in
 net assets re-
 sulting from op-
 erations........    4,752,267   1,383,047     188,474   11,149,292   1,030,950   6,534,235    6,690,012
                   -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------
Policy transac-
 tions (notes 3,
 4 and 5):
 Policy purchase
  payments.......   12,408,482   6,659,641   6,662,290   23,396,902   3,100,448  13,185,123   19,128,138
 Policy withdraw-
  als and
  charges........   (6,591,568) (3,628,563) (5,748,116) (15,529,990) (2,407,738) (6,867,168) (10,451,360)
                   -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------
Increase in net
 assets from pol-
 icy transac-
 tions...........    5,816,914   3,031,078     914,174    7,866,912     692,710   6,317,955    8,676,778
                   -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------
Increase in net
 assets..........   10,569,181   4,414,125   1,102,648   19,016,204   1,723,660  12,852,190   15,366,790
Net assets at the
 beginning of
 year............   17,873,678   5,977,533   4,227,001   42,630,947   5,626,795  15,999,317   27,086,019
                   -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------
Net assets at the
 end of year.....  $28,442,859  10,391,658   5,329,649   61,647,151   7,350,455  28,851,507   42,452,809
                   ===========  ==========  ==========  ===========  ==========  ==========  ===========
<CAPTION>
                   -------------------------------------
                   INTERNATIONAL   SMALL       VALUE
                       STOCK      COMPANY      STOCK
                   ------------- ----------- -----------
<S>                <C>           <C>         <C>
Operations:
 Investment in-
  come (loss)--
  net............     (125,629)     (48,725)     23,948
 Net realized
  gains on in-
  vestments......      396,999      872,467     331,264
 Net change in
  unrealized ap-
  preciation or
  depreciation of
  investments....    2,953,006    3,168,698     429,503
                   ------------- ----------- -----------
Net increase in
 net assets re-
 sulting from op-
 erations........    3,224,376    3,992,440     784,715
                   ------------- ----------- -----------
Policy transac-
 tions (notes 3,
 4 and 5):
 Policy purchase
  payments.......   17,215,167   13,158,472   4,688,860
 Policy withdraw-
  als and
  charges........   (8,984,581)  (4,856,574) (1,188,455)
                   ------------- ----------- -----------
Increase in net
 assets from pol-
 icy transac-
 tions...........    8,230,586    8,301,898   3,500,405
                   ------------- ----------- -----------
Increase in net
 assets..........   11,454,962   12,294,338   4,285,120
Net assets at the
 beginning of
 year............   19,902,092    8,584,404   1,005,911
                   ------------- ----------- -----------
Net assets at the
 end of year.....   31,357,054   20,878,742   5,291,031
                   ============= =========== ===========
</TABLE>    
                 

    
              See accompanying notes to financial statements. [/R]
 
                                                                              49
<PAGE>
 
 MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT
                STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (CONTINUED)
              
           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 (PERIOD FROM MAY 2, 1994     
                      
                   TO DECEMBER 31, 1994 FOR VALUE STOCK)     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                   SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                   -----------------------------------  -------------------------------------------------
                                              MONEY        ASSET      MORTGAGE                 CAPITAL
                     GROWTH        BOND       MARKET    ALLOCATION   SECURITIES  INDEX 500   APPRECIATION
                   -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------------
<S>                <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
Operations:
 Investment
  income (loss)--
  net............  $    63,482     152,540     101,341      560,708     184,750     133,156      (93,602)
 Net realized
  gains on
  investments....      363,294      11,561         --       200,312       6,328     198,143      789,570
 Net change in
  unrealized
  appreciation or
  depreciation of
  investments....     (346,307)   (384,138)        --    (1,400,184)   (369,942)   (229,615)     (85,694)
                   -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
Net increase
 (decrease) in
 net assets
 resulting from
 operations......       80,469    (220,037)    101,341     (639,164)   (178,864)    101,684      610,274
                   -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
Policy
 transactions
 (notes 3, 4 and
 5):
 Policy purchase
  payments.......   11,306,528   4,667,840   6,967,161   25,106,087   3,862,411   9,928,770   17,095,782
 Policy withdraw-
  als and
  charges........   (5,442,825) (2,323,093) (5,435,960) (15,361,205) (2,411,477) (4,759,654)  (9,321,473)
                   -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
Increase in net
 assets from
 policy
 transactions....    5,863,703   2,344,747   1,531,201    9,744,882   1,450,934   5,169,116    7,774,309
                   -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
Increase in net
 assets..........    5,944,172   2,124,710   1,632,542    9,105,718   1,272,070   5,270,800    8,384,583
Net assets at the
 beginning of pe-
 riod............   11,929,506   3,852,823   2,594,459   33,525,229   4,354,725  10,728,517   18,701,436
                   -----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
Net assets at the
 end of period...  $17,873,678   5,977,533   4,227,001   42,630,947   5,626,795  15,999,317   27,086,019
                   ===========  ==========  ==========  ===========  ==========  ==========   ==========
<CAPTION>
                   ------------------------------------
                   INTERNATIONAL   SMALL       VALUE
                       STOCK      COMPANY      STOCK
                   ------------- ----------- ----------
<S>                <C>           <C>         <C>
Operations:
 Investment
  income (loss)--
  net............      281,668      (10,968)     6,281
 Net realized
  gains on
  investments....      923,589       27,339      2,551
 Net change in
  unrealized
  appreciation or
  depreciation of
  investments....   (1,491,123)     391,884     (6,755)
                   ------------- ----------- ----------
Net increase
 (decrease) in
 net assets
 resulting from
 operations......     (285,866)     408,255      2,077
                   ------------- ----------- ----------
Policy
 transactions
 (notes 3, 4 and
 5):
 Policy purchase
  payments.......   17,030,883    9,002,013  1,077,789
 Policy withdraw-
  als and
  charges........   (5,162,063)  (2,274,926)   (73,955)
                   ------------- ----------- ----------
Increase in net
 assets from
 policy
 transactions....   11,868,820    6,727,087  1,003,834
                   ------------- ----------- ----------
Increase in net
 assets..........   11,582,954    7,135,342  1,005,911
Net assets at the
 beginning of pe-
 riod............    8,319,138    1,449,062        --
                   ------------- ----------- ----------
Net assets at the
 end of period...   19,902,092    8,584,404  1,005,911
                   ============= =========== ==========
</TABLE>    
 
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
50
<PAGE>
 
                                         MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
(1) ORGANIZATION
   
The Minnesota Mutual Variable Life Account (the Account) was established on
October 21, 1985 as a segregated asset account of The Minnesota Mutual Life
Insurance Company (Minnesota Mutual) under Minnesota law and is registered as a
unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (as amended).
There are currently two types of variable life policies each consisting has ten
segregated sub-accounts to which policy owners may allocate their purchase
payments. The financial statements presented herein include both types of
variable life policies, Variable Adjustable Life and Variable Adjustable Life
Second Death, offered by the Account.     
   
  On May 2, 1994, an additional segregated sub-account, Value Stock, was added
to the Account.     
   
  The assets of each segregated sub-account are held for the exclusive benefit
of the variable adjustable life insurance policy owners and are not chargeable
with liabilities arising out of the business conducted by any other account or
by Minnesota Mutual. Variable adjustable life policy owners allocate their
purchase payments to one or more of the ten segregated sub-accounts. Such
payments are then invested in shares of MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc. (the Fund)
which was organized by Minnesota Mutual as the investment vehicle for its
variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts. The Fund is
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (as amended) as a
diversified, open-end management investment company. Payments allocated to the
Growth, Bond, Money Market, Asset Allocation, Mortgage Securities, Index 500,
Capital Appreciation, International Stock, Small Company and Value Stock
segregated sub-accounts are invested in shares of the Growth, Bond, Money
Market, Asset Allocation, Mortgage Securities, Index 500, Capital Appreciation,
International Stock, Small Company and Value Stock Portfolios of the Fund,
respectively.     
   
  MIMLIC Sales Corporation acts as the underwriter for the Account. MIMLIC
Asset Management Company acts as the investment adviser for the Fund. MIMLIC
Sales Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MIMLIC Asset Management
Company. MIMLIC Asset Management Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Minnesota Mutual.     
 
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
   
Use of Estimates     
   
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets resulting from
operations during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
       
Investments in MIMLIC Series Fund, Inc.     
   
  Investments in shares of the Fund portfolios are stated at market value which
is the net asset value per share as determined daily by the Fund. Investment
transactions are accounted for on the date the shares are purchased or sold.
The cost of investments sold is determined on the average cost method. All
dividend distributions received from the Fund are reinvested in additional
shares of the Fund and are recorded by the sub-accounts on the ex-dividend
date.     
   
Federal Income Taxes     
   
  The Account is treated as part of Minnesota Mutual for federal income tax
purposes. Under current interpretations of existing federal income tax law, no
income taxes are payable on investment income or capital gain distributions
received by the Account from the Fund.     
 
                                                                              51
<PAGE>
 
 MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT
 
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
   
(3) MORTALITY AND EXPENSE AND OTHER POLICY CHARGES     
   
  The mortality and expense charge paid to Minnesota Mutual is computed daily
and is equal, on an annual basis, to .50 percent of the average daily net
assets of the Account. This charge is an expense of the Account and is deducted
daily from net assets of the Account.     
   
  Policy purchase payments are reflected net of the following charges paid to
Minnesota Mutual:     
     
    A basic sales load of 7 percent is deducted from each premium payment. A
  first year sales load not to exceed 23 percent may also be deducted. Total
  sales charges deducted from premium payments for the years ended December
  31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 amounted to $13,357,161, $11,373,694 and
  $10,312,243, respectively.     
     
    An underwriting charge is deducted from first year purchase payments in
  an amount not to exceed $5 per $1,000 of face amount of insurance. The
  amount may vary by the age of the insured and the premium level for a given
  amount of insurance. The underwriting charge is paid for administrative
  costs associated with issuance or adjustment of policies. Total
  underwriting charges deducted from premium payments for the years ended
  December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 amounted to $6,155,712, $4,549,011 and
  $4,826,308, respectively.     
     
    A premium tax charge in the amount of 2.5 percent is deducted from each
  premium payment. Premium taxes are paid to state and local governments.
  Total premium tax charges deducted from premium payments for the years
  ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 amounted to $3,465,457, $2,687,472
  and $2,147,159, respectively.     
     
    A face amount guarantee charge of 1.5 percent is deducted from each
  Variable Adjustable Life policy premium payment. The charge is paid for the
  guarantee that the death benefit will always be at least equal to the
  current face amount of insurance regardless of the investment performance.
  Total face amount guarantee charges deducted from premium payments for the
  years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 amounted to $1,794,822,
  $1,411,514 and $1,125,385, respectively.     
     
    Beginning in 1996, a federal tax charge of 1.25 percent is deducted from
  each Variable Adjustable Life Second Death policy premium payment. The
  federal tax charge is paid to offset additional corporate federal income
  taxes incurred by Minnesota Mutual under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
  Act of 1990. Total federal tax charges for the year ended December 31, 1996
  amounted to $14,298.     
         
          
  In addition to deductions from premium payments, an administration charge,
certain transaction charges, a cost of insurance charge and a charge for sub-
standard risks, if any, are assessed from the actual cash value of each policy.
In addition, a face amount guarantee charge is assessed from the actual cash
value of each Variable Adjustable Second Death policy. These charges are paid
by redeeming units of the Account held by the individual policy owner. The
administration charge is $60 for each policy year for Variable Adjustable Life
policies and $120 for each policy year for Variable Adjustable Life Second
Death policies. The transaction charges are for expenses incurred by Minnesota
Mutual for processing certain transactions. A charge of $25 is assessed for
each policy adjustment. A charge, not to exceed $10, may be assessed for each
transfer of actual cash value among the segregated sub-accounts. The face
amount guarantee charge is guaranteed not to exceed 3 cents per thousand
dollars of face amount per month.     
   
  The cost of insurance charge varies with the amount of insurance, the
insured's age, sex, risk class, level of scheduled premium and duration of the
policy. The charge for substandard risks is for providing death benefits for
policies which have mortality risks in excess of the standard.     
 
 
52
<PAGE>
 
                                         MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT
 
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
   
(3)MORTALITY AND EXPENSE AND OTHER POLICY CHARGES (CONTINUED)     
   
  The total of cash value charges for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995
and 1994 for each segregated sub-account (years ended December 31, 1996 and
1995 and period from May 2, 1994 to     
December 31, 1994 for Value Stock) are as follows:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                         1996       1995       1994
                      ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                   <C>        <C>        <C>
Growth                $3,958,312 $3,235,518 $2,691,861
Bond                   1,780,681  1,359,743    968,023
Money Market             741,727    624,184    406,353
Asset Allocation       7,673,171  7,306,035  7,226,753
Mortgage Securities      859,703    881,050    914,930
Index 500              4,389,029  2,752,710  2,186,930
Capital Appreciation   5,701,873  4,809,954  4,034,243
International Stock    5,145,385  3,938,698  2,670,738
Small Company          3,921,958  2,514,829  1,114,925
Value Stock            1,802,043    619,624     45,146
</TABLE>    
       
(4)INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
   
  The Account's purchases of Fund shares, including reinvestment of dividend
distributions, were as follows during the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995
and 1994 (years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 and period from May 2, 1994 to
December 31, 1994 for Value Stock):     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                   1996        1995        1994
                                ----------- ----------- -----------
<S>                             <C>         <C>         <C>
Growth Portfolio                $21,135,107 $13,360,915 $11,727,400
Bond Portfolio                    9,188,376   6,921,232   4,954,472
Money Market Portfolio           12,978,090   6,869,537   7,083,425
Asset Allocation Portfolio       33,562,674  25,334,675  26,075,122
Mortgage Securities Portfolio     3,885,004   3,519,157   4,171,994
Index 500 Portfolio              27,064,233  13,666,694  10,168,519
Capital Appreciation Portfolio   23,743,157  19,948,250  17,412,153
International Stock Portfolio    25,368,587  17,215,167  17,960,618
Small Company Portfolio          23,338,335  13,385,468   9,014,012
Value Stock Portfolio            14,098,616   4,947,974   1,088,077
</TABLE>    
 
                                                                              53
<PAGE>
 
 MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT
 
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
   
(5) UNIT ACTIVITY FROM CONTRACT TRANSACTIONS     
   
Transactions in units for each segregated sub-account for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 were as follows:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                          SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                        -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 ASSET      MORTGAGE
                          GROWTH        BOND     MONEY MARKET  ALLOCATION  SECURITIES
                        ----------  ------------ ------------- ----------  ----------
<S>                     <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>         <C>
Units outstanding at
 December 31, 1993       6,671,352    2,240,344    1,849,721   18,341,417   2,419,453
  Policy purchase pay-
   ments                 6,348,390    2,825,826    4,896,347   14,022,145   2,217,484
  Deductions for policy
   withdrawals and
   charges              (3,055,525)  (1,406,940)  (3,825,731)  (8,593,765) (1,385,966)
                        ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------  ----------
Units outstanding at
 December 31, 1994       9,964,217    3,659,230    2,290,337   23,769,797   3,250,971
  Policy purchase pay-
   ments                 6,094,908    3,681,345    4,467,894   11,590,519   1,632,915
  Deductions for policy
   withdrawals and
   charges              (3,236,631)  (2,000,036)  (3,878,440)  (7,727,043) (1,267,630)
                        ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------  ----------
Units outstanding at
 December 31, 1995      12,822,494    5,340,539    3,509,791   27,633,273   3,616,256
  Policy purchase pay-
   ments                 7,527,990    4,397,925    8,165,940   11,761,903   1,651,580
  Deductions for policy
   withdrawals and
   charges              (4,174,113)  (2,372,242)  (7,592,940)  (7,290,581) (1,092,188)
                        ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------  ----------
Units outstanding at
 December 31, 1996      16,176,371    7,366,222    4,082,791   32,104,595   4,175,648
                        ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========  ==========
<CAPTION>
                                          SEGREGATED SUB-ACCOUNTS
                        -------------------------------------------------------------
                          INDEX       CAPITAL    INTERNATIONAL   SMALL       VALUE
                           500      APPRECIATION     STOCK      COMPANY      STOCK
                        ----------  ------------ ------------- ----------  ----------
<S>                     <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>         <C>
Units outstanding at
 December 31, 1993       6,074,831    9,082,661    6,244,750    1,261,521         --
  Policy purchase pay-
   ments                 5,628,519    8,441,310   12,670,160    7,794,579   1,043,691
  Deductions for policy
   withdrawals and
   charges              (2,705,628)  (4,594,837)  (3,852,160)  (1,981,167)    (71,753)
                        ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------  ----------
Units outstanding at
 December 31, 1994       8,997,722   12,929,134   15,062,750    7,074,933     971,938
  Policy purchase pay-
   ments                 6,137,740    8,025,347   12,197,396    9,459,804   3,860,586
  Deductions for policy
   withdrawals and
   charges              (3,218,181)  (4,366,808)  (6,376,829)  (3,444,979)   (968,230)
                        ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------  ----------
Units outstanding at
 December 31, 1995      11,917,281   16,587,673   20,883,317   13,089,758   3,864,294
  Policy purchase pay-
   ments                 9,927,022    7,957,386   14,398,443   12,096,257   8,210,018
  Deductions for policy
   withdrawals and
   charges              (4,593,774)  (4,766,785)  (7,225,632)  (5,267,965) (2,425,981)
                        ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------  ----------
Units outstanding at
 December 31, 1996      17,250,529   19,778,274   28,056,128   19,918,050   9,648,331
                        ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========  ==========
</TABLE>    
 
54
<PAGE>
 
                                         MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT
 
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(6) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
The following tables for each segregated sub-account show certain data for an
accumulation unit outstanding
during the periods indicated:
 
                                     GROWTH
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                              ---------------------------------
                                               1996    1995  1994   1993  1992
                                              -------  ----- -----  ----- -----
<S>                                           <C>      <C>   <C>    <C>   <C>
Unit value, beginning of year                 $ 2.218  1.794 1.788  1.718 1.647
                                              -------  ----- -----  ----- -----
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income                          .007   .008  .008   .010  .009
  Net gains or losses on securities (both re-
   alized and unrealized)                        .361   .416 (.002)  .060  .062
                                              -------  ----- -----  ----- -----
    Total from investment operations             .368   .424  .006   .070  .071
                                              -------  ----- -----  ----- -----
Unit value, end of year                       $ 2.586  2.218 1.794  1.788 1.718
                                              =======  ===== =====  ===== =====
 
                                      BOND
 
<CAPTION>
                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                              ---------------------------------
                                               1996    1995  1994   1993  1992
                                              -------  ----- -----  ----- -----
<S>                                           <C>      <C>   <C>    <C>   <C>
Unit value, beginning of year                 $ 1.946  1.634 1.720  1.567 1.477
                                              -------  ----- -----  ----- -----
Income (loss) from investment operations:
  Net investment income                          .085   .050  .054   .048  .055
  Net gains or losses on securities (both re-
   alized and unrealized)                       (.037)  .262 (.140)  .105  .035
                                              -------  ----- -----  ----- -----
    Total from investment operations             .048   .312 (.086)  .153  .090
                                              -------  ----- -----  ----- -----
Unit value, end of year                       $ 1.994  1.946 1.634  1.720 1.567
                                              =======  ===== =====  ===== =====
 
                                  MONEY MARKET
 
<CAPTION>
                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                              ---------------------------------
                                               1996    1995  1994   1993  1992
                                              -------  ----- -----  ----- -----
<S>                                           <C>      <C>   <C>    <C>   <C>
Unit value, beginning of year                  $1.518  1.447 1.403  1.373 1.337
                                              -------  ----- -----  ----- -----
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income                          .067   .071  .044   .030  .036
                                              -------  ----- -----  ----- -----
    Total from investment operations             .067   .071  .044   .030  .036
                                              -------  ----- -----  ----- -----
Unit value, end of year                        $1.585  1.518 1.447  1.403 1.373
                                              =======  ===== =====  ===== =====
 
                                ASSET ALLOCATION
 
<CAPTION>
                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                              ---------------------------------
                                               1996    1995  1994   1993  1992
                                              -------  ----- -----  ----- -----
<S>                                           <C>      <C>   <C>    <C>   <C>
Unit value, beginning of year                  $2.231  1.793 1.828  1.726 1.617
                                              -------  ----- -----  ----- -----
Income (loss) from investment operations:
  Net investment income                          .058   .045  .027   .021  .016
  Net gains or losses on securities (both re-
   alized and unrealized)                        .208   .393 (.062)  .081  .093
                                              -------  ----- -----  ----- -----
    Total from investment operations             .266   .438 (.035)  .102  .109
                                              -------  ----- -----  ----- -----
Unit value, end of year                        $2.497  2.231 1.793  1.828 1.726
                                              =======  ===== =====  ===== =====
</TABLE>    
 
                                                                              55
<PAGE>
 
 MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT
 
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
   
(6) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)     
                               
                            MORTGAGE SECURITIES     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                           ----------------------------------
                                            1996   1995   1994   1993   1992
                                           ------  -----  -----  -----  -----
<S>                                        <C>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Unit value, beginning of year              $2.032  1.731  1.800  1.656  1.564
                                           ------  -----  -----  -----  -----
Income (loss) from investment operations:
  Net investment income                      .119   .112   .064   .054   .044
  Net gains or losses on securities (both
   realized and unrealized)                 (.023)  .189  (.133)  .090   .048
                                           ------  -----  -----  -----  -----
    Total from investment operations         .096   .301  (.069)  .144   .092
                                           ------  -----  -----  -----  -----
Unit value, end of year                    $2.128  2.032  1.731  1.800  1.656
                                           ======  =====  =====  =====  =====
                                   INDEX 500
 
<CAPTION>
                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                           ----------------------------------
                                            1996   1995   1994   1993   1992
                                           ------  -----  -----  -----  -----
<S>                                        <C>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Unit value, beginning of year              $2.421  1.778  1.766  1.617  1.514
                                           ------  -----  -----  -----  -----
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income                      .019   .023   .018   .017   .013
  Net gains or losses on securities (both
   realized and unrealized)                  .490   .620  (.006)  .132   .090
                                           ------  -----  -----  -----  -----
    Total from investment operations         .509   .643   .012   .149   .103
                                           ------  -----  -----  -----  -----
Unit value, end of year                    $2.930  2.421  1.778  1.766  1.617
                                           ======  =====  =====  =====  =====
                              CAPITAL APPRECIATION
 
<CAPTION>
                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                           ----------------------------------
                                            1996   1995   1994   1993   1992
                                           ------  -----  -----  -----  -----
<S>                                        <C>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Unit value, beginning of year              $2.559  2.095  2.059  1.874  1.793
                                           ------  -----  -----  -----  -----
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment loss                       (.014) (.012) (.009) (.005) (.003)
  Net gains or losses on securities (both
   realized and unrealized)                  .450   .476   .045   .190   .084
                                           ------  -----  -----  -----  -----
    Total from investment operations         .436   .464   .036   .185   .081
                                           ------  -----  -----  -----  -----
Unit value, end of year                    $2.995  2.559  2.095  2.059  1.874
                                           ======  =====  =====  =====  =====
</TABLE>    
                               
                            INTERNATIONAL STOCK     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                 PERIOD FROM
                                                                 MAY 1, 1992*
                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,         TO
                                      -------------------------- DECEMBER 31,
                                       1996  1995   1994   1993      1992
                                      ------ -----  -----  ----- ------------
<S>                                   <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>   <C>
Unit value, beginning of period       $1.502 1.321  1.332   .929    1.000
                                      ------ -----  -----  -----    -----
Income (loss) from investment opera-
 tions:
  Net investment income (loss)          .030 (.007)  .027   .007     .025
  Net gains or losses on securities
   (both realized and unrealized)       .258  .188  (.038)  .396    (.096)
                                      ------ -----  -----  -----    -----
    Total from investment operations    .288  .181  (.011)  .403    (.071)
                                      ------ -----  -----  -----    -----
Unit value, end of period             $1.790 1.502  1.321  1.332     .929
                                      ====== =====  =====  =====    =====
</TABLE>    
- -------
   
*Commencement of the segregated sub-account's operations.     
       
56
<PAGE>
 
                                         MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)     
   
(6) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)     
                                  
                               SMALL COMPANY     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                    PERIOD FROM
                                                  YEAR ENDED        MAY 3, 1993*
                                                 DECEMBER 31,            TO
                                              --------------------  DECEMBER 31,
                                               1996   1995   1994       1993
                                              ------  -----  -----  ------------
<S>                                           <C>     <C>    <C>    <C>
Unit value, beginning of period               $1.594  1.213  1.149     1.000
                                              ------  -----  -----     -----
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment loss                          (.004) (.005) (.003)    (.004)
  Net gains or losses on securities (both re-
   alized and unrealized)                       .099   .386   .067      .153
                                              ------  -----  -----     -----
    Total from investment operations            .095   .381   .064      .149
                                              ------  -----  -----     -----
Unit value, end of period                     $1.689  1.594  1.213     1.149
                                              ======  =====  =====     =====
</TABLE>    
                                   
                                VALUE STOCK     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                          PERIOD FROM
                                              YEAR ENDED  MAY 2, 1994*
                                             DECEMBER 31,      TO
                                             ------------ DECEMBER 31,
                                              1996  1995      1994
                                             ------ ----- ------------
<S>                                          <C>    <C>   <C>
Unit value, beginning of period              $1.369 1.035    1.000
                                             ------ -----    -----
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income                        .013  .010     .019
  Net gains on securities (both realized and
   unrealized)                                 .402  .324     .016
                                             ------ -----    -----
    Total from investment operations           .415  .334     .035
                                             ------ -----    -----
Unit value, end of period                    $1.784 1.369    1.035
                                             ====== =====    =====
</TABLE>    
- -------
   
*Commencement of the segregated sub-account's operations.     
       
                                                                              57

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

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

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

<PAGE>
 
 APPENDIX I
ILLUSTRATIONS OF POLICY VALUES, DEATH BENEFITS AND PREMIUMS
   
  The Appendix I illustrations beginning on page 82 show the projected actual
cash values and death benefits for various combinations of age, premium level,
face amount of insurance, death benefit option and level of cost of insurance
charges. The illustrations assume that 100 percent of net premiums are invested
in the sub-accounts of the Variable Life Account. Illustrations are provided
for a male and female, both non-smokers and both aged 40. The plan of insurance
for each illustration is a whole life plan, each with an initial face amount of
$1,000,000. Both death benefit options--the Cash Option and the Protection
Option are shown. We show all illustrations based on both guaranteed maximum
and current charges.     
  Guaranteed maximum cost of insurance charges will vary by age, sex, and risk
class. We use the male, female and unisex 1980 Commissioners Standard Ordinary
Mortality Tables ("1980 CSO"), as appropriate. The unisex tables are used in
circumstances where legal considerations require the elimination of sex-based
distinctions in the calculation of mortality costs. Our maximum cost of
insurance charges are based on an assumption of mortality not greater than the
mortality rates reflected in 1980 CSO Tables.
  In most cases we intend to impose cost of insurance charges which are
substantially lower than the maximum charges determined as described above. In
addition to the factors governing maximum cost of insurance charges, actual
charges will vary depending on the level of scheduled premiums for a given
amount of insurance, the duration of the Policy and the smoking habits of both
insureds. We illustrate current cost of insurance charges since they represent
our current practices with respect to mortality charges for this class of
Policies.
  Similarly, we impose a current administration charge and a current face
amount guarantee charge which are less than the guaranteed contractual. These
current charges are expected to compensate us for the actual costs of
administration and for guaranteeing the face amount. If the actual costs
change, these charges may increase or decrease, as necessary although they may
not exceed the maximum stated in the Policy.
  The illustrations labeled "Using Current Charges" show actual cash values and
death benefits resulting from charging the Policy for cost of insurance,
administration and the face amount guarantee at the current level. The
illustrations labeled "Using Guaranteed Maximum Charges" shows actual cash
values and death benefits when cost of insurance, administration and the face
amount guarantee charges are deducted from the Policy at the maximum level as
stated in the Policy. These two ledger formats can be compared to demonstrate
the result of our charging less than the maximum charges.
  The illustrations show how actual cash values and death benefits would vary
over time if the return on the assets held in the Variable Life Account equaled
a gross annual rate after tax, of 0 percent, 6 percent and 12 percent. The
actual cash values and death benefits would be different from those shown if
the returns averaged 0 percent, 6 percent and 12 percent but fluctuated over
the life of the Policy. The illustrations assume scheduled premiums are paid
when due.
   
  The amounts shown for the hypothetical actual cash value and death benefit as
of each policy year reflect the fact that the net investment return on the
assets held in the sub-accounts is lower than the gross, after-tax return. This
is because a daily investment management fee assessed against the net assets of
the Fund and a daily mortality and expense risk charge assessed against the net
assets of the Variable Life Account are deducted from the gross return. The
mortality and expense risk charge reflected in the illustrations are at an
annual rate of .50 percent. The investment management fee illustrated is .59%
and represents an average of the annual fee charged for all ten Fund
Portfolios. In addition to the deduction for the investment management fee, the
illustrations also reflect a deduction for those Fund costs and expenses not
assumed by Minnesota Mutual. Fund expenses illustrated are .10%, representing
an average of the 1996 expense ratios of the ten Fund Portfolios. Therefore,
gross annual rates of return of 0 percent, 6 percent and 12 percent correspond
to approximate net annual rates of return of -1.19 percent, 4.81 percent and
10.81 percent. (For a description of the arrangement whereby Minnesota Mutual
voluntarily absorbs certain expenses of the Fund, see "Investment Adviser" in
the attached prospectus for Advantus Series Fund, Inc.)     
 
80
<PAGE>
 
  The tables reflect the fact that no charges for federal, state or local
income taxes are currently made against the Variable Life Account. If such a
charge is made in the future, it will take a higher gross rate of return to
produce after-tax returns of 0 percent, 6 percent and 12 percent than it does
now.
  Upon request, we will furnish a comparable illustration based upon the age,
sex and risk classification of each insured, and on the face amount, premium,
plan of insurance and gross annual rate of return requested. It should be
remembered that actual illustrations may be materially different from those
illustrated, depending upon the actual situation. For example, illustrations
for smokers or individuals who are rated sub-standard will differ materially in
premium amount and illustrated values, even though the insureds may be the same
ages as the insureds in our sample illustration.
 
81
<PAGE>
 
                                     VAL-SD
                       DEATH BENEFIT OPTION--CASH OPTION
                          MALE NONSMOKER ISSUE AGE 40
                         FEMALE NONSMOKER ISSUE AGE 40
                      INITIAL DEATH BENEFIT--$1,000,000(1)
 
                      $10,806 INITIAL SCHEDULED PREMIUM(2)
 
                             USING CURRENT CHARGES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     -ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RETURNS OF-
                 0% GROSS(3)       6.00% GROSS(3)       12.00% GROSS(3)
     INITIAL    (-1.19% NET)         (4.81% NET)         (10.81% NET)
POL   BASE    POLICY    DEATH     POLICY    DEATH      POLICY     DEATH
YR   PREMIUM  VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE    BENEFIT     VALUE     BENEFIT
- ---  ------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>  <C>     <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>
  1  $10,806 $    176 $1,000,000 $    199 $1,000,000 $      221 $1,000,000
  2   10,806    9,326  1,000,000    9,929  1,000,000     10,535  1,000,000
  3   10,806   18,359  1,000,000   20,118  1,000,000     21,953  1,000,000
  4   10,806   27,266  1,000,000   30,779  1,000,000     34,587  1,000,000
  5   10,806   36,048  1,000,000   41,934  1,000,000     48,568  1,000,000
  6   10,806   44,709  1,000,000   53,607  1,000,000     64,043  1,000,000
  7   10,806   53,240  1,000,000   65,816  1,000,000     81,164  1,000,000
  8   10,806   61,644  1,000,000   78,587  1,000,000    100,111  1,000,000
  9   10,806   69,913  1,000,000   91,938  1,000,000    121,074  1,000,000
 10   10,806   78,051  1,000,000  105,899  1,000,000    144,381  1,000,000
 15   10,806  117,760  1,000,000  187,261  1,000,000    304,972  1,000,000
 20   10,806  155,236  1,000,000  290,003  1,000,000    576,888  1,337,289
 25   10,806  189,936  1,000,000  419,487  1,000,000  1,031,292  2,012,929
 30   10,806  220,175  1,000,000  583,244  1,009,081  1,787,087  2,959,633
</TABLE>
 
(1) The initial death benefit is guaranteed to age 100.
(2) If premiums are paid more frequently than annually, the payments would be
    $5,403.00 semi-annually, $2,701.50 quarterly, or $900.50 monthly. The death
    benefits and policy values would be slightly different for a policy with
    more frequent premium payments.
(3) Assumes no policy loan has been made.
 
THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE
OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE
INVESTMENT ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER, AND PREVAILING INTEREST RATES. THE
DEATH BENEFITS AND POLICY VALUES FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE
SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 6%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD OF
YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATIONS CAN BE MADE BY MINNESOTA MUTUAL OR THE FUND THAT
THESE HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR
SUSTAINED OVER ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
 
82
<PAGE>
 
                                     VAL-SD
                       DEATH BENEFIT OPTION--CASH OPTION
                          MALE NONSMOKER ISSUE AGE 40
                         FEMALE NONSMOKER ISSUE AGE 40
                      INITIAL DEATH BENEFIT--$1,000,000(1)
 
                      $10,806 INITIAL SCHEDULED PREMIUM(2)
 
                        USING GUARANTEED MAXIMUM CHARGES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     -ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RETURNS OF-
                 0% GROSS(3)       6.00% GROSS(3)       12.00% GROSS(3)
     INITIAL    (-1.19% NET)         (4.81% NET)         (10.81% NET)
POL   BASE    POLICY    DEATH     POLICY    DEATH      POLICY     DEATH
YR   PREMIUM  VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE    BENEFIT     VALUE     BENEFIT
- ---  ------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>  <C>     <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>
  1  $10,806 $      0 $1,000,000 $     15 $1,000,000 $       33 $1,000,000
  2   10,806    8,974  1,000,000    9,552  1,000,000     10,137  1,000,000
  3   10,806   17,831  1,000,000   19,539  1,000,000     21,324  1,000,000
  4   10,806   26,565  1,000,000   29,988  1,000,000     33,701  1,000,000
  5   10,806   35,177  1,000,000   40,921  1,000,000     47,397  1,000,000
  6   10,806   43,669  1,000,000   52,362  1,000,000     62,556  1,000,000
  7   10,806   52,033  1,000,000   64,327  1,000,000     79,328  1,000,000
  8   10,806   60,272  1,000,000   76,842  1,000,000     97,887  1,000,000
  9   10,806   68,379  1,000,000   89,924  1,000,000    118,420  1,000,000
 10   10,806   76,355  1,000,000  103,604  1,000,000    141,143  1,000,000
 15   10,806  113,940  1,000,000  181,627  1,000,000    296,522  1,000,000
 20   10,806  146,577  1,000,000  277,689  1,000,000    555,880  1,290,843
 25   10,806  171,181  1,000,000  394,335  1,000,000    980,712  1,920,671
 30   10,806  179,444  1,000,000  533,058  1,000,000  1,659,058  2,763,624
</TABLE>
 
(1) The initial death benefit is guaranteed to age 100.
(2) If premiums are paid more frequently than annually, the payments would be
    $5,403.00 semi-annually, $2,701.50 quarterly, or $900.50 monthly. The death
    benefits and policy values would be slightly different for a policy with
    more frequent premium payments.
(3) Assumes no policy loan has been made.
 
THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE
OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE
INVESTMENT ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER, AND PREVAILING INTEREST RATES. THE
DEATH BENEFITS AND POLICY VALUES FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE
SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 6%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD OF
YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATIONS CAN BE MADE BY MINNESOTA MUTUAL OR THE FUND THAT
THESE HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR
SUSTAINED OVER ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
 
83
<PAGE>
 
                                     VAL-SD
                    DEATH BENEFIT OPTION--PROTECTION OPTION
                          MALE NONSMOKER ISSUE AGE 40
                         FEMALE NONSMOKER ISSUE AGE 40
                      INITIAL DEATH BENEFIT--$1,000,000(1)
 
                      $10,806 INITIAL SCHEDULED PREMIUM(2)
 
                             USING CURRENT CHARGES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     -ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RETURNS OF-
                 0% GROSS(3)       6.00% GROSS(3)       12.00% GROSS(3)
     INITIAL    (-1.19% NET)         (4.81% NET)         (10.81% NET)
POL   BASE    POLICY    DEATH     POLICY    DEATH      POLICY     DEATH
YR   PREMIUM  VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE    BENEFIT     VALUE     BENEFIT
- ---  ------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>  <C>     <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>
  1  $10,806 $    176 $1,000,000 $    199 $1,000,000 $      221 $1,000,000
  2   10,806    9,326  1,000,176    9,929  1,000,199     10,535  1,000,221
  3   10,806   18,358  1,009,326   20,117  1,009,929     21,953  1,010,535
  4   10,806   27,264  1,018,358   30,776  1,020,117     34,585  1,021,953
  5   10,806   36,044  1,027,264   41,928  1,030,776     48,562  1,034,585
  6   10,806   44,700  1,036,044   53,597  1,041,928     64,030  1,048,562
  7   10,806   53,225  1,044,700   65,797  1,053,597     81,140  1,064,030
  8   10,806   61,620  1,053,225   78,555  1,065,797    100,070  1,081,140
  9   10,806   69,876  1,061,620   91,887  1,078,555    121,005  1,100,070
 10   10,806   77,996  1,069,876  105,822  1,091,887    144,298  1,121,005
 15   10,806  117,671  1,109,869  187,125  1,169,305    304,768  1,265,792
 20   10,806  155,071  1,147,810  289,673  1,267,235    576,227  1,846,100
 25   10,806  189,536  1,182,911  418,509  1,390,373  1,028,792  2,927,887
 30   10,806  217,886  1,213,033  580,100  1,548,794  1,776,991  4,541,657
</TABLE>
 
(1) The initial death benefit is guaranteed to age 100.
(2) If premiums are paid more frequently than annually, the payments would be
    $5,403.00 semi-annually, $2,701.50 quarterly, or $900.50 monthly. The death
    benefits and policy values would be slightly different for a policy with
    more frequent premium payments.
(3) Assumes no policy loan has been made.
 
THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE
OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE
INVESTMENT ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER, AND PREVAILING INTEREST RATES. THE
DEATH BENEFITS AND POLICY VALUES FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE
SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 6%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD OF
YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATIONS CAN BE MADE BY MINNESOTA MUTUAL OR THE FUND THAT
THESE HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR
SUSTAINED OVER ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
 
84
<PAGE>
 
                                     VAL-SD
                    DEATH BENEFIT OPTION--PROTECTION OPTION
                          MALE NONSMOKER ISSUE AGE 40
                         FEMALE NONSMOKER ISSUE AGE 40
                      INITIAL DEATH BENEFIT--$1,000,000(1)
 
                      $10,806 INITIAL SCHEDULED PREMIUM(2)
 
                        USING GUARANTEED MAXIMUM CHARGES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     -ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RETURNS OF-
                 0% GROSS(3)       6.00% GROSS(3)       12.00% GROSS(3)
     INITIAL    (-1.19% NET)         (4.81% NET)         (10.81% NET)
POL   BASE    POLICY    DEATH     POLICY    DEATH      POLICY     DEATH
YR   PREMIUM  VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE    BENEFIT     VALUE     BENEFIT
- ---  ------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>  <C>     <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>
  1  $10,806 $      0 $1,000,000 $     15 $1,000,000 $       33 $1,000,000
  2   10,806    8,973  1,000,000    9,552  1,000,015     10,137  1,000,033
  3   10,806   17,831  1,008,973   19,539  1,009,552     21,323  1,010,137
  4   10,806   26,563  1,017,831   29,986  1,019,539     33,698  1,021,323
  5   10,806   35,173  1,026,563   40,916  1,029,986     47,391  1,033,698
  6   10,806   43,660  1,035,173   52,352  1,040,916     62,544  1,047,391
  7   10,806   52,019  1,043,660   64,308  1,052,352     79,304  1,062,544
  8   10,806   60,249  1,052,019   76,811  1,064,308     97,847  1,079,304
  9   10,806   68,342  1,060,249   89,875  1,076,811    118,353  1,097,847
 10   10,806   76,302  1,068,342  103,528  1,089,875    141,035  1,118,353
 15   10,806  113,662  1,106,559  181,156  1,164,334    295,715  1,258,326
 20   10,806  145,536  1,139,730  275,569  1,255,298    551,466  1,772,195
 25   10,806  167,941  1,164,612  386,341  1,363,125    960,327  2,751,349
 30   10,806  170,362  1,172,201  505,206  1,481,513  1,572,684  4,075,282
</TABLE>
 
(1) The initial death benefit is guaranteed to age 100.
(2) If premiums are paid more frequently than annually, the payments would be
    $5,403.00 semi-annually, $2,701.50 quarterly, or $900.50 monthly. The death
    benefits and policy values would be slightly different for a policy with
    more frequent premium payments.
(3)  Assumes no policy loan has been made.
 
THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE
OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE
INVESTMENT ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER, AND PREVAILING INTEREST RATES. THE
DEATH BENEFITS AND POLICY VALUES FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE
SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 6%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD OF
YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATIONS CAN BE MADE BY MINNESOTA MUTUAL OR THE FUND THAT
THESE HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR
SUSTAINED OVER ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
 
85
<PAGE>
 
 APPENDIX II
SUMMARY OF POLICY CHARGES
  What sets cash value life insurance apart from other types of savings and
investment vehicles? It is the only product creating immediate and substantial
dollars in the form of a death benefit plus offering an accumulation component.
This is unlike other vehicles that can only create dollars over time as
contributions are made.
  All life insurance policies have basically the same charges, although the
charges may be taken in different ways or at different points in time. VAL-SD
has two distinct ways to recover expenses from a standard policy:
 
I. CHARGES TAKEN FROM THE BASE PREMIUM:
   
  As we receive premium contributions each year, we take a certain percentage
to partially cover expenses. A sales load is taken to pay commissions to the
agent. Two charges are also taken as a percentage of the premium to cover the
state premium tax and a federal tax related to premiums.     
  Also, in the first year of any life insurance policy, two things are
different than in ongoing years: a larger commission is paid, and the policy
must be underwritten. To begin to cover these costs, an additional sales load
and an underwriting charge are taken from the premium in just the first year.
These two charges may be assessed on future increases in premium and face
amount adjustments.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      CHARGES TAKEN FROM PREMIUM:                    PLUS, IN FIRST YEAR:
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      <S>                                            <C>
      7.00% Sales Load                               Additional sales load (up to 23%)
      1.25% Federal Tax                              Underwriting charge (up to $10/$1,000 of
                                                      insurance coverage)
      2.50% Premium Tax
      -----------------
      10.75% TOTAL
</TABLE>
 
 
  In addition to the charges described above, there are additional charges for
substandard risk policies. These charges are taken directly from the premium.
 
II. CHARGES TAKEN FROM THE ACTUAL CASH VALUE:
   
  After the above charges are taken from the premium, the remaining amount is
the net premium. The net premium is then invested in the guaranteed principal
account and/or in the Advantus Series Fund portfolio(s) you have selected which
is referred to as the Variable Life Account. For a VAL-SD insurance policy, the
value in the Variable Life Account is determined by the number of units in each
of your portfolios and their current value.     
  There are two sets of charges that affect your actual cash value. One set is
a direct charge and the other set is an indirect charge. The direct set is the
cost of insurance, the face amount guarantee charge and an administration
charge which is taken from the policy actual cash value on a monthly basis.
(Refer to Table A.) The cost of insurance charge goes to cover the risk of
death while the administration charge covers the cost of maintaining each
policy. The face amount guarantee charge compensates the company for
guaranteeing the face amount of the policy. In addition, transaction charges
are also taken from the actual cash value as transactions occur.
 
                                    TABLE A
 
          DIRECT CHARGES TAKEN FROM ACTUAL CASH VALUE:
      --------------------------------------------------------------
 
           .Administration charge (currently $10/month)
           .Face amount guarantee charge (currently 2c/1,000/month
           .Cost of insurance charge
           .If applicable: Transaction Charges
 
 
86
<PAGE>
 
   
  The indirect set of charges include the Mortality and Expense Risk charge
(from the Variable Life Account) plus the Advisory Fee and Fund Expense (from
the Advantus Series Fund). The Mortality and Expense Risk charge protects the
insurance company from the risk that total policy charges may not be adequate
to cover actual company expenses. The Series Fund charges cover the advisory
fee of the fund manager and portfolio expense for each of the portfolios.     
  For illustration purposes, we use an average of the actual Mortality and
Expense Risk Charge, Advisory Fee and Fund Expense which is 1.19%. These are
listed for each portfolio in Table B.
  Your actual cash value is determined daily, net of the charges associated
with the portfolios you have selected, so they do not appear as a direct
expense. This is reflected illustratively by an assumed net rate of return.
Consider this example: assumed gross rate of 9.00%--Average of actual expenses
total in Table B of 1.19% = assumed net rate of return of 7.81%.
 
                          TABLE B -- INDIRECT CHARGES
      ACTUAL VARIABLE LIFE SEPARATE ACCOUNT EXPENSES AND SERIES FUND FEES
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                            MORTALITY & ADVSY     FUND
         PORTFOLIO NAME      EXP RISK    FEE   +  EXP   =  TOTAL
     -----------------------------------------------------------
      <S>                   <C>         <C>   <C> <C>  <C> <C>
      Index 500                 .50     .40     + .05    =  .95
      Asset Allocation          .50     .50     + .04    = 1.04
      Bond                      .50     .50     + .06    = 1.06
      Growth                    .50     .50     + .09    = 1.09
      Money Market              .50     .50     + .10    = 1.10
      Mortgage Securities       .50     .50     + .08    = 1.08
      Capital Appreciation      .50     .75     + .10    = 1.35
      Value Stock               .50     .75     + .08    = 1.33
      Small Company             .50     .75     + .06    = 1.31
      International Stock       .50     .74     + .32    = 1.56
                                ---     ----      ----     ----
        AVERAGE                 .50     .589    + .098   = 1.19
</TABLE>    
 
 
(The average of the maximum Variable Life Separate Account and Series Fund Fees
and Expenses is 1.35%.)
 
87
<PAGE>

 
                                      
                                   LOGO     

 
                           YOUR VAL PREMIUM AT WORK
                           ------------------------
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                            YEAR 1        YEAR 2         YEAR 3         YEAR 4
                                            $4,205        $4,205         $4,205         $4,205
<S>                                         <C>        <C>            <C>            <C> 
   Variable Adjustable LIfe                            Charges From   Charges From   Charges From
   ------------------------                               Premium        Premium       Premium
   . Male, Age 40, Non-smoker               Charges
   . $250,000 Insurance Benefit              From
   . Cash Death Benefit Option              Premium
                                                            Net            Net           Net
                                                          Premium        Premium       Premium
                                              Net
                                            Premium
                                               |             |              |             |
                                               |             |              |             |
  +  Net Rate x Actual Cash Value
                                            __________________________________________________
     __________________________________                    To Actual Cash Value
       9.00%  Gross Rate                    __________________________________________________
      -1.19%  Charges from Variable Life
      ------  Account & Series Fund
       7.81%  Net Rate
     __________________________________

  -  Charges from Actual Cash Value

     __________________________
      Administration Fee
      Cost of Insurance Charge
     __________________________

  =  VAL Policy Values                      $1,014        $4,462          $8,145       $12,076
</TABLE> 
[_]  Charges taken annually from the $4,205 premium: sales load (7%), premium
     tax (2.5%) and death benefit guarantee (1.5%).
     Charges taken from the $4,205 premium in the first year only: sales load 
     (23%) and underwriting charge (up to $5 per $1,000).

  +  Net Rate reflects the Mortality & Expense Risk Charge of 0.50% is taken
     from the Variable Life Account with the Advisory Fee and Fund Expenses
     taken from the Series Fund. This rate is for illustrative purposes and is
     not an indication of future results.

88
<PAGE>
 
                                     VAL-SD
                       DEATH BENEFIT OPTION--CASH OPTION
                          MALE NONSMOKER ISSUE AGE 40
                         FEMALE NONSMOKER ISSUE AGE 40
                      INITIAL DEATH BENEFIT--$1,000,000(1)
 
                      $10,806 INITIAL SCHEDULED PREMIUM(2)
 
                             USING CURRENT CHARGES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      -ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RETURNS OF-
                 0% GROSS(3)        9.00% GROSS(3)        12.00% GROSS(3)
     INITIAL    (-1.19% NET)          (7.81% NET)          (10.81% NET)
POL   BASE    POLICY    DEATH      POLICY     DEATH      POLICY     DEATH
YR   PREMIUM  VALUE    BENEFIT     VALUE     BENEFIT     VALUE     BENEFIT
- ---  ------- -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>  <C>     <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
  1  $10,806 $    176 $1,000,000 $      210 $1,000,000 $      221 $1,000,000
  2   10,806    9,326  1,000,000     10,231  1,000,000     10,535  1,000,000
  3   10,806   18,359  1,000,000     21,026  1,000,000     21,953  1,000,000
  4   10,806   27,266  1,000,000     32,645  1,000,000     34,587  1,000,000
  5   10,806   36,048  1,000,000     45,153  1,000,000     48,568  1,000,000
  6   10,806   44,709  1,000,000     58,620  1,000,000     64,043  1,000,000
  7   10,806   53,240  1,000,000     73,112  1,000,000     81,164  1,000,000
  8   10,806   61,644  1,000,000     88,711  1,000,000    100,111  1,000,000
  9   10,806   69,913  1,000,000    105,495  1,000,000    121,074  1,000,000
 10   10,806   78,051  1,000,000    123,585  1,000,000    144,381  1,000,000
 15   10,806  117,760  1,000,000    238,372  1,000,000    304,972  1,000,000
 20   10,806  155,236  1,000,000    405,332  1,000,000    576,888  1,337,289
 25   10,806  189,936  1,000,000    652,656  1,301,661  1,031,292  2,012,929
 30   10,806  220,175  1,000,000  1,011,083  1,713,314  1,787,087  2,959,633
</TABLE>
 
(1) The initial death benefit is guaranteed to age 100.
(2) If premiums are paid more frequently than annually, the payments would be
    $5,403.00 semi-annually, $2,701.50 quarterly, or $900.50 monthly. The death
    benefits and policy values would be slightly different for a policy with
    more frequent premium payments.
(3) Assumes no policy loan has been made.
 
THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE
OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE
INVESTMENT ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER, AND PREVAILING INTEREST RATES. THE
DEATH BENEFITS AND POLICY VALUES FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE
SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 9%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD OF
YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATIONS CAN BE MADE BY MINNESOTA MUTUAL OR THE FUND THAT
THESE HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR
SUSTAINED OVER ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
 
89
<PAGE>
 
                                     VAL-SD
                       DEATH BENEFIT OPTION--CASH OPTION
                          MALE NONSMOKER ISSUE AGE 40
                         FEMALE NONSMOKER ISSUE AGE 40
                      INITIAL DEATH BENEFIT--$1,000,000(1)
 
                      $10,806 INITIAL SCHEDULED PREMIUM(2)
 
                        USING GUARANTEED MAXIMUM CHARGES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     -ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RETURNS OF-
                 0% GROSS(3)       9.00% GROSS(3)       12.00% GROSS(3)
     INITIAL    (-1.19% NET)         (7.81% NET)         (10.81% NET)
POL   BASE    POLICY    DEATH     POLICY    DEATH      POLICY     DEATH
YR   PREMIUM  VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE    BENEFIT     VALUE     BENEFIT
- ---  ------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>  <C>     <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>
  1  $10,806 $      0 $1,000,000 $     24 $1,000,000 $       33 $1,000,000
  2   10,806    8,974  1,000,000    9,844  1,000,000     10,137  1,000,000
  3   10,806   17,831  1,000,000   20,422  1,000,000     21,324  1,000,000
  4   10,806   26,565  1,000,000   31,808  1,000,000     33,701  1,000,000
  5   10,806   35,177  1,000,000   44,064  1,000,000     47,397  1,000,000
  6   10,806   43,669  1,000,000   57,259  1,000,000     62,556  1,000,000
  7   10,806   52,033  1,000,000   71,459  1,000,000     79,328  1,000,000
  8   10,806   60,272  1,000,000   86,742  1,000,000     97,887  1,000,000
  9   10,806   68,379  1,000,000  103,185  1,000,000    118,420  1,000,000
 10   10,806   76,355  1,000,000  120,881  1,000,000    141,143  1,000,000
 15   10,806  113,940  1,000,000  231,501  1,000,000    296,522  1,000,000
 20   10,806  146,577  1,000,000  390,277  1,000,000    555,880  1,290,843
 25   10,806  171,181  1,000,000  619,585  1,239,633    980,712  1,920,671
 30   10,806  179,444  1,000,000  938,066  1,598,477  1,659,058  2,763,624
</TABLE>
 
(1) The initial death benefit is guaranteed to age 100.
(2) If premiums are paid more frequently than annually, the payments would be
    $5,403.00 semi-annually, $2,701.50 quarterly, or $900.50 monthly. The death
    benefits and policy values would be slightly different for a policy with
    more frequent premium payments.
(3) Assumes no policy loan has been made.
 
THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE
OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE
INVESTMENT ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER, AND PREVAILING INTEREST RATES. THE
DEATH BENEFITS AND POLICY VALUES FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE
SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 9%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD OF
YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATIONS CAN BE MADE BY MINNESOTA MUTUAL OR THE FUND THAT
THESE HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR
SUSTAINED OVER ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
 
90
<PAGE>
 
                                                                   APPENDIX III
ILLUSTRATION OF DEATH BENEFIT CALCULATION
   
  As an example of the calculation of the death benefit under the Policy,
assume a Policy and insureds with the following characteristics: The insureds
are a male and a female, both non-smokers and both age 40 at Policy issue. The
VAL-SD Insurance Policy has a face amount of $1,000,000, with a level face
amount and a whole life plan of insurance. The Protection Option has been
chosen as the form of the death benefit option. Further, assume that 100
percent of net premiums are invested in the Variable Life Account sub-accounts,
that the gross investment rate in the Variable Life Account was 12 percent each
year and that Minnesota Mutual deducted current charges. This situation is
shown in Appendix I, "Illustrations of Policy Values, Death Benefits and
Premiums," on page 80 of this prospectus.     
  Now, further assume that the second death occurs at the end of the tenth
policy year, during which time all of the premiums have been paid. No policy
loans or withdrawals have been made under the Policy.
  Given these assumptions, the policy value (the actual cash value plus any
policy loan) on the date of the second death--composed of the Policy's interest
in one or more of the sub-accounts of the Variable Life Account--is equal to
$144,298. Under the Protection Option the death benefit will be $1,144,298.
  The total proceeds would be adjusted to include any additional insurance
provided by an additional benefit agreement and the amount payable would be
reduced by any unpaid policy charges or any policy loan.
   
  As an alternative, consider the same example, except that the Cash Option
death benefit was elected. This situation is shown in Appendix I,
"Illustrations of Policy Values, Death Benefits and Premiums," on page 80 of
this prospectus.     
  The death benefit under the Cash Option does not vary from the Policy's face
amount until the policy value exceeds the net single premium for the then
current face amount. In this example, again assuming timely payment of
premiums, no withdrawals and no policy loan activity, the policy value on the
date of the second death would be $144,381. This is a higher value than under
the Protection Option, reflecting lower mortality costs charged to the Policy
because of the level death benefit. Here, the death benefit is the current face
amount or $1,000,000.
  In determining the total proceeds payable under the Policy, the same
adjustments are made to the death benefit as described under the Protection
Option. However, under the Cash Option any premium paid beyond the end of the
policy month in which the second death occurs is also included as part of the
Policy proceeds.
 
91
<PAGE>
 
 APPENDIX IV
POLICY LOAN EXAMPLE
   
  As an example of the effect of a policy loan upon the Policy and upon the
death benefit, assume a Policy with the following characteristics: The insureds
are a male and a female, both non-smokers and both age 40 at Policy issue. The
VAL-SD Insurance Policy has a face amount of $1,000,000, with a level face
amount and a whole life plan of insurance. The Protection Option has been
chosen as the form of the death benefit. Further, assume that 100 percent of
net premiums are invested in the sub-accounts of the Variable Life Account,
that the gross investment rate in the Variable Life Account was 12 percent each
year and that Minnesota Mutual deducted current charges. This situation is
shown in Appendix I, "Illustrations of Policy Values, Death Benefits and
Premiums," on page 80 of this prospectus.     
  Now assume that the owner of the Policy takes a policy loan in the amount of
$5,000 at the end of the fourth policy year and after all premiums have been
paid for that year.
  When a loan is taken, the actual cash value invested in the Variable Life
Account is reduced by the amount borrowed and any unpaid interest. The amount
is then transferred to the loan account. Interest is charged on the policy loan
as described in the Policy, but for purposes of this example, assume a policy
loan interest rate of 8 percent per annum. Interest is also credited to a
Policy when there is a policy loan. Interest credits on a policy loan are at a
rate which is not less than the policy loan interest rate less 2 percent per
annum. The interest credit in this example would then be 6 percent.
  The following table shows the effect on the year five values, namely those
values at the end of that year, if a policy loan of $5,000 is made at the end
of the fourth year.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
     Policy Value
With Loan  Without Loan
- ---------  ------------
<S>        <C>
 $48,321     $48,562
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       End of Year
   Total Death Benefit
 With Loan   Without Loan
 ---------   ------------
 <S>         <C>
 $1,048,321   $1,048,562
</TABLE>
 
  Note that the difference in policy values here represents the difference
between the actual Policy performance in the sub-accounts of the Variable Life
Account and the interest credited on the principal amount of the policy loan.
If interest credited on a policy loan exceeds the Policy performance, then a
Policy with a loan will have a greater value than a Policy with no loan
activity. Where Policy performance exceeds the interest credited on a policy
loan, the resulting policy value will be lower than it would have been if the
loan were not made.
  Now consider an identical situation to that above except that the Cash Option
death benefit was elected. The following table shows the effect on the same
year five values if a policy loan of $5,000 is made at the end of the fourth
year.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
     Policy Value
With Loan  Without Loan
- ---------  ------------
<S>        <C>
 $48,328     $48,568
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       End of Year
   Total Death Benefit
 With Loan   Without Loan
 ---------   ------------
 <S>         <C>
 $1,000,000   $1,000,000
</TABLE>
 
  The values above under the "With Loan" headings are policy values, which is
the actual cash value of a Policy plus any policy loan. If the owner were to
surrender the Policy at the end of the fifth year, the owner would receive only
the actual cash value in the sub-accounts of the Variable Life Account.
  Similarly, if the second death were to occur at the end of the fifth year we
would pay out the death benefit listed under the "With Loan" heading less the
amount of the policy loan.
 
92
<PAGE>
 
                                                                     APPENDIX V
EXAMPLE OF SALES LOAD COMPUTATION
  As an example of the method we use to compute sales load, assume a protection
type plan where the annual base premium is $10,000 and where the premium paying
period, prior to any reduction in face amount, is 20 years. The insureds are a
male and a female, both non-smokers and both age 60 at Policy issue, with a
joint life expectancy of 25 years. As premiums are paid in each year, we will
assess a basic sales load of 7 percent or $700 in each year. Also, as premiums
are paid in the first year, we will assess a first year sales load of 23
percent or $2,300. Therefore, in the first year the sales load charges will
total $3,000 or 30 percent ($3,000 / $10,000), and over the 15 year period from
policy issue sales load charges will total $12,800 or 8.54 percent ($12,800 /
$150,000).
  Compliance with the 9 percent limitation will be achieved by reducing the
first year sales load, if necessary. For example, consider a Policy with a
protection type plan where the annual base premium is $10,000 and where the
premium paying period prior to any reduction in face amount is 20 years.
Further assume that the insureds are a male and a female, both non-smokers and
both age 80 at Policy issue, with a joint life expectancy of 9 years. In this
case, the first year sales load must be reduced so that the total sales load
will not exceed 9 percent over the joint life expectancy of the insureds. As
premiums are paid in each year we will assess the basic sales load of 7
percent, or $700, but the first year sales load applicable to premiums paid in
the first year will be reduced from 23 percent to 18 percent, or $1,800.
Therefore, in the first year the sales load charges will total $2,500 or 25
percent ($2,500 / $10,000), and over the period of the joint life expectancy of
the insureds sales load charges will total $8,100 or 9 percent ($8,100 /
$90,000).
  As an example of the method we use to assess sales load when an adjustment
occurs during a period in which a first year sales load is being collected,
consider a Policy where an adjustment is made after one-half of the first
annual premium is paid. Assume that the premium is $10,000 annually as in the
example above and further assume that the premiums are being paid on a monthly
basis, $833.33 per month. As premiums are paid in each year we will assess a
basic sales load of 7 percent of premiums received or $700 in that year. A
first year sales load, taken in addition to the basic sales load, would also be
assessed in a total amount of $2,300. Now assume an adjustment is made, after
the payment of six monthly premiums, and that the premium is increased from
$10,000 to $12,000. Both before and after the adjustment we will continue to
assess a basic sales load of 7 percent of the premiums received. However, since
only one-half of the first year sales load of $2,300 has been collected, a
first year sales load of $1,150 remains to be collected. The $2,000 increase in
premium will also be assessed a first year sales load of 23 percent, or $460.
Both are added together and will be collected in the 12 months following the
adjustment. Therefore, after the adjustment of the premium to a $12,000 amount,
and assuming that premiums continue to be paid on a monthly basis, each monthly
premium of $1,000 will be subjected to a total sales load amount of $204.17,
consisting of $70 of basic sales load, and $134.17 of first year sales load.
 
93
<PAGE>
 
 APPENDIX VI
                             AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
                          TWENTY-YEAR HOLDING PERIODS
       
       

                             [GRAPH APPEARS HERE]


<TABLE>     
<CAPTION>                                            
                    Stocks      Bonds      U.S. Treas.      Inflation
                    ------      -----      -----------      ---------
<S>                 <C>         <C>        <C>              <C> 
          1955      12.48        2.92         0.66            3.37   
          1960      14.76        2.12         1.27            3.82   
          1965      13.84        2.23         1.97            2.84   
          1970      12.10        2.09         3.13            2.35   
          1975       7.10        3.08         4.21            3.70   
          1980       8.31        3.34         5.51            5.46   
          1985       8.66        6.67         7.31            6.36   
          1990      11.15        9.01         7.66            6.26   
          1995      14.59       10.54         7.28            5.23   
          1996      14.55        9.71         7.28            5.15
</TABLE>      
                                                   

     
Ending periods from 1955-1996
Source: Stocks, Bonds, Bills and Inflation (SBBI), Encorr Software, Ibbotson
        Associates, Inc., Chicago, All rights reserved.     
   
  The above information contains the average annual rate of return over twenty-
year holding periods for common stocks (S&P 500), high grade corporate bonds,
30-day U.S. Treasury bills, and inflation (example: 1936-1955, 1941-1960,
etc.). These average rates assume reinvestment of capital gains, dividends and
interest. This is a retrospective view of performance and should in no way be
construed as a projection of future trends.     
   
  This graph shows that even though stock investments tend to be more volatile
in short time intervals historically, they have generated rates of return that
have consistently been higher than inflation. Bonds and U.S. Treasury bills
have not always kept up with inflation. The figures do not take into account
the charges associated with a Variable Adjustable Life policy, but do indicate
the potential gain of holding the assets illustrated.     
   
  Some additional concepts on the performance of stocks in relation to high
grade, long-term corporate bonds and U.S. Treasury bills over the 52 twenty-
year periods beginning in 1926 and ending in 1996 include:     
     
    The average annual return of stocks was higher than that of bonds in 49
  of the 52 periods.     
     
    The average annual return of stocks was higher than that of U.S. Treasury
  bills in all of the 52 periods.     
     
    The average annual return of stocks was higher than inflation in all of
  the 52 periods.     
   
  In the 42 thirty-year periods beginning in 1926 and ending in 1996, the
average annual return of stocks was higher than that of bonds, U.S. Treasury
bills and inflation in all 42 time periods.     
   
  From 1926 through 1996, the average annual return for this 71 year period
was:     
     
    10.7% for common stocks     
     
    5.6% for high grade, long-term corporate bonds     
    3.7% for U.S. Treasury bills
 
94
<PAGE>
 
                                                                   APPENDIX VII
                                    S&P 500
                          
                       PERFORMANCE HISTORY 1926-1996     
       

                             [GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

    
Yr. ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
26                11.62
                   37.5
                   43.6
                   -8.4
                  -24.9
                  -43.3
                   -8.2
                     54
                   -1.4
                   47.7
                   33.9
                    -35
                   31.1
                      0
40                 -9.8
                   11.6
                   20.3
                   25.9
                   19.8
                   36.4
                   -8.1
                    5.7
                    5.5
                   18.8
50                 31.7
                     24
                   18.4
                  -0.01
                   52.6
                   31.6
                    6.6
                  -10.8
                   43.4
                     12
60                    0
                   26.9
                   -8.7
                   22.8
                   16.5
                   12.5
                  -10.1
                     24
                   11.1
                   -8.5
70                    4
                   14.3
                     19
                  -14.7
                  -26.5
                   37.2
                   23.8
                   -7.2
                    6.6
                   18.4
80                 32.4
                   -4.9
                   21.4
                   22.5
                    6.3
                   32.2
                   18.5
                    5.2
                   16.8
                   31.5
                   -3.2
                   30.4
                   7.67
                   9.99
                   1.31
95                37.43
96                23.07
     
    
Source: Stocks, Bonds, Bills and Inflation (SBBI), Encorr Software, Ibbotson
      Associates, Inc., Chicago. All rights reserved.     
   
  The above chart illustrates that, in any calendar year, the rate of return
for stocks can be positive or negative. However, when viewed over the entire
period of 71 years, stocks have had a positive return in more than two out of
every three years. For the person with a long term view, the results of this
pattern have been very rewarding.     
 
95
<PAGE>
 
 APPENDIX VIII
                                RANGE OF RETURNS
         ROLLING PERIOD RETURNS USING IBBOTSON ASSET CLASS INFORMATION*
                               
                            (1960 THROUGH 1996)     
       

1 Yr Period
                     High         Low         Mean

Small Stocks         83.57       -30.9        18.5
Lg Cap Stock         37.43      -26.47          11
Corp Bonds           42.56       -8.09        7.56
Govt Bonds            29.1       -5.14         8.1
T-Bills              14.71        2.13         7.6  


5 Yr Period
                     High         Low         Mean

Small Stocks          39.8      -12.25       15.09
Lg Cap Stock          20.4       -2.36       10.66
Corp Bonds           22.51       -2.22        7.44
Govt Bonds           16.98        2.08        7.88
T-Bills              11.12        2.83        6.34  


10 Yr Period
                     High         Low         Mean

Small Stocks         30.38         3.2       14.27
Lg Cap Stock         17.59        1.24       10.33
Corp Bonds           16.32        1.68        7.57
Govt Bonds           13.13        3.48        8.03
T-Bills               9.17        3.88         6.8  


15 Yr Period
                     High         Low         Mean

Small Stocks         23.33        5.87       14.99
Lg Cap Stock         16.61        4.31       10.02
Corp Bonds           13.46        3.08        7.38
Govt Bonds           11.27        4.75        8.04
T-Bills               8.32        4.56        7.03  


20 Yr Period
                     High         Low         Mean

Small Stocks         20.33       11.47       15.59
Lg Cap Stock         14.59        6.76        10.1
Corp Bonds           10.58        3.03        7.26
Govt Bonds            9.85        4.84        7.95
T-Bills               7.72        5.09        7.03  


30 Yr Period
                     High         Low         Mean

Small Stocks          15.1       13.47        14.3
Lg Cap Stock         10.87        9.95       10.38
Corp Bonds             8.2         6.8        7.36
Govt Bonds            8.36        7.34        7.82
T-Bills               6.72        6.34         6.6  
         
Source: Ibbotson & Associates.
* Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
   
  The above chart illustrates the volatility in the rate of return for stocks,
represented by Small Cap Stocks, Large Cap Stocks (S&P 500), Corporate Bonds,
Gov't Bonds, and U.S. T-Bills for progressively longer holding periods. The
volatility is reduced as the holding period is increased from one year to just
five years. For holding periods of 10 years or longer, volatility of return is
reduced even more. These longer holding periods have produced returns that are
quite consistent, and are very attractive when compared with the returns from
U.S. Treasury bills and high-grade, long-term corporate bonds.     
   
  The strategy of reducing the year-to-year volatility in the rate of return
for stocks by lengthening the holding period can work to the advantage of a
person who buys a cash value life insurance policy like Variable Adjustable
Life, and utilizes stock sub-accounts. That's because the holding period for
such a policy typically can be extremely long--at least 10 years, and possibly
20, 30 or more years.     
 
96
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II

                               OTHER INFORMATION
<PAGE>
 
                       CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

This registration statement comprises the following papers and documents:

    The Facing Sheet.
    Cross Reference Sheet.

    Part I
        The prospectus consisting of 103 pages.      

    Part II
        Undertakings - Indemnification; previously filed.      
        Representation of Insurer Pursuant to (S)26 of the Investment Company
        Act of 1940.
       
        The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company ("Company") hereby
        represents that the fees and charges deducted under the policies issued
        pursuant to this Registration Statement, in the aggregate, are
        reasonable in relation to services rendered, the expenses expected to be
        incurred, and the risks assumed by the Company.     

   
The Signatures.
    Written consents of the following persons:
        Donald F. Gruber, Esq.
        KPMG Peat Marwick LLP  
        Jaymes G. Hubbell, F.S.A.
        Jones & Blouch L.L.P.     
    The following Exhibits:     

A. Exhibits described in Item IX(A) of Form N-8B-2.

    (1)   The indenture or agreement under the terms of which the trust was
          organized or issued securities.

          Resolution of the Board of Trustees of The Minnesota Mutual Life
          Insurance Company dated October 21, 1985; previously filed as
          Exhibit A(1) to Registrant's Form S-6, File Number 33-64395, is
          hereby incorporated by reference.      
    
    (2)   The indenture or agreement pursuant to which the proceeds of payments
          of securities are held by the custodian or trustee, if such indenture
          or agreement is not the same as the indenture or agreement referred to
          immediately above.     
                
            None.      
    
    (3)   Distributing Policies:      
    
          (a) Agreements between the trust and principal underwriter or between
              the depositor and principal underwriter.      
                   Distribution Agreement; previously filed as Exhibit A(3)(a)
                   to Registrant's Form S-6, File Number 33-64395, is hereby
                   incorporated by reference.      
   
          (b) Specimen of typical agreements between principal underwriter and
              dealers, managers, sales supervisors and salesmen.      
                   Agent and General Agent Sales Agreements; previously filed as
                   Exhibit A(3)(b) to Registrant's Form S-6, File Number 
                   33-64395, is hereby incorporated by reference.     
    
          (c) Schedules of sales commissions referred to in Item 38(c).      
                   Combined with the Exhibit listed under A.(3)(b) above.      
    
    (4)   Any agreement between the depositor, principal underwriter and the
          custodian or trustee other than indentures or agreements set forth
          above as paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) with respect to the trust or its
          securities.     
                  
              None.       
    
    (5)   The form of each type of security.      
    
          (a) Variable Adjustable Life Insurance Policy, form 95-690; previously
              filed as Exhibit A(5)(a) to Registrant's Form S-6, File Number 
              33-64395, is hereby incorporated by reference.      
          (b) Waiver of Premium Agreement, form 95-917; previously filed as
              Exhibit A(5)(b) to Registrant's Form S-6, File Number 33-64395, is
              hereby incorporated by reference.      
          (c) Estate Preservation Agreement, form 95-943; previously filed as
              Exhibit A(5)(c) to Registrant's Form S-6, File Number 33-64395, is
              hereby incorporated by reference.      
          (d) Single Life Term Insurance Agreement, form 95-944; previously
              filed as Exhibit A(5)(d) to Registrant's Form S-6, File Number 
              33-64395, is hereby incorporated by reference.      
          (e) Short Term Agreement, form F. E324.1 3-65; previously filed as
              Exhibit A(5)(a) to Registrant's Form S-6, File Number 33-64395, is
              hereby incorporated by reference.      
    
    (6)   The certificate of incorporation or other instrument of organization
          and bylaws of the depositor.     

          (a) Charter of the Depositor; previously filed on August 25, 1995, as
              this Exhibit 6(a) to Form N-4, file Number 33-62147, is hereby
              incorporated by reference.      
          (b) Bylaws of the Depositor, previously filed on August 25, 1995, as
              this Exhibit 6(b) to Form N-4, File Number 33-62147, is hereby
              incorporated by reference.      
        
    (7)   Any insurance policy under a contract between the trust and the
          insurance company or between the depositor and the insurance company,
          together with the table of insurance premiums.      
                  
              None.      
        
    (8)   Any agreement between the trust or the depositor concerning the trust
          with the issuer, depositor, principal underwriter or investment
          adviser of any underlying investment company or any affiliated person
          of such persons.     
                  
              None.      
        
    (9)   All other material contracts not entered into in the ordinary course
          of business of the trust or of the depositor concerning the trust.
              None.     
    
   (10)   Form of application for a periodic payment plan certificate.      
              
          (a) New Issue Application - Part 1, form F. 3198 Rev. 3-91; previously
              filed as Exhibit A(10)(a) to Registrant's Form S-6, File Number 
              33-64395, is hereby incorporated by reference.      
          (b) Supplement to Application - Part 1, form F. 43186V 7-95;
              previously filed as Exhibit A(10)(b) to Registrant's Form S-6,
              File Number 33-64395, is hereby incorporated by reference.     
          (c) Application - Part 3 - Authorization New Issue, form F. 42663 
              3-91; previously filed as Exhibit A(10)(c) to Registrant's Form 
              S-6, File Number 33-64395, is hereby incorporated by reference. 
          (d) Policy Change Application - Part 1, form F. 44096 2-92; previously
              filed as Exhibit A(10)(d) to Registrant's Form S-6, File Number 
              33-64395, is hereby incorporated by reference.      
          (e) Policy Change Application - Part 3, form F. 44098 2-92; previously
              filed as Exhibit A(10)(e) to Registrant's Form S-6, File Number 
              33-64395, is hereby incorporated by reference.      
          (f) Variable Suitability Application form F. 48653 8-95.      
    
B. A Specimen or Copy of Each Security Being Registered.      
        See Exhibits Listed under A.(5).      
    
C. An opinion of counsel as to the legality of the securities being registered.
        Opinion and Consent of Donald F. Gruber, Esq.      
    
D. Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.      
    
E. Opinion and Consent of Mr. Jaymes G. Hubbell, F.S.A.       
    
F. Consent of Jones & Blouch L.L.P.      
    
G. Adjustment Computation Required by Rule 6e-2(b)(13)(v)(B).      
    
        None.      
    
H. Memorandum on Administrative Procedures with Respect to Issuance, Transfer
   and Redemption, Required by Rule 6e-2(b)(12)(ii).      
                               
I. Notice of Withdrawal Right and Statement of Charges Required by Rule 6e-
   2(b)(13)(viii)(c).           
    
   (1)  Notice of Withdrawal Right and Request for Cancellation of Policy;
        previously filed as Exhibit I(1) to Registrant's Form S-6, File Number
        33-64395, is hereby incorporated by reference.      
   (2)  Notice of Withdrawal Right and Request for Cancellation of Policy
        Adjustment; previously filed as Exhibit I(2) to Registrant's Form S-6,
        File Number 33-64395, is hereby incorporated by reference.      

J. Financial Data Schedule      
       
   (1)  Growth Sub-Account.      
   (2)  Bond Sub-Account.      
   (3)  Money Market Sub-Account.      
   (4)  Asset Allocation Sub-Account.      
   (5)  Mortgage Securities Sub-Account.      
   (6)  Index 500 Sub-Account.      
   (7)  Capital Appreciation Sub-Account.      
   (8)  International Stock Sub-Account.      
   (9)  Small Company Sub-Account.      
   (10) Value Stock Sub-Account.      
    
K. The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company - Power of Attorney to Sign
   Registration Statements; previously filed as Exhibit K to Registrant's Pre-
   Effective Amendment Number 1 to Form S-6, File Number 33-64395, is hereby
   incorporated by reference.     
<PAGE>
 
                                      
                                   SIGNATURES  

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant,
Minnesota Mutual Variable Life Account, certifies that it meets all the
requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to the Registration Statement
pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused
this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
Undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Saint Paul, and State of
Minnesota, on the 23rd day of April, 1997.
                                 
                                 MINNESOTA MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT         
                                                     (Registrant)           
                                                                             
                                 By: THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                                     (Depositor)            
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                             
                                 By /s/ Robert L. Senkler                       
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                                 Robert L. Senkler              
                                         Chairman of the Board, President      
                                           and Chief Executive Officer      

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Depositor, The
Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company, certifies that it meets all the
requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to the Registration Statement
pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused
this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
Undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Saint Paul, and State of
Minnesota, on the 23rd day of April, 1997.

                                THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY 
                                 


                                 
                                 By /s/ Robert L. Senkler
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                                 Robert L. Senkler
                                         Chairman of the Board, President
                                           and Chief Executive Officer 

 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to
the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in
their capacities with the Depositor and on the date indicated.  

          
         Signature             Title                Date  
         ---------             -----                ----
 
*                          Chairman of the Board,
- -------------------------- President and Chief 
Robert L. Senkler          Executive Officer  
                          
                                                   
*                          Trustee
- --------------------------                 
Giulio Agostini                             
                                            

<PAGE>
 
          
         Signature             Title                         Date 
         ---------             -----                         ---- 

*                             Trustee               
- ---------------------------
Anthony L. Andersen

*                             Trustee
- ---------------------------
John F. Grundhofer 

*                             Trustee
- ---------------------------
Harold V. Haverty   

*                             Trustee
- ---------------------------
David S. Kidwell, Ph.D.

*                             Trustee
- ---------------------------
Reatha C. King, Ph.D.

*                             Trustee
- ---------------------------
Thomas E. Rohricht

*                             Trustee
- ---------------------------
Terry N. Saario, Ph.D.

*                             Trustee
- ---------------------------
Michael E. Shannon 

*                             Trustee
- ---------------------------
Frederick T. Weyerhaeuser

/s/ Paul H. Gooding           Vice President                 April 23, 1997
- ---------------------------   and Treasurer
Paul H. Gooding               (chief financial officer)

/s/ Gregory S. Strong         Vice President                 April 23, 1997
- ---------------------------   (chief accounting officer)                       
Gregory S. Strong

/s/ Dennis E. Prohofsky       Attorney-in-Fact               April 23, 1997
- ---------------------------   
*By Dennis E. Prohofsky                 


* Pursuant to power of attorney dated February 12, 1996, previously filed as  
Exhibit K to this Registration Statement.


<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number  Description of Exhibit
- --------------  ----------------------
    
  A(10)(f)      Variable Suitability Application, form F. 48653 8-95        

  C.            Opinion and Consent of Donald F. Gruber, Esq. 
                                                                              
  D.            Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP                              
                                                                              
  E.            Opinion and consent of Mr. Jaymes G. Hubbell, F.S.A.

  F.            Consent of Jones & Blouch L.L.P.                              
  
  H.            Memorandum on Administrative Procedures       
                with Respect to Issuance, Transfer and Redemption, Required
                by Rule 6e-2(b)(12)(ii).

 J(1)           Financial Data Schedule - Growth Sub-Account 
                                                                              
 J(2)           Financial Data Schedule - Bond Sub-Account 
                                                                              
 J(3)           Financial Data Schedule - Money Market Sub-Account 
                                                                              
 J(4)           Financial Data Schedule - Asset Allocation Sub-Account 
                                                                              
 J(5)           Financial Data Schedule - Mortgage Securities Sub-Account 
                                                                              
 J(6)           Financial Data Schedule - Index 500 Sub-Account 
                                                                              
 J(7)           Financial Data Schedule - Capital Appreciation Sub-Account 
                                                                              
 J(8)           Financial Data Schedule - International Stock Sub-Account 
                                                                              
 J(9)           Financial Data Schedule - Small Company Sub-Account 
                                                                              
 J(10)          Financial Data Schedule - Value Stock Sub-Account 
                                                                              
         

<PAGE>
 
VARIABLE ADJUSTABLE LIFE (ONLY)

INVESTMENT ALLOCATIONS/DEATH BENEFIT OPTION SELECTIONS
A. Death Benefit Option: [_] Cash     [_] Protection
B. Select Sub-Account or Guaranteed Principal Account allocation of net 
   premium:
   (Allocations must total 100%. Minimum of 10% in any sub-account, allocations 
   must be in increments of 5%.)
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
<S>                             <C>                                     <C> 
   ___% Growth                  ___% Mortgage Securities                ___% International Stock
   ___% Bond                    ___% Index 500                          ___% Small Company Fund
   ___% Money Market            ___% Capital Appreciation               ___% Value Stock Portfolio
   ___% Asset Allocation        ___% Guaranteed Principal Account       ___% Other _______________________
</TABLE> 

If submitting a non-repeating premium with different allocations than annual 
premium, please indicate sub-accounts and allocation percentages here:___% 
________________ ___% ____________________

C. INVESTMENT SUITABILITY--TO BE COMPLETED BY POLICYOWNER

NASD rules require inquiry concerning the financial condition of individuals 
applying for variable policies.  The proposed policyowner must supply such 
information so that an informed judgment may be made as to the suitability of
the investment for the policyowner.

(Note: If the proposed policyowner and the proposed insured are not the same, 
the proposed policyowner must complete questions 11-13 also.)
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
<C> <S>                                                                                         <C>      <C> 
1.  Are you an employee of Minnesota Mutual or a subsidiary?                                     [_] Yes  [_] No
2.  Are you a spouse or dependent child of an employee of Minnesota Mutual or a subsidiary?      [_] Yes  [_] No
3.  Are you an employee of an NASD firm?                                                         [_] Yes  [_] No
4.  Dependents:         [_] Spouse      [_] Children            Ages______________________________
5.  Current Approximate:  Annual Income $ ________  Assets $_______  Debt $____________ Tax Bracket _____%
6.  Other Investments:
      Savings                   $_______________                Balanced/Total Return Funds    $_______________  
      Insurance Cash Values     $_______________                Stock Funds                    $_______________  
      Real Estate               $_______________                Bond Funds                     $_______________  
      Business Interests        $_______________                Individual Stocks              $_______________  
      Retirement Funds          $_______________                Individual Bonds               $_______________  
      Other______________       $_______________        
7.  Ranking of Investment Objectives (Rank 1-5, in order of importance):
    __________  Capital Preservation/Conservative Income            __________  Growth
    __________  Current Income                                      __________  Aggressive Growth
    __________  Total Return/Conservative Growth
8.  Risk Tolerance (Check one):       [_] Low Risk      [_] Moderate Risk       [_] High Risk
9.  Did you receive the current Variable Adjustable Life and Fund Prospectus?                           [_] Yes  [_] No
10. Would you like us to send you a Statement of Additional Information referred to in the Variable
    Adjustable Life and Fund Prospectus?                                                                 [_] Yes  [_] No

Please answer the following questions if the proposed policyowner and the proposed insured are not the same.
11.  Employer_______________________________________________ Address________________________________________
Occupation____________________________________________Years Employed________________________________________
12.  Are you of legal age in the state of your mailing address?                                         [_] Yes  [_] No
13.  Face amount of life insurance in force (on the proposed policyowner) $__________________________
=======================================================================================================================
Suitability accepted by Registered Principal ________________________________________________ Date_____________________
</TABLE> 
    
   
<PAGE>
 
VARIABLE ADJUSTABLE LIFE ONLY (CONT.)

SYSTEMATIC TRANSFER (DOLLAR COST AVERAGING)

If you wish to begin a systematic transfer of funds, please complete the 
following section.

PART A: Transfer Option (Minimum transfer lesser of $250 or the account balance)

I wish to transfer: (select one of the following)

[ ]            units from the                         Account. (Units must be a 
    ----------                -----------------------
    positive whole number)

[ ] $           from the                         Account. (Must be a whole
     ----------          -----------------------
    number)


PART B: Transfer Allocation (Increments of 5%, Minimum is 10% - must total 100%)

Indicate dollar amounts only if transferring a dollar amount from Part A
I wish the amount transferred to be allocated as follows:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
DOLLAR AMOUNT or PERCENT                         DOLLAR AMOUNT or PERCENT
<S>            <C>        <C>                      <C>          <C>        <C> 
  $                     % Growth                   $                     % Capital Appreciation
   ---------   ---------                            ---------   ---------
  $                     % Bond                     $                     % Guaranteed Principal Account
   ---------   ---------                            ---------   ---------
  $                     % Money Market             $                     % International Stock 
   ---------   ---------                            ---------   ---------
  $                     % Asset Allocation         $                     % Small Company Fund  
   ---------   ---------                            ---------   ---------
  $                     % Mortgage Securities      $                     % Value Stock Portfolio
   ---------   ---------                            ---------   ---------
  $                     % Index 500                $                     % Other
   ---------   ---------                            ---------   ---------
</TABLE> 

PART C: FREQUENCY
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
I wish the transfer to occur:
<S>              <C>                <C>                    <C> 
[ ] Monthly      [ ] Quarterly      [ ] Semi-annually      [ ] Annually

PART D: TRANSFER DATE (10th or 20th only)

[ ] 10th         [ ] 20th           Starting                              (Month and Year)
                                             ----------------------------

                                    Ending                                (Month and Year)
                                             ----------------------------
</TABLE> 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


<PAGE>
 
                                                              Exhibit 99-C

    
April 1, 1997      





The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company
Minnesota Mutual Life Center
400 Robert Street North
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
    
Re:  File Number 33-64395
     Post-Effective Amendment Number 1      

Gentlepersons:
    
In my capacity as counsel for The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company (the
"Company"), I have reviewed certain legal matters relating to the Company's
Separate Account entitled Minnesota Mutual Variable Life Account (the "Account")
in connection with Post-Effective Amendment Number 1 to its Registration 
Statement on Form S-6.  This Registration Statement is to be filed by the
Company and the Account with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to certain variable life
insurance policies.      

Based upon that review, I am of the following opinion:

     1.   The Account is a separate account of the Company duly created and
          validly existing pursuant to the laws of the State of Minnesota; and

     2.   The issuance and sale of the variable life insurance policies funded
          by the Account have been duly authorized by the Company and such
          policies, when issued in accordance with and as described in the
          current Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement, and upon
          compliance with applicable local and federal laws, will be legal and
          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/ Donald F. Gruber

Donald F. Gruber
Senior Counsel

<PAGE>
 
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP Letterhead

                         Independent Auditors' Consent
                         -----------------------------

The Board of Directors
The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company and
Policy Owners of Minnesota Mutual Variable Life Account:

We consent to the use of our reports included herein and to the reference to our
Firm under the heading "EXPERTS" in Part I of the Registration Statement.

                             KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
    
Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 23, 1997      


<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 99-E


          [Letterhead of The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company]


 
April 1, 1997



The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company
400 Robert Street North
St. Paul, Minnesota  55101


Re:  Variable Adjustable Life - Second Death Policy
     Form Number 95-690


Dear Sir or Madam:

This opinion is furnished in connection with the filing of the Post-Effective
Amendment Number 1 to its Registration Statement on Form S-6 ("Registration
Statement"), which covers premiums expected to be received under Variable
Adjustable Life - Second Death Insurance Policies ("Policies") on the form
referenced above offered by The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company.  The
prospectus included in the Registration Statement describes policies which will
be offered by Minnesota Mutual, after the Amendment to the Registration
Statement is declared effective, in each state where they have been approved by
appropriate state insurance authorities.  The policy form was prepared under my
direction, and I am familiar with the Registration Statement and Exhibits
thereto.  In my opinion:

(1)  The illustrations of death benefits, policy values and accumulated premiums
     for the Policy described under the headings "Policy Values," "Death Benefit
     Options" and "Variations in Death Benefit," and fully illustrated in
     Appendix I of the prospectus entitled "Illustrations of Policy Values,
     Death Benefits and Premiums" and in Appendix II of the prospectus entitled
     "Summary of Policy Charges" and included in the Registration Statement
     ("Prospectus"), based upon the assumptions stated, are consistent with the
     provisions of the Policies. The rate structure of the Policies has not been
     designed so as to make the relationship between premiums and benefits, as
     shown in Appendix I, appear to be correspondingly more favorable to the
     prospective purchaser of a Policy for a male and a female, both age 40 than
     to prospective purchasers of Policies for a male and a female at other
     ages.

(2)  The table shown under the heading "Summary," illustrating the
     representative for maximum and minimum plans of insurance, is consistent
     with the provisions of the Policies.
<PAGE>

The Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company
April 1, 1997
Page 2
 
(3)  The description under the heading "Policy Adjustments," describing the
     effects of a Policy adjustment on an illustrated standard risk Policy, and
     illustrating adjustments on a hypothetical policy, is consistent with the
     provisions of the Policies.

(4)  The description under the subheading "Restrictions on Adjustments,"
     describing the effects of restrictions on Policy adjustments in illustrated
     situations, is consistent with the provisions of the Policies.

(5)  The description under the heading "Policy Charges," describing sales load
     computations in illustrated situations in Appendix V, is consistent with
     the provisions of the Policies.

(6)  The information with respect to the Policy contained in Appendix III,
     entitled "Illustration of Death Benefit Calculation," based upon the
     assumptions stated therein, is consistent with the provision of the
     Policies.

(7)  The information with respect to the Policy contained in Appendix IV,
     entitled "Policy Loan Example," based upon the assumptions stated therein,
     is consistent with the provisions of the Policies.

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 the
Prospectus.

Very truly yours,



/s/ Jaymes G. Hubbell, F.S.A.
Jaymes G. Hubbell, F.S.A.
Second Vice President
 and Actuary

JGH:pjh

<PAGE>
 
                                                                Exhibit 99-F

              [LETTERHEAD OF JONES & BLOUCH L.L.P. APPEARS HERE]






                                April 23, 1997    


The Minnesota Mutual Life 
  Insurance Company
400 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN  55101


Ladies and Gentlemen:
    
     We hereby consent to the reference to this firm under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the prospectus contained in Post-effective Amendment No.1 to the
registration statement on Form S-6 of Minnesota Mutual Variable Life Account,
File No. 33-64395, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.     

                                        Very truly yours,


                                        /s/ Jones & Blouch L.L.P.

                                        Jones & Blouch L.L.P.

<PAGE>
                                                                                
                                                                    Exhibit 99.H
                                                                        May 1997



                   DESCRIPTION OF THE MINNESOTA MUTUAL LIFE
                    INSURANCE COMPANY'S ISSUANCE, TRANSFER
                    AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES FOR POLICIES
                       PURSUANT TO RULE 6e-2(b)(12)(ii)


This document sets forth the administrative procedures established by The
Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company ("we", "us", "our") in connection with
the issuance of its Variable Adjustable Life Second Death insurance policy
("policy"), the transfer of assets held thereunder, and the redemption by owners
of their interests in those policies.

 I.    Procedures Relating to Issuance and Purchase of the Policies
       ------------------------------------------------------------

       Persons wishing to purchase a policy must send a completed application to
       us at our home office. The minimum face amount we will issue on a policy
       is $200,000; the annual base premium on each policy must be at least
       $600. The minimum plan of insurance at policy issue is a protection plan
       which has a level death benefit for a period of ten years. If the younger
       insured's age at original issue is over age 70, the minimum plan of
       protection will be less than ten years, as described in the table below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 Younger Insured's         Minimum Plan
                     Issue Age              (in years)
                 -----------------         ------------
<S>                                        <C>
                        71                       9
                        72                       8
                        73                       7
                        74                       6
                   75 or greater                 5
</TABLE>

       Both insureds must be between age 20 and age 85 inclusive when the policy
       is issued. Before issuing any policy, we will require evidence of
       insurability satisfactory to us on both insureds, which in some cases
       will require a medical examination. Persons whom we

                                      -1-
<PAGE>
 
     evaluate as good mortality risks are offered the most favorable premium
     rates, while a higher premium is charged to persons with a greater
     mortality risk. Acceptance of an application is subject to our underwriting
     rules and we reserve the right to reject an application for any reason.

     Guaranteed maximum cost of insurance charges will vary by the gender, age
     and risk class and smoking habits of each insured. We use the male, female
     and unisex 1980 Commissioners Standard Ordinary Mortality Tables ("1980
     CSO"), as appropriate. The unisex tables are used in circumstances where
     legal considerations require the elimination of gender-based distinctions
     in the calculation of mortality costs. Maximum cost of insurance charges
     are based on an assumption of mortality not greater than the mortality
     rates reflected in 1980 CSO Tables.

     In most cases, we intend to impose cost of insurance charges which are
     substantially lower than the maximum charges determined as described above.
     In addition to the factors governing maximum cost of insurance charges,
     actual charges will vary depending on the plan of insurance and any policy
     adjustments since issue.

     When the policy is issued, the face amount, premium, tabular cash values
     and a listing of any supplemental agreements are stated on the policy
     information pages of the policy form, page 1.

     A.   Premium Schedules and Underwriting Standards
          --------------------------------------------

          Premiums for the policies will not be the same for all owners.
          Insurance is based on the principle of pooling and distribution of
          mortality risks, which assumes that each owner pays a premium
          commensurate with the insureds' mortality risk as actuarially

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
          determined, utilizing factors such as age, gender, health and
          occupation. A uniform premium for all insureds would discriminate
          unfairly in favor of those insureds representing greater risk.
          Although there will be no uniform premium for all insureds, there will
          be a single price for all insureds in a given risk classification.

          The policies will be offered and sold pursuant to established premium
          schedules and underwriting schedules in accordance with state
          insurance laws. The prospectus specifies premiums for specified
          illustrative ages. In addition, the premiums to be paid by the owner
          of a policy will be specified in the policy.

     B.   Application and Initial Premium Processing
          ------------------------------------------

          When we receive a completed application, we will follow certain
          insurance underwriting (risk evaluation) procedures designed to
          determine whether the applicants are insurable. This process may
          involve such verification procedures as medical examinations and may
          require that further information be provided by the proposed insureds
          before a determination can be made. A policy cannot be issued, i.e.,
          physically issued through our computerized issue system, until this
          underwriting procedure has been completed.

          These processing procedures are designed to provide immediate benefits
          to the prospective owner in connection with payment of the initial
          premium and will not dilute any benefit payable to any existing owner.
          Although a policy cannot be issued until after the underwriting
          process has been completed, the proposed insureds may receive
          immediate insurance coverage, if they prove to be insurable and have
          paid the first premium and are covered under the terms of a
          conditional insurance agreement. In accordance with industry practice,
          we will establish procedures to handle errors in

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
          initial and subsequent premium payments to refund overpayments and
          collect underpayments, except for de minimis amounts. If an
          application is accompanied by a check for all or at least one-twelfth
          of the annual premium and we accept the application, the policy date
          will be the date the underwriting decision is made. The policy date is
          the date used to determine subsequent policy anniversaries and premium
          due dates. The issuance will take effect as of the policy date
          specified in the policy, except as altered by another agreement, e.g.,
          the receipt and temporary life insurance agreement. If the application
          is accompanied by a check for all or at least one-twelfth of the
          annual premium, the insureds may be covered under the terms of a
          conditional insurance agreement until the policy date. If we accept an
          application which is not accompanied by a check for the initial
          premium, the policy will be issued with a policy date which will
          normally be fifteen days after the date our underwriters approve
          issuance of the policy. The initial plan premium must be received
          within 60 days after the issue date. If the premium is not paid or if
          the application is rejected, the policy will be cancelled and any
          partial premiums paid will be returned to the applicant. In a case
          where there is no paid premium, there will be no life insurance
          coverage provided. On delivery of the policy within the 60 day period
          following issue, the applicant may obtain a policy which has a policy
          date of the date when we receive the initial plan premium. In that
          case the applicant has to indicate to us his or her intention to
          obtain such a policy. This should be done on or before the payment of
          the first premium. As a result of a requested change, policy pages
          with updated policy information and a policy date that reflects the
          date the first premium was received will be sent to the agent for
          delivery to the applicant. Under certain circumstances a policy may be
          issued where the applicant wishes to retain the original policy issue
          date. In such cases all premiums due between the issue date and the
          date of delivery must be paid on delivery in order for the original
          policy issue date to be retained.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
          The policy date, assuming the payment of the first premium, marks the
          date on which benefits begin to vary in accordance with the investment
          performance of any selected sub-accounts of the Variable Life Account.
          Premium payments may also be allocated to the guaranteed principal
          account. The policy date is also the date as of which the insurance
          ages of the proposed insureds are determined. It represents the first
          day of the policy year and therefore determines the policy anniversary
          and also the monthly dates. It also represents the commencement of the
          suicide and contestable periods for purposes of the policy.

          The owner of the policy must pay the initial premium within 60 days of
          the date of the policy. The first net premiums, namely premiums after
          the deduction of the charges assessed against premiums and
          nonrepeating premiums, are allocated to the guaranteed principal
          account or any sub-accounts of the Variable Life Account which will,
          in turn, invest in shares of the Portfolios of the Advantus Series
          Fund, Inc.

          Net premiums are allocated to the guaranteed principal account or any
          one or more of the sub-accounts as selected by the owner on the
          application for the policy. The owner may change the allocation
          instructions for future premiums by giving a written request. A change
          will not take effect until it is recorded in our home office. The
          allocation to the guaranteed principal account or any sub-account,
          expressed in whole percentages, must be at least 10 percent of the net
          premium and preferably, in increments of 5 percent. We reserve the
          right to restrict the allocation of premium. In that case, no more
          than 50 percent of the net premium may be allocated to the guaranteed
          principal account. This restriction will not apply when all of the
          premiums are being allocated to the guaranteed principal account as a
          conversion privilege.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
          We also reserve the right to delay the allocation of net premiums to
          named sub-accounts. Such a delay will be for a period of 30 days after
          issuance of a policy or policy adjustment. If this right is exercised,
          net premiums will be allocated to the money market sub-account of the
          separate account until the end of that period.

     C.   Premium Processing
          ------------------

          Twenty days before the premium due date, we will send a premium notice
          for the premium due to the owner's address on record. The amount of
          the net premium will depend upon such factors as the initial face
          amount, the plan of insurance, the age at issue, gender, risk
          classification and smoking status of each insured, and the additional
          benefits associated with the policy.

     D.   Reinstatement
          -------------

          At any time within three years from the date of lapse, the owner may
          restore the policy to a premium paying status. We will require:

          (1) the owner's written request to reinstate the policy;

          (2) that the owner submits to us at our home office during the
              lifetime of both insureds, evidence satisfactory to us of the
              insurability of both insureds so that we may have time to act on
              the evidence during the lifetime of both insureds; and

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
        (3) at our option, a premium payment which is equal to all overdue
            premiums with interest at a rate not to exceed 6 percent per annum
            compounded annually and any policy loan in effect at the end of the
            grace period following the date of default with interest at a rate
            not exceeding 8 percent per annum compounded annually.

        This reinstatement provision is designed to comply with the insurance
        laws of a number of states.

        In order to assist an owner of a lapsed policy in making a considered
        judgment as to whether to reinstate, we may calculate the amount payable
        upon reinstatement and "freeze" the amount for up to 15 days.

        The reinstatement will take effect as of the date we receive the
        required proof of insurability and the payment of the reinstatement
        amount at our home office.

        We will allocate the net premiums, namely premiums after the deduction
        of the charges assessed against premiums and nonrepeating premiums, to
        the guaranteed principal account or the sub-accounts of the Variable
        Life Account which, in turn, invest in Fund shares. The amount submitted
        by the owner is required to support the reinstated benefits.

     E. Repayment of a Policy Loan
        --------------------------

        If the policy is in force, a policy loan can be repaid in part or in
        full at any time before the second death. The loan may also be repaid
        within 60 days after the date of the second death, if we have not paid
        any of the benefits under the policy. Any loan

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
        repayment must be at least $100 unless the balance due is less than
        $100. Currently, we will waive this Minimum Loan Repayment Provision for
        loan repayments made under an automatic bank check plan if the loan
        repayment is in an amount of at least $25.

        Loan repayments are allocated to the guaranteed principal account until
        all loans from the guaranteed principal account have been repaid.

        Thereafter, loan repayments are allocated to the guaranteed principal
        account or the sub-accounts of the separate account as the owner may
        direct.

        In the absence of instructions from the owner, loan repayments will be
        allocated to the guaranteed principal account actual cash value and
        separate account actual cash value in the same proportion that those
        values bear to each other and, as to the actual cash value in the
        separate account, to each sub-account in the proportion that the actual
        cash value in such sub-account bears to the actual cash value in all of
        the owner's sub-accounts.

        Loan repayments reduce the loan account by the amount of the loan
        repayment.

II.  Transfer Among Sub-Accounts
     ---------------------------

     A separate account called the Minnesota Mutual Variable Life Account was
     established on October 21, 1985, by the Board of Trustees of Minnesota
     Mutual in accordance with certain provisions of the Minnesota insurance
     law. The Variable Life Account currently has ten sub-accounts to which
     owners may allocate premiums. Each sub-account invests in shares of a
     corresponding Portfolio of the Advantus Series Fund, Inc. (the "Fund").

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
     The amount of actual cash value to be transferred to or from a sub-account
     of the separate account or the guaranteed principal account must be at
     least $250. If the balance is less than $250, the entire actual cash value
     attributable to that sub-account or the guaranteed principal account must
     be transferred. If a transfer would reduce the actual cash value in the
     sub-account from which the transfer is to be made to less than $250 we
     reserve the right to include that remaining sub-account actual cash value
     in the amount transferred.

     The maximum amount of actual cash value to be transferred out of the
     guaranteed principal account to the sub-accounts of the separate account
     may be limited to 20 percent of the guaranteed principal account balance.
     Transfers to or from the guaranteed principal account may be limited to one
     such transfer per policy year.

     None of the foregoing restrictions will apply when all of the policy value
     is being transferred and when all of the premiums are being allocated to
     the guaranteed principal account as a conversion privilege.

     Transfers from the guaranteed principal account must be made by a written
     request. It must be received by us or postmarked in the 30-day period
     before or after the last day of the policy year. Written requests for
     transfers which meet these conditions will be effective after they are
     approved and recorded at our home office. Currently, these restrictions are
     being waived.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
III. "Redemption" Procedures:
     ------------------------

     Surrender and Related Transactions
     ----------------------------------

     A. Request for Surrender Value
        ---------------------------

        Until the second death, we will pay the surrender value of the policy to
        the owner upon written request. On surrender, the surrender value of the
        policy is the actual cash value minus unpaid policy charges which are
        assessed against the actual cash value. The determination of the
        surrender value is made as of the end of the valuation period during
        which the surrender request is received at our home office. The policy
        may be surrendered by sending the policy and a written request for its
        surrender to us. The owner may request that the surrender value be paid
        in cash or, as an alternative, the owner may request that the surrender
        value be applied on a settlement option as described in the policy or to
        provide extended term insurance.

        A partial surrender of the actual cash value of the policy is also
        permitted in any amount of $500 or more. In addition, the amount of a
        partial surrender may not exceed the amount available as a policy loan.
        With the Cash Option death benefit, if the Policy is not paid-up, the
        face amount of the policy will be reduced by the amount of the partial
        surrender. If the Policy is paid-up, the death benefit is reduced so as
        to retain the same ratio between the policy value and the death benefit
        of the Policy as existed prior to the partial surrender. With the
        Protection Option death benefit, the face amount of the Policy is not
        changed by the amount of the partial surrender. However, if the Policy
        is not paid-up, the death benefit of the Policy is reduced by the amount
        of the partial surrender; if the Policy is paid-up, the death benefit of
        the

                                     -10-
<PAGE>
 
        Policy is reduced so as to retain the ratio between the policy value
        and the death benefit of the Policy as existed prior to the partial
        surrender.

        On a partial surrender, the owner may tell us which sub-accounts of the
        actual cash value of the policy should be reduced or whether it is to be
        taken in whole or in part from the guaranteed principal account.  If the
        owner does not, partial surrenders will be deducted from the guaranteed
        principal account actual cash value and separate account actual cash
        value in the same proportion that those values bear to each other and,
        as to the actual cash value in the separate account, from each sub-
        account in the proportion that the actual cash value in such sub-account
        bears to the actual cash value in all of the sub-accounts.

        Payment of a surrender or a partial surrender will be made as soon as
        possible, but not later than seven days after we receive a completed
        written request for surrender.  However, if any portion of the actual
        cash value to be surrendered is attributable to a premium or
        nonrepeating premium payment made by non-guaranteed funds such as a
        personal check, we will delay mailing that portion of the surrender
        proceeds until we have reasonable assurance that the payment has cleared
        and that good payment has been collected.  The amount the owner receives
        on the surrender may be more or less than the total of premiums paid to
        the policy.

     B. Death Claims
        ------------

        We will pay a death benefit to the beneficiary within seven days after
        receipt at our home office of due proof of the second death and on
        completion of all other requirements necessary to make payment.  In
        addition, payment of the death benefit is subject to the provisions of
        the policy regarding suicide and incontestability.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
        The death benefit provided by the policy depends upon the death benefit
        option chosen by the owner.  The owner may choose one of two available
        death benefit options -- the Cash Option or the Protection Option.  If
        the owner fails to make an election, the Cash Option will be in effect.
        The scheduled premium for a policy is the same no matter which death
        benefit option is chosen.

        Under the Cash Option, the death benefit will be the current face amount
        at the time of the second death.  The death benefit will not vary unless
        the policy value exceeds the net single premium for the current face
        amount.

        Under the Protection Option, the death benefit will vary and will be the
        policy value, plus the larger of:

        (1)  the then current face amount; and

        (2)  the amount of insurance which could be purchased using the policy
             value as a net single premium.

        The Protection Option is only available until the policy anniversary
        nearest the younger insured's age 70.  At the policy anniversary nearest
        the younger insured's age 70, the Protection Option death benefit is
        automatically converted to the Cash Option death benefit.  At that time,
        we will automatically adjust the policy, and adjust the face amount to
        equal the death benefit immediately preceding the adjustment.

        As noted, the death benefit under the Cash Option does not vary from the
        policy's face amount until the policy value exceeds the net single
        premium for the current face 

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
        amount. Once paid-up, the death benefit under the Cash Option is the
        greater of the face amount of the policy when it became paid-up or the
        amount of insurance which could be purchased at the date of the second
        death by using the policy value as a net single premium based upon the
        policy assumptions. The two assumptions we use in computing the
        additional amount of insurance are an interest rate assumption of 4
        percent per year and an assumption of mortality based upon the 1980
        Commissioners Standard Ordinary Mortality Tables.

        A policy is paid-up when no additional premiums are required to provide
        the face amount of insurance.  We may or may not accept additional
        premiums.  When a policy becomes paid-up, the policy value will then
        equal or exceed the net single premium needed to purchase an amount of
        insurance equal to the face amount of the policy.  However, its actual
        cash value will continue to vary daily to reflect the investment
        experience of the Variable Life Account and any interest credited as a
        result of a policy loan.  Once a policy becomes paid-up, it will always
        retain its paid-up status regardless of any subsequent decrease in its
        policy value.  However, on a paid-up policy with indebtedness, where the
        actual cash value decreases to zero, a loan repayment may be required to
        keep the policy in force.

        The owner may elect to have the death benefit option changed while the
        policy is in force by filing a written request at our home office.  We
        may require that the owner provide satisfactory evidence of the
        insurability of both insureds before a change to the Protection Option
        is made.  The change will take effect when it is approved and recorded
        in our home office.

        The amount payable as death proceeds upon the second death will be the
        death benefit provided by the policy, plus any additional insurance
        provided by an 

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
        additional benefit agreement, if any, minus any policy charges and minus
        any policy loans. In addition, if the Cash Option death benefit is in
        effect at the second death we will pay to the beneficiary any part of a
        paid premium that covers the period from the end of the policy month in
        which the second death occurs to the date to which premiums are paid.

        The death benefit is determined on each monthly policy anniversary and
        as of the date of the second death.

        Interest on single sum death proceeds will be paid from the date of the
        second death until the date of payment.  Interest will be at an annual
        rate we determine, but never less than 3 percent.

        Proceeds of the policy may be paid in other than a single sum.  The
        owner, before the second death, may request that the proceeds be paid
        under one of the policy settlement options as described in the policy.
        We may also use any other method of payment that is agreeable both to
        the owner and it.  A settlement option may be selected only if the
        payments are to be made to a natural person in that person's own right.
        Each settlement option is payable in fixed amounts as described in the
        policy.  The payments do not vary with the investment performance of the
        Variable Life Account.

     C. Default and Options on Lapse
        ----------------------------

        A policy may lapse in one of two ways:  (1) if a scheduled premium is
        not paid, or (2) if there is no actual cash value when there is a policy
        loan.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
        As a scheduled premium policy, the policy will lapse if a premium is not
        paid on or before the date it is due or within the 31-day grace period
        provided by the policy. The owner may pay that premium during the 31-day
        period immediately following the premium due date. The premium payment,
        however, must be received in our home office within the 31-day grace
        period. The insurance will continue during this 31-day period. If the
        second death occurs during the 31-day grace period, we will deduct a
        premium for the 31-day grace period from the death proceeds.

        If a policy covers an insured in a sub-standard risk class, the portion
        of the scheduled premium equal to the charge for such risk will continue
        to be payable notwithstanding the adjustment to a stop premium mode. As
        with any scheduled premium, failure to pay the premium for the sub-
        standard risk within the grace period provided will cause the policy to
        lapse.

        If scheduled premiums are paid on or before the dates they are due or
        within the grace period, absent any policy loans, the policy will remain
        in force even if the investment results of the sub-accounts have been so
        unfavorable that the actual cash value has decreased to zero. However,
        should the actual cash value decrease to zero while there is an
        outstanding policy loan the policy will lapse, even if the policy was
        paid-up and all scheduled premiums have been paid.

        If the policy lapses because not all scheduled premiums have been paid
        or if a policy with a policy loan has no actual cash value, we will send
        the owner a notice of default that will indicate the payment required to
        keep the policy in force on a premium paying basis. If the payment is
        not received within 31 days after the date of mailing the notice of
        default, the policy will terminate or the nonforfeiture benefits will
        apply.

                                     -15-
<PAGE>
 
        If at the time of any lapse a policy has a surrender value, that is, an
        amount remaining after subtracting from the actual cash value all unpaid
        policy charges, it will be used to purchase extended term insurance. As
        an alternative to the extended term insurance, the owner may have the
        surrender value paid to the owner in a single sum payment, thereby
        terminating the policy. Unless the owner requests a single sum payment
        of the surrender value within 62 days of the date of the first unpaid
        premium, it will be applied to purchase extended term insurance payable
        at the second death.

        The duration of the extended term benefit is determined by applying the
        surrender value of the policy as of the end of the grace period as a net
        single premium to buy fixed benefit term insurance. The extended term
        benefit is not provided through the Variable Life Account and the death
        benefit will not vary during the extended term insurance period. The
        amount of this insurance will be equal to the face amount of the policy,
        less the amount of any policy loans at the date of lapse. During the
        extended term period a policy has a surrender value equal to the reserve
        for the insurance coverage for the remaining extended term period. At
        the end of the extended term period all insurance provided by the policy
        will terminate and the policy will have no further value. 

       D. Loans
          -----

        The policy provides that an owner may make a loan at anytime a loan
        value is available. The owner may borrow from us using only the policy
        as the security for the loan. The total amount of the loan may not
        exceed 90 percent of the policy value. The policy value is the actual
        cash value of the policy plus any policy loan. Any policy loan paid to
        the owner in cash must be in an amount of at least $100.

                                     -16-
<PAGE>
 
        Policy loans in smaller amounts are allowed under the automatic premium
        loan provision. Interest will be charged on the loan in arrears. At the
        owner's request we will send a loan request form for the signature of
        the owner. The policy value will be determined as of the date the
        owner's written request is received at our home office.

        When a loan is taken, the actual cash value will be reduced by the
        amount borrowed and any unpaid interest. Unless the owner directs
        otherwise, the policy loan will be taken from a policy's guaranteed
        principal account actual cash value and separate account actual cash
        value in the same proportion that those values bear to each other and,
        as to the actual cash value in the separate account, from each sub-
        account in the proportion that the actual cash value in such sub-account
        bears to the policy's actual cash value in all of the sub-accounts.

        The number of units to be cancelled will be based upon the value of the
        units as of the end of the valuation period during which we receive the
        loan request at our home office. This amount shall be transferred to our
        general account. It will continue to be part of the policy in the
        general account.

        The actual cash value of a policy may decrease between premium due
        dates. If a policy has indebtedness and no actual cash value, the policy
        will lapse. In this event, to keep a policy in force, the owner will
        have to make a loan repayment. We will give the owner notice of our
        intent to terminate the policy and notice of the amount of the loan
        repayment required to keep the policy in force. The time for repayment
        will be within 31 days after our mailing of the notice.

                                     -17-
<PAGE>
 
        The interest rate on a policy loan will not be more than the rate shown
        on page 1 of the policy. The interest rate charged on a policy loan will
        not be more than that permitted in the state in which the policy is
        delivered.

        Policy loan interest is due on the date of the second death, on a policy
        adjustment, surrender, lapse, a policy loan transaction and on each
        policy anniversary. If the owner does not pay the interest on the loan
        in cash, the policy loan will be increased and the actual cash value
        will be reduced by the amount of the unpaid interest. The new loan will
        be subject to the same rate of interest as the loan in effect.

        Interest is also credited to the policy when there is a policy loan.
        Interest credits on a policy loan shall be at a rate which is not less
        than the policy loan interest rate minus 2 percent per annum. Policy
        loan interest credits are allocated to the actual cash value as of the
        date of the second death, on a policy adjustment, surrender, lapse, a
        policy loan transaction and on each policy anniversary. Policy loan
        interest credits are allocated to the guaranteed principal account and
        separate account following the owner's instructions. We will use the
        instructions for the allocation of net premiums. In the absence of such
        instructions, this amount will be allocated to the guaranteed principal
        account actual cash value and separate account actual cash value in the
        same proportion that those values bear to each other and, as to the
        actual cash value in the separate account, to each sub-account in the
        proportion that the actual cash value in such sub-account bears to the
        policy's actual cash value in all of the sub-accounts.

        Policy loans may also be used as automatic premium loans to keep a
        policy in force. If the owner has asked for this service in the
        application, or if the owner writes and asks for this service after the
        policy has been issued, we will make automatic

                                     -18-
<PAGE>
 
        premium loans. The owner can also write at any time and ask to delete
        this service. If the owner has this service and has not paid the premium
        due that is due before the end of the grace period, a policy loan will
        be made to pay the premium. Interest on such a policy loan is charged
        from the date the premium was due. However, in order for an automatic
        premium loan to occur, the amount available for a loan must be enough to
        pay at least a quarterly premium. If the loan value is not enough to pay
        at least a quarterly premium, the policy will lapse.

        A policy loan has no immediate effect on policy value since at the time
        of the loan the policy value is the sum of the actual cash value and any
        policy loan.

        A policy loan, whether or not it is repaid, will have a permanent effect
        on the policy value because the investment results of the sub-accounts
        of the Variable Life Account will apply only to the amount remaining in
        the sub-accounts. The effect could be either positive or negative. If
        net investment results of the sub-accounts of the Variable Life Account
        are greater than the amount being credited on the loan, the policy value
        will not increase as rapidly as it would have if no loan had been made.
        If investment results of the sub-accounts are less than the amount being
        credited on the loan, the policy value will be greater than if no loan
        had been made.

        The guaranteed minimum death benefit is not affected by a policy loan if
        premiums are duly paid. However, on settlement, the amount of any policy
        loan is subtracted from the insurance amount.

                                     -19-

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
 
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   <NUMBER> 2
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
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   <NUMBER> 3
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
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</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 6
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   <NAME> MIMLIC INDEX 500 SUB-ACCOUNT
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 6
<RESTATED> 
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 7
   <NAME> MIMLIC CAPITAL APPRECIATION SUB-ACCOUNT
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> US
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 6
<RESTATED> 
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 8
   <NAME> MIMLIC INTERNATIONAL STOCK SUB-ACCOUNT
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> US
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
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<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 6
<RESTATED> 
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 9
   <NAME> MIMLIC SMALL COMPANY SUB-ACCOUNT
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> US
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 6
<RESTATED> 
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 10
   <NAME> MIMLIC VALUE STOCK SUB-ACCOUNT
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> US
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
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</TABLE>


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