<PAGE>
PAGE 1
February 20, 1996
Securities and Exchange Commission
Attn: Filing Desk, Stop 1-4
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549-1004
RE: Rule 24f-2 Notice for
IDS Life Variable Account for Smith Barney
SEC File No. 33-5210/811-4652
Gentlemen:
[i] In accordance with the provisions of Rule 24f-2, IDS Life
Variable Account for Smith Barney hereby files its Rule 24f-2
Notice for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 ("Fiscal
Year").
[ii] Amount of securities registered other
than under 24f-2 which were unsold at
the beginning of the fiscal year. $ 0
[iii] Amount of securities registered during
the fiscal year other than under 24f-2.** $ 0
[iv] Amount of securities sold during the
fiscal year. $<2,375,000>*
[v] Amount of securities sold pursuant to 24f-2. $<2,375,000>
[vi] Fee $<2,375,000> / 2900 equals $ 0
* Sales of $2,518,000 minus redemptions of $4,893,000
Enclosed please find an opinion of counsel.
If there are any questions, please contact the undersigned.
Very truly yours,
IDS LIFE VARIABLE ACCOUNT FOR SMITH BARNEY
Mary Ellyn Minenko
Counsel
(612) 671-3678
MEM/HSB/rdh
Enclosures<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
(b) (10) OPINION OF COUNSEL
<PAGE>
PAGE 1
February 20, 1996
IDS Life Insurance Company
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Registration Statement of IDS Life
Variable Account for Smith Barney on Form S-6 (File No. 33-5210)
under the Securities Act of 1933 which became effective October 10,
1986 registering an indefinite amount of securities pursuant to
Rule 24f-2 adopted under The Investment Company Act of 1940. In
connection with the Rule 24f-2 Notice for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995, I have made such examination of matter of fact
and law as I have deemed appropriate, and am of the opinion that:
1) IDS Life Variable Account for Smith Barney is a validly
organized and existing separate account of IDS Life
Insurance Company duly authorized, as a unit investment
trust, with the authority to issue and sell the
securities registered, and
2) The securities issued, being variable life insurance
policies, were legally issued, non-assessable and require
no further payment by the purchaser.
I hereby consent that the foregoing opinion may be used in
connection with the Rule 24f-2 Notice.
Sincerely,
Mary Ellyn Minenko
Attorney at Law
(612) 671-3678
MEM/HSB/rdh
