PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT I
485BPOS, 1996-04-29
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<PAGE>
 
    
     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 1996     

                                                       Registration No. 33-87276
                                                                                
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                           --------------------------

                                    FORM S-6

               FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                    OF SECURITIES OF UNIT INVESTMENT TRUSTS
                           REGISTERED ON FORM N-8B-2
                           --------------------------
    
                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1     
                           --------------------------

                      PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT I
                             (Exact name of trust)
    
                     THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY     
                              (Name of depositor)
                                600 Dresher Road
                          Horsham, Pennsylvania  19044
         (Complete address of depositor's principal executive offices)
                           --------------------------
    
                               Richard J. Liburdi
                Senior Vice President, Insurance and Life Sales     
                     The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
    
                                600 Dresher Road
                               Horsham, PA 19044     
                (Name and complete address of agent for service)
                           --------------------------
                                    Copy to:
    
                             Richard W. Grant, Esq.
                                C. Ronald Rubley
                          Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
                          Philadelphia, PA  19103-6993     
                           --------------------------
    
     It is proposed that this filing will become effective:     
    
     [ ]  Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485.
          [X]  On April 30, 1996 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485.
          [ ]  60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485.
          [ ]  On _________________ pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485.     
    
     Securities Being Offered -- Individual Variable Life Insurance Contracts.
Pursuant to Rule 24f-2 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the
Registrant has registered an indefinite amount of the securities being offered.
Pursuant to Rule 24f-2 the Registrant filed a Rule 24f-2 Notice on February 29,
1996 to register securities sold during the year ended December 31, 1995.     

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                      PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT I
                     THE PENN 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
3              Not applicable
4              Sale of the Policies
5              Penn Mutual Variable Life Account I
6              Penn Mutual Variable Life Account I
7              Not applicable
8              Not applicable
9              Litigation
10             Summary and Diagram of the Policy; Premiums and Allocations; Cash
               Benefits; Other Policy Benefits and Provisions; Substitution of
               Securities; Voting Rights
11             The Funds
12             The Funds
13             Charges and Deductions
14             Premiums and Allocations
15             Crediting Premiums
16             The Funds
17             Surrendering the Policy for Net Cash Surrender Value; Partial
               Surrenders; When Proceeds Are Paid
18             Penn Mutual Variable Life Account I
19             Reports to Policy Owners
20             Changes in the Policy or Benefits
21             Policy Loans
22             Not applicable
23             Not applicable
24             Not applicable
25             The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
26             Charges and Deductions
27             The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
28             The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company; Penn Mutual Trustees and
               Officers
29             Not applicable
30             Not applicable
31             Not applicable
32             Not applicable
33             Not applicable
34             Not applicable
<PAGE>
 
35             The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company; Premiums and Allocations
36             Not applicable
37             Not applicable
38             Sale of the Policies
39             Sale of the Policies
40             Sale of the Policies
41             Not applicable
42             Not applicable
43             Not applicable
44             Determining the Policy Value; The Funds
45             Not applicable
46             Determining the Policy Value; The Funds
47             Penn Mutual Variable Life Account I; The Funds
48             The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
49             Not applicable
50             Not applicable
51             Premiums and Allocations; Death Benefits and Changes in Specified
               Amount; Sale of the Policies
52             Substitution of Securities
53             Tax Considerations
54             Not applicable
55             Illustrations of Policy Values, Net Cash Surrender Values, Death
               Benefits and Accumulated Premiums
56             Not applicable
57             Not applicable
58             Not applicable
59             Financial Statements
<PAGE>
 
PROSPECTUS -- MAY 1, 1996
LAST SURVIVOR FLEXIBLE PREMIUM ADJUSTABLE VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT I
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
INDEPENDENCE SQUARE . PHILADELPHIA, PA 19172 . TELEPHONE (215) 956-8000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This prospectus describes a last survivor flexible premium adjustable variable
life insurance policy (the "Policy" or "Policies") offered by The Penn Mutual
Life Insurance Company ("Penn Mutual"). The Policy is designed to provide
lifetime insurance protection on two insureds named in the Policy and at the
same time provide flexibility to vary the amount and timing of premiums and to
change the amount of death benefits payable under the Policy on the death of
the last surviving insured. This flexibility allows you to provide for changing
insurance needs under a single insurance policy.
  You also have the opportunity to allocate net premiums and Policy Value to
one or more subaccounts of the Penn Mutual Variable Life Account I (the
"Separate Account") and Penn Mutual's general account (the "Fixed Account"),
within limits. The assets of each subaccount are invested in a corresponding
fund (each, a "Fund," and together, the "Funds") of Penn Series Funds, Inc.
("Penn Series"), Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust ("AMT"), TCI
Portfolios, Inc. ("TCI Portfolios"), Variable Insurance Products Fund ("VIP
Fund") or Variable Insurance Products Fund II ("VIP Fund II"). Each Fund is
managed by the investment adviser shown below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUNDS                     MANAGERS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN SERIES
<S>                       <C>
  Growth Equity Fund      Independence Capital Management, Inc.
                          (a subsidiary of Penn Mutual)
  Value Equity Fund       OpCap Advisors (a subsidiary of Oppenheimer Capital)
  Flexibly Managed Fund   T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
  Small Capitalization
   Fund                   OpCap Advisors
  International Equity
   Fund                   Vontobel USA Inc.
  Quality Bond Fund       Independence Capital Management, Inc.
  High Yield Bond Fund    T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
  Money Market Fund       Independence Capital Management, Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMT
  Limited Maturity Bond
   Portfolio              Neuberger & Berman Management, Inc.
  Balanced Portfolio      Neuberger & Berman Management, Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCI PORTFOLIOS
  TCI Growth Portfolio    Investors Research Corporation
                          (a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Companies, Inc.)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP FUND
  Equity-Income Portfolio Fidelity Management & Research Company
  Growth Portfolio        Fidelity Management & Research Company
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIP FUND II
  Asset Manager Portfolio Fidelity Management & Research Company
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying prospectuses for the Funds describe the Funds, including the
risks of investing in the Funds, and provide other information on the Funds.
This prospectus generally describes only those features of the Policy related
to the Separate Account. For a brief summary of the Fixed Account, see "The
Fixed Account," page 14.
  You can select from two death benefit options available under the Policy: a
level death benefit ("Specified Amount" or "Option 1") and an increasing death
benefit ("Specified Amount Plus Policy Value" or "Option 2"). Penn Mutual
guarantees that the death benefit will never be less than the Specified Amount
(less any unrepaid policy loans and past due charges) so long as the Policy is
in force.
  The Policy provides for a net cash surrender value that can be obtained by
surrendering the Policy. Because this value is based on the performance of the
Funds, to the extent of allocations to the Separate Account, there is no
guaranteed net cash surrender value.
  If the net cash surrender value is insufficient to cover the charges due
under the Policy, the Policy will lapse without value. However, Penn Mutual
guarantees to keep the Policy in force during the first five policy years so
long as the No-Lapse Premium requirement and other conditions have been met.
The Policy also provides for policy loans and permits partial surrenders within
limits.
  It may not be advantageous to replace existing insurance with the Policy.
Within certain limits, you may return the Policy or convert it to a life
insurance policy with benefits that do not vary with the investment results of
a separate account.
   
  THIS PROSPECTUS SETS FORTH CONCISELY THE INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE
DECIDING TO PURCHASE A POLICY. IT SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. THIS
PROSPECTUS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED OR PRECEDED BY A CURRENT PROSPECTUS FOR EACH
FUND. THE FUND PROSPECTUSES SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS PROSPECTUS.
       
  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.
    
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROSPECTUS CONTENTS
<TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS........................................................   4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY AND DIAGRAM OF THE POLICY...........................................   5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT PENN MUTUAL, THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT AND THE FUNDS...   8
  The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company....................................   8
  Penn Mutual Variable Life Account I ......................................   8
  The Funds.................................................................   8
  Substitution of Securities................................................  10
  Voting Rights.............................................................  10
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PREMIUMS AND ALLOCATIONS....................................................  11
  Applying for a Policy.....................................................  11
  Free Look Right to Cancel Policy..........................................  11
  Premiums..................................................................  11
  Premiums to Prevent Lapse.................................................  12
  Net Premium Allocations...................................................  12
  Crediting Premiums........................................................  12
  Transfers.................................................................  12
  Dollar Cost Averaging Program.............................................  13
  Asset Rebalancing.........................................................  13
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIXED ACCOUNT...............................................................  14
  Fixed Account.............................................................  14
  Interest Credited on Policy Value in the Fixed Account....................  14
  Calculating Fixed Account Value...........................................  14
  Deductions, Surrenders and Transfers from the Fixed Account...............  14
  Payments from the Fixed Account...........................................  15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS......................................................  15
  Premium Charge............................................................  15
  Daily Mortality and Expense Risk Charge...................................  15
  Monthly Deduction.........................................................  15
  Transfer Charge...........................................................  16
  Surrender Charge..........................................................  17
  Partial Surrender Charge..................................................  17
  Fund Expenses.............................................................  18
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW YOUR POLICY VALUES VARY.................................................  18
  Determining the Policy Value..............................................  18
  Net Policy Value..........................................................  18
  Cash Surrender Value......................................................  19
  Net Cash Surrender Value..................................................  19
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEATH BENEFIT AND CHANGES IN SPECIFIED AMOUNT...............................  19
  Amount of Death Benefit...................................................  19
  Basic Death Benefit and Specified Amount Options..........................  19
  Specified Amount..........................................................  19
  Changes in Specified Amount Option........................................  20
  Changes in Specified Amount...............................................  20
  Selecting and Changing the Beneficiary....................................  20
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH BENEFITS...............................................................  20
  Policy Loans..............................................................  20
  Surrendering the Policy for Net Cash Surrender Value......................  21
  Partial Surrenders........................................................  21
  Maturity Benefit..........................................................  22
  Payment Options...........................................................  22
</TABLE>
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                         <C>
ILLUSTRATIONS OF POLICY VALUES, NET CASH SURRENDER VALUES, DEATH BENEFITS
AND ACCUMULATED PREMIUMS...................................................  22
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER POLICY BENEFITS AND PROVISIONS.......................................  25
  Right to Convert to a Fixed Benefit Policy...............................  25
  Dividends................................................................  25
  Incontestability.........................................................  25
  Suicide Exclusion........................................................  25
  Misstatement of Age or Sex...............................................  25
  When Proceeds Are Paid...................................................  25
  Reports to Policy Owners.................................................  25
  Assignment...............................................................  26
  Reinstatement............................................................  26
  Supplemental Benefits....................................................  26
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS..........................................  26
  Introduction.............................................................  26
  Tax Status of the Policy.................................................  27
  Tax Treatment of Policy Benefits.........................................  27
  Charge for Penn Mutual's Taxes...........................................  29
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLICIES AND PENN MUTUAL.......................  29
  Sale of the Policies.....................................................  29
  Penn Mutual Trustees and Officers........................................  30
  State Regulation.........................................................  31
  Additional Information...................................................  32
  Experts..................................................................  32
  Litigation...............................................................  32
  Legal Matters............................................................  32
  Financial Statements.....................................................  32
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDICES
  A--Minimum Initial Annual Premiums....................................... A-1
  B--Administrative Surrender Charges per $1,000 of Initial Specified
    Amount and Sample Surrender Charge Premiums for $1,000,000 Specified
    Amount................................................................. B-1
  C--Illustrative Net Single Premium Factors............................... C-1
  D--Policies Issued to New York Residents................................. D-1
</TABLE>    
 
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT BE LAWFULLY MADE. NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN
THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUSES OF THE FUNDS OR THEIR
RESPECTIVE STATEMENTS OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
 
  ATTAINED AGE: An Insured's age on the Policy Date, plus the number of full
  years since the Policy Date.
  BASIC DEATH BENEFIT: Specified Amount or Specified Amount Plus Policy Val-
  ue, depending on the option selected. See page 19.
  BENEFICIARY: The person to whom the Death Benefit is paid.
  CASH SURRENDER VALUE: Policy Value less any surrender charges that would be
  deducted if the Policy were surrendered. See page 19.
  DEATH BENEFIT: The amount of money payable to the Beneficiary upon the
  death of the last surviving Insured if the Policy is then still in force.
  The calculation of the Death Benefit is described on page 19.
  FIXED ACCOUNT: An account consisting of assets owned by Penn Mutual with
  respect to the Policies, other than those in the Separate Account.
  INDEBTEDNESS: The total amount owed Penn Mutual as a result of Policy
  loans, including both principal and accrued interest.
  INITIAL SPECIFIED AMOUNT: The Specified Amount on the Policy Date.
  INSURED: A person whose life is covered by the Policy.
  ISSUE DATE: The date the Policy is issued. A Policy is issued after comple-
  tion of underwriting. If the initial premium is received at our Office and
  invested before underwriting has been completed, the Issue Date will be
  later than the Policy Date. In that case, once issued, Policy coverage is
  retroactive to the Policy Date. The Issue Date is used to measure contest-
  ability periods. See page 25.
  MATURITY DATE: The Policy Anniversary nearest the younger Insured's 100th
  birthday.
  MONTHLY ANNIVERSARY: The same day as the Policy Date for each succeeding
  month, except that, if the Policy Date is the 29th, 30th or 31st of a
  month, the Monthly Anniversary is deemed to be the first of the following
  month. The Monthly Deduction is deducted on each Monthly Anniversary.
  NET CASH SURRENDER VALUE: Net Policy Value less any applicable surrender
  charge that would be deducted upon surrender. See page 16.
  NET POLICY VALUE: Policy Value less any Indebtedness.
  NET PREMIUM: A premium minus the premium charge. See page 15.
  NO-LAPSE PREMIUM: An amount used to measure premiums paid during the first
  five Policy Years for purposes of the Five-Year Guarantee. See page 11.
  OFFICE: Operations Offices, 600 Dresher Road, Horsham, PA 19044
  OWNER, YOU: The person who purchases a Policy.
  PENN MUTUAL, WE, US: The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company.
  POLICY ANNIVERSARY: An anniversary of the Policy Date.
  POLICY DATE: The first date as of which we have received an application and
  initial premium in good order. If a Policy is issued, insurance coverage is
  effective as of the Policy Date.
  POLICY LOAN ACCOUNT: A portion of the Policy Value held in the Fixed Ac-
  count as collateral for policy loans. See page 20.
  POLICY VALUE: The total amount in the Fixed Account and Subaccounts cred-
  ited to a Policy. Calculation of the Policy Value is described on page 18.
  POLICY YEAR: The year commencing with the Policy Date and ending on the day
  before the first Policy Anniversary, or any following year commencing with
  a Policy Anniversary and ending on the day before the next Policy Anniver-
  sary.
  SEPARATE ACCOUNT: Penn Mutual Variable Life Account I, a separate invest-
  ment account of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company.
  SPECIFIED AMOUNT: A dollar amount used to determine the death benefit under
  a Policy. See page 19.
  SUBACCOUNT: A division of the Separate Account established to invest in a
  particular Fund and available for investment under the Policies.
  SURRENDER CHARGE PREMIUM: An amount used to determine the sales charge de-
  ducted on surrender of the Policy. See page 17 and Appendix B.
  VALUATION DATE: Each day the New York Stock Exchange and our Office are
  open for business.
  VALUATION PERIOD: A period commencing with the close of business on the New
  York Stock Exchange and ending at the close of business on the New York
  Stock Exchange for the next succeeding Valuation Date.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY AND DIAGRAM OF THE POLICY
 
THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY OF PROSPECTUS INFORMATION AND DIAGRAM OF THE POLICY
SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DETAILED INFORMATION APPEARING ELSEWHERE
IN THIS PROSPECTUS. UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THE DESCRIPTION OF THE POLICY
IN THIS PROSPECTUS ASSUMES THAT THE POLICY IS IN FORCE AND THERE IS NO
OUTSTANDING INDEBTEDNESS.
 
  The Policy is similar in many ways to fixed-benefit life insurance. As with
fixed-benefit life insurance, the Owner of a Policy pays premiums for insurance
coverage on the persons insured. Also like fixed-benefit life insurance, the
Policy provides for accumulation of Net Premiums and a Net Cash Surrender Value
which is payable if the Policy is surrendered during an Insured's lifetime. As
with fixed-benefit life insurance, the Net Cash Surrender Value during the
early Policy Years is likely to be substantially lower than the premiums paid.
  However, the Policy differs from fixed-benefit life insurance in several
important respects. Unlike fixed-benefit life insurance, the Death Benefit of a
Policy may and Policy Value will increase or decrease to reflect the investment
performance of the Subaccounts to which the Policy Value is allocated. Also,
there is no guaranteed minimum Net Cash Surrender Value. Nonetheless, Penn
Mutual guarantees to keep the Policy in force during the first five Policy
Years so long as the No-Lapse Premium requirement has been met and Indebtedness
is not excessive. See "Five-Year Guarantee," page 11. Otherwise, if the Net
Cash Surrender Value is insufficient to pay charges due, the Policy will lapse
without value after a grace period. See "Premiums to Prevent Lapse," page 12.
  The Policy is called "last survivor" because no death benefit is payable
until the death of the second of the two named Insureds (the "last surviving
Insured"). The Policy continues in force without any adjustment after the death
of the first Insured.
  The most important features of the Policy, such as charges, cash benefits,
death benefits, and calculation of Policy values, are summarized in the diagram
on the following pages.
  PURPOSE OF THE POLICY. The Policy is designed to be a long-term investment
providing significant insurance benefits. The Policy should be considered in
conjunction with other insurance policies owned by the Owner. It may not be
advantageous to replace existing insurance with the Policy.
  TAX CONSIDERATIONS. Penn Mutual intends for the Policy to satisfy the
definition of a life insurance contract under section 7702 of the Internal
Revenue Code. Under certain circumstances, a Policy could be treated as a
"modified endowment contract." Penn Mutual will monitor Policies and will
attempt to notify an Owner on a timely basis if his or her Policy is in
jeopardy of becoming a modified endowment contract. For further discussion of
the tax status of a Policy and the tax consequences of being treated as a life
insurance contract or a modified endowment contract, see page 26.
   
  FREE LOOK RIGHT TO CANCEL AND CONVERSION RIGHT. For a limited time after the
Policy is issued, you have the right to cancel your Policy and receive a full
refund of the initial premium paid. See "Free Look Right to Cancel Policy,"
page 11. Until the end of this limited period, Net Premiums paid will be
invested in the Subaccount investing in the Penn Series Money Market Fund. (See
"Net Premium Allocations," page 12.) At any time within the first 24 Policy
Months, you may transfer all funds held in the Separate Account to the Fixed
Account, and thereby convert your Policy to a fixed-benefit (non-variable)
policy. See "Right to Convert to a Fixed Benefit Policy," page 25.     
  OWNER INQUIRIES. If you have any questions, you may write to us (The Penn
Mutual Life Insurance Company, Independence Square, Philadelphia, PA 19172) or
call us (1-800-766-7366).
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                               DIAGRAM OF POLICY
 
 
                                PREMIUM PAYMENTS
 
                 . You select a payment plan but are not
                   required to pay premiums according to
                   the plan. You can vary the amount and
                   frequency and can skip planned
                   premiums. See page 15 for rules and
                   limits.
 
                 . Minimum initial premium and planned
                   premium depend on the Insureds' age,
                   sex and underwriting class, Specified
                   Amount selected, and any supplemental
                   riders. See Appendix A for sample
                   minimum initial premiums.
 
                 . Unplanned premiums may be made, within
                   limits. See page 11.
 
                 . Under certain circumstances, extra
                   premiums may be required to prevent
                   lapse. See page 12.
 
 
 
                            DEDUCTIONS FROM PREMIUMS
 
          . For sales load (5.0% of premiums; the Company's
            current intention is to reduce this charge to 3.0%
            of premiums paid after the first 15 Policy Years).
 
          . For state premium tax (2.5% of premiums). See page
            15.
 
 
 
                                  NET PREMIUMS
 
 . You direct the allocation of Net Premiums among 14 Subaccounts of the
   Separate Account and the Fixed Account (the "Accounts"). See page 12
   for rules and limits on Net Premium allocations.
 
 . The Subaccounts invest in corresponding portfolios ("Funds") of Penn
   Series Funds, Inc. ("Penn Series"), Neuberger & Berman Advisers
   Management Trust ("AMT"), TCI Portfolios, Inc. ("TCI Portfolios"),
   Variable Insurance Products Fund ("VIP Fund") and Variable Insurance
   Products Fund II ("VIP Fund II"). See page 8. Funds available are:
 
      Penn Series - Growth Equity Fund     Penn Series - Money Market Fund
      Penn Series - Value Equity Fund      AMT - Limited Maturity Bond
                                           Portfolio
      Penn Series - Small Capitalization 
      Fund                                  AMT - Balanced Portfolio  
      Penn Series - Flexibly Managed Fund   TCI Portfolio - TCI Growth 
                                          
      Penn Series - International Equity 
      Fund                                  VIP Fund - Equity-Income Portfolio 
      Penn Series - Quality Bond Fund       VIP Fund - Growth Portfolio        
      Penn Series - High Yield Bond Fund    VIP Fund II - Asset Manager        
                                            Portfolio                           
                                           
 . Interest is credited on amounts allocated to the Fixed Account at a
   minimum guaranteed rate of 4%. See page 14 for rules and limits on
   Fixed Account allocations.
 
 
 
                             DEDUCTIONS FROM ASSETS
 
 . Monthly Deduction for cost of insurance, administrative expenses, and
   charges for any supplemental benefits. Administrative expenses are
   currently $15.00 per month the first Policy Year, $5.00 per month
   thereafter, plus for the first 12 months after the Policy Date, a
   charge calculated as $.20 for each $1,000 of the Initial Specified
   Amount. See page 15.
 
 . Daily charge at an annual rate of 0.90% (currently declining to 0.60%
   after the first 15 Policy Years) from the Subaccounts for mortality
   and expense risks. See page 15. This charge is not deducted from Fixed
   Account Value.
 
 . Investment advisory fees and other fund expenses are deducted from the
   assets of each Fund. See page 17.
 
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
 
                                  POLICY VALUE
 
 . Is the amount in the Subaccounts and the Fixed Account credited to your
   Policy. It is equal to Net Premiums, as adjusted each Valuation Date to
   reflect Subaccount investment experience, interest credited on Fixed
   Account Value, charges deducted and other policy transactions (such as
   transfers and partial surrenders). See page 18.
 
 . Varies from day to day. There is no minimum guaranteed Policy Value. The
   Policy may lapse if the Net Cash Surrender Value is insufficient to
   cover the Monthly Deduction then due. See page 12.
 
 . Policy Value can be transferred among the Accounts. See page 12 for
   rules and limits. Policy loans reduce the amount available for
   allocations and transfers.
 
 . Dollar cost averaging and asset rebalancing programs are available. See
   page 13.
 
 . Policy Value is the starting point for calculating certain values under
   a Policy, such as the Cash Surrender Value, Net Cash Surrender Value,
   Net Policy Value and the Basic Death Benefit used to determine benefits.
 
 
 
          CASH BENEFITS                                DEATH BENEFITS
 
 
 . Loans may be taken for                     . Available as lump sum or
   amounts up to 90% of Cash                    under a variety of payment
   Surrender Value, at a net                    options.
   interest rate of 1.0%,
   currently declining to 0.25%               . Minimum Basic Death Benefit 
   after the first 10 Policy                    ("Specified Amount") of     
   Years. See page 20 for rules                 $200,000.                    
   and limits.
                                              . Two Specified Amount options  
 . Partial surrenders generally                 available: Option 1 (which
   can be made up to four times                 provides a level Basic Death
   a Policy Year provided there                 Benefit equal to the        
   is sufficient remaining Net                  Specified Amount) and Option  
   Cash Surrender Value. An                     2 (which is the Specified     
   administrative charge of the                 Amount plus Policy Value and  
   lesser of $25 or 2% of the                   thereby provides a            
   surrender amount requested                   potentially increasing Basic  
   will apply. See page 21 for                  Death Benefit). See page 19.   
   rules and limits.                         
                                              . Income tax free to 
 . The Policy may be                            Beneficiary.        
   surrendered in full at any                
   time for its Net Cash                      . Flexibility to change        
   Surrender Value. A declining                 Specified Amount option and  
   sales load charge of up to                   decrease Specified Amount.   
   25% of the Surrender Charge                  See page 19 for rules and    
   Premium (an amount                           limits.                      
   calculated separately for                                                  
   each Policy) as well as a                  . Supplemental benefits         
   declining administrative                     available by rider. See page 
   charge will apply to a full                  26.                           
   surrender made during the      
   first 16 Policy Years. See     
   page 16. See Appendix D for    
   special rules for Policies     
   issued to New York             
   residents.                     
                                  
 . Payment options available.     
   See page 22.                   
                                  
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT PENN MUTUAL, THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT AND THE FUNDS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
  Penn Mutual is a Pennsylvania mutual life insurance company. We were
chartered in 1847 and have been continuously engaged in the life insurance
business since that date. We are authorized to sell insurance in all 50 states
and the District of Columbia. Our corporate headquarters are located at
Independence Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19172, and our operations
offices are located at 600 Dresher Road, Horsham, Pennsylvania, 19044.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT I
 
  We established Penn Mutual Variable Life Account I (the "Separate Account")
as a separate investment account under Pennsylvania law on January 27, 1987. It
is used to support the Policies as well as other variable life insurance
policies, and for other purposes permitted by law. The Separate Account is
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") as a unit
investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") and
qualifies as a "separate account" within the meaning of the federal securities
laws. We have established other separate investment accounts, of which Penn
Mutual Variable Annuity Account III is registered with the SEC.
  We own the assets in the Separate Account. The Separate Account is divided
into Subaccounts. The Subaccounts available under the Policies invest in shares
of a specific Fund of Penn Series Funds, Inc. ("Penn Series"), Neuberger &
Berman Advisers Management Trust ("AMT"), TCI Portfolios, Inc. ("TCI
Portfolios"), Variable Insurance Products Fund ("VIP Fund"), and Variable
Insurance Products Fund II ("VIP Fund II"). The Separate Account includes other
Subaccounts which are not available under the Policy and are not otherwise
discussed in this prospectus.
  Income, gains and losses, realized or unrealized, of a Subaccount are
credited to or charged against the Subaccount without regard to any other
income, gains or losses of Penn Mutual. Assets equal to the reserves and other
contract liabilities with respect to each Subaccount are not chargeable with
liabilities arising out of any other business or account of Penn Mutual. If the
assets exceed the required reserves and other liabilities, we may transfer the
excess to our general account. We are obligated to pay all benefits provided
under the Policies.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FUNDS
 
  Penn Series, AMT, TCI Portfolios, VIP Fund and VIP Fund II are each
registered with the SEC as a diversified open-end management investment company
under the 1940 Act. Each is a series-type mutual fund made up of different
series or funds ("Funds").
  The investment objectives of each of the Funds in which Subaccounts invest is
set forth below. There is, of course, no assurance that these objectives will
be met.
  PENN SERIES - GROWTH EQUITY FUND - seeks long-term growth of capital and
increase of future income by investing primarily in common stocks of well-
established growth companies.
  PENN SERIES - VALUE EQUITY FUND - seeks to maximize total return (capital
appreciation and income) primarily by investing in equity securities of
companies believed to be undervalued considering such factors as assets,
earnings, growth potential and cash flows.
  PENN SERIES - SMALL CAPITALIZATION FUND - seeks capital appreciation through
investment in a diversified portfolio of securities consisting primarily of
equity securities of companies with market capitalization of under $1 billion.
  PENN SERIES - FLEXIBLY MANAGED FUND - seeks to maximize total return (capital
appreciation and income) by investing in common stocks, other equity
securities, corporate debt securities, and/or short-term reserves, in
proportions considered appropriate in light of the availability of attractively
valued individual securities and current and expected economic and market
conditions.
  PENN SERIES - INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND - seeks to maximize capital
appreciation by investing in a carefully selected diversified portfolio
consisting primarily of equity securities. The investments will consist
principally of equity securities of European and Pacific Basin countries.
  PENN SERIES - QUALITY BOND FUND - seeks the highest income over the long term
consistent with the preservation of principal by investing primarily in
marketable investment-grade debt securities.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
  PENN SERIES - HIGH YIELD BOND FUND - seeks high current income by investing
primarily in a diversified portfolio of long term high-yield fixed income
securities in the medium to lower quality ranges; capital appreciation is a
secondary objective; such securities, which are commonly referred to as "junk"
bonds, generally involve greater risks of loss of income and principal than
higher rated securities.
  PENN SERIES - MONEY MARKET FUND - seeks to preserve capital, maintain
liquidity and achieve the highest possible level of current income consistent
therewith, by investing in high quality money market instruments; an investment
in the Fund is neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government and there
can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to maintain a stable net asset
value of $1.00 per share.
  AMT - LIMITED MATURITY BOND PORTFOLIO - seeks the highest current income
consistent with low risk to principal and liquidity; as a secondary objective,
seeks to enhance its total return through capital appreciation when market
factors, such as falling interest rates and rising bond prices, indicate that
capital appreciation may be available without significant risk to principal;
investments are made by investing net investable assets in a series of Advisers
Managers Trust (a diversified open-end management investment company) with
identical investment objective, policies and limitations; the underlying series
pursues objectives primarily by investing in a diversified portfolio of limited
maturity debt securities.
  AMT - BALANCED PORTFOLIO - seeks long-term capital growth and reasonable
current income without undue risk to principal through investment in common
stocks and debt securities; investments are made by investing net investable
assets in a series of Advisers Managers Trust (a diversified open-end
management investment company) with identical investment objective, policies
and limitations; as to the underlying series, it is anticipated that normally
60% of total assets will be invested in common stocks and remaining assets will
be invested in debt securities; at least 25% of the Series' assets will be
invested in fixed income senior securities.
  TCI PORTFOLIOS - TCI GROWTH PORTFOLIO - seeks capital growth by investing in
common stocks (including securities convertible into common stocks) and other
securities that meet certain fundamental and technical standards of selection
and, in the opinion of the Fund's management, have better than average
potential for appreciation; the Fund intends to stay fully invested in such
securities.
  VIP FUND - EQUITY-INCOME PORTFOLIO - seeks reasonable income by investing
primarily in income-producing equity securities; in choosing these securities,
the Fund will also consider the potential for capital appreciation; the Fund's
goal is to achieve a yield which exceeds the composite yield on the securities
comprising the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index.
  VIP FUND - GROWTH PORTFOLIO - seeks to achieve capital appreciation; the Fund
normally purchases common stocks, although its investments are not restricted
to any one type of security; capital appreciation may also be found in other
types of securities, including bonds and preferred stocks.
  VIP FUND II - ASSET MANAGER PORTFOLIO - seeks high total return with reduced
risk over the long-term by allocating its assets among domestic and foreign
stocks, bonds and short-term fixed-income instruments.
  Each Fund sells and redeems its shares at net asset value without any sales
charge. Any dividend from net investment income or distribution from realized
gains from security transactions of a Fund is reinvested at net asset value in
shares of the same Fund.
  INDEPENDENCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. ("Independence Capital Management"), of
Horsham, Pennsylvania, serves as investment adviser to the Penn Series Growth
Equity Fund, the Penn Series Quality Bond Fund and the Penn Series Money Market
Fund.
  T. ROWE PRICE ASSOCIATES, INC. ("Price Associates"), of Baltimore, Maryland,
serves as investment adviser to the Penn Series Flexibly Managed Fund and Penn
Series High Yield Bond Fund.
   
  OPCAP ADVISORS ("OpCap") (formerly Quest for Value Advisors), of New York,
New York, serves as investment adviser to the Penn Series Value Equity Fund and
the Penn Series Small Capitalization Fund.     
  VONTOBEL USA INC. ("Vontobel"), of New York, New York, is the investment
adviser to the Penn Series International Equity Fund.
  NEUBERGER & BERMAN MANAGEMENT INCORPORATED ("N&B Management"), of New York,
New York, is the investment adviser to each series of Advisers Managers Trust
underlying the AMT Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio and the AMT Balanced
Portfolio.
  INVESTORS RESEARCH CORPORATION ("Investors Research"), of Kansas City,
Missouri, is the investment adviser to TCI Growth Portfolio.
  FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH CORPORATION ("FMR"), of Boston, Massachusetts,
is the investment adviser to VIP Fund's Equity Income Portfolio and Growth
Portfolio and VIP Fund II's Asset Manager Portfolio. FMR utilizes the services
of
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
two subsidiaries on a sub-advisory basis for foreign securities investments for
the Asset Manager Portfolio. These subsidiaries are Fidelity Management &
Research (U.K.) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Far East) Inc.
  Further information about the Funds is contained in the accompanying
prospectuses, which you should read in conjunction with this prospectus.
  We have entered into agreements with Penn Series, AMT, TCI Portfolios, VIP
Fund and VIP Fund II governing the Separate Account's investment in those
Funds. Under the agreement with TCI Portfolios, the adviser to the TCI
Portfolios compensates Penn Mutual for certain administrative services provided
by Penn Mutual.
  The shares of Penn Series, AMT, TCI Portfolios, VIP Fund and VIP Fund II are
sold not only to the Separate Account, but to other separate accounts of Penn
Mutual that fund benefits under variable annuity policies. The shares of AMT,
TCI Portfolios, VIP Fund and VIP Fund II are also sold to separate accounts of
other insurance companies and, in the case of AMT, also directly to qualified
pension and retirement plans. It is conceivable that in the future it may
become disadvantageous for both variable life and variable annuity policy
separate accounts (and also qualified pension and retirement plans with respect
to AMT) to invest in the same underlying mutual fund. Although neither we nor
Penn Series, AMT, TCI Portfolios, VIP Fund or VIP Fund II currently perceives
or anticipates any such disadvantage, the Boards of Directors of Penn Series
and TCI Portfolios, respectively, and the Boards of Trustees of AMT, VIP Fund
and VIP Fund II, respectively, will monitor events to determine whether any
material conflict between variable annuity policyowners and variable life
policyowners (and also qualified pension and retirement plans with respect to
AMT) arises.
  Material conflicts could result from such things as: (1) changes in state
insurance laws; (2) changes in federal income tax law; (3) changes in the
investment management of any Fund or of Penn Series, AMT, TCI Portfolios, VIP
Fund or VIP Fund II, respectively; or (4) differences between voting
instructions given by variable annuity policyowners and those given by variable
life policyowners. In the event of a material irreconcilable conflict, we will
take the steps necessary to protect our variable annuity and variable life
policyowners. This could include discontinuance of investment in a Fund.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSTITUTION OF SECURITIES
 
  If investment in a Subaccount should no longer be possible or, if in our
judgment, becomes inappropriate to the purposes of the Policies, or, if in our
judgment, investment in another subaccount or insurance company separate
account is in the interest of Owners, we may substitute another subaccount or
insurance company separate account. No substitution may take place without
notice to Owners and prior approval of the SEC and insurance regulatory
authorities, to the extent required by the 1940 Act and applicable law.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOTING RIGHTS
 
  We are the legal owner of shares held by the Subaccounts and as such have the
right to vote on all matters submitted to shareholders of the Funds. However,
as required by law, we will vote shares held in the Subaccounts at regular and
special meetings of shareholders of the Funds in accordance with instructions
received from Owners with Policy Value in the Subaccounts. Should the
applicable federal securities laws, regulations or interpretations thereof
change so as to permit us to vote shares of the Funds in our own right, we may
elect to do so.
  To obtain voting instructions from Owners, before a meeting we will send
Owners voting instruction material, a voting instruction form and any other
related material. The number of shares held by each Subaccount for which an
Owner may give voting instructions is currently determined by dividing the
portion of the Owner's Policy Value in the Subaccount by the net asset value of
one share of the applicable Fund. Fractional votes will be counted. The number
of votes for which an Owner may give instructions will be determined as of a
date chosen by Penn Mutual but not more than 90 days prior to the meeting of
shareholders. Shares held by a Subaccount for which no timely instructions are
received will be voted by Penn Mutual in the same proportion as those shares
for which voting instructions are received.
  We may, if required by state insurance officials, disregard Owner voting
instructions if such instructions would require shares to be voted so as to
cause a change in sub-classification or investment objectives of one or more of
the Funds, or to approve or disapprove an investment advisory agreement. In
addition, we may under certain circumstances disregard voting instructions that
would require changes in the investment policy or investment adviser of one or
more of the Funds, provided that we reasonably disapprove of such changes in
accordance with applicable federal regulations. If we ever disregard voting
instructions, we will advise Owners of that action and of our reasons for such
action in the next semiannual report. Finally, we reserve the right to modify
the manner in which we calculate the weight to be given to pass-through voting
instructions where such a change is necessary to comply with current federal
regulations or the current interpretation thereof.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PREMIUMS AND ALLOCATIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPLYING FOR A POLICY
 
  If you want to purchase a Policy, you must complete an application and submit
it to one of our authorized agents. You also must pay an initial premium at
least equal to the minimum required. See "Premiums," below. Policy coverage
will not become effective until the initial premium in good order is received
at our Office.
 
  We require satisfactory evidence of the insurability of both Insureds, which
may include a medical examination of each or one of the Insureds. Generally, we
will issue a Policy covering two proposed Insureds if neither is less than 20
years old nor more than 80 years old, and if there is no more than 30 years
difference in their ages, provided that evidence of insurability satisfies our
underwriting rules. Acceptance of an application depends on our underwriting
rules, and we reserve the right to reject an application for any reason.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE LOOK RIGHT TO CANCEL POLICY
 
  You may cancel your Policy for a refund of premium during your "free-look"
period. This period expires 10 days after you receive your Policy, 45 days
after your application is signed, or 10 days after we mail or deliver a Notice
of Right of Withdrawal, whichever is latest. If you decide to cancel the
Policy, you must return it by mail or delivery to us or to our authorized agent
who sold it. Immediately after mailing or delivery, the Policy will be deemed
void from the beginning. We will refund premiums paid within seven days after
we receive the Policy.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PREMIUMS
 
  The minimum initial premium required depends on a number of factors, such as
the ages, sexes and rate class of the proposed Insureds, the desired Specified
Amount, any supplemental benefits and the planned premiums you propose to make.
The initial premium must be at least equal to two No-Lapse Premiums. See
"Planned Premiums," below. Sample minimum initial premiums are shown in
Appendix A.
  Additional premiums may be paid in any amount and at any time, subject to the
following limits. First, a premium must be at least $25 and must be sent to our
Office. We may require satisfactory evidence of insurability before accepting
any premium which results in an increase in the net amount at risk (defined on
page 16).
  Second, we reserve the right to limit total premiums paid in a Policy Year to
the planned premiums selected (see "Planned Premiums," below). We will refund
any portion of any premium which is determined to be in excess of the premium
limit established by law to qualify a Policy as a policy for life insurance.
(The amount refunded will be the excess premium plus any gain attributable to
the excess premium.) In addition, we will monitor Policies and will attempt to
notify the Owner on a timely basis if his or her Policy is in jeopardy of
becoming a modified endowment contract under the Internal Revenue Code. See
"Tax Considerations," page 26.
  Lastly, no premium will be accepted after the Maturity Date.
  PLANNED PREMIUMS. When applying for a Policy, you select a plan for paying
level premiums at specified intervals, e.g., monthly, semi-annually or
annually, until the Maturity Date. You are not required to pay premiums in
accordance with this plan; rather, you can pay more or less than planned or
skip a planned premium entirely. You can change the amount and frequency of
planned premiums whenever you want by sending written notice to our Office.
However, we reserve the right to limit the amount of a premium or the total
premiums paid, as discussed above. We will send you reminder notices for
planned premiums, unless you have arranged to pay planned premiums by pre-
authorized check.
  FIVE-YEAR GUARANTEE. We guarantee that a Policy will remain in force during
the first five Policy Years, regardless of the sufficiency of the Net Cash
Surrender Value, if the total premiums paid less any partial surrenders is
greater than or equal to the amount determined by multiplying the No-Lapse
Premium for the Policy by the number of months the Policy has been in force.
The No-Lapse Premium is a benchmark monthly premium calculated for each Policy
based on the ages, sexes and rate class of the Insureds, the requested
Specified Amount and any supplemental benefits. The No-Lapse Premium for your
Policy generally will be less than the monthly amount of planned premiums you
select to pay. The Five-Year guarantee will not apply if the Net Cash Surrender
Value becomes insufficient because of excessive Indebtedness. See "Loan
Repayment; Effect if Not Repaid," page 20.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PREMIUMS TO PREVENT LAPSE
 
  Failure to pay planned premiums will not necessarily cause a Policy to lapse.
Conversely, paying all planned premiums will not necessarily guarantee that a
Policy will not lapse (except when the Five-Year Guarantee is in effect).
Rather, whether a Policy lapses depends on whether its Net Cash Surrender Value
is insufficient to cover the Monthly Deduction (see page 15) when due.
  If the Net Cash Surrender Value on a Monthly Anniversary is less than the
amount of the Monthly Deduction to be deducted on that date and the Five-Year
Guarantee is not in effect, the Policy will be in default and a grace period
will begin. This could happen if investment experience has been sufficiently
unfavorable that it has resulted in a decrease in the Net Cash Surrender Value
or the Net Cash Surrender Value has decreased because insufficient premiums
have been paid to offset the Monthly Deduction.
  GRACE PERIOD. If your Policy goes into default, you will be allowed a 61-day
grace period to pay a premium sufficient to cover the Monthly Deduction. We
will send notice of the amount required to be paid during the grace period
("grace period premium") to your last known address and to any assignee of
record. The grace period will begin when the notice is sent. Your Policy will
remain in effect during the grace period. If the last surviving Insured (or
both Insureds) should die during the grace period before the grace period
premium is paid, the Death Benefit will still be payable to the Beneficiary,
although the amount paid will reflect a reduction for the Monthly Deductions
due on or before the date of the last surviving Insured's death. See "Amount of
Death Benefit," page 19. If the grace period premium has not been paid before
the grace period ends, your Policy will lapse. It will have no value and no
benefits will be payable. See "Reinstatement," page 26.
  A grace period also may begin if Indebtedness becomes excessive. See "Loan
Repayment; Effect if not Repaid," page 20.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET PREMIUM ALLOCATIONS
 
  In the application, you specify the percentage of a Net Premium to be
allocated to each Subaccount and the Fixed Account. The sum of your allocations
must equal 100% and each allocation percentage must be a whole number. However,
until the free look period expires, all Net Premiums received are invested in
the Subaccount investing in the Penn Series Money Market Fund (the "Money
Market Subaccount"). At the end of this period (which for this purpose is
assumed to begin 3 days after we issue your Policy), the Policy Value in the
Money Market Subaccount is transferred to and allocated to the Accounts based
on the premium allocation percentages in the application. See "Determining the
Policy Value," page 18.
  The Net Premium allocation percentages specified in the application will
apply to subsequent premiums until you change them. You can change the
allocation percentages at any time, provided they equal 100% and each is a
whole number, by sending written notice to our Office. The change will apply to
all premiums received with or after our receipt of your notice.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CREDITING PREMIUMS
 
  The initial Net Premium will be credited to the Policy as of the Policy Date.
A planned premium or unplanned premium not requiring additional underwriting
will be credited to the Policy and the resulting Net Premium will be invested
as requested on the Valuation Date the premium was received by our Office.
However, any premium requiring additional underwriting will be allocated to the
Money Market Subaccount until underwriting has been completed and the premium
has been accepted. When accepted, the Policy Value in the Money Market
Subaccount attributable to the resulting Net Premium will be credited to the
Policy and allocated to the Subaccounts and Fixed Account as requested. If an
additional premium is rejected, we will return the premium, without any
adjustment for investment experience.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSFERS
 
  You may transfer Policy Value among the Subaccounts and Fixed Account subject
to the following rules, some of which depend on whether Policy Value is to be
transferred from a Subaccount or the Fixed Account. You may request transfers
by calling our Office if you have applied for telephone transfer authorization.
Otherwise, transfer requests must be in writing. The Company will not be liable
for following transfer instructions communicated by telephone that we
reasonably believe to be genuine. We require certain identifying information to
process a telephone transfer.
  Transfers may not be requested until the end of the free-look period (see
page 11). A transfer will take effect on the date the request is received at
our Office. We may, however, defer transfers under the same conditions that we
may delay payment of proceeds. See "When Proceeds are Paid," page 25. There is
no limit on the number of transfers that may be made.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
However, after 12 transfers have been made during a Policy Year, we reserve the
right to impose a $10 transfer charge on subsequent transfers. See "Transfer
Charge," page 16.
  SUBACCOUNT TRANSFER RULES. Transfers among Subaccounts and from Subaccounts
  to the Fixed Account may be made at any time. The minimum amount of Policy
  Value that may be transferred from a Subaccount is $250 or, if less, the
  full amount held in the Subaccount. If less than the full amount of Policy
  Value in a Subaccount is being transferred from the Subaccount, the amount
  remaining must be at least $250.
  FIXED ACCOUNT TRANSFER RULES. Policy Value held in the Fixed Account may be
  transferred to a Subaccount or Subaccounts only during the 30-day period
  following the end of each Policy Year. The amount transferred must be at
  least $250, or if less, the Policy Value held in the Fixed Account. If the
  amount transferred is less than the Policy Value then held in the Fixed
  Account, at least $250 must remain in the Fixed Account. See "Deductions,
  Surrenders and Transfers from the Fixed Account," page 14, for additional
  rules and limits for the Fixed Account.
  The transfer rules described above do not apply to transfers made under a
dollar cost averaging or asset rebalancing program.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING PROGRAM
 
  You may elect a dollar cost averaging program for the allocation of your
Policy Value among the Subaccounts and the Fixed Account ("accounts"). A dollar
cost averaging program allows you to authorize in advance monthly transfers of
set dollar amounts from the Money Market Subaccount to one or more other
accounts.
  The main objective of dollar cost averaging is to shield investments from
short term price fluctuations. Since the same dollar amount is transferred to
selected accounts each month, more accumulation units are purchased in a
Subaccount when their value is low, and fewer accumulation units are purchased
when their value is high. As a result, a lower than average cost of purchasing
accumulation units may be achieved over the long term. This plan of investing
allows Owners to take advantage of investment fluctuations, but does not assure
a profit or protect against a loss in declining markets.
  SELECTING DOLLAR COST AVERAGING. You may select a dollar cost averaging
program when you apply for the Policy or at a later date by contacting our Home
Office. You specify the accounts to which amounts will be transferred and the
percentage to be allocated to each Account. To begin a program, the planned
premium for that year must be $600 and the amount to be transferred each month
must be at least $50.
  OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM. Transfers will be made on the 15th of each month.
Transfers will continue until the earliest of the following:
  .We receive a written or telephone request to stop making transfers.
  .There no longer is sufficient Policy Value in the Money Market Subaccount
  to make the specified transfer.
  .The Policy is in a grace period.
  .We receive notice that the last surviving Insured has died.
  Transfers under a dollar cost averaging program are not counted for purposes
of the transfer rules discussed above.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSET REBALANCING
 
  You may elect an asset rebalancing program for your Policy Value. Policy
Value allocated to the accounts can be expected to increase or decrease at
different rates. An asset rebalancing program automatically reallocates your
Policy Value among the accounts each quarter to return the allocation to the
original allocation percentages you specify. Asset rebalancing is intended to
transfer Policy Value from those accounts that have increased in value to those
that have declined, or not increased as much, in value. Over time, this method
of investing may help an Owner "buy low and sell high," although there can be
no assurance that this objective will be achieved. Asset rebalancing does not
guarantee profits, nor does it assure that an Owner will not have losses.
  SELECTING ASSET REBALANCING. You may select an asset rebalancing program when
you apply for the Policy or at a later date by contacting our Home Office. You
specify the accounts to be included in the program, and the percentage of
Policy Value to be allocated to each specified account. Each allocation
percentage must be a whole number. You can elect to have your entire Policy
Value rebalanced among the specified accounts each quarter, or limit the
program to the Policy Value in specified accounts on each rebalancing date
(e.g., to restore a 60/40 ratio for Policy Value in the Value Equity Subaccount
and
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
 
Quality Bond Subaccount on each rebalancing date). The minimum Policy Value to
start an asset rebalancing program is $1,000. If a dollar cost averaging
program is in effect, Policy Value in the Money Market Subaccount may not be
included in an asset rebalancing program.
  OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM. Effective on the last day of each calendar quarter,
we will transfer Policy Value among the accounts to the extent necessary to
return the allocation to your specifications. Asset rebalancing will continue
until we receive a written or telephone request at our Home Office to
terminate.
  Transfers made under an asset rebalancing program are not counted for
purposes of the transfer rules described above.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIXED ACCOUNT
 
BECAUSE OF EXEMPTIVE AND EXCLUSIONARY PROVISIONS, INTERESTS IN THE FIXED
ACCOUNT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 NOR HAS THE
FIXED ACCOUNT BEEN REGISTERED AS AN INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE INVESTMENT
COMPANY ACT OF 1940. ACCORDINGLY, NEITHER THE FIXED ACCOUNT NOR ANY INTERESTS
THEREIN ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THESE ACTS AND, AS A RESULT, THE STAFF
OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT REVIEWED THE DISCLOSURE IN
THIS PROSPECTUS RELATING TO THE FIXED ACCOUNT. THE DISCLOSURE REGARDING THE
FIXED ACCOUNT MAY, HOWEVER, BE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN GENERALLY APPLICABLE
PROVISIONS OF THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS RELATING TO THE ACCURACY AND
COMPLETENESS OF STATEMENTS MADE IN PROSPECTUSES.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIXED ACCOUNT
 
  The Fixed Account consists of assets owned by Penn Mutual with respect to the
Policies, other than those held in the Separate Account. It is part of our
general account assets. Our general account assets are used to support our
insurance and annuity obligations other than those funded by separate accounts.
Subject to applicable law, we have sole discretion over the investment of the
assets of the Fixed Account. The Policy Loan Account is part of the Fixed
Account.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTEREST CREDITED ON POLICY VALUE IN THE FIXED ACCOUNT
 
  Net Premiums allocated to the Fixed Account and Policy Value transferred from
the Subaccounts to the Fixed Account are credited to the Fixed Account Value.
The Fixed Account Value also includes the portion of Policy Value transferred
to the Policy Loan Account as collateral for policy loans. We will credit
interest on these amounts at rates we determine in our sole discretion, but in
no event will interest credited on these amounts be less than an effective rate
of at least 4% per year, compounded annually.
  However, if at the time of an allocation or transfer to the Fixed Account, we
are crediting a rate of interest higher than 4%, the higher rate will apply to
the amount from the date of its allocation or transfer to the Fixed Account
through to the end of the twelve-month period beginning on the first day of the
calendar month in which the allocation or transfer was made. If a higher rate
of interest is credited, different rates of interest may apply to amounts
allocated or transferred at different times, and different rates of interest
may apply to amounts held in a Policy Loan Account than to the remaining
portion of Policy Value held in the Fixed Account. ANY INTEREST CREDITED ON
POLICY VALUE IN THE FIXED ACCOUNT IN EXCESS OF THE GUARANTEED MINIMUM RATE OF
4% PER YEAR WILL BE DETERMINED IN OUR SOLE DISCRETION.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CALCULATING FIXED ACCOUNT VALUE
 
  The Fixed Account Value is calculated daily. See "Fixed Account Value," page
18.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEDUCTIONS, SURRENDERS AND TRANSFERS FROM THE FIXED ACCOUNT
 
  Amounts allocated to the Fixed Account at different times, whether from Net
Premiums or transfers, may be credited with different rates of interest.
Whenever a charge is deducted from Policy Value in the Fixed Account, or an
amount is withdrawn from the Policy Value in the Fixed Account to satisfy a
partial surrender, transfer or policy loan request, the charge or
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
 
withdrawal will be taken first from the amount most recently allocated to the
Fixed Account, then the amount next most recently allocated, and so forth. See
page 13 for limits and restrictions on transfers of Policy Value from the Fixed
Account.
  If there is any Policy Value in the Policy Loan Account, it is not available
for transfers, partial surrenders or policy loans, nor are any charges deducted
from this portion of Policy Value. Amounts are transferred to or from the
Policy Loan Account only when policy loans are taken or repayments made. If an
amount is transferred from the Policy Loan Account to the remaining portion of
the Fixed Account Value, it will be treated as a new allocation to the Fixed
Account and will be credited with interest at the rate then in effect for Fixed
Account allocations. See "Policy Loan Account," page 21.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAYMENTS FROM THE FIXED ACCOUNT
 
  We may defer payment of proceeds from the Fixed Account for a partial
surrender, full surrender or policy loan request for up to six months from the
date we receive the written request. However, we will not defer payment of a
partial surrender or policy loan requested to pay a premium due on a Penn
Mutual policy. If a payment from the Fixed Account is deferred for 30 days or
more, it will bear interest at a rate of 3% per year compounded annually while
it is deferred.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PREMIUM CHARGE
   
  We deduct a charge from each premium. This charge is 7.5% of premiums and is
deducted from a premium before allocating the resulting Net Premium to the
Policy Value. It consists of a 2.5% charge for premium taxes, with the
remaining 5.0% a sales charge. An additional sales charge is deducted on
surrender of a Policy during the first 16 Policy Years. See "Surrender Charge,"
page 17.     
  The 2.5% premium tax charge reimburses us for state premium taxes associated
with the Policies. We expect to pay state premium taxes at an average rate for
all states of approximately 2.5% of premiums.
  The 5.0% sales charge partially compensates us for the expenses of selling
and distributing the Policies, including paying sales commissions, printing
prospectuses, preparing sales literature and paying for other promotional
activities. We may reduce the sales charge portion of the premium charge, and
currently, the sales charge is reduced to 3.0% (corresponding to a total
premium charge of 5.5%) of premiums received after the first 15 Policy Years.
We will notify you before your fifteenth Policy Year if the sales charge on
your Policy will remain at 5.0% after your fifteenth Policy Year.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DAILY MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE
 
  We deduct a daily charge from assets in the Subaccounts attributable to the
Policies. This charge does not apply to Fixed Account Value. The charge is at
an annual rate of 0.90% of assets. Currently, we reduce the charge to 0.60%
after the fifteenth Policy Year. We will notify you if we change our intention
to reduce the charge after the fifteenth Policy Year. We may realize a profit
from this charge.
  The mortality risk we assume is that the Insureds on the Policies may die
sooner than anticipated and that therefore Penn Mutual will pay an aggregate
amount of death benefits greater than anticipated. The expense risk we assume
is that expenses incurred in issuing and administering the Policies and the
Separate Account will exceed the amounts realized from the administrative
charges assessed against the Policies.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONTHLY DEDUCTION
 
  On the Issue Date and each Monthly Anniversary, we deduct the Monthly
Deduction from the Policy Value. The amount deducted on the Issue Date is for
the number of policy months that have elapsed since the Policy Date. The
Monthly Deduction consists of (1) insurance charges ("Cost of Insurance
Charge"), (2) administrative charges (the "Monthly Expense Charge"), and (3)
any charges for additional benefits added by supplemental agreement to a Policy
("Supplemental Benefit Charges"), as described below. The Monthly Deduction is
deducted from the Subaccounts and the Fixed Account pro rata on the basis of
the portion of Policy Value in each account. See "Deductions, Surrenders and
Transfers from the Fixed Account," page 14, for applicable rules.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
 
  COST OF INSURANCE CHARGE. This charge compensates us for providing insurance
coverage. The charge depends on a number of variables and therefore will vary
from Policy to Policy and from Monthly Anniversary to Monthly Anniversary. For
any Policy the cost of insurance on a Monthly Anniversary is calculated by
multiplying (a) the base cost of insurance rate for the Insureds by (b) the net
amount at risk under the Policy for that Monthly Anniversary.
  The net amount at risk for a Monthly Anniversary is the difference between
the Basic Death Benefit (see page 19) for a Policy (as adjusted to take into
account assumed monthly earnings at an annual rate of 4%) and the Policy Value,
as calculated on that Monthly Anniversary before the Monthly Deduction is
taken.
  The base cost of insurance rate for a Policy is based on the Policy Year and
on the Attained Ages, sexes and rate class of the Insureds, and therefore
varies from time to time. We place the Insureds in a rate class when we issue
the Policy, based on our underwriting of the application. We currently place
Insureds in the following rate classes, based on our underwriting: a smoker or
nonsmoker standard rate class, a preferred underwriting class, or a rate class
involving a higher mortality risk (a "substandard class").
  We guarantee that the cost of insurance rates used to calculate the monthly
cost of insurance charge will not exceed the maximum cost of insurance rates
set forth in the Policies. The guaranteed rates for standard classes are based
on the 1980 Commissioner's Standard Ordinary Mortality Tables, Age Nearest
Birthday ("1980 CSO Tables"). The guaranteed rates for substandard classes are
based on multiples or additives of the 1980 CSO Tables. Our current cost of
insurance rates may be less than the guaranteed rates. Our current cost of
insurance rates will be determined based on our expectations as to future
mortality, investment, expense and persistency experience, and may change from
time to time. Cost of insurance rates (whether guaranteed or current) for
Insureds in a nonsmoker standard class are lower than guaranteed rates for
Insureds of the same age and sex in a smoker standard class. Cost of insurance
rates (whether guaranteed or current) for Insureds in a nonsmoker or smoker
standard class are generally lower than guaranteed rates for Insureds of the
same age and sex and smoking status in a substandard class.
  LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO SEX-DISTINCT PREMIUMS AND BENEFITS.
Mortality tables for the Policies generally distinguish between males and
females. Thus, premiums and benefits under Policies covering males and females
of the same age will generally differ. We do, however, also offer Policies
based on unisex mortality tables if required by state law. Employers and
employee organizations considering purchase of a Policy should consult their
legal advisors to determine whether purchase of a Policy based on sex-distinct
actuarial tables is consistent with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
or other applicable law. Upon request, we may offer Policies with unisex
mortality tables to such prospective purchasers.
   
  MONTHLY EXPENSE CHARGE. This charge compensates us for administrative
expenses associated with the Policies and the Separate Account. These expenses
relate to premium billing and collection, recordkeeping, processing of death
benefit claims, Policy loans and Policy changes, reporting and overhead costs,
processing applications and establishing Policy records. The Monthly Expense
Charge is the aggregate of the following:     
  .  a flat charge of $15.00 per month (currently only $5.00 per month after
     the first Policy Year; we will notify you before it is increased); and
  .  for the first 12 policy months after the Policy Date, a charge based on
     the Initial Specified Amount ($0.20 per $1,000 of Initial Specified
     Amount per month).
  Except for the monthly charge (which is reduced after the first Policy Year
but may be later increased to $15.00), these charges are guaranteed not to
increase over the life of the Policy. We do not anticipate making any profit on
the Monthly Expense Charge.
  SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFIT CHARGES. See "Supplemental Benefits," page 26.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSFER CHARGE
 
  We reserve the right to impose a $10 transfer charge on any transfer of
Policy Value among the Subaccounts and/or Fixed Account in excess of the 12
free transfers permitted each Policy Year. We will notify you before imposing
the charge. If the charge is imposed, it will be deducted from the amount
requested to be transferred before allocation to the new account(s). If an
amount is being transferred from more than one account, the transfer charge
will be deducted proportionately from the amount being transferred from each
account. This charge, if imposed, will reimburse us for administrative expenses
incurred in effecting transfers. We do not anticipate making any profit on this
charge.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SURRENDER CHARGE
 
  If the Policy is surrendered during the first 16 Policy Years, we will deduct
a surrender charge in calculating the surrender proceeds payable. The surrender
charge consists of a sales charge component and administrative charge
component. The surrender charge is determined by the following formula:
               the sum of (a) plus (b), multiplied by (c) where:
  (a) = 25% of premiums paid on the Policy, up to the Surrender Charge
        Premium (described below);
  (b) = an administrative charge based on the Initial Specified Amount and
        the younger Insured's Attained Age on the Policy Date (ranging from
        $6 at Attained Age 20 to $14 at Attained Age 60 and over, per $1,000
        of Initial Specified Amount--see Appendix B); and
  (c) = the applicable surrender factor for the Policy Year during which the
        surrender is made (see table below).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         SURRENDER FACTOR
           SURRENDER DURING POLICY YEAR              APPLIED TO (C) IN FORMULA
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>                                       <C>
                 1st through 7th                               1.00
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       8th                                      .90
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       9th                                      .80
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       10th                                     .70
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       11th                                     .60
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       12th                                     .50
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       13th                                     .40
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       14th                                     .30
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       15th                                     .20
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       16th                                     .10
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  17th and later                                  0
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
  Under this formula, the surrender charge declines by 10% each Policy Year
after the seventh, to $0 by the 17th Policy Year so that, after the 16th Policy
Year, there is no surrender charge. For Policies issued to New York residents,
see Appendix D. The Surrender Charge Premium is calculated separately for each
Policy. Sample surrender charge premiums are set forth in Appendix B.
  The surrender charge consists of a sales charge component and an
administrative charge component. The sales charge component is to reimburse us
for some of the expenses incurred in the distribution of the Policies. We also
deduct a sales charge from each premium. See "Premium Charge," page 15. The
sales charge component of the surrender charge, together with the sales charge
included in the premium charge, may be insufficient to recover distribution
expenses related to the sale of the Policies. Unrecovered expenses are borne by
our general assets which may include profits, if any, from the mortality and
expense risk charge. See "Daily Mortality and Expense Risk Charge," page 15.
  The administrative charge component of the surrender charge is designed to
cover the administrative expenses associated with underwriting and issuing the
Policy, including the costs of processing applications, conducting medical
exams, determining insurability and the Insureds' rate class, and establishing
Policy records, as well as the administrative costs of processing surrender
requests. We do not anticipate making any profit on the administrative charge
component of the surrender charge.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PARTIAL SURRENDER CHARGE
 
  We will deduct an administrative charge upon a partial surrender. This charge
is the lesser of 2% of the amount surrendered or $25. This charge will be
deducted from the Policy Value in addition to the amount requested to be
surrendered and will be considered to be part of the partial surrender amount.
See page 12 for rules for allocating the deduction. We do not anticipate making
a profit on this charge.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND EXPENSES
 
  The value of the net assets of the Separate Account reflect the investment
advisory fees and other expenses incurred by the Funds. See the prospectuses
for Penn Series, AMT, TCI Portfolios, VIP Fund and VIP Fund II.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW YOUR POLICY VALUES VARY
 
There is no guaranteed minimum Policy Value or Net Cash Surrender Value. These
values will vary with the investment experience of the Subaccounts and/or the
daily crediting of interest in the Fixed Account, and will depend on the
allocation of Policy Value. If the Net Cash Surrender Value on a Monthly
Anniversary is less than the amount of the Monthly Deduction to be deducted on
that date (see page 15) and the Five-Year Guarantee is not then in effect, the
Policy will be in default and a grace period will begin. See "Five-Year
Guarantee," page 11, and "Grace Period," page 12.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DETERMINING THE POLICY VALUE
 
  On the Policy Date the Policy Value is equal to the initial Net Premium. If
the Policy Date and the Issue Date are the same day, the Policy Value is equal
to the initial Net Premium, less the Monthly Deduction. On each Valuation Date
thereafter, the Policy Value is the aggregate of the Variable Accumulation
Values in the Subaccounts and the Fixed Account Value credited to the Policy.
The Policy Value will vary to reflect the performance of the Subaccounts to
which amounts have been allocated, interest credited on amounts allocated to
the Fixed Account, charges, transfers, withdrawals, policy loans and policy
loan repayments.
  VARIABLE ACCUMULATION VALUES. When you allocate an amount to a Subaccount,
either by Net Premium allocation or transfer of Policy Value, your Policy is
credited with accumulation units in that Subaccount. The number of accumulation
units is determined by dividing the amount allocated to the Subaccount by the
Subaccount's accumulation unit value for the Valuation Date when the allocation
is effected.
  The number of Subaccount accumulation units credited to your Policy will
increase when Net Premiums are allocated to the Subaccount, amounts are
transferred to the Subaccount and loan repayments are credited to the
Subaccount. The number of Subaccount accumulation units credited to a Policy
will decrease when the allocated portion of the Monthly Deduction is taken from
the Subaccount, a policy loan is taken from the Subaccount, an amount is
transferred from the Subaccount, or a partial surrender, including the partial
surrender charge, is taken from the Subaccount.
  ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUES. A Subaccount's accumulation unit value varies to
reflect the investment experience of the underlying Fund, and may increase or
decrease from one Valuation Date to the next. The accumulation unit value for
each Subaccount was arbitrarily set at $10 when the Subaccount was established.
For each Valuation Period after the date of establishment, the accumulation
unit value is determined by multiplying the value of an accumulation unit for a
Subaccount for the prior valuation period by the net investment factor for the
Subaccount for the current valuation period.
  NET INVESTMENT FACTOR. The net investment factor is an index used to measure
the investment performance of a Subaccount from one Valuation Period to the
next. It is based on the change in net asset value of the Fund shares held by
the Subaccount, and reflects any dividend or capital gain distributions on Fund
shares and the deduction of the daily mortality and expense risk charge (see
page 15).
 
  FIXED ACCOUNT VALUE. On any Valuation Date, the Fixed Account Value of a
Policy is the total of all Net Premiums allocated to the Fixed Account, plus
any amounts transferred to the Fixed Account, plus interest credited on such
Net Premiums and transferred amounts, less the amount of any transfers from the
Fixed Account, less the amount of any partial surrenders, including the partial
surrender charges, taken from the Fixed Account, and less the pro rata portion
of the Monthly Deduction deducted from the Fixed Account. If there have been
any policy loans, the Fixed Account Value is further adjusted to reflect the
amount in the Policy Loan Account held in the Fixed Account, including
transfers to and from the Policy Loan Account as loans are taken and repayments
are made, and interest credited on the Policy Loan Account.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET POLICY VALUE
 
  The Net Policy Value on a Valuation Date is the Policy Value less
Indebtedness on that date.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH SURRENDER VALUE
 
  The Cash Surrender Value on a Valuation Date is the Policy Value reduced by
any surrender charge that would be assessed if the Policy were surrendered on
that date. The Cash Surrender Value is used to calculate the Loan Value and to
determine whether Indebtedness is excessive (see page 20). The Loan Value is
90% of the Cash Surrender Value.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH SURRENDER VALUE
 
  The Net Cash Surrender Value on a Valuation Date is equal to the Net Policy
Value reduced by any surrender charge that would be imposed if the Policy were
surrendered on that date. The Net Cash Surrender Value is used to calculate the
amount available for partial surrenders. It is the amount received upon a full
surrender of the Policy.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEATH BENEFIT AND CHANGES IN SPECIFIED AMOUNT
 
As long as the Policy remains in force, we will pay the Death Benefit upon
receipt at our Office of satisfactory proof of the deaths of both Insureds. The
Death Benefit will be paid in a lump sum generally within seven days after
receipt of such proof (see "When Proceeds Are Paid," page 25) or, if elected,
under a payment option (see "Payment Options," page 22). The Death Benefit will
be paid to the Beneficiary. See "Selecting and Changing the Beneficiary," page
20.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMOUNT OF DEATH BENEFIT
 
  The Death Benefit is equal to the sum of the Basic Death Benefit on the date
of the last surviving Insured's death, plus any dividend payable on that date
(see "Dividends," page 25), plus any supplemental benefits provided by rider,
minus any Indebtedness on that date and, if the date of death occurred during a
grace period, minus the past due Monthly Deductions. Under certain
circumstances, the amount of the Death Benefit may be further adjusted. See
"Incontestability," "Suicide Exclusion" and "Misstatement of Age or Sex," page
25.
  If part or all of the Death Benefit is paid in one sum, Penn Mutual will pay
interest on this sum from the date of the last surviving Insured's death to the
date of payment. We determine the interest rate, but it will not be less than a
rate of 3% per year compounded annually.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BASIC DEATH BENEFIT AND SPECIFIED AMOUNT OPTIONS
 
  The Owner may choose one of two Specified Amount Options, which will
determine the Basic Death Benefit. Under Option 1, the Basic Death Benefit is
the greater of (a) the Specified Amount or (b) the Policy Value on the date of
the last surviving Insured's death, multiplied by the applicable net single
premium factor (described below). Under Option 2, the Basic Death Benefit is
the greater of (a) the Specified Amount plus the Policy Value on the date of
the last surviving Insured's death, or (b) the Policy Value on that date
multiplied by the applicable net single premium factor.
  If investment performance is favorable the amount of the Basic Death Benefit
may increase. However, under Option 1, the Basic Death Benefit ordinarily will
not change for several years to reflect any favorable investment performance
and may not change at all, whereas under Option 2, the Basic Death Benefit will
vary directly with the investment performance of the Policy Value. To see how
and when investment performance may begin to affect the Basic Death Benefit,
please see the illustrations beginning on page 22.
  Net single premium factors are based on the Insureds' sexes and rate classes
and the attained ages on the date of calculation. The factor decreases each
Policy Anniversary as the Insureds' ages increase. A table of net single
premium factors as of each Policy Anniversary is included in the Policy. A
table showing illustrative net single premium factors is included in Appendix
C.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIFIED AMOUNT
 
  The Initial Specified Amount is set at the time the Policy is issued. You may
decrease the Initial Specified Amount from time to time, as discussed below.
You also may change the Specified Amount Option, as discussed below.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGES IN SPECIFIED AMOUNT OPTION
 
  You may change the Specified Amount Option on your Policy subject to the
following rules. After any change, the Specified Amount must be at least
$200,000. No more than one change in the Specified Amount Option may be made in
any Policy Year and no change may be made during the first Policy Year. The
effective date of the change will be the Monthly Anniversary that coincides
with or next follows the Valuation Date when we receive the request for the
change. If you request a change from Option 1 to Option 2, we may require
satisfactory evidence of insurability. If the evidence of insurability
indicates a different rate class for the Insureds, the requested change will
not be allowed.
  When a change from Option 1 to Option 2 is made, the Specified Amount after
the change is effected will be equal to the Specified Amount before the change
less the Policy Value on the effective date of the change. When a change from
Option 2 to Option 1 is made, the Specified Amount after the change will be
equal to the Specified Amount before the change is effected plus the Policy
Value on the effective date of the change.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGES IN SPECIFIED AMOUNT
 
  After the first Policy Year, you may request a decrease in the Specified
Amount, subject to the following conditions. No change will be permitted that
would result in your Policy's Death Benefit not being excludable from gross
income due to not satisfying the requirements of Section 7702 of the Internal
Revenue Code.
  Any decrease in the Specified Amount must be at least $10,000, and the
Specified Amount after the decrease must be at least $200,000. A decrease in
Specified Amount will become effective on the Monthly Anniversary that
coincides with or next follows our receipt of a request at our Office.
  The Specified Amount may increase as a result of a change in Specified Amount
Option. See "Change in Specified Amount Option," above for applicable rules.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECTING AND CHANGING THE BENEFICIARY
 
  You select a Beneficiary in your application. You may later change the
Beneficiary in accordance with the terms of the Policy. If there is no
surviving Beneficiary when a death benefit is payable, the Owner (or the
Owner's estate) will be the Beneficiary.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH BENEFITS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POLICY LOANS
 
  You may borrow up to the Loan Value of your Policy at any time by submitting
a written request to our Office. Policy loans will be processed as of the date
your written request is received and loan proceeds generally will be sent to
you within seven days. See "When Proceeds Are Paid," page 25, and "Payments
from the Fixed Account," page 15. The Loan Value is 90% of your Cash Surrender
Value. Outstanding policy loans reduce the amount of the Loan Value available
for new loans. Loans under a Policy classified as a modified endowment contract
may be subject to adverse tax consequences, including a 10% penalty. See
"Distributions from Policies Classified as Modified Endowment Contracts," page
28.
  INTEREST. We will charge interest daily on any outstanding policy loan at an
annual rate of 5.0%. Interest is due and payable at the end of each Policy Year
while a policy loan is outstanding. If interest is not paid when due, the
amount of the interest is added to the loan and becomes part of the outstanding
policy loan.
  INDEBTEDNESS. Unrepaid policy loans (including unpaid interest added to the
loan) plus accrued interest not yet due equals the Indebtedness.
  LOAN REPAYMENT; EFFECT IF NOT REPAID. You may repay all or part of your
Indebtedness at any time while an Insured is living and the Policy is in force.
Loan repayments must be sent to our Office and will be credited as of the date
received. If the Death Benefit becomes payable while a policy loan is
outstanding, the Indebtedness will be deducted in calculating the Death
Benefit. If the Indebtedness exceeds the Cash Surrender Value on any Valuation
Date, the Policy will be in default. We will send you, and any assignee of
record, notice of the default. You will have a 61-day grace period to submit a
sufficient payment
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
 
to avoid termination. The notice will specify the amount that must be repaid to
prevent termination. If your Policy terminates because of excessive
Indebtedness, it cannot be reinstated.
  POLICY LOAN ACCOUNT. When a policy loan is made, an amount equal to the loan
proceeds is withdrawn from the Policy Value in the Subaccounts and Fixed
Account (other than in the Policy Loan Account). This withdrawal is made pro
rata on the basis of Policy Value in each account unless you direct a different
allocation when requesting the loan. The amount withdrawn is then transferred
to the Policy Loan Account in the Fixed Account and will become part of the
Fixed Account Value. Conversely, when a loan is repaid, an amount equal to the
repayment will be transferred from the Policy Loan Account and allocated to the
Subaccounts and Fixed Account as you direct when submitting the repayment. If
you provide no direction, the amount will be allocated in accordance with your
then effective Net Premium allocation percentages. Thus, a loan or loan
repayment will have no immediate effect on the Policy Value, but other Policy
Values, such as the Net Policy Value and Net Cash Surrender Value, will be
reduced or increased immediately by the amount transferred to or from the
Policy Loan Account.
  The amount in the Policy Loan Account will be credited with interest at a
minimum guaranteed annual rate of 4.0%. We may in our discretion credit
interest on this amount at a rate greater than 4%. Thus, the maximum net cost
of a loan is 1.0% per year (the difference between the rate of interest we
charge on Policy loans and the amount we credit on the equivalent amount held
in the Policy Loan Account). We currently intend to credit 4.0% on the amount
held in the Policy Loan Account during the first 10 Policy Years (a net loan
cost of 1.0%), and 4.75% after the first 10 Policy Years (a net loan cost of
0.25%).
  EFFECT OF POLICY LOAN. A policy loan, whether or not repaid, will have a
permanent effect on the Death Benefit and Policy values because the investment
results of the Subaccounts of the Separate Account and current interest rates
credited on Policy Value in the Fixed Account will apply only to the non-loaned
portion of the Policy Value. The longer the loan is outstanding, the greater
the effect is likely to be. Depending on the investment results of the
Subaccounts or credited interest rates for the Fixed Account while the policy
loan is outstanding, the effect could be favorable or unfavorable. Policy loans
may increase the potential for lapse if investment results of the Subaccounts
are less than anticipated. Also, policy loans could, particularly if not
repaid, make it more likely than otherwise for a Policy to terminate. See "Tax
Considerations," page 26, for a discussion of adverse tax consequences if a
Policy lapses with policy loans outstanding.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SURRENDERING THE POLICY FOR NET CASH SURRENDER VALUE
 
  You may surrender your Policy at any time for its Net Cash Surrender Value by
submitting a written request to our Office. We may require return of the
Policy. A surrender charge may apply. See "Surrender Charge," page 16. A
surrender request will be processed as of the date your written request and all
required documents are received and generally will be paid within seven days.
See "When Proceeds are Paid," page 25 and "Payment from the Fixed Account, page
15. The Net Cash Surrender Value may be taken in one sum or it may be applied
to a payment option. See "Payment Options," page 22. Your Policy will terminate
and cease to be in force if it is surrendered for one sum. It cannot later be
reinstated.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PARTIAL SURRENDERS
 
  You may make partial surrenders under your Policy subject to the following
conditions. You must submit a written request to our Office. The Net Cash
Surrender Value must exceed $1,000 after the partial surrender is deducted from
the Policy Value. No more than four partial surrenders may be made during a
Policy Year, and each partial surrender must be at least $250. During the first
five Policy Years, no partial surrender may be made that would reduce the
Specified Amount to less than $200,000. An administrative charge will be
assessed on a partial surrender. See "Partial Surrender Charge," page 17. This
charge will be deducted from your Policy Value along with the amount requested
to be withdrawn and will be considered part of the partial surrender (together,
the "partial surrender amount"). Policy values will be reduced by the partial
surrender amount.
  When you request a partial surrender, you can direct how the partial
surrender amount will be deducted from your Policy Value in the Subaccounts and
the Fixed Account, provided that the minimum amount remaining in an account as
a result of the deduction is $250. If you provide no directions, the partial
surrender amount will be deducted from your Policy Value in the accounts on a
pro rata basis. See "Deductions, Surrenders and Transfers from the Fixed
Account," page 14. If Specified Amount Option 1 is in effect, the Specified
Amount will also be reduced by the partial surrender amount.
  Partial surrender requests will be processed as of the date your written
request is received, and generally will be paid within seven days. See "When
Proceeds Are Paid," page 25, and "Payments from the Fixed Account," page 15.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MATURITY BENEFIT
 
  The Maturity Date is the Policy Anniversary nearest the younger Insured's
100th birthday. If the Policy is still in force on the Maturity Date, the
Maturity Benefit will be paid to you. The Maturity Benefit is equal to the Net
Policy Value on the Maturity Date.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAYMENT OPTIONS
 
  The Policy offers a wide variety of optional ways of receiving proceeds
payable under the Policy, such as on surrender, death or maturity, other than
in a lump sum. Any agent authorized to sell this Policy can explain these
options upon request. None of these options vary with the investment
performance of a separate account because they are all forms of fixed-benefit
annuities.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ILLUSTRATIONS OF POLICY VALUES, NET CASH SURRENDER VALUES, DEATH BENEFITS AND
ACCUMULATED PREMIUMS
 
  The following tables have been prepared to show how certain values under a
hypothetical Policy change with investment performance over an extended period
of time. The tables illustrate how Policy Values, Net Cash Surrender Values and
Death Benefits under a Policy covering two Insureds of given ages on the Issue
Date, would vary over time if planned premiums were paid annually and the
return on the assets in the selected Funds were a uniform gross annual rate of
0%, 6% and 12%. The values would be different from those shown if the returns
averaged 0%, 6% or 12% but fluctuated over and under those averages throughout
the years shown. The tables also show planned premiums accumulated at 5%
interest. The hypothetical investment rates of return are illustrative only and
should not be deemed a representation of past or future investment rates of
return. Actual rates of return for a particular Policy may be more or less than
the hypothetical investment rates of return and will depend on a number of
factors including the investment allocations made by an Owner, prevailing rates
and rates of inflation.
  The tables reflect the fact that the net investment return on the assets held
in the Subaccounts is lower than the gross after tax return of the selected
Funds. The tables assume an average annual expense ratio of .84% of the average
daily net assets of the Funds available under the Policies. This average annual
expense ratio is based on the expense ratios of each of the Funds for the last
fiscal year. For information on Fund expenses, see the prospectuses for the
Funds accompanying this prospectus.
  In addition, the tables also reflect the daily charge against Separate
Account assets attributable to the Policies for Penn Mutual's assumption of
mortality and expense risks, which is equivalent to an effective annual charge
of 0.90% of assets and currently is reduced to 0.60% of assets after the
fifteenth Policy Year. After deduction of Fund expenses and the mortality and
expense risk charge, the illustrated gross annual investment rates of return of
0%, 6% and 12% would correspond to approximate net annual rates of -1.74%,
4.26% and 10.26%, respectively, and -1.44%, 4.56% and 10.56%, respectively, at
current rates after the fifteenth Policy Year.
  The tables also reflect the deduction of the Monthly Expense Charge and the
Monthly Cost of Insurance Charge for the hypothetical Insureds. Our current
cost of insurance charges and the higher guaranteed maximum cost of insurance
charges we have the contractual right to charge are reflected in separate
tables on each of the following pages. All the tables reflect the fact that no
charges for Federal or state income taxes are currently made against the
Separate Account and assume no Indebtedness or charges for supplemental
benefits.
  The illustrations are based on our sex distinct rates for nonsmokers. Upon
request, we will furnish a comparable illustration based upon the proposed
Insureds' individual circumstances. Such illustrations may assume different
hypothetical rates of return than those illustrated in the following tables.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ILLUSTRATION OF POLICY VALUES
PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
MALE ISSUE AGE: 56                                                   NON-SMOKER
FEMALE ISSUE AGE: 53                                                 NON-SMOKER
                             $4,000 ANNUAL PREMIUM
                           $300,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                   USING GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE RATES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        0% HYPOTHETICAL          6% HYPOTHETICAL          12% HYPOTHETICAL
         PREMIUMS   GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN  GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN   GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN
        ACCUMULATED ------------------------ ------------------------ -------------------------
END OF      AT             NET CASH                 NET CASH                  NET CASH
POLICY  5% INTEREST POLICY SURRENDER  DEATH  POLICY SURRENDER  DEATH  POLICY  SURRENDER  DEATH
 YEAR    PER YEAR   VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT  VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT
- ------  ----------- ------ --------- ------- ------ --------- ------- ------  --------- -------
<S>     <C>         <C>    <C>       <C>     <C>    <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>
   1        4,200    2,731       0   300,000  2,923       0   300,000   3,116        0  300,000
   2        8,610    6,097   1,502   300,000  6,676   2,082   300,000   7,279    2,685  300,000
   3       13,241    9,367   4,773   300,000 10,551   5,956   300,000  11,830    7,236  300,000
   4       18,103   12,535   7,941   300,000 14,544   9,950   300,000  16,801   12,207  300,000
   5       23,208   15,595  11,000   300,000 18,653  14,059   300,000  22,227   17,633  300,000
   6       28,568   18,539  13,944   300,000 22,875  18,280   300,000  28,147   23,553  300,000
   7       34,196   21,357  16,763   300,000 27,202  22,608   300,000  34,602   30,008  300,000
   8       40,106   24,038  19,903   300,000 31,626  27,492   300,000  41,634   37,500  300,000
   9       46,312   26,565  22,889   300,000 36,135  32,460   300,000  49,291   45,616  300,000
  10       52,827   28,918  25,702   300,000 40,711  37,495   300,000  57,619   54,403  300,000
  15       90,630   37,048  36,129   300,000 63,697  62,778   300,000 111,369  110,450  300,000
  20      138,877   35,027  35,027   300,000 83,281  83,281   300,000 193,961  193,961  315,089
  25      200,454    9,582   9,582   300,000 88,397  88,397   300,000 317,014  317,014  450,902
  30      279,043        0       0         0 51,462  51,462   300,000 488,873  488,873  626,876
</TABLE>
 
 (1) Assumes that no policy loans have been made.
 (2) Guaranteed values reflect guaranteed cost of insurance rates, a monthly
     administrative charge of $15.00 per month, and a mortality and expense
     risk charge of 0.90% of assets.
 (3) Net investment returns are calculated as the hypothetical gross
     investment returns less all charges and deductions shown in the
     prospectus.
 (4) Assumes that the premium is paid at the beginning of each policy year.
     Values would be different if the premiums are paid with a different
     frequency or in different amounts.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ILLUSTRATION OF POLICY VALUES
PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
MALE ISSUE AGE: 61                                                   NON-SMOKER
FEMALE ISSUE AGE: 57                                                 NON-SMOKER
                             $7,000 ANNUAL PREMIUM
                           $300,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                   USING GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE RATES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        0% HYPOTHETICAL           6% HYPOTHETICAL           12% HYPOTHETICAL
         PREMIUMS   GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN   GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN    GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN
        ACCUMULATED ------------------------ ------------------------- ---------------------------
END OF      AT             NET CASH                  NET CASH                  NET CASH
POLICY  5% INTEREST POLICY SURRENDER  DEATH  POLICY  SURRENDER  DEATH  POLICY  SURRENDER   DEATH
 YEAR    PER YEAR   VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT  VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT  VALUE    VALUE    BENEFIT
- ------  ----------- ------ --------- ------- ------  --------- ------- ------  ---------  -------
<S>     <C>         <C>    <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>
   1        7,350    5,442     596   300,000   5,801      955  300,000   6,160    1,314    300,000
   2       15,068   11,439   6,593   300,000  12,520    7,674  300,000  13,644    8,798    300,000
   3       23,171   17,257  12,411   300,000  19,448   14,602  300,000  21,817   16,971    300,000
   4       31,679   22,885  18,039   300,000  26,582   21,735  300,000  30,739   25,892    300,000
   5       40,613   28,309  23,463   300,000  33,914   29,067  300,000  40,471   35,625    300,000
   6       49,994   33,512  28,666   300,000  41,433   36,587  300,000  51,081   46,235    300,000
   7       59,844   38,472  33,625   300,000  49,126   44,280  300,000  62,643   57,797    300,000
   8       70,186   43,161  38,800   300,000  56,975   52,613  300,000  75,237   70,876    300,000
   9       81,045   47,553  43,676   300,000  64,960   61,083  300,000  88,958   85,081    300,000
  10       92,448   51,614  48,222   300,000  73,061   69,669  300,000 103,915  100,523    300,000
  15      158,602   65,512  64,543   300,000 114,520  113,550  300,000 202,489  201,520    337,516
  20      243,035   61,306  61,306   300,000 154,345  154,345  300,000 349,666  349,666    507,607
  25      350,794   17,088  17,088   300,000 187,783  187,783  300,000 556,815  556,815    725,622
  30      488,326        0       0         0 209,876  209,876  300,000 838,487  838,487  1,009,912
</TABLE>
 
 (1) Assumes that no policy loans have been made.
 (2) Guaranteed values reflect guaranteed cost of insurance rates, a monthly
     administrative charge of $15.00 per month, and a mortality and expense
     risk charge of 0.90% of assets.
 (3) Net investment returns are calculated as the hypothetical gross
     investment returns less all charges and deductions shown in the
     prospectus.
 (4) Assumes that the premium is paid at the beginning of each policy year.
     Values would be different if the premiums are paid with a different
     frequency or in different amounts.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, PREVAILING RATES AND RATES OF
INFLATION. THE DEATH BENEFIT AND CASH VALUE FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT
FROM THOSE SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 6% OR 12% OVER A
PERIOD OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR
INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY THE COMPANY OR THE
FUND THAT THESE HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR
OR SUSTAINED OVER ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ILLUSTRATION OF POLICY VALUES
PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
MALE ISSUE AGE: 61           $7,000 ANNUAL PREMIUM                   NON-SMOKER
FEMALE ISSUE AGE: 57       $300,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT                 NON-SMOKER
                            DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                     USING CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE RATES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        0% HYPOTHETICAL           6% HYPOTHETICAL            12% HYPOTHETICAL
         PREMIUMS   GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN   GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN
        ACCUMULATED ------------------------ ------------------------- -----------------------------
END OF      AT             NET CASH                  NET CASH                    NET CASH
POLICY  5% INTEREST POLICY SURRENDER  DEATH  POLICY  SURRENDER  DEATH   POLICY   SURRENDER   DEATH
 YEAR    PER YEAR   VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT  VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT   VALUE     VALUE    BENEFIT
- ------  ----------- ------ --------- ------- ------  --------- -------  ------   ---------  -------
<S>     <C>         <C>    <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>       <C>
   1        7,350    5,447     600   300,000   5,805      959  300,000     6,165     1,318   300,000
   2       15,068   11,578   6,732   300,000  12,663    7,817  300,000    13,792     8,945   300,000
   3       23,171   17,542  12,696   300,000  19,751   14,904  300,000    22,138    17,292   300,000
   4       31,679   23,333  18,487   300,000  27,071   22,225  300,000    31,271    26,425   300,000
   5       40,613   28,946  24,100   300,000  34,625   29,779  300,000    41,264    36,418   300,000
   6       49,994   34,368  29,522   300,000  42,411   37,564  300,000    52,195    47,349   300,000
   7       59,844   39,591  34,744   300,000  50,426   45,580  300,000    64,154    59,308   300,000
   8       70,186   44,604  40,243   300,000  58,674   54,313  300,000    77,244    72,883   300,000
   9       81,045   49,402  45,525   300,000  67,158   63,281  300,000    91,584    87,707   300,000
  10       92,448   53,971  50,578   300,000  75,878   72,486  300,000   107,306   103,914   300,000
  15      158,602   73,812  72,843   300,000 124,007  123,038  300,000   213,142   212,173   355,272
  20      243,035   89,789  89,789   300,000 184,738  184,738  300,000   387,145   387,145   562,014
  25      350,794   93,962  93,962   300,000 258,517  258,517  336,891   660,055   660,055   860,161
  30      488,326   69,639  69,639   300,000 341,902  341,902  411,802 1,074,725 1,074,725 1,294,447
</TABLE>
 
 (1) Assumes that no policy loans have been made.
 (2) Current values reflect current cost of insurance rates, a monthly
     administrative charge of $15.00 in year 1 and $5.00 thereafter, and a
     mortality and expense risk charge of 0.90% of assets in years 1-15 and
     0.60% thereafter.
 (3) Net investment returns are calculated as the hypothetical gross
     investment returns less all charges and deductions shown in the
     prospectus.
 (4) Assumes that the premium is paid at the beginning of each policy year.
     Values would be different if the premiums are paid with a different
     frequency or in different amounts.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ILLUSTRATION OF POLICY VALUES
PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
MALE ISSUE AGE: 56           $4,000 ANNUAL PREMIUM                   NON-SMOKER
FEMALE ISSUE AGE: 53       $300,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT                 NON-SMOKER
                            DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                     USING CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE RATES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        0% HYPOTHETICAL           6% HYPOTHETICAL          12% HYPOTHETICAL
         PREMIUMS   GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN   GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN   GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN
        ACCUMULATED ------------------------ ------------------------- -------------------------
END OF      AT             NET CASH                  NET CASH                  NET CASH
POLICY  5% INTEREST POLICY SURRENDER  DEATH  POLICY  SURRENDER  DEATH  POLICY  SURRENDER  DEATH
 YEAR    PER YEAR   VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT  VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT  VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT
- ------  ----------- ------ --------- ------- ------  --------- ------- ------  --------- -------
<S>     <C>         <C>    <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>
   1        4,200    2,733       0   300,000   2,925        0  300,000   3,118        0  300,000
   2        8,610    6,224   1,630   300,000   6,808    2,213  300,000   7,415    2,821  300,000
   3       13,241    9,624   5,030   300,000  10,824    6,230  300,000  12,121    7,526  300,000
   4       18,103   12,929   8,335   300,000  14,975   10,381  300,000  17,271   12,677  300,000
   5       23,208   16,132  11,538   300,000  19,258   14,663  300,000  22,905   18,311  300,000
   6       28,568   19,229  14,635   300,000  23,672   19,078  300,000  29,067   24,472  300,000
   7       34,196   22,215  17,620   300,000  28,217   23,623  300,000  35,804   31,209  300,000
   8       40,106   25,082  20,948   300,000  32,892   28,757  300,000  43,170   39,036  300,000
   9       46,312   27,824  24,148   300,000  37,691   34,015  300,000  51,224   47,548  300,000
  10       52,827   30,429  27,213   300,000  42,611   39,395  300,000  60,029   56,813  300,000
  15       90,630   40,952  40,033   300,000  68,750   67,831  300,000 118,103  117,184  300,000
  20      138,877   48,077  48,077   300,000  99,638   99,638  300,000 214,652  214,652  348,701
  25      200,454   49,345  49,345   300,000 134,883  134,883  300,000 370,248  370,248  526,620
  30      279,043   34,763  34,763   300,000 171,360  171,360  300,000 613,714  613,714  786,957
</TABLE>
 
 (1) Assumes that no policy loans have been made.
 (2) Current values reflect current cost of insurance rates, a monthly
     administrative charge of $15.00 in year 1 and $5.00 thereafter, and a
     mortality and expense risk charge of 0.90% of assets in years 1-15 and
     0.60% thereafter.
 (3) Net investment returns are calculated as the hypothetical gross
     investment returns less all charges and deductions shown in the
     prospectus.
 (4) Assumes that the premium is paid at the beginning of each policy year.
     Values would be different if the premiums are paid with a different
     frequency or in different amounts.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, PREVAILING RATES AND RATES OF
INFLATION. THE DEATH BENEFIT AND CASH VALUE FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT
FROM THOSE SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 6% OR 12% OVER A
PERIOD OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR
INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY THE COMPANY OR THE
FUND THAT THESE HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR
OR SUSTAINED OVER ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER POLICY BENEFITS AND PROVISIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RIGHT TO CONVERT TO A FIXED BENEFIT POLICY
 
  At any time within the first 24 policy months, you may transfer Policy Value
in the Subaccounts to the Fixed Account and thereby convert your Policy to a
last survivor flexible premium adjustable non-variable life insurance policy.
Thereafter the benefits for your Policy will not vary with the investment
experience of a separate account. Premiums paid thereafter will be allocated
automatically to the Fixed Account. The conversion must be elected within 24
months from the Policy Date. No evidence of insurability will be required. The
Policy will provide the same amount of death benefit or the same net amount at
risk, whichever you elect, as was in effect immediately prior to the
conversion. All Indebtedness must be paid prior to the conversion.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS
 
  The Policies are participating policies in that they are eligible to
participate in Penn Mutual's surplus. However, we do not anticipate that any
dividends will be paid on the Policies. If dividends are paid, you will have
the option of having them added to your Policy Value or paid to you in cash.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCONTESTABILITY
 
  We will not contest the Policy with respect to each Insured after it has been
in force during that Insured's lifetime for two years from the Issue Date. Any
increase in the Death Benefit will be incontestable with respect to statements
made in the evidence of insurability for that change in Specified Amount Option
after the increase has been in force during the life of an Insured for two
years after the effective date of the increase.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUICIDE EXCLUSION
 
  If either Insured dies by suicide within two years after the Issue Date,
while sane or insane, the Death Benefit will be limited to the premiums paid
less any Indebtedness and any partial surrenders.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MISSTATEMENT OF AGE OR SEX
 
  If either Insured's age or sex has been misstated in the Policy, the Death
Benefit under the Policy will be the amount which would have been provided by
the most recent Cost of Insurance Charge at the correct ages and sexes.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHEN PROCEEDS ARE PAID
 
  We will ordinarily pay any Death Benefit, loan proceeds or partial or full
surrender proceeds within seven days after receipt at our Office of all the
documents required for such a payment. Other than the Death Benefit, which is
determined as of the date of death, the amount will be determined as of the
date of receipt of required documents. However, we may delay making a payment
or processing a transfer request if (1) the disposal or valuation of the
Separate Account's assets is not reasonably practicable because the New York
Stock Exchange is closed for other than a regular holiday or weekend, trading
is restricted by the SEC, or the SEC declares that an emergency exists; or (2)
the SEC by order permits postponement of payment to protect Penn Mutual's
policy owners. See also "Payments from the Fixed Account," page 15.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTS TO POLICY OWNERS
 
  Each year you will be sent a report showing the current Policy values,
premiums paid and deductions made since the last report, any outstanding policy
loans, and any additional premiums permitted under your Policy. You will also
be sent an annual and a semi-annual report for the Separate Account and for
each Fund underlying a Subaccount to which you have allocated Policy Value, as
required by the 1940 Act. In addition, when you pay premiums (other than by
pre-authorized check), or if you
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
 
take out a policy loan, transfer amounts among the Accounts or make partial
surrenders, you will receive a written confirmation of these transactions.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSIGNMENT
 
  The Policy may be assigned in accordance with its terms on a form provided by
us. We will not be deemed to know of an assignment unless we receive a copy of
it at our Office. We assume no responsibility for the validity or sufficiency
of any assignment.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REINSTATEMENT
 
  The Policy may be reinstated within five years after lapse, subject to
compliance with certain conditions, including the payment of a necessary
premium and submission of satisfactory evidence of insurability. See your
Policy for further information.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS
 
  The following supplemental benefits are available and may be added to your
Policy. There are monthly charges for these benefits that are in addition to
the Cost of Insurance and Monthly Expense Charges described above. (See
"Monthly Deduction," page 15). If any of these benefits are added to your
Policy, monthly charges for the supplemental benefits will be deducted from
your Policy Value as part of the Monthly Deduction.
  FLEXIBLE PERIOD SINGLE LIFE TERM RIDER - provides term insurance covering
  the named insured for the designated period.
  POLICY SPLIT OPTION - permits the policy to be split into two fixed benefit
  (nonvariable) policies upon the issuance of a final divorce decree relating
  to the two Insureds or a change in federal estate tax law that results in
  the inability to defer estate taxes until the death of the last surviving
  Insured.
  ESTATE GROWTH BENEFIT - provides for automatic annual increase of 3% or 6%
  of the Initial Specified Amount.
  CHANGE OF INSURED - permits a change in one insured so long as the new
  insured has the same insurable relationship to the remaining insured as did
  the insured being replaced.
  SUPPLEMENTAL TERM INSURANCE - provides additional death benefit payable on
  the death of the last surviving Insured if the death occurs during the term
  of the Policy.
  GUARANTEED CONTINUATION OF POLICY - guarantees that the Policy will remain
  in force and a death benefit will be payable regardless of the sufficiency
  of the net Cash Surrender Value.
  Additional rules and limits apply to these supplemental benefits. All
supplemental benefits may not be available in your state. Please ask your
authorized Penn Mutual agent for further information or contact our Office.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTRODUCTION
 
  The following summary provides a general description of the Federal income
tax considerations associated with the Policy and does not purport to be
complete or to cover all situations. This discussion is not intended as tax
advice. Counsel or other competent tax advisors should be consulted for more
complete information. This discussion is based on Penn Mutual's understanding
of the present Federal income tax laws as they are currently interpreted by the
Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"). No representation is made as to the
likelihood of continuation of the present Federal income tax laws or of the
current interpretations by the IRS.
 
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAX STATUS OF THE POLICY
 
  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, Penn
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 Contract were determined not to be a life insurance contract for
purposes of Section 7702, such contract 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,
Penn Mutual may take whatever steps are appropriate and reasonable to attempt
to cause such a Policy to comply with Section 7702. For these reasons, Penn
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 requires that the investments of each Subaccount
of the Separate Account must be "adequately diversified" in accordance with
Treasury regulations in order for the Policy to qualify as a life insurance
contract under Section 7702 of the Code (discussed above). The Separate
Account, through the Funds, intends to comply with the diversification
requirements prescribed in Treas. Reg. (S) 1.817-5, which affect how the Funds'
assets are to be invested. Penn Mutual believes that the Separate Account will
thus meet the diversification requirement, and Penn Mutual will monitor
continued compliance with this requirement.
  The IRS has stated in published rulings that a variable contract owner will
be considered the owner of separate account assets if the contract owner
possesses incidents of ownership in those assets, such as the ability to
exercise investment control over the assets. In circumstances where the
variable contract owner is considered the owner of separate account assets,
income and gain from the assets would be includable in the variable contract
owner's gross income. In connection with the issuance of regulations on the
phrase "adequate diversification," the Treasury Department announced that
guidance would be given, by way of regulation or ruling, on the "extent to
which policyholders may direct their investments to particular subaccounts
without being treated as owners of underlying assets." As of the date of this
prospectus, no such guidance had been issued.
  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. Penn Mutual believes that the proceeds and cash value increases
of a Policy should be treated in a manner consistent with a fixed-benefit life
insurance policy for Federal income tax purposes. Thus, the Death Benefit under
the Policy should 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, a Policy
loan, a partial withdrawal, 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. In addition,
Federal, state and local transfer, and other tax consequences of ownership or
receipt of Policy proceeds depend on the circumstances of each Owner or
Beneficiary.
  Generally, the Owner will not be deemed to be in constructive receipt of the
Policy Value, including increments thereof, until there is a distribution. The
tax consequences of distributions from, and loans taken from or secured by, a
Policy depend on whether the Policy is classified as a "Modified Endowment
Contract." Upon a complete surrender or lapse of a Policy or when benefits are
paid at a Policy's maturity date, whether a Policy is or is not a Modified
Endowment Contract, 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.
  MODIFIED ENDOWMENT CONTRACTS. The Internal Revenue Code establishes a class
of life insurance contracts designated as "Modified Endowment Contracts," which
applies to Policies entered into or materially changed after June 20, 1988.
  Due to the Policy's flexibility, classification as a Modified Endowment
Contract will depend on the individual circumstances of each Policy. In
general, a Policy will be a Modified Endowment Contract if the accumulated
premiums paid at any time during the first seven Policy Years exceeds the sum
of the net level premiums which would have been paid on or before such time if
the Policy provided for paid-up future benefits after the payment of seven
level annual premiums. The
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
 
determination of whether a Policy will be a Modified Endowment Contact after a
material change generally depends upon the relationship of the Death Benefit
and Policy Value at the time of such change and the additional premiums paid in
the seven years following the material change. At the time a premium is
credited which would cause the Policy to become a Modified Endowment Contract,
Penn Mutual will notify the Owner that unless a refund of the excess premium
(with interest) is requested by the Owner, the Policy will become a Modified
Endowment Contract. The Owner will have 30 days after receiving such
notification to request the refund.
  The rules relating to whether a Policy will be treated as a Modified
Endowment Contract are extremely complex and cannot be adequately described in
the limited confines of this summary. Therefore, a current or prospective Owner
should consult with a competent advisor to determine whether a policy
transaction will cause the Policy to be treated as a Modified Endowment
Contract.
  DISTRIBUTIONS FROM POLICIES CLASSIFIED AS MODIFIED ENDOWMENT CONTRACTS.
Policies classified as Modified Endowment Contract will be subject to the
following tax rules: First, all distributions, including distributions upon
surrender and partial withdrawals from such a Policy are treated as ordinary
income subject to tax up to the amount equal to the excess (if any) of the
Policy Value immediately before the distribution over the investment in the
Policy (described below) at such time. Second, loans taken from or secured by,
such a Policy are treated as distributions from such a Policy and taxed
accordingly. Past due loan interest that is added to the loan amount will be
treated as a loan. Third, a 10 percent additional income tax is imposed on the
portion of any distribution from, or loan taken from or secured by, such a
Policy that is included in income except where the distribution or loan is made
on or after the Owner attains age 59-1/2, is attributable to the Owner's
becoming disabled, or is part of a series of substantially equal periodic
payments for the life (or life expectancy) of the Owner or the joint lives (or
joint life expectancies) of the Owner and the Owner's Beneficiary.
  DISTRIBUTIONS FROM POLICIES NOT CLASSIFIED AS MODIFIED ENDOWMENT CONTRACTS.
Distributions from a Policy that is not a Modified Endowment Contract, are
generally treated as first recovering the investment in the Policy (described
below) and then, only after the return of all such investment in the Policy, as
distributing taxable income. An exception to this general rule occurs in the
case of a decrease in the Policy's Death Benefit or any other change that
reduces benefits under the Policy in the first 15 years after the Policy is
issued and that results in a cash distribution to the Owner in order for the
Policy to continue complying with the Section 7702 definitional limits. Such a
cash 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.
  Loans from, or secured by, a Policy that is not a Modified Endowment Contract
are not treated as distributions. Instead, such loans are treated as
indebtedness of the Owner.
  Finally, neither distributions (including distributions upon surrender) nor
loans from, or secured by, a Policy that is not a Modified Endowment Contract
are subject to the 10 percent additional tax.
  POLICY LOAN INTEREST. Generally, personal interest paid on a loan under a
Policy which is owned by an individual is not deductible. In addition, interest
on any loan under a Policy owned by a taxpayer and covering the life of any
individual who is an officer or employee of or is financially interested in the
business carried on by that taxpayer will not be tax deductible to the extent
the aggregate amount of such loans with respect to contracts covering such
individual exceeds $50,000. The deduction of interest on Policy loans may also
be subject to the restrictions of Section 264 of the Code. An Owner should
consult a tax adviser before deducting any interest paid in respect of a policy
loan.
  INVESTMENT IN THE POLICY. Investment in the Policy means: (i) the aggregate
amount of any premiums or other consideration paid for a Policy, minus (ii) the
aggregate amount received under the Policy which is excluded from gross income
of the Owner (except that the amount of any loan from, or secured by, a Policy
that is a Modified Endowment Contract, to the extent such amount is excluded
from gross income, will be disregarded), plus (iii) the amount of any loan
from, or secured by, a Policy that is a Modified Endowment Contract to the
extent that such amount is included in the gross income of the Owner.
  MULTIPLE POLICIES. All Modified Endowment Contracts that are issued by Penn
Mutual (or its affiliates) to the same Owner during any calendar year are
treated as one Modified Endowment Contract for purposes of determining the
amount includable in the gross income under Section 72(e) of the Code.
  TAXATION OF POLICY SPLIT. The Policy Split Option Rider permits a Policy to
be split into two other life policies upon the occurrence of a divorce of the
joint insureds or certain changes in federal estate tax law. A policy split
could have adverse tax consequences; for example, it is not clear whether a
policy split will be treated as a nontaxable exchange under 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. In addition, it
is not clear whether, in all circumstances, the individual contracts that
result from a policy split would be treated as life insurance contracts for
federal income tax purpose and, if so treated, whether the individual contracts
would be classified as modified endowment contracts. Before you exercise rights
provided by the policy split option, it is important that you consult with a
competent tax advisor regarding the possible consequences of a policy split.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
 
  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 of the Owner,
may have generation skipping transfer tax considerations under Section 2601 of
the Code.
  The individual situation of each 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.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHARGE FOR PENN MUTUAL'S TAXES
 
  At the present time, Penn Mutual makes no charge for any federal, state or
local taxes (other than premium taxes) that it incurs that may be attributable
to the Separate Account or Fixed Account or to the Policies. Penn Mutual,
however, reserves the right to impose a charge in the future for any such tax
or other economic burden resulting from the application of tax laws that it
determines to be properly attributable to the Accounts or to the Policies.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLICIES AND PENN MUTUAL
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SALE OF THE POLICIES
 
  Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc. ("HTK"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Penn
Mutual, acts as a principal underwriter of the Policies. HTK also acts as
principal underwriter for Penn Mutual Variable Annuity Account III, a separate
account also established by Penn Mutual and for PIA Variable Annuity Account I,
a separate account established by The Penn Insurance and Annuity Company, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Penn Mutual. HTK is a registered broker-dealer under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. Regulatory approvals are being sought so that the
Policy can be offered in all states. The Policy is sold by certain registered
representatives of HTK who are also appointed and licensed as insurance agents.
The Policy may also be offered through insurance and securities brokers who
have lawfully qualified to sell the Policies. Registered representatives may be
paid commissions on a Policy they sell based on premiums paid in amounts up to
50% of first year premiums, 2% on premiums paid during the second through
fifteenth Policy Years, and 1.2% on premiums paid after the first fifteen
Policy Years. Other allowances and overrides also may be paid. Registered
representatives who meet certain productivity and profitability standards may
be eligible for additional compensation.
   
  For 1995, Penn Mutual received premium payments on the Policy in the
approximate amount of $477,000, and compensated HTK in the approximate amount
of $3,100 for its services as principal underwriter.     
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN MUTUAL TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
 
  Penn Mutual is managed by a board of trustees. The following table sets forth
the name, address and principal occupations during the past five years of each
of Penn Mutual's trustees.
 
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               POSITION WITH         PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
 NAME AND ADDRESS              PENN MUTUAL           DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <C>                           <C>                   <S>
 John E. Tait                  Chairman of the Board Chairman of the Board
 Independence Square                                 (since April 1995),
 Philadelphia, PA 19172                              Chairman and Chief
                                                     Executive Officer (January
                                                     1994 to April 1995),
                                                     Chairman, President and
                                                     Chief Executive Officer
                                                     (September 1991 to January
                                                     1994), Chairman of the
                                                     Board and Chief Executive
                                                     Officer (prior thereto),
                                                     The Penn Mutual Life
                                                     Insurance Company.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Robert E. Chappell            President and Chief   President and Chief
 Independence Square           Executive Officer     Executive Officer (since
 Philadelphia, PA 19172                              April 1995), President and
                                                     Chief Operating Officer,
                                                     The Penn Mutual Life
                                                     Insurance Company (January
                                                     1994 to April 1995);
                                                     Executive Vice President,
                                                     PNC Bank Corp. (January
                                                     1992 to December 1993);
                                                     Chairman of the Board
                                                     (June 1991 to January
                                                     1992) and Chairman,
                                                     President and Chief
                                                     Executive Officer,
                                                     Provident National Bank
                                                     (prior thereto).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 James A. Hagen                Trustee               Chairman of the Board,
 2001 Market Street                                  Conrail, Inc.
 P.O. Box 41417
 Philadelphia, PA 19101-1417
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Philip E. Lippincott          Trustee               Retired (since April
 P.O. Box 497                                        1994), Chairman and Chief
 Lima, PA 19037                                      Executive Officer, Scott
                                                     Paper Company (prior
                                                     thereto).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Claudine B. Malone            Trustee               President, Financial and
 7570 Potomac Fall Road                              Management Consulting,
 McLean, VA 22102                                    Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 John F. McCaughan             Trustee               Chairman of the Board,
 Betz Laboratories, Inc.                             Betz Laboratories, Inc.
 200 Witmer Road
 Horsham, PA 19044
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Alan B. Miller                Trustee               Chairman and President,
 367 Gulph Road                                      Universal Health Services,
 King of Prussia, PA 19406                           Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Joseph Neubauer               Trustee               Chairman, Chief Executive
 ARAMARK Tower                                       Officer and President,
 1101 Market Street                                  ARAMARK Corporation.
 Philadelphia, PA 19107
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Norman T. Wilde, Jr.          Trustee               President and Chief
 1801 Market Street                                  Executive Officer, Janney
 Philadelphia, PA 19103                              Montgomery Scott Inc. (a
                                                     securities broker/dealer
                                                     and subsidiary of The Penn
                                                     Mutual Life Insurance
                                                     Company).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Wesley S. Williams, Jr., Esq. Trustee               Partner, Covington &
 1201 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.                        Burling (law firm).
 P.O. Box 7566
 Washington, D.C. 20004
</TABLE>
 
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
 
  The following table sets forth the names, addresses and principal occupations
during the past five years of the senior officers of Penn Mutual (other than
officers who are members of Penn Mutual's Board of Trustees).
 
SENIOR OFFICERS
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 NAME                   PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <C>                    <S>
 John M. Albanese       Vice President, Systems and Service (since July 1995),
 Independence Square    Vice President, Information Systems Application (August
 Philadelphia, PA 19172 1992 to July 1995), Manager (prior thereto) Price
                        Waterhouse.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Nancy S. Brodie        Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 Independence Square    (since December 1995), Senior Vice President and Chief
 Philadelphia, PA 19172 Financial Officer (January 1994 to December 1995), Vice
                        President and Controller (November 1991 to January
                        1994), General Auditor (October 1989 to November 1991),
                        Assistant Vice President, Taxation (prior thereto), The
                        Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Phillip E. Collins     Senior Vice President, Career Financial Network (since
 Independence Square    August 1992), Vice President, Career Financial Network
 Philadelphia, PA 19172 (January 1992 to August 1992), The Penn Mutual Life
                        Insurance Company, Senior Vice President, Career Sales,
                        Monarch Life Insurance Company (prior thereto).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Joseph J. Horvath      Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
 Independence Square    (since January 1992), Senior Vice President, General
 Philadelphia, PA 19172 Counsel and Secretary (prior thereto), The Penn Mutual
                        Life Insurance Company.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 L. Stockton Illoway    Senior Vice President, Annuity and Pension Business
 Independence Square    (since December 1993), Senior Vice President,
 Philadelphia, PA 19172 Individual Retirement Investment Services (September
                        1993 to December 1993), Regional Vice President (prior
                        thereto), The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Richard J. Liburdi     Senior Vice President, Insurance and Life Sales (since
 Independence Square    January 1991), Vice President and Product Manager
 Philadelphia, PA 19172 (November 1988 to January 1991), Assistant Vice
                        President and Product Manager (prior thereto), The Penn
                        Mutual Life Insurance Company.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Nina M. Mulrooney      General Auditor (since November 1991), Assistant Vice
 Independence Square    President, Corporate Accounting and Controls (December
 Philadelphia, PA 19172 1988 to November 1991), Director, Cost Accounting and
                        Budget (prior thereto), The Penn Mutual Life Insurance
                        Company.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Steven C. Palmitier    Senior Vice President, Independent Financial Network
 Independence Square    (since January 1995), Vice President, Independent
 Philadelphia, PA 19172 Financial Network (April 1991 to January 1995), The
                        Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Peter M. Sherman       Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
 Independence Square    (since May 1996), Vice President, Investments (January
 Philadelphia, PA 19172 1996 to April 1996), Vice President, Fixed Income
                        Portfolio Management (prior thereto), The Penn Mutual
                        Life Insurance Company; President, Independence Capital
                        Management, Inc. (an investment advisory organization
                        and subsidiary of Penn Mutual).
</TABLE>    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE REGULATION
 
  Penn Mutual is subject to regulation by the Department of Insurance of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which periodically examines our financial
condition and operations. We are also subject to the insurance laws and
regulations of all jurisdictions where we do business. The Policy described in
this prospectus has been filed with and, where required, approved by, insurance
officials in those jurisdictions where it is sold.
  We are required to submit annual statements of our operations, including
financial statements, to the insurance departments of the various jurisdictions
where we do business to determine solvency and compliance with applicable
insurance laws and regulations.
 
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 has been filed
with the SEC relating to the offering described in this prospectus. This
prospectus does not include all the information set forth in the registration
statement. The omitted information may be obtained at the SEC's principal
office in Washington, D.C. by paying the SEC's prescribed fees.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPERTS
          
  The statement of assets and liabilities of Penn Mutual Variable Life Account
I--Cornerstone VUL II/Variable EstateMax as of December 31, 1995, and the
related statement of operations and the statements of changes in net assets
for the period May 1, 1995 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 1995,
and the statements of financial condition of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance
Company as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and the related statements of
operations and surplus and cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1995, included in this prospectus, have been audited
by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants. The reports and the
financial statements have been included upon authority of said firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.     
   
  Actuarial matters included in this prospectus have been examined by Peter R.
Schaefer, F.S.A., M.A.A.A., Actuary of Penn Mutual, whose opinion is filed as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement.     
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LITIGATION
 
  No litigation is pending that would have a material effect upon the Separate
Account or Penn Series.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEGAL MATTERS
 
  Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has provided
advice on certain matters relating to the federal securities laws and the
offering of the Policies.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
   
  The financial statements of the Subaccounts and of Penn Mutual appear on the
following pages. The financial statements of Penn Mutual should be
distinguished from any financial statements of the Subaccounts and should be
considered only as bearing upon Penn Mutual's ability to meet its obligations
under the Policies.     
 
                                      32
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
TO THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND CONTRACT OWNERS
OF PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT I--CORNERSTONE VUL II/VARIABLE ESTATE MAX:
   
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of the
Penn Mutual Variable Life Account I--Cornerstone VUL II/Variable Estate Max
(VUL II/VMAX) [comprising, respectively, the Money Market Fund, Quality Bond
Fund, High Yield Bond Fund, Growth Equity Fund, Value Equity Fund, Flexibly
Managed Fund, Small Capitalization Fund, International Equity Fund, Limited
Maturity Bond Portfolio, Balanced Portfolio, TCI Growth Portfolio, Equity-
Income Portfolio, Growth Portfolio, and Asset Manager Portfolio] as of December
31, 1995, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets
for the period from May 1, 1995 (commencement of operations) to December 31,
1995. These financial statements are the responsibility of the management of
VUL II/VMAX. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.     
   
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the Financial statements. Our
procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 1995 by
correspondence with the transfer agents. 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 Penn Mutual Variable Life
Account I--Cornerstone VUL II/Variable Estate Max as of December 31, 1995, the
results of its operations and changes in net assets for the period from May 1,
1995 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 1995 in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.     
 
/s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND, L.L.P.
 
2400 Eleven Penn Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 4, 1996
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT I - VUL II/VARIABLE ESTATE MAX
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                        MONEY MARKET MONEY MARKET QUALITY BOND HIGH YIELD BOND
                              TOTAL       FUND+(A)     FUND+(B)      FUND+          FUND+
                            ----------  ------------ ------------ ------------ ---------------
<S>                         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
INVESTMENT IN COMMON
 STOCK:
 Number of shares.........                1,064,691     41,147        8,511         10,953
 Identified cost..........  $5,948,988   $1,064,691    $41,147      $88,932        $96,842
ASSETS:
 Investments at value.....  $5,935,065   $1,064,691    $41,147      $87,148        $92,442
 Dividends receivable.....       4,412        4,344         68            0              0
LIABILITIES:
 Due to (from) the Penn
  Mutual Life Insurance
  Company.................      84,689       61,399     23,889          (12)           (12)
                            ----------   ----------    -------      -------        -------
NET ASSETS................  $6,024,166   $1,130,434    $65,104      $87,136        $92,430
                            ==========   ==========    =======      =======        =======
Variable life accumulation
 units....................                  109,836      6,316        7,837          8,652
Accumulation unit values..               $    10.29    $ 10.31      $ 11.12        $ 10.68
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT I - VUL II/VARIABLE ESTATE MAX
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS - FOR THE PERIOD MAY 1, 1995 (COMMENCEMENT OF
OPERATIONS)
TO DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                        MONEY MARKET MONEY MARKET QUALITY BOND HIGH YIELD BOND
                              TOTAL       FUND+(A)     FUND+(B)      FUND+          FUND+
                            ----------  ------------ ------------ ------------ ---------------
<S>                         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
 Dividends................  $   97,291   $   18,434    $   871      $ 4,981        $ 8,033
EXPENSE:
 Mortality and expense
  risk charges ...........      14,400        3,207        152          170            318
                            ----------   ----------    -------      -------        -------
 Net investment income
  (loss)..................      82,891       15,227        719        4,811          7,715
                            ----------   ----------    -------      -------        -------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED
 GAINS (LOSSES) ON
 INVESTMENTS:
 Realized gains (losses)
  from redemption of fund
  shares .................       1,831            0          0          122              2
 Capital gains distribu-
  tions ..................     105,862            0          0            0              0
                            ----------   ----------    -------      -------        -------
 Net realized gains (loss-
  es).....................     107,693            0          0          122              2
 Net change in unrealized
  appreciation/depreciation
  of investments..........     (13,949)           0          0       (1,784)        (4,400)
                            ----------   ----------    -------      -------        -------
 Net realized and
  unrealized gains
  (losses) on investments.      93,744            0          0       (1,662)        (4,398)
                            ----------   ----------    -------      -------        -------
 NET INCREASE (DECREASE)
  IN NET ASSETS RESULTING
  FROM OPERATIONS.........  $  176,635   $   15,227    $   719      $ 3,149        $ 3,317
                            ==========   ==========    =======      =======        =======
</TABLE>
- -----------------------
(a) Represents only the Cornerstone VUL II product.
(b) Represents only the Variable Estate Max product.
+  Investment in Penn Series Funds, Inc.
++ Investment in Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust.
+++ Investment in TCI Portfolios, Inc.
++++ Investment in Fidelity Investments' Variable Insurance Products Fund's I
     and II.
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             FLEXIBLY       SMALL      INTERNATIONAL                LIMITED
 GROWTH EQUITY VALUE EQUITY  MANAGED    CAPITALIZATION    EQUITY      BALANCED   MATURITY BOND
     FUND+        FUND+       FUND+         FUND+          FUND+     PORTFOLIO++  PORTFOLIO++
 ------------- ------------ ----------  -------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S>            <C>          <C>         <C>            <C>           <C>         <C>
      2,558        57,478       80,333       15,042        18,207        5,798        2,649
    $56,620      $935,833   $1,434,518     $166,821      $256,689     $101,586      $38,077
    $51,151      $935,742   $1,397,794     $164,862      $263,462     $101,580      $38,966
          0             0            0            0             0            0            0
         (5)         (116)        (171)         (20)          (33)         (12)          (5)
    -------      --------   ----------     --------      --------     --------      -------
    $51,146      $935,626   $1,397,623     $164,842      $263,429     $101,568      $38,961
    =======      ========   ==========     ========      ========     ========      =======
      4,405        77,709      123,994       14,722        23,252        8,947        3,677
    $ 11.61      $  12.04   $    11.27     $  11.20      $  11.33     $  11.35      $ 10.60
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                             FLEXIBLY       SMALL      INTERNATIONAL                LIMITED
 GROWTH EQUITY VALUE EQUITY  MANAGED    CAPITALIZATION    EQUITY      BALANCED   MATURITY BOND
     FUND+        FUND+       FUND+         FUND+          FUND+     PORTFOLIO++  PORTFOLIO++
 ------------- ------------ ----------  -------------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S>            <C>          <C>         <C>            <C>           <C>         <C>
    $   204      $ 13,192   $   40,509     $  1,273      $  5,972     $      0      $     0
        130         2,824        3,297          474           523          169           76
    -------      --------   ----------     --------      --------     --------      -------
         74        10,368       37,212          799         5,449         (169)         (76)
    -------      --------   ----------     --------      --------     --------      -------
        (18)        1,266          406           82            25           28            4
      6,737        47,924       47,856        3,345             0            0            0
    -------      --------   ----------     --------      --------     --------      -------
      6,719        49,190       48,262        3,427            25           28            4
     (5,469)          (91)     (36,724)      (1,959)        6,773           (6)         889
    -------      --------   ----------     --------      --------     --------      -------
      1,250        49,099       11,538        1,468         6,798           22          893
    -------      --------   ----------     --------      --------     --------      -------
    $ 1,324      $ 59,467   $   48,750     $  2,267      $ 12,247     $   (147)     $   817
    =======      ========   ==========     ========      ========     ========      =======
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT I - VUL II/VARIABLE ESTATE MAX
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - DECEMBER 31, 1995 (CONT'D.)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                TCI
                               GROWTH    EQUITY INCOME    GROWTH     ASSET MANAGER
                            PORTFOLIO+++ PORTFOLIO++++ PORTFOLIO++++ PORTFOLIO++++
                            ------------ ------------- ------------- -------------
<S>                         <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>
INVESTMENT IN COMMON
 STOCK:
Number of shares..........      23,694        28,061        24,297        10,140
Identified cost...........    $286,006     $ 508,141     $ 719,330     $ 153,755
ASSETS:
Investments at value......    $285,754     $ 540,744     $ 709,472     $ 160,110
Dividends receivable......           0             0             0             0
LIABILITIES:
Due to (from) the Penn Mu-
 tual Life Insurance Com-
 pany.....................         (44)          (69)          (81)          (19)
                              --------     ---------     ---------     ---------
NET ASSETS................    $285,710     $ 540,675     $ 709,391     $ 160,091
                              ========     =========     =========     =========
Variable life accumulation
 units....................      23,762        45,251        57,265        14,321
Accumulation unit values..    $  12.02     $   11.95     $   12.39     $   11.18
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT I - VUL II/VARIABLE ESTATE MAX
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS - FOR THE PERIOD MAY 1, 1995 (COMMENCEMENT OF
OPERATIONS)
TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 (CONT'D.)
<CAPTION>
                                TCI
                               GROWTH    EQUITY INCOME    GROWTH     ASSET MANAGER
                            PORTFOLIO+++ PORTFOLIO++++ PORTFOLIO++++ PORTFOLIO+++
                            ------------ ------------- ------------- -------------
<S>                         <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividends.................    $      0     $   3,822     $       0     $       0
EXPENSE:
Mortality and expense risk
 charges .................         476         1,265           946           373
                              --------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Net investment income
 (loss)...................        (476)        2,557          (946)         (373)
                              --------     ---------     ---------     ---------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED
 GAINS (LOSSES) ON
 INVESTMENTS:
Realized gains (losses)
 from redemption of fund
 shares ..................         469          (243)         (309)           (3)
Capital gain distribution
 .........................           0             0             0             0
                              --------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Net realized gains (loss-
 es)......................         469          (243)         (309)           (3)
Net change in unrealized
 appreciation/depreciation
 of investments...........        (280)       32,603        (9,857)        6,356
                              --------     ---------     ---------     ---------
Net realized and
 unrealized gains (losses)
 on
 investments..............         189        32,360       (10,166)        6,353
                              --------     ---------     ---------     ---------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN
 NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM
 OPERATIONS...............    $   (287)    $  34,917     $ (11,112)    $   5,980
                              ========     =========     =========     =========
</TABLE>    
- -----------------------
(a) Represents only the Cornerstone VUL II product.
(b) Represents only the Variable Estate Max product.
+  Investment in Penn Series Funds, Inc.
++ Investment in Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust.
+++ Investment in TCI Portfolios, Inc.
++++ Investment in Fidelity Investments' Variable Insurance Products Funds I
     and II.
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT I - VUL II/VARIABLE ESTATE MAX
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS - FOR THE PERIOD MAY 1, 1995 (COMMENCEMENT
OF OPERATIONS) TO DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             MONEY      MONEY MARKET    QUALITY
                              TOTAL     MARKET FUND+(A)   FUND+(B)    BOND FUND+
                            ----------  --------------- ------------ -------------
                               1995          1995           1995         1995
                            ----------  --------------- ------------ -------------
<S>                         <C>         <C>             <C>          <C>           
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET
 ASSETS RESULTING FROM:
OPERATIONS:
 Net investment income
  (loss)..................  $   82,891    $    15,227    $     719    $    4,811
 Net realized gain (loss)
  from investment
  transactions............     107,693              0            0           122
 Net change in unrealized
  appreciation/depreciation
  of investments..........     (13,949)             0            0        (1,784)
                            ----------    -----------    ---------    ----------
Net increase (decrease) in
 net assets resulting from
 operations...............     176,635         15,227          719         3,149
                            ----------    -----------    ---------    ----------
VARIABLE LIFE ACTIVITIES:
 Purchase payments under
  variable life contracts.   5,759,715      4,084,747      440,146        31,077
 Surrender benefits.......         (34)             0            0             0
 Net transfers ...........     471,816     (2,833,877)    (364,402)       56,550
 Contract administration
  charges.................    (141,962)       (45,854)      (7,862)       (1,442)
 Cost of insurance........    (242,072)       (89,809)      (3,565)       (2,198)
                            ----------    -----------    ---------    ----------
Net increase in net assets
 resulting from variable
 life activities..........   5,847,463      1,115,207       64,317        83,987
                            ----------    -----------    ---------    ----------
Total increase (decrease)
 in net assets............   6,024,098      1,130,434       65,036        87,136
NET ASSETS:
 Beginning of period......           0              0            0             0
                            ----------    -----------    ---------    ----------
 END OF PERIOD............  $6,024,098    $ 1,130,434    $  65,036    $   87,136
                            ==========    ===========    =========    ==========
<CAPTION>
                            HIGH YIELD      GROWTH         VALUE       FLEXIBLY
                              FUND +     EQUITY FUND+   EQUITY FUND+ MANAGED FUND+
                            ----------  --------------- ------------ ------------- 
                               1995          1995           1995         1995
                            ----------  --------------- ------------ -------------
<S>                         <C>         <C>             <C>          <C>           
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET
 ASSETS RESULTING FROM:
OPERATIONS:
 Net investment income
  (loss)..................  $    7,715    $        74    $  10,368    $   37,212
 Net realized gain (loss)
  from investment
  transactions............           2          6,719       49,190        48,262
 Net change in unrealized
  appreciation/depreciation
  of investments..........      (4,400)        (5,469)         (91)      (36,724)
                            ----------    -----------    ---------    ----------
Net increase (decrease) in
 net assets resulting from
 operations...............       3,317          1,324       59,467        48,750
                            ----------    -----------    ---------    ----------
VARIABLE LIFE ACTIVITIES:
 Purchase payments under
  variable life contracts.      10,712         16,993      136,674       361,651
 Surrender benefits.......           0              0            0           (14)
 Net transfers ...........      81,913         36,960      772,784     1,057,640
 Contract administration
  charges.................      (1,270)        (1,346)     (11,403)      (26,150)
 Cost of insurance........      (2,242)        (2,785)     (21,896)      (44,254)
                            ----------    -----------    ---------    ----------
Net increase in net assets
 resulting from variable
 life activities..........      89,113         49,822      876,159     1,348,873
                            ----------    -----------    ---------    ----------
Total increase (decrease)
 in net assets............      92,430         51,146      935,626     1,397,623
NET ASSETS:
 Beginning of period......           0              0            0             0
                            ----------    -----------    ---------    ----------
 END OF PERIOD............  $   92,430    $    51,146    $ 935,626    $1,397,623
                            ==========    ===========    =========    ==========
</TABLE>
- -----------------------
(a) Represents only the Cornerstone VUL II product.
(b) Represents only the Variable Estate Max product.
+  Investment in Penn Series Funds, Inc.
++ Investment in Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust.
+++ Investment in TCI Portfolios, Inc.
++++ Investment in Fidelity Investments' Variable Insurance Products Funds I
     and II.
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT I - VUL II/VARIABLE ESTATE MAX
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS - FOR THE PERIOD MAY 1, 1995 (COMMENCEMENT
OF OPERATIONS)TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 (CONT'D.)
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                SMALL
                            CAPITALIZATION INTERNATIONAL   BALANCED    LIMITED MATURITY
                                FUND+      EQUITY FUND+   PORTFOLIO++    PORTFOLIO++
                            -------------- ------------- ------------- ----------------
                                 1995          1995          1995            1995
                            -------------- ------------- ------------- ----------------
<S>                         <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET
 ASSETS RESULTING FROM:
OPERATIONS:
 Net investment income
  (loss)..................     $    799      $  5,449      $   (169)       $    (76)
 Net realized gain (loss)
  from investment
  transactions............        3,427            25            28               4
 Net change in unrealized
  appreciation/depreciation
  of investments..........       (1,959)        6,773            (6)            889
                               --------      --------      --------        --------
Net increase (decrease) in
 net assets resulting from
 operations...............        2,267        12,247          (147)            817
                               --------      --------      --------        --------
VARIABLE LIFE ACTIVITIES:
 Purchase payments under
  variable life contracts.       66,532       124,822        20,792           6,858
 Surrender benefits.......          (10)            0             0               0
 Net transfers ...........      106,381       143,874        86,515          32,606
 Contract administration
  charges.................       (4,603)       (6,540)       (1,898)           (503)
 Cost of insurance........       (5,725)      (10,974)       (3,694)           (817)
                               --------      --------      --------        --------
Net increase in net assets
 resulting from variable
 life activities..........      162,575       251,182       101,715          38,144
                               --------      --------      --------        --------
Total increase (decrease)
 in net assets............      164,842       263,429       101,568          38,961
NET ASSETS:
 Beginning of period......            0             0             0               0
                               --------      --------      --------        --------
 END OF PERIOD............     $164,842      $263,429      $101,568        $ 38,961
                               ========      ========      ========        ========
<CAPTION>
                                                                            ASSET
                              TCI GROWTH   EQUITY INCOME    GROWTH         MANAGER
                             PORTFOLIO+++  PORTFOLIO++++ PORTFOLIO++++  PORTFOLIO++++
                            -------------- ------------- ------------- ----------------
                                 1995          1995          1995            1995
                            -------------- ------------- ------------- ----------------
<S>                         <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET
 ASSETS RESULTING FROM:
OPERATIONS:
 Net investment income
  (loss)..................     $   (476)     $  2,557      $   (946)       $   (373)
 Net realized gain (loss)
  from investment
  transactions............          469          (243)         (309)             (3)
 Net change in unrealized
  appreciation/depreciation
  of investments..........         (280)       32,603        (9,857)          6,356
                               --------      --------      --------        --------
Net increase (decrease) in
 net assets resulting from
 operations...............         (287)       34,917       (11,112)          5,980
                               --------      --------      --------        --------
VARIABLE LIFE ACTIVITIES:
 Purchase payments under
  variable life contracts.       89,544       119,945       219,332          29,890
 Surrender benefits.......            0             0           (10)              0
 Net transfers ...........      213,357       411,297       537,988         132,230
 Contract administration
  charges.................       (6,609)       (9,829)      (14,116)         (2,537)
 Cost of insurance........      (10,295)      (15,655)      (22,691)         (5,472)
                               --------      --------      --------        --------
Net increase in net assets
 resulting from variable
 life activities..........      285,997       505,758       720,503         154,111
                               --------      --------      --------        --------
Total increase (decrease)
 in net assets............      285,710       540,675       709,391         160,091
NET ASSETS:
 Beginning of period......            0             0             0               0
                               --------      --------      --------        --------
 END OF PERIOD............     $285,710      $540,675      $709,391        $160,091
                               ========      ========      ========        ========
</TABLE>    
- -----------------------
(a) Represents only the Cornerstone VUL II product.
(b) Represents only the Variable Estate Max product.
+  Investment in Penn Series Funds, Inc.
++ Investment in Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust.
+++ Investment in TCI Portfolios, Inc.
++++ Investment in Fidelity Investments' Variable Insurance Products Funds I
     and II.
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
 
 
 
 
- -----------------------------------------------------
THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT I - CORNERSTONE VUL II/VARIABLE ESTATE MAX
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 1.
 
  The significant accounting policies of Penn Mutual Variable Life Account
  I--Cornerstone VUL II/Variable Estate Max sub-accounts (Cornerstone
  II/Estate Max) are as follows:
 
  For presentation purposes Cornerstone VUL II and Variable Estate Max are
  presented in one financial statement.
     
  GENERAL - Cornerstone II/Estate Max were established by the Penn Mutual
  Life Insurance Company (Penn Mutual) under the provisions of the
  Pennsylvania Insurance Law. Penn Mutual has structured Variable Life
  Account II/Estate Max as a unit investment trust registered under the
  Investment Company Act of 1940. Cornerstone II/Estate Max offers units to
  variable life contractholders to provide for the accumulation of value and
  for the payment of benefits. Contractholders may borrow up to a specified
  amount depending on policy value at any time by submitting a written
  request for a policy loan. The preparation of the accompanying financial
  statements require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect
  the reported values of assets and liabilities as of December 31, 1995 and
  the reported amounts from operations and contract transactions during 1995.
  Actual results could differ from those estimates.     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 2.
 
  For the period May 1, 1995 (commencement of operations) to December 31,
  1995 transactions in Cornerstone II/Estate Max were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                       MONEY MARKET  QUALITY BOND  HIGH YIELD
                                           FUND+        FUND+      BOND FUND+
                                       ------------- ------------ -------------
                                           1995          1995         1995
                                       ------------- ------------ -------------
<S>                                    <C>           <C>          <C>
Shares purchased......................    3,348,369       9,741       10,274
Shares received from reinvestment of:
  Net investment income...............       19,306         486          952
  Capital gains distribution..........            0           0            0
                                        -----------    --------      -------
Total shares acquired.................    3,367,675      10,227       11,226
Shares redeemed.......................   (2,261,837)     (1,716)        (273)
                                        -----------    --------      -------
Net increase in shares owned..........    1,105,838       8,511       10,953
Shares owned beginning of period......            0           0            0
                                        -----------    --------      -------
Shares owned end of period............    1,105,838       8,511       10,953
                                        ===========    ========      =======
Cost of shares acquired...............  $ 3,367,675    $106,815      $99,320
Proceeds from shares redeemed.........  $ 2,261,837    $ 18,005      $ 2,480
<CAPTION>
                                                                     LIMITED
                                       INTERNATIONAL   BALANCED   MATURITY BOND
                                        EQUITY FUND  PORTFOLIO++   PORTFOLIO++
                                       ------------- ------------ -------------
                                           1995          1995         1995
                                       ------------- ------------ -------------
<S>                                    <C>           <C>          <C>
Shares purchased......................       18,851       6,311        2,748
Shares received from reinvestment of:
  Net investment income...............          413           0            0
  Capital gains distribution..........            0           0            0
                                        -----------    --------      -------
Total shares acquired.................       19,264       6,311        2,748
Shares redeemed.......................       (1,057)       (513)         (99)
                                        -----------    --------      -------
Net increase in shares owned..........       18,207       5,798        2,649
Shares owned beginning of period......            0           0            0
                                        -----------    --------      -------
Shares owned end of period............       18,207       5,798        2,649
                                        ===========    ========      =======
Cost of shares acquired...............  $   271,701    $110,500      $39,519
Proceeds from shares redeemed.........  $    15,037    $  8,942      $ 1,446
</TABLE>
The cost of shares redeemed is determined on a last-in, first-out basis.
- -----------------------
+  Investment in Penn Series Funds, Inc.
++ Investment in Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust.
+++ Investment in TCI Portfolios, Inc.
++++ Investment in Fidelity Investments' Variable Insurance Products Funds I
     and II.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 1., CONT'D.
 
  INVESTMENTS - Assets of Cornerstone II/Estate Max are invested in shares of
  Penn Series Funds, Inc. (Penn Series): Money Market, Quality Bond, High
  Yield Bond, Growth Equity, Value Equity, Flexibly Managed, International
  Equity Fund and Small Capitalization Funds; Neuberger and Berman Advisers
  Management Trust (AMT): Limited Maturity Bond and Balanced Portfolios; TCI
  Portfolios, Inc. (TCI): Growth Portfolio; and Fidelity Investments'
  Variable Insurance Products (Fidelity): Equity Income, Growth, and Asset
  Manager Portfolios. Penn Series, AMT, TCI, and Fidelity are open-end
  diversified investment companies. The shares are carried at market value as
  determined by the underlying net asset value of the respective Funds or
  Portfolios. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Investment
  transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis.
 
  FEDERAL INCOME TAXES - Penn Mutual is taxed under federal law as a life
  insurance company. Cornerstone II/Estate Max is part of Penn Mutual's total
  operations and is not taxed separately. Under existing federal law, no
  taxes are payable on investment income and realized gains of Cornerstone
  II/Estate Max.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            SMALL
 GROWTH EQUITY       VALUE EQUITY            FLEXIBLY MANAGED           CAPITALIZATION
     FUND+               FUND+                    FUND+                     FUND+
 -------------       -------------           ----------------           --------------
     1995                1995                      1995                      1995
 -------------       -------------           ----------------           --------------
 <S>                 <C>                     <C>                        <C>
      2,786              57,004                     81,492                   16,139
         10                 810                      2,328                      116
        337               2,944                      2,750                      305
   --------            --------                 ----------                 --------
      3,133              60,758                     86,570                   16,560
       (575)             (3,280)                    (6,237)                  (1,518)
   --------            --------                 ----------                 --------
      2,558              57,478                     80,333                   15,042
          0                   0                          0                        0
   --------            --------                 ----------                 --------
      2,558              57,478                     80,333                   15,042
   ========            ========                 ==========                 ========
   $ 69,532            $991,706                 $1,547,895                 $183,496
   $ 12,868            $ 57,139                 $  113,783                 $ 16,757
<CAPTION>
      TCI
    GROWTH           EQUITY INCOME                GROWTH                ASSET MANAGER
 PORTFOLIO+++        PORTFOLIO++++            PORTFOLIO++++             PORTFOLIO++++
 -------------       -------------           ----------------           --------------
     1995                1995                      1995                      1995
 -------------       -------------           ----------------           --------------
 <S>                 <C>                     <C>                        <C>
     28,845              30,938                     27,337                   10,425
          0                 204                          0                        0
          0                   0                          0                        0
   --------            --------                 ----------                 --------
     28,845              31,142                     27,337                   10,425
     (5,151)             (3,081)                    (3,040)                    (285)
   --------            --------                 ----------                 --------
     23,694              28,061                     24,297                   10,140
          0                   0                          0                        0
   --------            --------                 ----------                 --------
     23,694              28,061                     24,297                   10,140
   ========            ========                 ==========                 ========
   $347,755            $566,137                 $  810,160                 $158,075
   $ 62,218            $ 57,753                 $   90,521                 $  4,317
</TABLE>
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT I - CORNERSTONE VUL II/VARIABLE ESTATE MAX
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - DECEMBER 31, 1995 (CONT'D)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 3.
 
  Operations are charged for mortality and expense risks assumed by Penn
  Mutual as determined daily at a current rate guaranteed never to exceed
  0.90% of the average value of Cornerstone II/Estate Max.
 
  On the date of issue and each monthly anniversary a monthly deduction is
  made from the policy value. The monthly deduction consists of (1) insurance
  charges (2) administrative charges and (3) any charges for additional
  benefits added by supplemental agreement to a policy. See original policy
  documents for specific charges assessed.
 
  If a policy is surrendered within the first 11 years in Cornerstone VUL II,
  or the first 16 years for Variable Estate Max, a contingent deferred sales
  charge and /or contingent deferred administrative charge will be assessed.
  These charges will be deducted before any surrender proceeds are paid. See
  original policy documents for specific charges assessed.
 
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
 
We have audited the accompanying statements of financial condition of The Penn
Mutual Life Insurance Company as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the related
statements of operations and surplus and cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 1995. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance
Company as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the results of its operations and
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995,
in conformity with the accounting principles prescribed or permitted by the
Insurance Department of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which are considered
generally accepted accounting principles for mutual life insurance companies.
 
As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, during 1995, the Company
changed its accounting methods for certain components of the federal income tax
expense and the valuation of reserves of certain annuity products.
 
/s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 
2400 Eleven Penn Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
January 26, 1996
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,                                            1995           1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C> <C>        <C> <C>
(in thousands of dollars)
ASSETS
Bonds............................................      $3,695,516     $3,693,295
Stocks
 Preferred.......................................          15,049         31,574
 Common--affiliated..............................         171,193        236,266
    --unaffiliated...............................           8,182          1,986
Mortgage loans...................................         960,692        950,219
Real estate......................................         138,329        218,268
Policy loans.....................................         422,865        438,500
Cash and short-term investments..................          75,962          7,796
Other invested assets                                      59,561         64,362
                                                       ----------     ----------
 TOTAL...........................................       5,547,349      5,642,266
Investment income due and accrued................          94,350        101,027
Premiums due and deferred........................          26,926         28,060
Other assets.....................................          41,082         36,104
Separate account assets                                   911,683        658,074
                                                       ----------     ----------
 TOTAL ASSETS....................................      $6,621,390     $6,465,531
                                                       ==========     ==========
LIABILITIES
Reserves and funds for payment of future life and
 annuity benefits................................      $5,064,298     $5,139,779
Dividends to policyholders payable in the follow-
 ing year........................................          72,653         72,400
Policy claims in process.........................          27,241         39,295
Interest maintenance reserve.....................          36,084          5,355
Asset valuation reserve..........................          83,157        111,885
Other liabilities................................          77,063        130,108
Separate account liabilities                              905,960        651,388
                                                       ----------     ----------
 TOTAL...........................................       6,266,456      6,150,210
SURPLUS
Special surplus funds............................           1,576          1,523
Unassigned surplus...............................         353,358        313,798
                                                       ----------     ----------
 TOTAL...........................................         354,934        315,321
                                                       ----------     ----------
  TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SURPLUS..................      $6,621,390     $6,465,531
                                                       ==========     ==========
</TABLE>
 
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND SURPLUS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                  1995       1994       1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>        <C>        <C>
(in thousands of dollars)
INCOME
Premium and annuity considerations............. $ 707,048  $ 768,534  $ 626,374
Net investment income..........................   456,108    446,354    464,663
Other income...................................    (2,238)    13,510      7,887
                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
 TOTAL INCOME.................................. 1,160,918  1,228,398  1,098,924
                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Benefits paid to policyholders and beneficia-
 ries..........................................   859,798    766,598    839,310
Increase (decrease) in reserves and funds for
 the payment of future life and annuity bene-
 fits..........................................   (50,775)    54,380   (141,412)
Commissions....................................    38,044     45,579     38,955
Operating expenses.............................   116,673    124,920    122,806
Net transfers to separate accounts.............    86,944    128,773    124,007
                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
 TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES................... 1,050,684  1,120,250    983,666
                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE DIVIDENDS AND
  FEDERAL INCOME TAXES.........................   110,234    108,148    115,258
Dividends to policyholders.....................    70,057     69,098     71,129
                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE FEDERAL INCOME
  TAXES........................................    40,177     39,050     44,129
Federal income tax expense (benefit)...........   (52,442)       197    (23,717)
                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS........................    92,619     38,853     67,846
Net realized capital losses, net of taxes......    91,890     37,399     35,396
                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
 NET INCOME....................................       729      1,454     32,450
SURPLUS
Change in asset valuation reserve..............    28,728     29,060     (4,729)
Change in net unrealized capital gains and
 losses........................................     2,395     (3,376)    33,958
Changes in accounting methods..................     7,984        --         --
Other..........................................      (223)     8,618        760
                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
 TOTAL CONTRIBUTION TO SURPLUS.................    39,613     35,756     62,439
 Surplus, Beginning of Year....................   315,321    279,565    217,126
                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
 SURPLUS, END OF YEAR.......................... $ 354,934  $ 315,321  $ 279,565
                                                =========  =========  =========
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 1995        1994        1993
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>         <C>         <C>
(in thousands of dollars)
CASH PROVIDED
Net cash from operations:
 Premium and annuity considerations.......... $  708,301  $  767,017  $  629,725
 Net investment income.......................    439,508     420,917     456,516
 Other income................................     (2,511)     15,704      16,660
                                              ----------  ----------  ----------
                                               1,145,298   1,203,638   1,102,901
 Benefits to policyholders...................    871,983     750,019     834,700
 Commissions.................................     38,139      45,540      38,947
 Operating expenses and taxes................    152,907      96,050     111,224
 Net transfers to separate accounts..........     86,944     129,858     128,299
 Dividends to policyholders..................     69,804      70,246      69,818
 Net decrease in policy loans................    (15,202)    (22,361)    (35,734)
                                              ----------  ----------  ----------
 NET CASH FROM OPERATIONS....................    (59,277)    134,286     (44,353)
                                              ----------  ----------  ----------
Investments sold, matured or repaid:
 Bonds.......................................  1,410,126   1,038,593   1,844,108
 Stocks......................................     95,347     197,503   1,042,421
 Mortgage loans..............................    102,394      45,255     112,448
 Real estate and other invested assets.......     10,837      12,701      17,057
                                              ----------  ----------  ----------
  Total investments sold, matured or repaid..  1,618,704   1,294,052   3,016,034
Taxes on realized investment gains...........      3,253     (17,722)    (14,963)
Other cash provided..........................      4,275      10,035       1,190
                                              ----------  ----------  ----------
                                               1,626,232   1,286,365   3,002,261
                                              ----------  ----------  ----------
 TOTAL CASH PROVIDED.........................  1,566,955   1,420,651   2,957,908
                                              ----------  ----------  ----------
CASH APPLIED
Cost of investments acquired:
 Bonds.......................................  1,357,008   1,218,880   1,858,996
 Stocks......................................     26,114     131,248     958,060
 Mortgage loans..............................    100,466      71,427      96,435
 Real estate and other invested assets.......      8,970      14,909      13,417
                                              ----------  ----------  ----------
  Total cost of investments acquired.........  1,492,558   1,436,464   2,926,908
Other cash applied...........................      6,231      24,452      27,125
                                              ----------  ----------  ----------
 TOTAL CASH APPLIED..........................  1,498,789   1,460,916   2,954,033
                                              ----------  ----------  ----------
Net change in cash and short-term invest-
 ments.......................................     68,166     (40,265)      3,875
CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:
 Beginning of year...........................      7,796      48,061      44,186
                                              ----------  ----------  ----------
 END OF YEAR................................. $   75,962  $    7,796  $   48,061
                                              ==========  ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
 
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
 
NATURE OF OPERATIONS
   
The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company (the "Company"), is a mutual life
insurance company which concentrates primarily in the sale of individual life
insurance and annuity products. The primary products that the Company currently
markets are traditional whole life, yearly renewable term, universal life,
immediate annuities, variable life insurance and variable annuities. The
Company markets its products through a network of career agents, and
independent agents, and independent marketing organizations. The Company sells
its products in all fifty states, the District of Columbia and five Canadian
provinces.     
 
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in conformity with
accounting principles prescribed or permitted by the Insurance Department of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which are considered generally accepted
accounting principles for mutual life insurance companies. Prescribed statutory
accounting principles include state laws, regulations, and general
administrative rules, as well as a variety of publications of the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Permitted statutory accounting
principles encompass all accounting practices that are not prescribed. In
accordance with Pennsylvania Insurance Laws and Regulations, the Company's
subsidiaries are not consolidated for statutory filing purposes. The
preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period.
In April 1993, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB
Interpretation No. 40, "Applicability of Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles to Mutual Life Insurance and Other Enterprises" (Interpretation No.
40), which was amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS)
No. 120, "Accounting and Reporting by Mutual Life Insurance Enterprises for
Certain Long-Duration Participating Contracts". SFAS No. 120 deferred the
effective date of Interpretation No. 40 to fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 1995. Under Interpretation No. 40, the financial statements of
mutual life insurance companies which are prepared on the basis of statutory
accounting principles can no longer be described as prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). After 1995, the Company will
continue to issue financial statements prepared in accordance with statutory
accounting principles for regulatory purposes.
When the Company prepares financial statements in conformity with
Interpretation No. 40, the accounting treatment for certain items, such as
policy reserves, new business acquisition costs, asset valuation reserves,
employee benefit liabilities and income taxes will be different than for
financial statements issued in conformity with statutory accounting principles.
In addition, the Company believes surplus presented in accordance with
Interpretation No. 40 will be greater than surplus presented in accordance with
statutory accounting principles.
 
VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS
Bonds and stocks are carried in the accompanying Statements of Financial
Condition at values prescribed by the NAIC. In general, bonds are stated at
amortized cost, preferred stocks at cost and unaffiliated common stocks at
market value. The Company's subsidiaries are carried on the equity basis with
the net income from subsidiaries recorded in net investment income. Real estate
is carried at cost less encumbrances and accumulated depreciation. Real estate
acquired through foreclosure is recorded at the lower of cost or market value
at the time of foreclosure. Real estate is depreciated using the straight-line
method. Mortgage loans are carried at the unpaid principal amount, less any
unamortized discount. Policy loans are stated at the unpaid principal balance
less amounts unsecured by cash surrender and dividend accumulation values. Cash
and short-term investments include cash on deposit and securities purchased
with a maturity date of less than one year. Short-term investments are valued
at cost, which approximates market. Other invested assets include joint venture
real estate partnerships, which are valued on the equity basis, and venture
capital limited partnerships, which are carried at market value. Certain assets
which are considered to be non-admitted for statutory purposes have been
excluded from the Statement of Financial Condition by a direct charge to
surplus.
Financial instruments utilized to hedge the Company's assets are recorded using
a valuation method consistent with the valuation method of the assets hedged.
Gains and losses on financial futures contracts used as hedges against interest
rate fluctuations are deferred and recognized in the Statements of Operations
over the remaining life of the hedged securities.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
Changes in the market value of financial futures contracts used as hedges
against market fluctuations of equity securities are reported as unrealized
gains or losses. They are recognized as realized gains or losses when the
hedged securities are sold.
Statutory accounting principles require insurance companies to hold an Asset
Valuation Reserve (AVR) and an Interest Maintenance Reserve (IMR). The purpose
of the AVR is to maintain consistent and prescribed valuation reserves for
invested assets. Changes in the AVR are recorded directly to surplus. The
purpose of the IMR is to defer recognition of realized gains and losses which
result from interest rate movements and to amortize these gains and losses into
income over the original expected life of the investment sold. Amortization of
gains and losses included in the IMR are reflected as a component of net
investment income.
Realized gains and losses are determined on the specific identification method
and are presented in the Statements of Operations net of taxes and excluding
net gains and losses transferred to the IMR. Unrealized gains and losses are
accounted for as direct increases or decreases in surplus.
 
RESERVES AND FUNDS FOR THE PAYMENT OF FUTURE LIFE AND ANNUITY BENEFITS
Reserves and funds for the payment of future life and annuity benefits are
developed using actuarial methods based on statutory mortality and interest
requirements. Reserves for life insurance are computed principally on the net
level or modified preliminary term methods using the 1941, 1958 and 1980
Commissioners' Standard Ordinary Mortality and American Experience Tables and
assumed interest rates ranging from 2.25% to 4.5%. Reserves for annuity
contracts are based principally on the 1949, 1971 and 1983 Individual Annuity
Mortality Tables for individual annuities and the 1971 and 1983 Group Annuity
Mortality Tables for group annuities and assumed interest rates ranging from
2.5% to 13.25%. Policy claims in process include provisions for payments to be
made on reported claims and claims incurred but not reported. Any adjustments
that are made to the reserve balances are reflected in the Statements of
Operations in the year in which such adjustments are made, with the exception
of changes in valuation bases which are accounted for as a charge or credit to
surplus.
 
REVENUE AND RELATED EXPENSE RECOGNITION
Premiums are recognized as income over the premium payment period of the
related policies. Annuity considerations are recognized as income as they are
received. Premium and annuity considerations are recorded net of reinsurance
premiums. Benefits are reported net of the amounts received from reinsurers.
Commissions and other expenses related to the acquisition of new policies are
charged to operations as incurred.
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with its insurance
and non-insurance subsidiaries. Each subsidiary's tax liability or refund is
accrued on a separate company basis. The Company reimburses subsidiaries for
losses utilized in the consolidated return based on inter-company tax
allocation agreements. In accordance with statutory accounting practices, no
deferred taxes are provided for temporary differences between pre-tax
accounting income and taxable income.
 
POLICYHOLDER DIVIDENDS
All insurance policies are participating. A liability for the dividends to be
paid or credited to policyholders during the following calendar year is
established at each year end. The amount of dividends to be paid is approved
annually by the Board of Trustees.
 
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
Separate Account assets and liabilities represent segregated funds administered
and invested by the Company primarily for the benefit of variable life
insurance policyholders and annuity and pension contractholders, including
certain of the Company's benefit plans. The value of the assets in the Separate
Accounts reflects the actual investment performance of the respective accounts
and is not guaranteed by the Company. The carrying value for Separate Account
assets and liabilities approximates the estimated fair value of the underlying
assets.
 
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain 1994 and 1993 amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 1995
presentation.
 
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
NOTE 2 - ACCOUNTING CHANGES:
 
The sections of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) applicable to mutual life
insurance companies require that mutual, but not stock, life insurance
companies include the Differential Earnings Amount (DEA) in each year's taxable
income. This amount is computed by multiplying the Company's average taxable
equity base by a rate that represents the difference between stock and mutual
companies' earnings rates. Under the IRC, the enacted DEA rate for the current
year is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimate and is recomputed in the
following year to reflect the actual industry results.
Prior to 1995, the Company recorded its federal income tax expense for the DEA
based on the enacted IRS rates for the current year along with any adjustment
to the DEA related to the recomputation of the prior year's estimate. The
portion of the Company's federal income tax expense associated with the DEA was
recorded directly to surplus.
In 1995, the Company changed its method of accounting for the DEA to record the
tax based on management's best estimate of the final DEA rates. The impact of
this accounting change resulting in a $16,723 direct charge to surplus in 1995.
In addition, in 1995 the Company began recording the portion of its federal
income tax expense associated with the DEA in the Statement of Operations.
During 1995, the Company changed the reserve valuation bases for certain of its
annuity products. These changes resulted in the release of $24,707 of
policyholder reserves and a corresponding credit directly to surplus.
 
NOTE 3 - INVESTMENTS
 
DEBT SECURITIES
The following summarizes the statement value and estimated fair value of the
Company's investment in debt securities, including redeemable preferred stocks,
as of December 31, 1995 and 1994.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                                  GROSS      GROSS    ESTIMATED
                                     STATEMENT  UNREALIZED UNREALIZED    FAIR
                                       VALUE      GAINS      LOSSES     VALUE
                                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
United States Government...........  $   63,477  $  1,875   $     --  $   65,352
Other governmental units...........     103,090     2,893         --     105,983
Public utility.....................     509,120    51,946        347     560,719
Industrial and other...............   2,184,414   197,075     13,208   2,368,281
Mortgage and other asset-backed se-
 curities..........................     835,415    32,504      3,951     863,968
                                     ----------  --------   --------  ----------
                                      3,695,516   286,293     17,506   3,964,303
Redeemable preferred stocks........       3,964        --        237       3,727
                                     ----------  --------   --------  ----------
 TOTAL.............................  $3,699,480  $286,293   $ 17,743  $3,968,030
                                     ==========  ========   ========  ==========
<CAPTION>
                                                  DECEMBER 31, 1994
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                                  GROSS      GROSS    ESTIMATED
                                     STATEMENT  UNREALIZED UNREALIZED    FAIR
                                       VALUE      GAINS      LOSSES     VALUE
                                     ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
United States Government...........  $   10,216  $     --   $    289  $    9,927
Other governmental units...........     162,618       129      8,761     153,986
Public utility.....................     667,737     5,891     37,122     636,506
Industrial and other...............   2,248,385    34,377     86,461   2,196,301
Mortgage and other asset-backed se-
 curities..........................     604,339     3,797     48,812     559,324
                                     ----------  --------   --------  ----------
                                      3,693,295    44,194    181,445   3,556,044
Redeemable preferred stocks........       4,378        25        211       4,192
                                     ----------  --------   --------  ----------
 TOTAL.............................  $3,697,673  $ 44,219   $181,656  $3,560,236
                                     ==========  ========   ========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
The following summarizes the statement value and estimated fair value of debt
securities as of December 31, 1995, by contractual maturity.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          STATEMENT  ESTIMATED
                                                            VALUE    FAIR VALUE
                                                          ---------- ----------
<S>                                                       <C>        <C>
Maturity:
 Within one year......................................... $  102,028 $  103,261
 After one year through five years.......................    654,102    676,888
 After five years through ten years......................    265,388    283,297
 After ten years through twenty years....................    413,267    471,355
 After twenty years......................................  1,425,316  1,565,534
 Mortgage and other asset-backed securities..............    835,415    863,968
                                                          ---------- ----------
                                                           3,695,516  3,964,303
 Redeemable preferred stocks.............................      3,964      3,727
                                                          ---------- ----------
  TOTAL.................................................. $3,699,480 $3,968,030
                                                          ========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain
borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or
prepayment penalties.
During 1995, 1994 and 1993, proceeds from dispositions of investments in debt
securities amounted to $1,410,126, $1,038,593, and $1,844,108, respectively.
The gross gains realized on those dispositions were $57,295, $5,876 and
$37,797, and the gross losses realized on those dispositions were $10,069,
$27,348 and $15,935 during 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively. Net realized
gains, net of taxes, transferred to the IMR in 1995 were $32,211. Net realized
losses, net of taxes, transferred to the IMR in 1994 were $14,089. Net realized
gains, net of taxes, transferred to the IMR, in 1993 were $11,144. Amortization
of the IMR included in net investment income amounted to $1,482, $1,056 and
$964 in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
The Company's investment portfolio of debt securities is comprised
predominantly of investment grade securities. As of December 31, 1995 and 1994,
debt securities totaling $100,013 and $125,737, respectively, were classified
by the NAIC as less than investment grade. The Company did not hold any debt
securities which were non-income producing for the preceding twelve months as
of December 31, 1995. The statement value of debt securities which were non-
income producing for the preceding twelve months was $900 as of December 31,
1994.
 
MORTGAGE LOANS
The following summarizes the statement value of mortgage loans, by property
type and geographic concentration, as of December 31, 1995 and 1994.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1995     1994
                                                               -------- --------
<S>                                                            <C>      <C>
PROPERTY TYPE
Office buildings.............................................. $296,976 $300,156
Retail........................................................  230,902  263,178
Dwellings.....................................................  223,192  219,860
Other.........................................................  209,622  167,025
                                                               -------- --------
 TOTAL........................................................ $960,692 $950,219
                                                               ======== ========
GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION
Northeast..................................................... $328,397 $373,627
Midwest.......................................................  358,203  299,239
South.........................................................  132,382  136,416
West..........................................................  139,979  138,793
Canada........................................................    1,731    2,144
                                                               -------- --------
 TOTAL........................................................ $960,692 $950,219
                                                               ======== ========
</TABLE>
 
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
The Company originates commercial mortgage loans through a network of
commercial mortgage bankers throughout the country. All mortgage loans are
collateralized by the underlying real estate and insurance is required on all
properties up to their replacement values. The maximum and minimum lending
rates for mortgage loans originated during 1995 were 10.05% and 7.50%,
respectively. For loans originated during 1995, the maximum percentage of any
one loan to the value of the collateral at the time of the loan, exclusive of
insured, guaranteed and purchase money mortgages, was 75%. The Company controls
credit risk through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures. The
Company's investments included $27,295 and $21,684 of mortgage loans delinquent
over 90 days, including $8,033 and $14,889 of mortgage loans which were non-
income producing for the preceding twelve months as of December 31, 1995 and
1994, respectively. The mortgage loan portfolio includes $19,928 and $27,405 of
restructured mortgage loans as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
Restructured mortgage loans include commercial loans for which the basic terms,
such as interest rate, amortization, maturity date, or collateral have been
changed as a result of actual or anticipated delinquency. Restructures do not
include mortgages refinanced prior to or upon maturity at or above current
market terms.
 
REAL ESTATE
As of December 31, 1995 and 1994, accumulated depreciation on real estate
amounted to $43,069 and $33,580, respectively. Depreciation expense on real
estate totaled $10,019, $8,445 and $10,824 for the years ended December 31,
1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively. The Company's investments include $27,944
and $21,889 of foreclosed real estate as of December 31, 1995 and 1994,
respectively. The statement value of the Company's largest real estate
investment amounted to $54,858 and $130,756 as of December 31, 1995 and 1994,
respectively. During 1995, the Company wrote down the statement value of this
property by $76,500 to its current estimated fair value. This write down
reflects the Company's determination that the value of the property was
permanently impaired due in part to the notification by the major tenant that
it did not intend to exercise lease extension options. In addition, the Company
no longer intends to hold this property as a long-term investment. The write
down has been recognized as a realized loss in the Statement of Operations.
 
NOTE 4 - RESERVES AND FUNDS FOR PAYMENT OF FUTURE LIFE AND ANNUITY BENEFITS:
The following summarizes the withdrawal characteristics of the Company's
reserves and deposit funds as of December 31, 1995.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     STATEMENT
                                                                       VALUE
                                                                    -----------
<S>                                                                 <C>
Total policyholders' reserves and funds including separate account
 liabilities......................................................  $ 5,970,258
Amounts not subject to discretionary withdrawal...................   (1,242,000)
                                                                    -----------
 AMOUNTS SUBJECT TO DISCRETIONARY WITHDRAWAL......................  $ 4,728,258
                                                                    ===========
</TABLE>
 
Of the total reserves and deposit funds which are subject to discretionary
withdrawal, $1,927,100, which is net of applicable policy loans, may be
withdrawn without the policyholder incurring surrender charges or market value
adjustments to the funds.
 
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
NOTE 5 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK:
The following table summarizes the statement value and estimated fair value of
the Company's financial instruments as of December 31, 1995 and 1994.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            1995                  1994
                                    --------------------- ---------------------
                                    STATEMENT  ESTIMATED  STATEMENT  ESTIMATED
                                      VALUE    FAIR VALUE   VALUE    FAIR VALUE
                                    ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
FINANCIAL ASSETS:
Debt securities
 Bonds............................. $3,695,516 $3,964,303 $3,693,295 $3,556,044
 Redeemable preferred stocks.......      3,964      3,727      4,378      4,192
Equity securities
 Common stock--unaffiliated........      8,182      8,182      1,986      1,986
 Non-redeemable preferred stocks...     11,085     13,607     27,196     27,498
Mortgage loans
 Commercial........................    958,079  1,000,003    946,031    917,062
 Residential.......................      2,613      2,930      4,188      4,562
Policy loans.......................    422,865    405,721    438,500    417,121
Venture capital limited partner-
 ships.............................     30,325     30,325     36,305     36,305
Separate account assets............    911,683    911,683    658,074    658,704
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:
Investment-type contracts
 Individual annuities.............. $1,248,138 $1,287,644 $1,186,097 $1,203,684
 Guaranteed investment contracts...    222,991    226,255    408,479    409,470
 Other group annuities.............    216,686    219,857    222,863    221,696
Dividends to policyholders payable
 in the following year.............     72,653     72,653     72,400     72,400
Separate account liabilities.......    905,960    905,960    651,388    651,388
</TABLE>
 
The estimated fair values for the Company's investments in debt and equity
securities are based on quoted market prices, where available. In situations
where market prices are not readily available, primarily private placements,
fair values are estimated using a formula pricing method based on fair values
of securities with similar characteristics. The fair value of currently
performing mortgage loans is estimated by discounting the cash flows associated
with the investment, using an interest rate currently offered for similar loans
to borrowers with similar credit ratings. Loans with similar credit quality,
characteristics and time to maturity are aggregated for purposes of estimating
fair value. Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows and discount rates
are determined using the available market and borrower-specific information.
The estimated fair value for non-performing loans is based on the estimated
fair value of the underlying real estate, which is based on recent appraisals
or other estimation techniques. The estimated fair value of policy loans is
calculated by discounting estimated future cash flows using interest rates
currently being offered for similar loans. Loans with similar characteristics
are aggregated for purposes of estimating fair value. The statement of values
of cash and short-term investments and separate account assets approximate
their fair values. The estimated fair value for venture capital limited
partnerships is based on values determined by the partnerships' managing
general partners. The resulting estimated fair values may not be indicative of
the value negotiated in an actual sale.
The fair values of the Company's liabilities for individual annuities,
guaranteed investment contracts and other group annuities are estimated by
discounting the cash flows associated with the contracts, using an interest
rate currently offered for similar contracts with maturities similar to those
remaining for the contracts being valued. The statement value for certain of
the other group annuities, totaling $43,490 and $42,472 as of December 31, 1995
and 1994, respectively, approximates the fair value due to the nature of the
contracts. The statement values of dividends to policyholders payable in the
following year and separate account liabilities approximate their fair values.
Currently, disclosure of estimated fair values is not required for all of the
Company's assets and liabilities. Therefore, presentation of the estimated fair
value of a significant portion of assets without a corresponding valuation of
liabilities associated with insurance contracts can be misinterpreted. The
continuing management of the relationship between the maturities of the
Company's investments and the amounts due under insurance contracts reduces the
Company's exposure to changing interest rates.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
The Company is exposed to interest risk on its interest sensitive products. The
Company's investment strategy is designed to minimize interest risk by managing
the durations and anticipated cash flows of the Company's assets and
liabilities.
To minimize exposure and reduce risk from exchange and interest rate
fluctuations in the normal course of business, the Company is party to
financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk. As of December 31, 1995 and
1994, the Company had interest rate swaps with aggregate notional amounts equal
to $115,000 with average unexpired terms of 39 and 51 months, respectively.
Interest rate swap agreements involve the exchange of fixed and floating rate
interest payment obligations without an exchange of the underlying notional
principal amounts. During the term of the swap, the net settlement amount is
accrued as an adjustment to interest income. If the counterparty defaults, the
Company is exposed only to the loss of the interest rate differential. If the
positions were closed as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, the Company would have
recognized gains of $12,880 and $4,479, respectively. The fair value for
interest rate swaps and futures contracts are based on dealers' quotes and
represent the estimated amounts the Company would receive to terminate the
contracts taking into account current interest rates and the creditworthiness
of the counterparties, where appropriate.
In the normal course of business, the Company loans securities under
arrangements in which collateral is obtained in amounts greater than the
current market value of loaned securities. This collateral is held in the form
of cash, cash equivalents or securities issued or guaranteed by the United
States Government. The Company is at risk to the extent the value of loaned
securities exceeds the value of the collateral obtained. The Company controls
this risk by requiring collateral of the highest quality and requiring that
additional collateral be deposited when the market value of loaned securities
increases in relation to the collateral held or the value of the collateral
decreases in relation to the value of the loaned securities. The Company had no
loaned securities outstanding as of December 31, 1995 and 1994.
 
NOTE 6 - BENEFIT PLANS:
The Company maintains both qualified and non-qualified defined benefit plans as
well as qualified defined contribution plans covering substantially all of its
employees and full-time agents. The total pension expense related to these
plans, including amounts allocated to the Company's subsidiaries, amounted to
$8,848, $7,757 and $11,591 in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
 
DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS
The Company's expense and funding policy for the qualified defined benefit plan
is to contribute an amount between the minimum required contribution and the
maximum deductible amount in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. The
benefits for the plan are based on years of service and the employee's
compensation prior to termination of employment.
The following summarizes the accumulated plan benefits, calculated using the
projected unit credit method and plan net assets for the Company's qualified
defined benefit plan as of December 31, 1995 and 1994.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1995    1994
                                                                ------- -------
<S>                                                             <C>     <C>
Actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits:
 Vested........................................................ $29,744 $21,105
 Non-vested....................................................     763     526
                                                                ------- -------
  TOTAL........................................................ $30,507 $21,631
                                                                ======= =======
Net assets available for plan benefits......................... $34,067 $27,029
                                                                ======= =======
</TABLE>
 
The actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits was determined using a
7.0% and an 8.75% assumed discount rate for December 31, 1995 and 1994,
respectively.
The Company also sponsors defined benefit plans for certain employees in excess
of limits for qualified retirement plans. Pension assets are maintained in the
Company's general account. As of December 31, 1995, the plans' total
accumulated benefit obligation, determined in accordance with SFAS No. 87 and
based on a 7% assumed discount rate amounted to $17,609. As of December 31,
1994, the plans' total accumulated benefit obligation, determined in accordance
with SFAS No. 87 and based on an 8.75% assumed discount rate amounted to
$13,690. The additional obligation for future salary increases was $2,539 and
$2,363 as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS
Defined contribution plan benefits are based on the participant's account
balance. Designated contributions of up to 8% of each employee's annual
compensation are eligible to be matched by the Company. As of December 31, 1995
and 1994, the estimated fair value of the defined contribution plans' assets
was $126,378 and $116,698, respectively.
 
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
The Company also provides certain health care and life insurance benefits
(postretirement benefits) for retired employees. Substantially all employees
become eligible for these benefits if they reach retirement age eligibility
while working for the Company.
In 1993, the Company changed its method of accounting for the costs of these
postretirement benefits to an accrual method and elected to amortize the
transition obligation of $33,744 over 20 years. As of December 31, 1995 and
1994, the unamortized transition obligation was $28,683 and $30,370,
respectively.
Postretirement benefit expense for the year ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and
1993 was $4,426, $4,346, and $4,366 respectively, which includes the expected
cost of postretirement benefits for newly eligible or vested employees,
interest cost, service cost, and amortization of the transition obligation. The
interest cost and service cost were $2,471 and $268, respectively, for the year
ended December 31, 1995. The interest and cost and service cost were $2,366 and
$293, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 1994. The interest cost was
$2,679 for the year ended December 31, 1993. The Company made contributions to
the plans of $2,629, $2,438 and $2,594 in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively, as
claims were incurred.
As of December 31, 1995 and 1994, the unfunded postretirement benefit
obligation for retirees and other full, eligible or vested plan participants
was $36,150 and $32,678, respectively. For December 31, 1995 the discount rate
used in determining the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 7.0%,
and the health care cost trend rate was 9.0%, graded to 5.0% over 9 years. For
December 31, 1994, the discount rate used in determining the accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation was 8.75%, and the health care cost trend
rate was 9.5%, graded to 5.0% over 10 years.
The health care cost trend rate assumption has a significant effect on the
amount reported. To illustrate, increasing the assumed health care cost trend
rate by one percentage point in each year would increase the postretirement
benefit obligation as of January 1, 1995 by $2,974 and the estimated
eligibility cost and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement
benefit cost for the year ended December 31, 1995 by $186.
 
NOTE 7 - FEDERAL INCOME TAXES:
The provision for federal income taxes is computed in accordance with the
sections of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to mutual life insurance
companies.
The taxable income reflected in the Company's federal tax return differs from
statutory income as reflected in the accompanying Statements of Operations.
Significant differences relate to the DEA, treatment of policy acquisition
costs, differences in policy reserve valuation methods, and settled tax issues.
The IRS has examined the Company's income tax returns through the year 1987 and
is currently examining years 1988 through 1990. Management believes that an
adequate provision has been made for potential assessments.
In 1995, the Company settled various tax issues with the IRS, including an
issue surrounding the tax treatment of certain traditional life insurance
policy updates. As a result of these settlements, the 1995 federal income tax
expense was decreased in the Statement of Operations by approximately $57,000.
During 1993, the Company resolved a tax issue related to reserves held on its
universal life insurance contracts. As a result, previously recorded provisions
of $32,500 were reduced and recorded in the Statement of Operations as a
reduction to federal income tax expense in 1993.
 
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
NOTE 8 - REINSURANCE:
The Company has assumed and ceded reinsurance on certain life and annuity
contracts under various agreements. The Company remains primarily liable as the
direct insurer on all risks reinsured, and performs due diligence to ensure
that amounts due from reinsurers are collectable. The table below includes the
reinsurance amounts recorded in the accompanying financial statements, which
are presented net of reinsurance activity.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                ASSUMED    CEDED TO
                                      GROSS    FROM OTHER   OTHER        NET
                                     AMOUNT    COMPANIES  COMPANIES    AMOUNT
                                   ----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
<S>                                <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1995:
Life Insurance in-force..........  $26,290,414 $7,668,076 $4,982,235 $28,976,255
Premium and annuity
 considerations..................      720,794     19,762     33,508     707,048
Reserves and funds for payment of
 future life and annuity
 benefits........................    5,364,721      3,937    304,360   5,064,298
DECEMBER 31, 1994:
Life Insurance in-force..........  $26,226,662 $7,668,048 $5,067,815 $28,826,895
Premium and annuity
 considerations..................      769,448     40,418     41,332     768,534
Reserves and funds for payment of
 future life and annuity
 benefits........................    5,439,027     19,533    318,781   5,139,779
</TABLE>
 
During 1993, the Company had gross premiums of $634,003, assumed premiums of
$36,623 and ceded premiums of $40,497.
Under reinsurance agreements with The Penn Insurance and Annuity Company (PIA),
a wholly-owned subsidiary, the Company has assumed and ceded certain risks. As
a result of these reinsurance agreements with PIA, net life insurance in-force
ceded to PIA totaled $342,694 and $368,473 as of December 31, 1995 and 1994,
respectively. The Company reduced its reserves by $242,691 and $226,751 as of
December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Net premium and annuity
considerations ceded to PIA in 1995 were $11,056, which includes an experience
refund of $2,257. Net premium and annuity considerations assumed from PIA in
1994 and 1993 were $10,069 and $5,288, respectively.
During 1995, PIA recaptured its single premium immediate annuity business which
it had previously ceded entirely to the Company. The transaction resulted in
the transfer of approximately $31,000 of invested assets and policyholder
liabilities from the Company to PIA.
During 1995, the Company recaptured the portion of its disability income
business that was previously reinsured under a quota share and excess
reinsurance agreement with the Monarch Life Insurance Company ("Monarch"). As a
result of this recapture, approximately $21,200 of cash and policyholder
reserves were transferred to the Company from Monarch.
 
NOTE 9 - RELATED PARTIES:
The following summarizes the statement value of the Company's unconsolidated
subsidiaries and affiliates as of December 31, 1995 and 1994. As of December
31, 1995, the Company owned 100% of the common stock of these subsidiaries
(except as noted below).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1995     1994
                                                              -------- --------
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>
Independence Square Properties, Inc. ........................ $ 88,607 $ 69,544
PIA..........................................................   65,601   56,523
Penn CMO Corp. (0%)..........................................       --   39,315
Independence Capital Group of Funds:
 Total Return Bond (0%)......................................       --   19,231
 Total Return Growth (0%)....................................       --   18,670
 Opportunities (0%)..........................................       --   15,712
Other affiliates.............................................   16,985   17,271
                                                              -------- --------
  TOTAL...................................................... $171,193 $236,266
                                                              ======== ========
</TABLE>
 
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
The Company's unconsolidated subsidiaries had combined assets of $1,373,745 and
$1,306,729, and combined liabilities of $1,202,552 and $1,070,463 as of
December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The Company recorded earnings from
these subsidiaries of $23,642, $24,311 and $16,833 for the years ended December
31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
As of December 31, 1995 and 1994, bonds include notes receivable from
subsidiaries of $31,130 and $37,035, respectively. Investment income on notes
receivable from subsidiaries amounted to $3,118, $2,527 and $2,805 for 1995,
1994 and 1993, respectively.
During 1995, Penn CMO Corp. (Penn CMO), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company, which had debt obligations outstanding that were collateralized by
mortgages owned by Penn CMO, was dissolved. Sufficient funds were collected
from these mortgages to satisfy the outstanding principal on the debt
obligations and the remaining assets of $40,395 were transferred to the Company
as a return of capital. As of December 31, 1994, Penn CMO had $24,887 of debt
obligations outstanding, which were collateralized by mortgages of $62,661.
Pursuant to a service agreement with Penn CMO, the Company was obligated to
advance delinquent payments of principal and interest on the mortgages and to
purchase or substitute other mortgages in place of delinquent and defective
mortgages. The Company purchased $5,878 and $2,761 of mortgages during 1995 and
1994, respectively. No substitutions were made under this agreement in 1995 and
1994.
 
NOTE 10 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
The Company and its subsidiaries are respondents in a number of proceedings,
some of which involve extra-contractual damage in addition to other damages. In
addition, insurance companies are subject to assessments, up to statutory
limits, by state guaranty funds for losses of policyholders of insolvent
insurance companies. In the opinion of management, the outcome of the
proceedings and assessments are not likely to have a material adverse effect on
the financial position of the Company.
The Company has undertaken to its wholly-owned subsidiary, PIA, to provide
sufficient financial support so that PIA will have adequate capital and surplus
as required by applicable laws to meet its obligations to its policyholders
under the terms of PIA's policies and contracts.
The Company, in the ordinary course of business, extends commitments relating
to its investment activities. As of December 31, 1995, the Company had
outstanding commitments totaling $8,725 relating to these investment
activities. The fair value of these commitments approximates the face amount.
As of December 31, 1995, unused lines of credit available to the Company
amounted to $40,000.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX A
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MINIMUM INITIAL ANNUAL PREMIUMS
 
  The following table shows for Insureds of varying ages, the minimum initial
annual premium for a Policy with a Basic Death Benefit of $1,000,000. The table
assumes the Insureds will be placed in a nonsmoker class and that no
supplemental benefits will be added to the base Policy.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      AGE OF MALE          AGE OF FEMALE               MINIMUM INITIAL ANNUAL PREMIUM
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      <S>                  <C>                         <C>
           35                    35                                $2,802
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           40                    45                                $3,224
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           45                    45                                $3,296
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           50                    45                                $3,376
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           55                    45                                $3,462
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           55                    55                                $4,248
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           60                    58                                $4,687
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           65                    70                                $7,146
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           70                    62                                $6,391
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX B
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADMINISTRATIVE SURRENDER CHARGES PER $1,000 OF INITIAL SPECIFIED AMOUNT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           ATTAINED AGE OF YOUNGER                   CHARGE PER EACH $1,000 OF
           INSURED ON POLICY DATE                    INITIAL SPECIFIED AMOUNT
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>                                       <C>
                    20-29                                     $ 6.00
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    30-39                                     $ 8.00
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    40-49                                     $10.00
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    50-59                                     $12.00
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   60-over                                    $14.00
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
SAMPLE SURRENDER CHARGE PREMIUMS FOR $1,000,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
(NS = NONSMOKER; S = SMOKER)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     AGE OF        SMOKING           AGE OF           SMOKING           MAXIMUM SURRENDER
      MALE         STATUS            FEMALE           STATUS             CHARGE PREMIUM
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     <S>           <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
       50            NS                45               NS                   $ 9,254
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       65            NS                65               NS                   $29,399
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       55             S                55                S                   $16,280
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       55             S                45               NS                   $10,392
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       45            NS                45                S                   $ 9,040
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       35            NS                35               NS                   $ 5,364
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       70            NS                62                S                   $25,370
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       40             S                45                S                   $ 9,044
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       65             S                70               NS                   $31,204
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       60            NS                58               NS                   $16,885
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      B-1
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX C
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ILLUSTRATIVE NET SINGLE PREMIUM FACTORS
 
  For a Policy Issued to a Male Nonsmoker, age 65, standard underwriting class
and Female, Nonsmoker, age 65, standard underwriting class.
 
<TABLE>
 <S>                             <C>                               <C>                                 <C> 
 65                               2.2464                             83                                 1.2787
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 66                               2.1200                             84                                 1.2557
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 67                               2.0406                             85                                 1.2348
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 68                               1.9656                             86                                 1.2159
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 69                               1.8949                             87                                 1.1987
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 70                               1.8283                             88                                 1.1831
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 71                               1.7657                             89                                 1.1686
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 72                               1.7068                             90                                 1.1550
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 73                               1.6517                             91                                 1.1421
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 74                               1.6002                             92                                 1.1295
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 75                               1.5523                             93                                 1.1171
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 76                               1.5080                             94                                 1.1044
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 77                               1.4670                             95                                 1.0913
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 78                               1.4290                             96                                 1.0778
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 79                               1.3940                             97                                 1.0643
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 80                               1.3615                             98                                 1.0520
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 81                               1.3316                             99                                 1.0321 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 82                               1.3040
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      C-1
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX D
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POLICIES ISSUED TO NEW YORK RESIDENTS
 
  For Policies issued to New York residents, the surrender charge declines
during the 6th through the 14th Policy Years so that no surrender charge is
deductible during the 15th and later Policy Years. The surrender factors used
to calculate the surrender charge for such Policies are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             SURRENDER FACTOR
           SURRENDER DURING                                  APPLIED TO (C) IN
             POLICY YEAR                                     FORMULA ON PAGE
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>                                               <C>
           1st through 5th                                         1.00
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 6th                                                .90
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 7th                                                .80
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 8th                                                .70
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 9th                                                .60
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 10th                                               .50
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 11th                                               .40
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 12th                                               .30
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 13th                                               .20
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 14th                                               .10
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 15th                                                 0
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      D-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   PART II 
                          UNDERTAKING TO FILE REPORTS

          Subject to the terms and conditions of Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file with
the Securities and Exchange Commission such supplementary and periodic
information, documents and reports as may be prescribed by any rule or
regulation of the Commission heretofore or hereafter duly adopted pursuant to
authority conferred in that section.

                              RULE 484 UNDERTAKING

          Section 6.2 of the By-laws of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
("Penn Mutual" or the "Company") provides that, in accordance with the
provisions of the Section, the Company shall indemnify trustees and officers
against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, excise taxes and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with
actions, suits and proceedings, to the extent such indemnification is not
prohibited by law, and may provide other indemnification to the extent not
prohibited by law.  The By-laws are filed as Exhibit 6(b) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 12 to the Form N-4 Registration Statement of Penn Mutual Variable
Annuity Account III filed in April 1990 (File No. 2-77283).

          Pennsylvania law (15 Pa. C.S.A. (S)(S) 1741-1750) authorizes
Pennsylvania corporations to provide indemnification to directors, officers and
other persons.

          Penn Mutual owns a directors and officers liability insurance policy
covering liabilities that trustees and officers of Penn Mutual and its
subsidiaries may incur in acting as trustees and officers.

          Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 (the "Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
                    REPRESENTATIONS PURSUANT TO RULE 6E-3(T)

          This filing is made pursuant to Rule 6e-3(T) under the Investment
Company Act of 1940.

          Registrant elects to be governed by Rule 6e-3(T)(b)(13)(i)(A) under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 with respect to the policies described in the
Prospectus.

          Registrant makes the following representations:

          (1) Rule 6e-3(T)(b)(13)(iii)(F) has been relied upon.

          (2) The level of the mortality and expense risk charge is within the
     range of industry practice for comparable flexible or scheduled contracts.

          (3) Registrant has concluded that there is a reasonable likelihood
     that the distribution financing arrangement of the Separate Account will
     benefit the Separate Account and policyowners and will keep and make
     available to the Commission on request a memorandum setting forth the basis
     for this representation.

          (4) The Separate Account will invest only in management investment
     companies which have undertaken to have a board of directors, a majority of
     whom are not interested persons of the company, formulate and approve any
     plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses.

     The methodology used to support the representation made in paragraph (2)
above is based on an analysis of the mortality and expense risk charge contained
in other variable life insurance contracts.  Registrant undertakes to keep and
make available to the Commission on request the documents used to support the
representation in paragraph (2) above.

                       CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

This Registration Statement comprises the following papers and documents:

     The facing sheet.
    
     The prospectus consisting of 56 pages.     
     Undertaking to file reports.
     Rule 484 undertaking.
     Representations pursuant to Rule 6e-3(T).
     The signatures.

                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
     Written consents of the following persons:
    
     (a)  Peter R. Schaefer, F.S.A.
     (b)  Coopers & Lybrand
     (c)  Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP     
    
The following exhibits:     
    
1.   Copies of all exhibits which would be required by paragraph A of the
     instructions as to exhibits in Form N-8B-2 if a Registration Statement on
     that Form were currently being filed.     

     
A(1)     (a)    Resolution of the Board of Trustees of The Penn Mutual Life
                Insurance Company establishing the Penn Mutual Variable Life
                Account I./a/
A(2)     Not Applicable.
A(3)     (a)(1) Distribution Agreement between The Penn Mutual Life
                Insurance Company and Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc./b/
         (a)(2) Sales Support Agreement between The Penn Mutual Life
                Insurance Company and Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc./b/
         (b)(1) Agent's Agreement./b/
         (b)(2) Broker-Dealer Selling Agreement/b/
         (b)(3) Companion Broker-Dealer Selling Agreement and Corporate
                Insurance Agent Selling Agreement./b/
         (c)    Schedule of Sales Commissions./b/
A(4)     Not Applicable.
A(5)     (a)(1) Specimen Last Survivor Flexible Premium Adjustable Variable
                Life Insurance Policy (Sex Distinct)./b/
         (a)(2) Specimen Last Survivor Flexible Premium Adjustable
                Variable Life Insurance Policy (Unisex)./b/
         (a)(3) Specimen Last Survivor Flexible Premium Adjustable
                Variable Life Insurance Policy (New York)./b/
         (b)(1) Flexible Period Single Life Supplemental Term Insurance
                Agreement (Sex Distinct)./b/
         (b)(2) Flexible Period Single Life Supplemental Term Insurance
                Agreement (Unisex)./b/     

                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
    
         (b)(3) Flexible Period Single Life Supplemental Term Insurance
                Agreement (New York)./b/
         (c)(1) Policy Split Option Agreement./b/
         (c)(2) Policy Split Option Agreement (New York)./b/
         (d)    Estate Growth Benefit Agreement./b/
         (e)(1) Supplemental Exchange Agreement./b/
         (e)(2) Supplemental Exchange Agreement (New York)./b/
         (f)(1) Supplemental Term Insurance Agreement (Sex
                Distinct)./b/
         (f)(2) Supplemental Term Insurance Agreement (Unisex)./b/
         (f)(3) Supplemental Term Insurance Agreement (New York)./b/
         (g)(1) Guaranteed Continuation of Policy Agreement (Sex
                Distinct)./b/
         (g)(2) Guaranteed Continuation of Policy Agreement
                (Unisex)./b/
A(6)     (a)    Charter of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company./c/
         (b)    By-Laws of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company./d/
A(7)     Not Applicable.
A(8)     (a)    Agreement between The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
                and Penn Series Funds, Inc./b/
         (b)(1) Agreement between The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
                and Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust./e/
         (b)(2) Assignment and Modification Agreement between Neuberger &
                Berman Management Incorporated, Neuberger & Berman Advisers
                Management Trust and The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company.
         (c)    Agreement between The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company and
                TCI Portfolios, Inc./e/
         (d)    Agreement between The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company and
                Variable Insurance Products Fund./b/
         (e)    Agreement between The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company and
                Variable Insurance Products Fund II./b/
A(9)     Not applicable.
A(10)    (a)    Application form for Last Survivor Flexible Premium Adjustable
                Variable Life Insurance./e/
         (b)    Supplemental application form for Last Survivor Flexible
                Premium Adjustable Variable Life Insurance./b/
A(11)    Memorandum describing issuance, transfer and redemption procedures./b/

2.   Opinion and consent of C. Ronald Rubley, Esq., as to the legality of the
     securities being registered./b/     

                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
3.   No applicable.
4.   Not applicable.
5.   Not applicable.
    
6.   Opinion and Consent of Peter R. Schaefer, F.S.A., M.A.A.A., as to actuarial
     matters pertaining to the securities being registered.     
7.   (a)  Consent of Coopers & Lybrand, LLP.
    
     (b)  Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.
8.   Powers of Attorney for Trustees./b/     

_______________________
    
/a/  Filed as exhibit and incorporated herein by reference to the Form S-6
     Registration Statement (File No. 33-11883) for Penn Mutual Variable Life
     Account I filed on February 10, 1987.

/b/  Filed as exhibit and incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective
     Amendment No. 1 to this Form S-6 Registration Statement filed on April 13,
     1995.

/c/  Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 6(a) to Post-Effective
     Amendment No. 10 to Form N-4 Registration Statement (File No. 2-77283) for
     Penn Mutual Variable Annuity Account III filed in April 1988.

/d/  Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to
     the Form N-4 Registration Statement (File No. 2-77283) of Penn Mutual
     Variable Annuity Account III filed in April 30, 1990.

/e/  Incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
     Form S-6 Registration Statement (File No. 33-54662) for Penn Mutual
     Variable Life Account I filed on March 22, 1993.    

                                     II-5
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES
    
     On its behalf and on behalf of Penn Mutual Variable Life Account I,
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, The Penn Mutual Life
Insurance Company certifies that it meets the requirements of Securities Act
Rule 485(b) for effectiveness of this Registration Statement and has duly caused
this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, and its seal to be
hereunto affixed and attested, all in the Township of Horsham and the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on the 22nd day of April, 1996.     
    
[SEAL]                   THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                         on its behalf and on behalf of Penn
                         Mutual Variable Life Account I     

    
Attest: /s/ George F. Koch      By:     /s/ Robert E. Chappell
       --------------------        -------------------------------
                                    Robert E. Chappell
                                    President and Chief Executive
                                    Officer     

                                     II-6
<PAGE>
 
    
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Pre-
Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by
the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 22nd day of April,
1995.

Signature                                     Title
- ---------                                     -----



 /s/ Robert E. Chappell                  President, Chief Executive
- ---------------------------              Officer and Trustee                   
Robert E. Chappell                                           



 /s/ Nancy S. Brodie                     Executive Vice President
- ----------------------------             and Chief Financial Officer    
Nancy S. Brodie      

                                     II-7
<PAGE>
 
    
*JAMES A. HAGEN                                Trustee

*PHILIP E. LIPPINCOTT                          Trustee

*CLAUDINE B. MALONE                            Trustee

*JOHN F. McCAUGHAN                             Trustee

*ALAN B. MILLER                                Trustee

*JOSEPH NEUBAUER                               Trustee

*JOHN E. TAIT                                  Trustee

*NORMAN T. WILDE, JR.                          Trustee

*WESLEY S. WILLIAMS, JR.                       Trustee



*By  /s/ Robert E. Chappell
    -------------------------------------
   Robert E. Chappell, attorney-in-fact     

                                     II-8
<PAGE>
 
                               Exhibit Index List
                               ------------------

    
Ex-99.A8(b)  Assignment and Modification Agreement between Neuberger &
             Berman Management Incorporated, Neuberger & Berman Advisers
             Management Trust and The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company

Ex-99.C1     Consent of Coopers & Lybrand, LLP

Ex-99.C6(a)  Opinion and Consent of Peter R. Schaefer, F.S.A., M.A.A.A.,
             as to actuarial matters pertaining to the securities being
             registered

Ex-99.C6(b)  Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP     



<PAGE>
 
    
                                Exhibit 1A(8)(b)

           Assignment and Modification Agreement between Neuberger &
Berman Management Incorporated, Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust and
                     The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company     

                                     II-10
<PAGE>
 
    
                     ASSIGNMENT AND MODIFICATION AGREEMENT

     This Agreement is made by and between Neuberger & Berman Advisers
Management Trust ("Trust"), a Massachusetts business trust, Neuberger & Berman
Management Incorporated ("N&B Management"), a New York corporation, Neuberger &
Berman Advisers Management Trust ("Successor Trust"), a Delaware business trust,
Advisers Managers Trust ("Managers Trust") and The Penn Mutual Life Insurance
Company ("Life Company"), a life insurance company organized under the laws of
the State of Pennsylvania.

     WHEREAS, the Life Company has previously entered into a Sales Agreement
dated April 5, 1993 (the "Sales Agreement") with the Trust regarding the
purchase of shares of the Trust by Life Company; and

     WHEREAS, as part of the reorganization into a "master-feeder" fund
structure (the "Reorganization"), the Trust will be converted into the Successor
Trust, a Delaware business trust; and

     WHEREAS, as part of the Reorganization, each Portfolio of the Trust will
transfer all of its assets to the corresponding Portfolio of the Successor Trust
("Successor Portfolio") and each Successor Portfolio will invest all of its net
investable assets in a corresponding series of Managers Trust; and

     WHEREAS, as part of the Reorganization, an Order under Section 6(c) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("40 Act") is expected to be issued by the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") granting exemptions from Sections
9(a), 13(a), 15(a) and 15(b) of the '40 Act and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-
3(T)(b)(15) thereunder; and

     WHEREAS, the Order is expected to require that certain conditions (the
"Conditions") as set forth in the Notice (Investment Company Act Release No.
21003 (April 12, 1995)) be made a part of the Sales Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to assign the Sales Agreement from the
Trust to the Successor Trust, to modify the Sales Agreement to include the
Conditions and Indemnification and to rename the Sales Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, N&B Management and Managers Trust will become parties to the Sales
Agreement as modified hereby, due to and for purposes of their obligations under
the Conditions and N&B Management's obligations under the Indemnification
provision.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, Trust, N&B
Management, Successor Trust, Managers Trust and Life Company agree as follows-

     1.   The Sales Agreement is hereby assigned by the Trust to the Successor
Trust.     
<PAGE>
 
    
     2.   Pursuant to such assignment, the Successor Trust hereby accepts all
rights and benefits of the Trust under the Sales Agreement and agrees to perform
all duties and obligations of the Trust under the Sales Agreement.  Upon the
effectiveness of this Assignment and Modification Agreement, the Trust will be
released from all obligations and duties under the Sales Agreement.

     3.   The Sales Agreement is hereby modified to include the Conditions as
follows:

          Sections 12 and 13 of the Sales Agreement are replaced by the
following:

          12.  a) The Board of Trustees of each of the Successor Trust and
          Managers Trust (the "Boards") will monitor the Successor Trust and
          Managers Trust, respectively, (collectively the "Funds") for the
          existence of any material irreconcilable conflict between the
          interests of the contract owners of all insurance company separate
          accounts investing in the Funds.  A material irreconcilable conflict
          may arise for a variety of reasons, including:  (a) state insurance
          regulatory authority action; (b) a change in applicable federal or
          state insurance, tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public
          ruling, private letter ruling, or any similar action by insurance,
          tax, or securities regulatory authorities; c) an administrative or
          judicial decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which
          the investments of the Funds are being managed; (e) a difference in
          voting instructions given by variable annuity and variable life
          insurance contract owners or by contract owners of different
          participating insurance companies; or (f) a decision by a
          participating insurance company to disregard voting instructions of
          contract owners.

               b)  Life Company will report any potential or existing conflicts
          to the Boards.  Life Company will be responsible for assisting the
          appropriate Board in carrying out its responsibilities under the
          Conditions set forth in the notice issued by the SEC for the Funds on
          April 12, 1995 (the "Notice") by providing the Board with all
          information reasonably necessary for it to consider any issues raised.
          This responsibility includes, but is not limited to, an obligation by
          Life Company to inform the Board whenever variable contract owner
          voting instructions are disregarded by Life Company.  These
          responsibilities will be carried out with a view only to the interests
          of the contract owners.

               c)  If a majority of the Board of a Fund or a majority of its
          disinterested trustees or directors, determines that a material
          irreconcilable conflict exists, affecting the Life Company, Life
          Company, at its expense and to the      
<PAGE>
 
    
          extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of
          disinterested trustees or directors), will take any steps necessary to
          remedy or eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, including:
          (a) withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate
          accounts from the Funds or any series thereof and
          reinvesting those assets in a different investment medium, which may
          include another series of the Successor Trust or Managers Trust, or
          another investment company or submitting the question as to whether
          such segregation should be implemented to a vote of all affected
          variable contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets
          of any appropriate group (i.e., variable annuity or variable life
          contract owners of one or more Participants) that votes in favor of
          such segregation, or offering to the affected variable contract owners
          the option of making such a change; and (b) establishing a new
          registered management investment company or managed separate account.
          If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of Life Company's
          decision to disregard contract owner voting instructions, and that
          decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority
          vote, the Life Company may be required, at the election of the
          relevant Fund, to withdraw its separate account's investment in such
          Fund, and no charge or penalty will be imposed as a result of such
          withdrawal.  The responsibility to take such remedial action shall be
          carried out with a view only to the interests of the contract owners.

               For the purposes of Condition (c), a majority of the
          disinterested members of the applicable Board shall determine whether
          or not any proposed action adequately remedies any irreconcilable
          material conflict, but in no event will the relevant Fund or N&B
          Management (or any other investment adviser of the Funds) be required
          to establish a new funding medium for any variable contract.  Further,
          Life Company shall not be required by this condition (c) to establish
          a new funding medium for any variable contract if any offer to do so
          has been declined by a vote of a majority of contract owners
          materially affected by the irreconcilable material conflict.

               d)  Any Board's determination of the existence of an
          irreconcilable material conflict and its implications shall be made
          known promptly and in writing to all Participants.

          13.  a)  Life Company will provide pass-through voting privileges to
          all contract owners so long as the SEC continues      
<PAGE>
 
    
          to interpret the '40 Act as requiring pass-through voting privileges
          for variable contract owners. This condition will apply to UIT-
          separate accounts investing in the Successor Trust and to managed
          separate accounts investing in Managers Trust to the extent a vote is
          required with respect to matters relating to Managers Trust.
          Accordingly, Life Company, where applicable, will vote shares of a
          Fund held in its separate accounts in a manner consistent with voting
          instructions timely received from its variable contract owners. Life
          Company will be responsible for assuring that each of its separate
          accounts that participates in the Funds calculates voting privileges
          in a manner consistent with other Participants as defined in the
          Conditions set forth in the Notice. Each Participant will vote shares
          for which it has not received timely voting instructions, as well as
          shares it owns, in the same proportion as its votes those shares for
          which it has received voting instructions. Funds hereby confirm that
          the manner in which Life Company currently calculates voting
          privileges is consistent with the manner in which other Participants
          so calculate voting privileges. Funds will notify Life Company it
          Funds become aware that another Participant has changed the manner in
          which it so calculates voting privileges.

               b)  If and to the extent Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended,
          or Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any
          provision of the '40 Act or the rules thereunder with respect to mixed
          and shared funding on terms and conditions materially different from
          any exemptions granted in the Order, then the Successor Trust,
          Managers Trust and/or the Participants, as appropriate, shall take
          such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-
          3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such Rules
          are applicable,

               c)  No less than annually, the Participants shall submit to the
          Boards such reports, materials or data as such Boards may reasonably
          request so that the Boards may fully carry out the obligations imposed
          upon them by these Conditions.  Such reports, materials, and data
          shall be submitted more frequently if deemed appropriate by the
          applicable Boards.

     4.   The Sales Agreement is hereby modified to include Indemnification as
follows:     
<PAGE>
 
    
          22.  (a)  Except as limited by and in accordance with the provisions
          of Sections 22 (b) and 22 (c) hereof, N&B MANAGEMENT agrees to
          indemnify and hold harmless LIFE COMPANY and each of its directors and
          officers and each person, if any, who controls LIFE COMPANY within the
          meaning of Section 15 of the '33 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified
          Parties") against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
          (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of N&B
          MANAGEMENT, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) or
          litigation expenses (including attorneys fees, legal and other
          expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under
          any statute, or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as
          such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
          respect thereon or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition
          of, or investment in, TRUST's shares or the variable contracts or the
          exercise of any ownership rights with respect to such shares or
          contracts, and arise as a result of a failure by Trust to comply with
          the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code.

               (b) N&B MANAGEMENT shall not be liable under this indemnification
          provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
          litigation to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by
          reason of such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or
          gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties
          or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of
          obligations and duties under this Agreement or to LIFE COMPANY.

               (c) N&B MANAGEMENT shall not be liable under this indemnification
          provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified party
          unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified N&B MANAGEMENT in
          writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first
          legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have
          been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified
          Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated
          agent), but failure to notify N&B MANAGEMENT of any such claim shall
          not relieve N&B MANAGEMENT from any liability which it may have to the
          Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than
          on account of this indemnification provision.  In case any such action
          is brought against the Indemnified Parties, N&B MANAGEMENT shall be
          entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense 
          thereof.     
<PAGE>
 
    
          N&B MANAGEMENT also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof,
          with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action.  After
          notice from N&B MANAGEMENT to such party of N&B MANAGEMENT'S election
          to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the
          fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and N&B
          MANAGEMENT will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for
          any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party
          independently in connection with the defense thereof other than
          reasonable costs of investigation.

     5.   The Sales Agreement shall be renamed Fund Participation Agreement.


     6.   This Assignment and Modification Agreement shall be effective on May
1, 1995, the closing date of the conversion.  In the event of a conflict between
the terms of this Assignment and Modification Agreement and the terms of the
Sales Agreement, the terms of this Assignment and Modification Agreement shall
control.

     7.   All other terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement remain in full
force and effect.



     Executed this ____ day of__________ 1995.


                              Neuberger & Berman Advisers
                              Management Trust
                              (a Massachusetts business trust)


Attest:_____________________    By:_____________________________
                                Stanley Egener, Chairman



                              Neuberger & Berman Advisers
                              Management Trust
                              (a Delaware business trust)


Attest:_____________________    By:_____________________________
                                Stanley Egener, Chairman     
<PAGE>
 
    
                              Advisers Managers Trust



Attest:_____________________    By:_____________________________


                              Neuberger & Berman Management
                                Incorporated



Attest:_____________________    By:_____________________________

                              The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company



Attest:_____________________    By:_____________________________
     




<PAGE>
 
    
                                  Exhibit C1
                       Consent of Coopers & Lybrand, LLP     











                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
    
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We hereby consent to the following with respect to Post-Effective Amendment No.
1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-6 (File No. 33-87276), filed on behalf
of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company and Penn Mutual Variable Life Account
I under the Securities Act of 1933:

1.The inclusion of our report dated January 26, 1996 on our audits of the
financial statements of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company as of December
31, 1995 and 1994 and for the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995.

2.The inclusion of our report dated April 4, 1996 on our audit of the financial
statements of The Penn Mutual Variable Life Account I - Cornerstone VUL as of
December 31, 1995 and for the year then ended.

3.The reference to our Firm under the heading of "Experts" in the Registration
Statement.


/s/ Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P.

2400 Eleven Penn Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 25, 1996     

<PAGE>
 
    
                                   Exhibit 6(2)
  Opinion and Consent of Peter R. Schaefer, F.S.A., M.A.A.A., as to actuarial
             matters pertaining to the securities being registered     

                                     II-12
<PAGE>
 
    
April 25, 1996

Board of Trustees
The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
Independence Square
Philadelphia, PA 19172

  Re:     Last Survivor Flexible Premium Adjustable
               Variable Life Insurance Policies

To the Board of Trustees:

This opinion is furnished in connection with the filing of Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to Penn Mutual's Registration Statement on Form S-6 (the
"Registration Statement") covering flexible premium adjustable variable life
insurance policies ("Policies" or "Policy") to be issued by The Penn Mutual Life
Insurance Company (the "Company") (S.E.C. file No. 33-87276).

The Prospectus included in the Registration Statement describes the Policies.
The Policy forms were reviewed under my direction, and I am familiar with the
Registration Statement and Exhibits thereto.  In my opinion:

1.   Using the interest rate and cost of insurance tables guaranteed in the
Policy, current cost of insurance rates cannot be established at levels such
that the "sales load", as defined in paragraph (c)(4) of Rule 6e-3T under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, would exceed 9 percent of any premium payment.

2.   The illustrations of Policy Values, Net Cash Surrender Values, Death
Benefits and Accumulated Premiums included in the Registration Statement and
based on the assumptions stated in the illustrations, are consistent with the
provisions of the Policy. The rate structure of the Policy has not been designed
so as to make the relationship between premiums and benefits, as shown in the
illustrations, appear more favorable to a prospective purchaser of a Policy for
the ages and sexes shown, than to prospective purchasers of a Policy for other
ages and sex.

3.   The tables of minimum initial premiums, administrative surrender charges
and applicable percentages included in the appendices to the Prospectus included
in the Registration Statement are consistent with the provisions of the Policy.

I hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the use of my name relating to actuarial matters under the
heading "Experts" in the Prospectus.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    Peter R. Schaefer, F.S.A., M.A.A.A.
                                    Actuary     

<PAGE>
 
    
                                  Exhibit 6(b)
                     Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP     







                                     II-13
<PAGE>
 
    
          April 25, 1996


Board of Trustees
The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
Independence Square
Philadelphia, PA  19172

          RE:  PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT I
               SEC REGISTRATION NO. 33-87276
               ------------------------------------

Gentlemen:

We hereby consent to the reference to our name under the caption "Legal Matters"
in the Prospectus filed as part of the Post-Effective Amendment No. 1.  In
giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons
whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933.

          Very truly yours,

          MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP     


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