NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT 2
485BPOS, 1997-04-28
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<PAGE>   1

                                                       Registration No. 33-42180

================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

   
                         Post-Effective Amendment No. 13
                                   TO FORM S-6
              FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OF
         SECURITIES OF UNIT INVESTMENT TRUSTS REGISTERED ON FORM N-8B-2
    

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

                        NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-2
                              (Exact Name of Trust)

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

                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                              One Nationwide Plaza
                              Columbus, Ohio 43216
              (Exact Name and Address of Depositor and Registrant)

                               Gordon E. McCutchan
                                    Secretary
                              One Nationwide Plaza
                              Columbus, Ohio 43216
                     (Name and address of Agent for Service)

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

This Post-Effective Amendment amends the Registration Statement in respect to
the Prospectus and Financial Statements.

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

   
[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485 
[X] on May 1, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485

The Registrant has registered an indefinite number of securities by a prior
registration statement in accordance with Rule 24f-2 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Registrant filed its 24f-2 Notice for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996, on February 25, 1997.
    

================================================================================
<PAGE>   2

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

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

 1.........................................Nationwide Life Insurance Company
                                           The Variable Account
 2.........................................Nationwide Life Insurance Company
 3.........................................Custodian of Assets
 4.........................................Distribution of The Policies
 5.........................................The Variable Account
 6.........................................Not Applicable
 7.........................................Not Applicable
 8.........................................Not Applicable
 9.........................................Legal Proceedings
10.........................................Information About The Policies; How
                                           The Cash Value Varies; Right to
                                           Exchange for a Fixed Benefit Policy;
                                           Reinstatement; Other Policy
                                           Provisions
11.........................................Investments of The Variable
                                           Account
12.........................................The Variable Account
13.........................................Policy Charges
                                           Reinstatement
14.........................................Underwriting and Issuance -
                                           Premium Payments
                                           Minimum Requirements for
                                           Issuance of a Policy
15.........................................Investments of the Variable
                                           Account; Premium Payments
16.........................................Underwriting and Issuance -
                                           Allocation of Cash Value
17.........................................Surrendering The Policy for Cash
18.........................................Reinvestment
19.........................................Not Applicable
20.........................................Not Applicable
21.........................................Policy Loans
22.........................................Not Applicable
23.........................................Not Applicable
24.........................................Not Applicable
25.........................................Nationwide Life Insurance Company
26.........................................Not Applicable
27.........................................Nationwide Life Insurance Company
28.........................................Company Management
29.........................................Company Management
30.........................................Not Applicable
31.........................................Not Applicable
32.........................................Not Applicable
33.........................................Not Applicable
34.........................................Not Applicable
35.........................................Nationwide Life Insurance Company
36.........................................Not Applicable
37.........................................Not Applicable
38.........................................Distribution of The Policies
39.........................................Distribution of The Policies
40.........................................Not Applicable
41(a)......................................Distribution of The Policies
42.........................................Not Applicable
43.........................................Not Applicable
<PAGE>   3

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

44.........................................How The Cash Value Varies
45.........................................Not Applicable
46.........................................How The Cash Value Varies
47.........................................Not Applicable
48.........................................Custodian of Assets
49.........................................Not Applicable
50.........................................Not Applicable
51.........................................Summary of The Policies;
                                           Information About The Policies
52.........................................Substitution of Securities
53.........................................Taxation of The Company
54.........................................Not Applicable
55.........................................Not Applicable
56.........................................Not Applicable
57.........................................Not Applicable
58.........................................Not Applicable
59.........................................Financial Statements
<PAGE>   4

                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                 P.O. Box 182150
                            Columbus, Ohio 43218-2150
                       (800) 547-7548, TDD (800) 238-3035

           FLEXIBLE PREMIUM VARIABLE UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES
                   ISSUED BY NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                  THROUGH ITS NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-2

The Life Insurance Policies offered by this prospectus are variable life
insurance policies (collectively referred to as the "Policies"). The Policies
are designed to provide life insurance coverage and the flexibility to vary the
amount and frequency of premium payments. The Policies may also provide a Cash
Surrender Value if the Policy is terminated during the lifetime of the Insured.
Nationwide Life Insurance Company guarantees to keep the Policy in force during
the first three years so long as the Minimum Premium requirement has been met.
The death benefit and Cash Value of the Policies may vary to reflect the
experience of the Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2 (the "Variable Account") or
the Fixed Account to which Cash Values are allocated.

The Policies described in this prospectus meet the definition of "life
insurance" under Section 7702 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code").

The Policy Owner may allocate Net Premiums and Cash Value to one or more of the
sub-accounts of the Variable Account and the Fixed Account. The assets of each
sub-account will be used to purchase, at net asset value, shares of a designated
Underlying Mutual Fund in the following series of the Underlying Mutual Fund
options:

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                 <C>
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc.:         Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust:
     -American Century VP Balanced                       -Growth Portfolio
     -American Century VP Capital Appreciation           -Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio
     -American Century VP International                  -Partners Portfolio
     -American Century VP Value                      Oppenheimer Variable Accounts Funds:
Dreyfus:                                                 -Bond Fund
     -Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund           -Global Securities Fund
     -Dreyfus Stock Index Fund                           -Multiple Strategies Fund
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund                     Strong Special Fund II, Inc.:
     -Growth & Income Portfolio**                        -Special Fund II
Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund:           Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.:
     -Equity-Income Portfolio                            -Discovery Fund II, Inc.
     -Growth Portfolio                                   -International Stock Fund II
     -High Income Portfolio**                        Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust:
     -Overseas Portfolio                                 -Worldwide Bond Fund
Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund II:            -Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund
     -Asset Manager Portfolio                            -Worldwide Hard Assets Fund
     -Contrafund Portfolio                           Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment
Nationwide Separate Account Trust:                   Trust:
     -Capital Appreciation Fund                          -American Capital Real Estate Securities Fund
     -Government Bond Fund                           Warburg Pincus Trust:
     -Money Market Fund                                  -International Equity Portfolio
     -Small Company Fund                                 -Post-Venture Capital Portfolio
     -Total Return Fund                                  -Small Company Growth Portfolio
 
</TABLE>

**The Growth & Income Portfolio and the High Income Portfolio may invest in
lower quality debt securities commonly referred to as junk bonds.
    

Nationwide Life Insurance Company (the "Company") guarantees that the death
benefit for a Policy will never be less than the Specified Amount stated on the
Policy data pages as long as the Policy is in force. There is no guaranteed Cash
Surrender Value. If the Cash Surrender Value is insufficient to cover the
charges under the Policy, the Policy will lapse without value. Nationwide Life
Insurance Company guarantees to keep the Policy in force during the first three
years so long as the Minimum Premium requirement has been met. This prospectus
generally describes only that portion of the Cash Value allocated to the
Variable Account. For a brief summary of the Fixed Account Option, see "The
Fixed Account Option."


                                       1
<PAGE>   5

INVESTMENTS IN THESE CONTRACTS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, AND ARE NOT
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, THE ADVISER OF ANY OF THE UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS
IDENTIFIED ABOVE, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, OR ANY BANK OR BANK AFFILIATE.
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY. ANY
INVESTMENT IN THE CONTRACT INVOLVES CERTAIN INVESTMENT RISK WHICH MAY INCLUDE
THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL. 

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 THE PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE READ AND RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. A PROSPECTUS
FOR THE UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND OPTION(S) BEING CONSIDERED MUST ACCOMPANY THIS
PROSPECTUS AND SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION HEREWITH.

   
                   THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS MAY 1, 1997
    


                                       2
<PAGE>   6

                                GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Attained Age-The Insured's age on the Policy Date, plus the number of full years
since the Policy Date.

   
Accumulation Unit-An accounting unit of measure used to calculate the Cash Value
of the Variable Account.
    

Beneficiary-The person to whom the Death Proceeds are paid.

Break Point Premium-The level annual premium at which the sales load is reduced
on a current basis.

Cash Value-The sum of the Policy values in the Variable Account, Fixed Account
and any associated value in the Policy Loan Account.

Cash Surrender Value-The Policy's Cash Value, less any Indebtedness under the
Policy, less any Surrender Charge.

Code-The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Company- Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

Death Proceeds-Amount of money payable to the Beneficiary if the Insured dies
while the Policy is in force.

Fixed Account-An investment option which is funded by the General Account of the
Company.

General Account-All assets of the Company other than those of the Variable
Account or in other separate accounts that have been or may be established by
the Company.

Guideline Level Premium-The amount of level annual premium calculated in
accordance with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It
represents the level annual premiums required to mature the Policy under
guaranteed mortality and expense charges, and an interest rate of 5%.

   
Home Office-The main office of the Company located in Columbus, Ohio.
    

Indebtedness-Amounts owed the Company as a result of Policy loans including both
principal and accrued interest.

Initial Premium-The Initial Premium is the premium required for coverage to
become effective on the Policy Date. It is shown on the Policy Data Page.

Insured-The person whose life is covered by the Policy, and who is named on the
Policy Data Page.

Maturity Date-The Policy Anniversary on or following the Insured's 95th
birthday.

Minimum Premium-The Minimum Premium is shown on the Policy Data Page. It is used
to measure the total amount of premiums that must be paid during the first three
Policy Years to guarantee the Policy remains in force.

Monthly Anniversary Day-The same day as the Policy Date for each succeeding
month.

Net Asset Value-The worth of one share at the end of a market day or at the
close of the New York Stock Exchange. Net Asset Value is computed by adding the
value of all portfolio holdings plus other assets, deducting liabilities and
then dividing the result by the number of shares outstanding.

Net Premiums-Net Premiums are equal to the actual premiums minus the percent of
premium charge. The percent of premium charges are shown on the Policy Data
Page.

Policy Anniversary-The same day and month as the Policy Date for succeeding
years.

Policy Charges-All deductions made from the value of the Variable Account, or
the Policy Cash Value.

Policy Date-The date the provisions of the Policy take effect, as shown on the
Policy Owner's Policy Data Page.

Policy Loan Account-The Portion of the Cash Value which results from Policy
Indebtedness.

Policy Owner-The person designated in the Policy application as the Owner.

Policy Year-Each year commencing with the Policy Date and each Policy
Anniversary thereafter.

Scheduled Premium-The Scheduled Premium is shown on the Policy Data Page.

Specified Amount-A dollar amount used to determine the death benefit under a
Policy. It is shown on the Policy Data Page.


                                       3
<PAGE>   7

Surrender Charge-An amount deducted from the Cash Value if the Policy is
surrendered.

   
Underlying Mutual Funds-The Underlying mutual funds which correspond to the
sub-accounts of the Variable Account.

Valuation Date-Each day the New York Stock Exchange and the Company's Home
Office are open for business or any other day during which there is sufficient
degree of trading that the current net asset value of the Accumulation Units
might be materially affected.
    

Valuation Period-A period commencing with the close of business on the New York
Stock Exchange and ending at the close of business for the next succeeding
Valuation Date.

   
Variable Account-A separate investment account of Nationwide Life Insurance
Company. Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2.
    


                                       4
<PAGE>   8

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
GLOSSARY OF TERMS.............................................................3
SUMMARY OF THE POLICIES.......................................................8
         Variable Life Insurance..............................................8
         The Variable Account and its Sub-Accounts............................8
         The Fixed Account....................................................8
         Deductions and Charges...............................................8
         Premiums............................................................12
NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY............................................12
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT.........................................................12
         Investments of the Variable Account.................................13
         American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc., a member of American
           CenturySM Investments.............................................14
         Dreyfus.............................................................15
         Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund....................................15
         Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund...........................15
         Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund II........................16
         Nationwide Separate Account Trust...................................17
         Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust........................17
         Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds..................................18
         Strong Special Fund II, Inc.........................................18
         Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc................................18
         Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust (Formerly Van Eck Investment
           Trust)............................................................18
         Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust...................19
         Warburg Pincus Trust................................................19
         Reinvestment........................................................20
         Transfers...........................................................20
         Dollar Cost Averaging...............................................21
         Substitution of Securities..........................................21
         Voting Rights.......................................................22
INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLICIES...............................................22
         Underwriting and Issuance...........................................22
         -Minimum Requirements for Issuance of a Policy......................22
         -Premium Payments...................................................22
         Allocation of Cash Value............................................23
         Short-Term Right to Cancel Policy...................................23
POLICY CHARGES...............................................................23
         Deductions from Premiums............................................23
         Surrender Charges...................................................24
         -Reductions to Surrender Charges....................................25
         Deductions from Cash Value..........................................25
         -Monthly Cost of Insurance..........................................25
         -Monthly Administrative Charge......................................26
         -Increase Charge....................................................26
         Deductions from the Sub-Accounts....................................26
         Reduction of Charges................................................26
HOW THE CASH VALUE VARIES....................................................27
         How the Investment Experience is Determined.........................27
         Net Investment Factor...............................................27
         Valuation of Assets.................................................28
         Determining the Cash Value..........................................28
         Valuation Periods and Valuation Dates...............................28
SURRENDERING THE POLICY FOR CASH.............................................28
         Right to Surrender..................................................28
         Cash Surrender Value................................................28
         Partial Surrenders..................................................28
         Maturity Proceeds...................................................29
         Income Tax Withholding..............................................29
POLICY LOANS.................................................................29
    


                                       5
<PAGE>   9

   
         Taking a Policy Loan................................................29
         Effect on Investment Performance....................................29
         Interest............................................................30
         Effect on Death Benefit and Cash Value..............................30
         Repayment...........................................................30
HOW THE DEATH BENEFIT VARIES.................................................30
         Calculation of the Death Benefit....................................30
         Proceeds Payable on Death...........................................31
RIGHT TO EXCHANGE FOR A FIXED BENEFIT POLICY.................................31
CHANGES OF INVESTMENT POLICY.................................................32
GRACE PERIOD.................................................................32
         -First Three Policy Years...........................................32
         -Policy Years Four and After........................................32
         -All Policy Years...................................................32
REINSTATEMENT................................................................32
THE FIXED ACCOUNT OPTION.....................................................33
CHANGES IN EXISTING INSURANCE COVERAGE.......................................33
         Specified Amount Increases..........................................33
         Specified Amount Decreases..........................................33
         Changes in the Death Benefit Option.................................34
OTHER POLICY PROVISIONS......................................................34
         Policy Owner........................................................34
         Beneficiary.........................................................34
         Assignment..........................................................34
         Incontestability....................................................34
         Error in Age or Sex.................................................34
         Suicide.............................................................35
         Nonparticipating Policies...........................................35
         Riders..............................................................35
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS.........................................................35
DISTRIBUTION OF THE POLICIES.................................................35
CUSTODIAN OF ASSETS..........................................................36
TAX MATTERS..................................................................36
         Policy Proceeds.....................................................36
         -Federal Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes..............37
         -Non-Resident Aliens................................................37
         Taxation of the Company.............................................37
         Tax Changes.........................................................38
THE COMPANY..................................................................38
COMPANY MANAGEMENT...........................................................39
         Directors of the Company............................................39
         Executive Officers of the Company...................................40
OTHER CONTRACTS ISSUED BY THE COMPANY........................................40
STATE REGULATION.............................................................40
REPORTS TO POLICY OWNERS.....................................................41
ADVERTISING..................................................................41
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS............................................................41
EXPERTS......................................................................41
REGISTRATION STATEMENT.......................................................42
LEGAL OPINIONS...............................................................42
APPENDIX 1...................................................................43
APPENDIX 2...................................................................44
APPENDIX 3...................................................................61
PERFORMANCE TABLES...........................................................62
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.........................................................66
    


                                       6
<PAGE>   10

THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE. NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN
THIS PROSPECTUS.

THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE POLICIES IS TO PROVIDE LIFE INSURANCE PROTECTION FOR
THE BENEFICIARY NAMED IN THE POLICY. NO CLAIM IS MADE THAT THE POLICIES ARE IN
ANY WAY SIMILAR OR COMPARABLE TO A SYSTEMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN OF A MUTUAL FUND.


                                       7
<PAGE>   11

                             SUMMARY OF THE POLICIES

Variable Life Insurance

The variable life insurance Policies offered by Nationwide Life Insurance
Company (the "Company") are similar in many ways to fixed-benefit whole life
insurance. As with fixed-benefit whole life insurance, the Owner of the Policy
pays a premium for life insurance coverage on the person insured. Also like
fixed-benefit whole life insurance, the Policies may provide for a Cash
Surrender Value which is payable if the Policy is terminated during the
Insured's lifetime. As with fixed-benefit whole life insurance, the Cash
Surrender Value during the early Policy years may be substantially lower than
the premiums paid.

However, the Policies differ from fixed-benefit whole life insurance in several
respects. Unlike fixed-benefit whole life insurance, the death benefit and Cash
Value of the Policies may increase or decrease to reflect the investment
performance of the Variable Account sub-accounts or the Fixed Account to which
Cash Values are allocated (see "How the Death Benefit Varies"). There is no
guaranteed Cash Surrender Value (see "How the Cash Value Varies"). If the Cash
Surrender Value is insufficient to pay the Policy Charges, the Policy will lapse
without value. Nationwide Life Insurance Company guarantees to keep the Policy
in force during the first three years so long as certain requirements have been
met (see "Underwriting and Issuance").

Under certain conditions, a Policy may become a modified endowment contract as a
result of a material change or a reduction in benefits as defined by the
Internal Revenue Code ("Code"). Excess premiums paid may also cause the Policy
to become a modified endowment contract. The Company will monitor premiums paid
and other policy transactions and will notify the Policy Owner when the Policy's
non-modified endowment contract status is in jeopardy (see "Tax Matters").

The Variable Account and Its Sub-Accounts

   
The Company places the Policy's Net Premiums in the Variable Account or the
Fixed Account at the time the Policy is issued. The Policy Owner selects the
sub-accounts of the Variable Account or the Fixed Account into which the Cash
Value will be allocated (see "Allocation of Cash Value"). When the Policy is
issued, the Net Premiums will be allocated to the Nationwide Separate Account
Trust Money Market Fund sub-account (for any Net Premiums allocated to a
sub-account on the application) in the Fixed Account until the expiration of the
period in which the Policy Owner may exercise his or her short-term right to
cancel the Policy. Assets of each sub-account are invested at net asset value in
shares of a corresponding Underlying Mutual Fund. For a description of the
Underlying Mutual Fund options and their investment objectives, see "Investments
of the Variable Account."
    

The Fixed Account

The Fixed Account is funded by the assets of the Company's General Account. Cash
Values allocated to the Fixed Account are credited with interest daily at a rate
declared by the Company. The interest rate declared is at the Company's sole
discretion, but may never be less than an effective annual rate of 4%.

Deductions and Charges

   
The Company deducts certain charges from the assets of the Variable Account and
the Cash Value of the Policy. These charges are made for administrative and
sales expenses, state premium taxes, providing life insurance protection and
assuming the mortality and expense risks. For a discussion of any charges
imposed by the Underlying Mutual Fund options, see the prospectuses of the
respective Underlying Mutual Funds.
    

The Company deducts a sales load from each premium payment received not to
exceed 3.5% of each premium payment. On a current basis, the sales load is
reduced to 1.5% on any portion of the annual premium paid in excess of the
annual Break Point Premium. The total sales load actually deducted from any
Policy will be equal to the sum of this front-end sales load plus any sales
surrender charge that may be deducted from Policies that are surrendered.

The Company also deducts a charge for state premium taxes equal to 2.5% of all
premium payments.


                                       8
<PAGE>   12

The Company also deducts the following charges from the Policy's Cash Value on
the Policy Date and each subsequent Monthly Anniversary Day:

      1.    monthly cost of insurance; plus

      2.    monthly cost of any additional benefits provided by riders to the
            Policy; plus

   
      3.    an administrative expense charge. This charge is $12.50 per month in
            the first year and $5 per month in renewal years. The charge may be
            increased at the sole discretion of the Company but may not exceed
            $25 per month in the first year, $7.50 per month in renewal years;
            plus
    

      4.    an increase charge per $1000 applied to any increase in the
            Specified Amount. The increase charge is $2.04 per year per $1000
            and is shown on the Policy data page. This charge is designed to
            cover the costs associated with increasing the Specified Amount (see
            "Policy Charges"). This charge will be deducted on each Monthly
            Anniversary Day for the first 12 months after the increase becomes
            effective.

   
The Company also deducts on a daily basis from the assets of the Variable
Account a charge to provide for mortality and expense risks. This charge is
equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.80% of the daily net assets of the
Variable Account. On each Policy Anniversary beginning with the 10th, the
mortality and expense risk charge is reduced to 0.50% on an annual basis of the
daily net assets of the Variable Account, provided the Cash Surrender Value is
$25,000 or more on such anniversary. (For policies issued in New York, such
reduction occurs regardless of the amount of Cash Surrender Value on such
anniversary).
    

For Policies which are surrendered during the first nine Policy Years, the
Company deducts a Surrender Charge. This Surrender Charge is comprised of an
Underwriting Surrender Charge and a Sales Surrender Charge. The maximum initial
Surrender Charge varies by issue age, sex, Specified Amount and underwriting
classification and is calculated based on the initial Specified Amount. The
following table illustrates the maximum initial Surrender Charge per $1,000 of
initial Specified Amount for Policies which are issued on a Standard basis (see
Appendix 1 for specific examples).

                    Initial Specified Amount $50,000-$99,999

    Issue          Male             Female           Male            Female
     Age        Non-Tobacco      Non-Tobacco       Standard         Standard
     ---        -----------      -----------       --------         --------
     25          $ 7.776          $ 7.521          $ 8.369          $ 7.818
     35            8.817            8.398            9.811            8.891
     45           12.191           11.396           13.887           12.169
     55           15.636           14.011           18.415           15.116
     65           22.295           19.086           26.577           20.641

                       Initial Specified Amount $100,000 +

    Issue          Male             Female           Male            Female
     Age        Non-Tobacco      Non-Tobacco       Standard         Standard
     ---        -----------      -----------       --------         --------
     25            5.776            5.521            6.369            5.818
     35            6.817            6.398            7.811            6.891
     45            9.691            8.896           11.387            9.669
     55           13.136           11.511           15.915           12.616
     65           21.295           18.086           25.577           19.641

   
Underlying Mutual Fund shares are purchased at net asset value, which reflects
the deduction of investment management fees and certain other expenses. The
management fees are charged by each Underlying Mutual Fund's investment adviser
for managing the Underlying Mutual Fund and selecting its portfolio of
securities. Other Underlying Mutual Fund expenses can include such items as
interest expense on loans and contracts with transfer agents, custodians, and
other companies that provide services to the Underlying Mutual Fund. The
    


                                       9
<PAGE>   13

   
management fees and other expenses for each Underlying Mutual Fund for its most
recently completed fiscal year, expressed as a percentage of the Underlying
Mutual Fund's average assets, are as follows:
    

                     Underlying Mutual Fund Annual Expenses
                          (After Expense Reimbursement)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            -------------------------------------
                                                                             Management      Other        Total
                                                                                Fees        Expenses     Expenses
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                             <C>           <C>          <C>  
   
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc.-American Century VP Balanced         1.00%         0.00%        1.00%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable Portfolios,  Inc.-American  Century VP Capital        1.00%         0.00%        1.00%
Appreciation
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American  Century  Variable   Portfolios, Inc.-American   Century  VP           1.50%         0.00%        1.50%
International
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc.-American Century VP Value            1.00%         0.00%        1.00%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund                                        0.72%         0.24%        0.96%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund                                                        0.25%         0.05%        0.30%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund- Growth & Income Portfolio.                    0.75%         0.08%        0.83%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Equity-Income Portfolio                                       0.51%         0.07%        0.58%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Growth Portfolio                                              0.61%         0.08%        0.69%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-High Income Portfolio                                         0.59%         0.12%        0.71%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Overseas Portfolio                                            0.76%         0.17%        0.93%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II-Asset Manager Portfolio                                    0.64%         0.10%        0.74%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II-Contrafund Portfolio                                       0.61%         0.13%        0.74%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management                                          0.83%         0.09%        0.92%
Trust-Growth Portfolio
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management                                          0.65%         0.13%        0.78%
Trust-Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management                                          0.84%         0.11%        0.95%
Trust-Partners Portfolio
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Capital Appreciation Fund                                                  0.50%         0.02%        0.52%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Government Bond Fund                                                       0.50%         0.01%        0.51%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Money Market Fund                                                          0.50%         0.03%        0.53%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Small Company Fund                                                         1.00%         0.10%        1.10%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Total Return Fund                                                          0.50%         0.02%        0.52%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund-Bond Fund                                     0.74%         0.04%        0.78%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund-Global Securities Fund                        0.73%         0.08%        0.81%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund-Multiple Strategies                           0.73%         0.04%        0.77%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Special Fund II, Inc.                                                    1.00%         0.17%        1.17%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc. - Discovery Fund II, Inc.                 1.00%         0.22%        1.22%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc. - International Stock Fund II             1.00%         0.59%        1.59%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust-Worldwide Bond Fund                           1.00%         0.08%        1.08%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust-Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund               1.00%         0.00%        1.00%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust-Worldwide Hard Assets Fund                    1.00%         0.08%        1.08%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust -                             0.83%         0.27%        1.10%
American Capital Real Estate Securities Fund
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-International Equity Portfolio                             0.62%         0.78%        1.40%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-Post-Venture Capital Portfolio                             0.96%         0.40%        1.36%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-Small Company Growth Portfolio                             0.90%         0.26%        1.16%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>

   
The Underlying Mutual Fund expenses shown above are assessed at the Underlying
Mutual Fund level and are not direct charges against the Variable Account or
reductions in Cash Value. These Underlying Mutual Fund expenses are taken into
consideration in computing each Underlying Mutual Fund's net asset value, which
is the share price used to calculate the Variable Account's unit value. The
management fees and other expenses are more fully described in the prospectuses
for each individual Underlying Mutual Fund. None of the above Underlying Mutual
Funds are subject to 12b-1 fees. The following Underlying Mutual Funds are
subject to the following fee waiver or expense reimbursement arrangements:
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               FUND                                               EXPENSES WITHOUT REIMBURSEMENT OR WAIVER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>
   
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. -      Absent a waiver of fees by the Portfolio's investment adviser and
American Century VP Value                         co-administrator, Management Fees for the Portfolio would equal 1.25%; Other  
                                                  Expenses would equal .81%; Total Portfolio Operating Expenses would have been 
                                                  2.06%.                                                                        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>


                                       10
<PAGE>   14

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               FUND                                               EXPENSES WITHOUT REIMBURSEMENT OR WAIVER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>
   
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund                          In the event that aggregate expenses of the Fund exceed .40 of 1% of the value  
                                                  of the Fund's average net assets for the fiscal year, the Fund may deduct from  
                                                  the payment to be made to Dreyfus, or Dreyfus will bear, such excess expense. In
                                                  addition, the Fund may waive receipt of its fees and/or voluntarily assume      
                                                  certain expenses of the Fund, which would have the effect of lowering the       
                                                  overall expense ratio of the Fund.                                              
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund          In the event that aggregate expenses of the Fund exceed .40 of 1% of the value  
                                                  of the Fund's average net assets for the fiscal year, the Fund may deduct from  
                                                  the payment to be made to Dreyfus, or Dreyfus will bear, such excess expense. In
                                                  addition, the Fund may waive receipt of its fees and/or voluntarily assume      
                                                  certain expenses of the Fund, which would have the effect of lowering the       
                                                  overall expense ratio of the Fund.                                              
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - Equity-Income Portfolio       The Adviser has voluntarily agreed subject to revision or termination to      
                                                  reimburse a fund if, and to the extent that, its aggregate operating expenses,
                                                  including management fees, exceed a specified annual rate for the fund. The   
                                                  expense cap is: 1.50% imposed on October 9, 1986. Since the expense ratio is  
                                                  significantly below the expense cap there is no reimbursement and none        
                                                  anticipated during the current year. Since there is no reimbursement the      
                                                  discontinuance of the arrangement has no effect on total fund operating       
                                                  expenses.                                                                     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - Growth Portfolio              The Fund may, from time to time, agree to reimburse a fund for management fees  
                                                  and other expenses above a specified limit. The Fund retains the ability to be  
                                                  repaid if expenses fall below the specified limit prior to the end of the fiscal
                                                  year. Reimbursement arrangements, which may be terminated at any time, can      
                                                  decrease the Fund's expense and boost its performance.                          
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - High-Income Portfolio         The Fund may, from time to time, agree to reimburse a fund for management fees   
                                                  and other expenses above a specified limit. The Fund retains the ability to be   
                                                  repaid if expenses fall below the specified limit prior to the end of the fiscal 
                                                  year. Reimbursement arrangements, which may be terminated at any time, can       
                                                  decrease the Fund's expense and boost its performance.                           
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund -       The Adviser has voluntarily agreed subject to revision or termination to       
Overseas Portfolio                                reimburse a fund if, and to the Overseas Portfolio extent that, its aggregate  
                                                  operating expenses, including management fees, exceed a specified annual rate  
                                                  for the fund. The expense cap is: 1.50% imposed on January 28, 1986. Since the 
                                                  expense ratio is significantly below the expense cap there is no reimbursement 
                                                  and none anticipated during the current year. Since there is no reimbursement  
                                                  the discontinuance of the arrangement has no effect on total fund operating    
                                                  expenses.                                                                      
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II - Asset Manager Portfolio    The Fund may, from time to time, agree to reimburse a fund for management fees  
                                                  and other expenses above a specified limit. The Fund retains the ability to be  
                                                  repaid if expenses fall below the specified limit prior to the end of the fiscal
                                                  year. Reimbursement arrangements, which may be terminated at any time, can      
                                                  decrease the Fund's expense and boost its performance.                          
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II - Contrafund Portfolio       The Fund may, from time to time, agree to reimburse a fund for management fees  
                                                  and other expenses above a specified limit. The Fund retains the ability to be  
                                                  repaid if expenses fall below the specified limit prior to the end of the fiscal
                                                  year. Reimbursement arrangements, which may be terminated at any time, can      
                                                  decrease the Fund's expense and boost its performance.                          
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger&Berman  Advisers Management Trust -     The Fund manager will limit expenses by reimbursing the Portfolio for its
Growth Portfolio                                  operating expenses and its pro rata share of operating expenses, that exceed 1% 
                                                  of the Fund's average daily net asset value.                                    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger&Berman Advisers Management Trust -      The Fund manager will limit expenses by reimbursing the Portfolio for its
Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio                   operating expenses and its pro rata share of operating expenses, that exceed 1%  
                                                  of the Fund's average daily net asset value.                                     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger&Berman Advisers Management Trust -      The Fund manager will limit expenses by reimbursing the Portfolio for its
Partners Portfolio                                operating expenses and its pro rata share of operating expenses, that exceed 1%
                                                  of the Fund's average daily net asset value.                                   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment       The Trust reimburses the Adviser for the cost of the Fund's accounting services.
Trust - American Capital Real Estate Securities   Further, the Adviser and the Subadviser may, from time to time, agree to waive
Fund                                              their respective investment advisory fees or any portion thereof or elect to   
                                                  reimburse the Fund for ordinary business expenses in excess of an agreed upon  
                                                  amount.                                                                        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - International Equity       The Management Fees, Other Expenses and Total Portfolio Operating Expenses are
Portfolio                                         net of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Without such waivers or        
                                                  reimbursements, Management Fees would have equaled 1.00%, Other Expenses would   
                                                  have equaled 1.21% and total Portfolio Operating Expenses would have equaled     
                                                  2.21%. The Fund's investment adviser had undertaken to reduce or otherwise limit 
                                                  Total Portfolio Operating Expenses; there is no assurance that these             
                                                  undertakings will continue.                                                      
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>


                                       11
<PAGE>   15

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               FUND                                               EXPENSES WITHOUT REIMBURSEMENT OR WAIVER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - Small Company Growth       The Management Fees, Other Expenses and Total Portfolio Operating Expenses are
Portfolio                                         net of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Without such waivers or        
                                                  reimbursements, Management Fees would have equaled .90%, Other Expenses would    
                                                  have equaled .60% and total Portfolio Operating Expenses would have equaled      
                                                  1.50%. The Fund's investment adviser had undertaken to reduce or otherwise limit 
                                                  Total Portfolio Operating Expenses; there is no assurance that these             
                                                  undertakings will continue.                                                      
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

   
The information relating to the Underlying Mutual Fund expenses was provided by
the Underlying Mutual Fund and was not independently verified by the Company.
    

Premiums

The minimum Initial Premium for which a Policy may be issued is equal to three
minimum monthly premiums. A policy may be issued to an Insured up to age 80.

For a limited time, the Policy Owner has the right to cancel the Policy and
receive a full refund of premiums paid (see "Short-Term Right to Cancel
Policy").

The Initial Premium is due on the Policy Date. It will be credited on the Policy
Date. Any due and unpaid monthly deductions will be subtracted from the Cash
Value at this time. Insurance will not be effective until the Initial Premium is
paid. The Initial Premium is shown on the Policy data page.

Premiums, other than the Initial Premium may be made at any time while your
Policy is in force subject to the limits described below. During the first three
Policy Years, the total premium payments less any Policy Indebtedness, less any
partial surrenders, and less any partial surrender fee must be greater than or
equal to the Minimum Premium requirement in order to guarantee the Policy remain
in force. The Minimum Premium requirement is equal to the monthly Minimum
Premium multiplied by the number of completed policy months. The monthly Minimum
Premium is shown on the Policy data page.

We will send Scheduled Premium payment reminder notices to you. We will send
them according to the premium mode shown on the Policy data page.

   
You may pay the Initial Premium to us at our Home Office or to an authorized
agent. All premiums after the first are payable at our Home Office. Premium
receipts will be furnished upon request.
    

Each premium must be at least equal to the monthly Minimum Premium. The Company
reserves the right to require satisfactory evidence of insurability before
accepting any additional premium payment which results in any increase in the
net amount at risk. Also, we will refund any portion of any premium payment
which is determined to be in excess of the premium limit established by law to
qualify your Policy as a contract for life insurance. Where permitted by state
law, we may also require that any existing Policy Indebtedness is repaid prior
to accepting any additional premium payments.

                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

   
The Company is a stock life insurance company organized under the laws of the
State of Ohio in March, 1929. The Company is a member of the Nationwide
Insurance Enterprise which includes Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company,
Nationwide Indemnity Company, Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company,
Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company, Nationwide Property and Casualty
Insurance Company, National Casualty Company, West Coast Life Insurance Company,
Scottsdale Indemnity Company and Nationwide General Insurance Company. The
Company's Home Office is at One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43216.
    

The Company offers a complete line of life insurance, including annuities and
accident and health insurance. It is admitted to do business in all states, the
District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico (for additional information, see "The
Company").

                              THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT

   
The Variable Account was established by a resolution of the Company's Board of
Directors, on May 7,1987, pursuant to Ohio law. The Company has caused the
Variable Account to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
a unit investment trust pursuant to the provisions of the Investment Company Act
of 1940. Nationwide Life Insurance Company, One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio
43216 serves as Trustee for the Trust. Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc., One
Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43216 serves as 
    


                                       12
<PAGE>   16

principal underwriter for the Trust. Such registration does not involve
supervision of the management of the Variable Account or the Company by the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Variable Account is a separate investment account of the Company and as
such, is not chargeable with the liabilities arising out of any other business
the Company may conduct. The Company does not guarantee the investment
performance of the Variable Account. The death benefit and Cash Value under the
Policy may vary with the investment performance of the investments in the
Variable Account (see "How the Death Benefit Varies" and "How the Cash Value
Varies").

   
Net Premium payments and Cash Value are allocated within the Variable Account
among one or more sub-accounts (see "Tax Matters"). The assets of each
sub-account are used to purchase shares of the Underlying Mutual Fund options
designated by the Policy Owner. Thus, the investment performance of a Policy
depends upon the investment performance of the Underlying Mutual Fund options
designated by the Policy Owner.
    

Investments of the Variable Account

At the time of application, the Policy Owner elects to have the Net Premiums
allocated among one or more of the Variable Account sub-accounts and the Fixed
Account (see "Allocation of Cash Value"). During the period in which the Policy
Owner may exercise his or her short-term right to cancel the Policy, all Net
Premiums not allocated to the Fixed Account are placed in the Nationwide
Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund sub-account. At the end of this period,
the Cash Value in that sub-account will be transferred to the Variable Account
sub-accounts based on the Fund allocation factors. Any subsequent Net Premiums
received after this period will be allocated based on the Fund allocation
factors.

   
No less than 5% of Net Premiums may be allocated to any one sub-account or the
Fixed Account. The Policy Owner may change the allocation of Net Premiums or may
transfer Cash Value from one sub-account to another, subject to such terms and
conditions as may be imposed by each Underlying Mutual Fund option and as set
forth in this prospectus (see "Transfers", "Allocation of Cash Value" and
"Short-Term Right to Cancel Policy").

These Underlying Mutual Fund options are available only to serve as the
underlying investment for variable annuity and variable life contracts issued
through separate accounts of life insurance companies which may or may not be
affiliated, also known as "mixed and shared funding." There are certain risks
associated with mixed and shared funding, which is disclosed in the Underlying
Mutual Funds' prospectuses. A full description of the Underlying Mutual Funds,
their investment policies and restrictions, risks and charges are contained in
the prospectuses of the respective Underlying Mutual Funds.
    

Additional Premium payments, upon acceptance, will be allocated to the
Nationwide Separate Account Money Market Fund unless the Policy Owner specifies
otherwise (see "Premium Payments").

   
Each of the Underlying Mutual Fund options is a registered investment company
which receives investment advice from a registered investment adviser:

      1.    American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc., a member of the American
            CenturySM Investments;
    

      2.    Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, managed by Wells Fargo Nikko Investment
            Advisors;

   
      3.    The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc., managed by The
            Dreyfus Corporation;

      4.    Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund, managed by The Dreyfus
            Corporation;
    

      5.    Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund, managed by Fidelity
            Management & Research Company;

      6.    Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund II, managed by Fidelity
            Management & Research Company;

      7.    Nationwide Separate Account Trust, managed by Nationwide Advisory
            Services, Inc.;

      8.    Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust, managed by Neuberger &
            Berman Management Incorporated;

      9.    Oppenheimer Variable Accounts Funds, managed by Oppenheimer
            Management Corporation;

      10.   Strong Special Fund II, Inc., managed by Strong Capital Management,
            Inc.;

   
      11.   Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc., managed by Strong Capital
            Management
    

      12.   Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust, managed by Van Eck Associates
            Corporation;


                                       13
<PAGE>   17

      13.   Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust, managed by Van
            Kampen American Capital Management, Inc.; and

      14.   Warburg Pincus Trust, managed by Warburg, Pincus Counsellors, Inc.

   
A summary of investment objectives is contained in the description of each
Underlying Mutual Fund below. More detailed information may be found in the
current prospectus for each Underlying Mutual Fund option. A prospectus for the
Underlying Mutual Fund option(s) being considered must accompany this prospectus
and should be read in conjunction herewith.

American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc., a member of the American CenturySM
Investments

American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. (formerly "TCI Portfolios, Inc.") was
organized as a Maryland corporation in 1987. It is a diversified, open-end
management company, designed only to provide investment vehicles for variable
annuity and variable life insurance products of insurance companies. A member of
the American CenturySM Investments, American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc.
is managed by American Century Investment Management, Inc.
    

- -      American Century VP Balanced

       Investment Objective: Capital growth and current income. The Fund will
       seek to achieve its objective by maintaining approximately 60% of the
       assets of the Fund in common stocks (including securities convertible
       into common stocks and other equity equivalents) that are considered by
       management to have better-than-average prospects for appreciation and
       approximately 40% in fixed income securities. There can be no assurance
       that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

- -      American Century VP Capital Appreciation

       Investment Objective: Capital growth. The Fund will seek to achieve its
       objective by investing in common stocks (including securities convertible
       into common stocks and other equity equivalents) that meet certain
       fundamental and technical standards of selection and have, in the opinion
       of the Fund's investment manager, better than average potential for
       appreciation. The Fund tries to stay fully invested in such securities,
       regardless of the movement of stock prices generally.

       The Fund may invest in cash and cash equivalents temporarily or when it
       is unable to find common stocks meeting its criteria of selection. It may
       purchase securities only of companies that have a record of at least
       three years continuous operation. There can be no assurance that the Fund
       will achieve its investment objective.

- -      American Century VP International

       Investment Objective: To seek capital growth. The Fund will seek to
       achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in securities of
       foreign companies that meet certain fundamental and technical standards
       of selection and, in the opinion of the investment manager, have
       potential for appreciation. Under normal conditions, the Fund will invest
       at least 65% of its assets in common stocks or other equity securities of
       issuers from at least three countries outside the United States.
       Securities of United States issuers may be included in the portfolio from
       time to time. Although the primary investment of the Fund will be common
       stocks (defined to include depository receipts for common stocks), the
       Fund may also invest in other types of securities consistent with the
       Fund's objective. When the manager believes that the total return
       potential of other securities equals or exceeds the potential return of
       common stocks, the Fund may invest up to 35% of its assets in such other
       securities. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its
       objectives.

- -      American Century VP Value

   
       Investment Objective: The investment objective of the Fund is long-term
       capital growth; income is a secondary objective. Under normal market
       conditions, the Fund expects to invest at least 80% of the value of its
       total asset in equity securities, including common and preferred stock,
       convertible preferred stock and convertible debt obligations. The equity
       securities in which the Fund will invest will be primarily securities of
       well-established companies with intermediate-to-large market
       capitalizations that are believed by management to be undervalued at the
       time of purchase.
    


                                       14
<PAGE>   18

   
       (Although the Statement of Additional Information concerning American
       Century Variable Portfolios, Inc., refers to redemptions of securities
       in kind under certain conditions, all surrendering or redeeming Contract
       Owners will receive cash from the Company.)
    

Dreyfus

- -      Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.

       Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc. is an open-end,
       diversified, management investment company. It was incorporated under
       Maryland law on July 20, 1992, and commenced operations on October 7,
       1993. Dreyfus Corporation serves as the Fund's investment advisor.
       Tiffany Capitol Advisors, Inc. serves as the Fund's sub-investment
       adviser and provides day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio.

       Investment Objective: The Fund's primary goal is to provide capital
       growth through equity investment in companies that, in the opinion of the
       Fund's management, not only meet traditional investment standards, but
       which also show evidence that they conduct their business in a manner
       that contributes to the enhancement of the quality of life in America.
       Current income is secondary to the primary goal.

- -      Dreyfus Stock Index Fund

       Dreyfus Stock Index Fund is an open-end, non-diversified, management
       investment company. It was incorporated under Maryland law on January 24,
       1989, and commenced operations on September 29, 1989. Wells Fargo Nikko
       Investment Advisors serves as the Fund's index fund manager. As of May 1,
       1994, Dreyfus Life and Annuity Index Fund began doing business as Dreyfus
       Stock Index Fund. 

       Investment Objective: To provide investment results that correspond to
       the price and yield performance of publicly traded common stocks in the
       aggregate, as represented by the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock
       Price Index. The Fund is neither sponsored by nor affiliated with
       Standard & Poor's Corporation.

   
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund
         
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund (the "Fund") is an open-end, management
investment company. It was organized as an unincorporated business trust under
the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on October 29,1986 and commenced
operations August 31, 1990. The Dreyfus Corporation ("Dreyfus") serves as the
Fund's manager. Dreyfus is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Bank, N.A., which
is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Bank Corporation.
         
- -        Growth and Income Portfolio
         
         Investment Objective: To provide long-term capital growth, current
         income and growth of income, consistent with reasonable investment
         risk. The Portfolio invests in equity securities, debt securities and
         money market instruments of domestic and foreign issuers. The
         proportion of the Portfolio's assets invested in each type of security
         will vary from time to time in accordance with Dreyfus' assessment of
         economic conditions and investment opportunities. In purchasing equity
         securities, Dreyfus will invest in common stocks, preferred stocks and
         securities convertible into common stocks, particularly those which
         offer opportunities for capital appreciation and growth of earnings,
         while paying current dividends. The Portfolio will generally invest in
         investment-grade debt obligations, except that it may invest up to 35%
         of the value of its net assets in convertible debt securities rated not
         lower than Caa by Moody's Investor Service, Inc. or CCC by Standard &
         Poor's Ratings Group, Fitch Investors Service, L.P. or Duff & Phelps
         Credit Rating Co., or if unrated, deemed to be of comparable quality by
         Dreyfus. These securities are considered to have predominantly
         speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest
         and repay principal and are considered to be of poor standing. See
         "Investment Considerations and Risks-Lower Rated Securities" in the
         Portfolio's prospectuses.
    

Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund

The Fund is an open-end, diversified, management investment company organized as
a Massachusetts business trust on November 13, 1981. The Fund's shares are
purchased by insurance companies to fund benefits under variable insurance and
annuity policies. Fidelity Management & Research Company ('FMR') is the Fund's
manager.


                                       15
<PAGE>   19

- -      Equity-Income Portfolio

       Investment Objective: To seek reasonable income by investing primarily in
       income-producing equity securities. In choosing these securities FMR also
       will consider the potential for capital appreciation. The Portfolio'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.

- -      Growth Portfolio

       Investment Objective: Seeks to achieve capital appreciation. This
       Portfolio will invest in the securities of both well-known and
       established companies, and smaller, less well-known companies which may
       have a narrow product line or whose securities are thinly traded. These
       latter securities will often involve greater risk than may be found in
       the ordinary investment security. FMR's analysis and expertise plays an
       integral role in the selection of securities and, therefore, the
       performance of the Portfolio. Many securities which FMR believes would
       have the greatest potential may be regarded as speculative, and
       investment in the Portfolio may involve greater risk than is inherent in
       other mutual funds. It is also important to point out that the Portfolio
       makes most sense for you if you can afford to ride out changes in the
       stock market, because it invests primarily in common stocks. FMR also can
       make temporary investments in securities such as investment-grade bonds,
       high-quality preferred stocks and short-term notes, for defensive
       purposes when it believes market conditions warrant.

- -      High Income Portfolio

       Investment Objective: Seeks to obtain a high level of current income by
       investing primarily in high-risk, high-yielding, lower-rated,
       fixed-income securities, while also considering growth of capital. The
       portfolio's manager will seek high current income normally by investing
       the Portfolio's assets as follows:

       -      at least 65% in income-producing debt securities and preferred
              stocks, including convertible securities, zero coupon securities,
              and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.

       -      up to 20% in common stocks and other equity securities when
              consistent with the Portfolio's primary objective or acquired as
              part of a unit combining fixed-income and equity securities.

Higher yields are usually available on securities that are lower-rated or that
are unrated. Lower-rated securities are usually defined as Ba or lower by
Moody's; BB or lower by Standard & Poor's and may be deemed to be of a
speculative nature. The Portfolio may also purchase lower-quality bonds such as
those rated Ca3 by Moody's or C- by Standard & Poor's which provide poor
protection for payment of principal and interest (commonly referred to as "junk
bonds"). For a further discussion of lower-rated securities, please see the
"Risks of Lower-Rated Debt Securities" section of the Portfolio's prospectus.

- -      Overseas Portfolio

       Investment Objective: To seek long term growth of capital primarily
       through investments in foreign securities. The Overseas Portfolio
       provides a means for investors to diversify their own portfolios by
       participating in companies and economies outside of the United States.

Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund II

The Fund is an open-end, diversified, management investment company organized as
a Massachusetts business trust on March 21, 1988. The Fund's shares are
purchased by insurance companies to fund benefits under variable insurance and
annuity policies. FMR is the Fund's manager.

- -      Asset Manager Portfolio

       Investment Objective: To seek to obtain 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.

- -      Contrafund Portfolio

       Investment Objective: To seek capital appreciation by investing primarily
       in companies that the fund manager believes to be undervalued due to an
       overly pessimistic appraisal by the public. This strategy can lead to
       investments in domestic or foreign companies, small and large, many of
       which may not be well known. The fund primarily invests in common stock
       and securities convertible into common stock, but it has the flexibility
       to invest in any type of security that may produce capital appreciation.


                                       16
<PAGE>   20

Nationwide Separate Account Trust

   
Nationwide Separate Account Trust (the "Trust") is a diversified open-end
management investment company created under the laws of Massachusetts. The Trust
offers shares in the five separate Mutual Funds listed below, each with its own
investment objectives. Currently, shares of the Trust will be sold only to life
insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits under variable life
insurance policies or variable annuity contracts issued by life insurance
companies. The assets of the Trust are managed by Nationwide Advisory Services,
Inc., One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43216, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Nationwide Life Insurance Company.
    

- -      Capital Appreciation Fund

       Investment Objective: The Fund is designed for investors who are
       interested in long-term growth. The Fund seeks to meet its objective
       primarily through a diversified portfolio of the common stock of
       companies which the investment manager determines have a
       better-than-average potential for sustained capital growth over the long
       term.

- -      Government Bond Fund

       Investment Objective: To provide as high a level of income as is
       consistent with capital preservation through investing primarily in bonds
       and securities issued or backed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
       instrumentalities.

- -      Money Market Fund

       Investment Objective: To seek as high a level of current income as is
       considered consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity by
       investing primarily in money market instruments.

- -      Small Company Fund

   
       Investment Objective: The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by
       investing primarily in equity securities of domestic and foreign
       companies with market capitalizations of less than $1 billion at the time
       of purchase. Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. ("NAS"), the Fund's
       adviser, has contracted with a group of sub-advisers, each of which will
       manage a portion of the Fund's portfolio. These sub-advisers are the
       Dreyfus Corporation, Neuberger & Berman, L. P., Pictet International
       Management Limited, Van Eck Associates Corporation, Strong Capital
       Management, Inc. and Warburg Pincus Counsellors, Inc. The sub-advisers
       were chosen because they utilize a number of different investment styles
       when investing in small company stocks. By utilizing a number of
       investment styles, NAS hopes to increase prospects for investment return
       and to reduce market risk and volatility.
    

- -      Total Return Fund

       Investment Objective: To obtain a reasonable long-term total return
       (i.e., earnings growth plus potential dividend yield) on invested capital
       from a flexible combination of current return and capital gains through
       investments in common stocks, convertible issues, money market
       instruments and bonds with a primary emphasis on common stocks.

Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust

Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust is an open-end diversified
management investment company established as a Massachusetts business trust on
December 14, 1983. Shares of the Trust are offered in connection with certain
variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued through
life insurance company separate accounts and are also offered directly to
qualified pension and retirement plans outside of the separate account context.
The investment adviser is Neuberger & Berman Management Incorporated.

- -      Growth Portfolio

       Investment Objective: The Portfolio seeks capital growth through
       investments in common stocks of companies that the investment adviser
       believes will have above average earnings or otherwise provide investors
       with above average potential for capital appreciation. To maximize this
       potential, the investment adviser may also utilize, from time to time,
       securities convertible into common stocks, warrants and options to
       purchase such stocks.

- -      Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio

       Investment Objective: To provide the high level of current income,
       consistent with low risk to principal and liquidity. As a secondary
       objective, it also seeks to enhance its total return through capital
       appreciation


                                       17
<PAGE>   21

       when market factors, such as falling interest rates and rising bond
       prices, indicate that capital appreciation may be available without
       significant risk to principal. It seeks to achieve its objectives through
       investments in a diversified portfolio of limited maturity debt
       securities. The Portfolio invests in securities which are at least
       investment grade and does not invest in junk bonds.

- -      Partners Portfolio

       Investment Objective: To seek capital growth. This Portfolio will seek to
       achieve its objective by investing primarily in the common stock of
       established companies. Its investment program seeks securities believed
       to be undervalued based on fundamentals such as low price-to-earnings
       ratios, consistent cash flows, and support from asset values. The
       objective of the Partners Portfolio is not fundamental and can be changed
       by the Trustees of the Trust without shareholder approval. Shareholders
       will, however, receive at least 30 days prior notice thereof. There is no
       assurance the investment objective will be met.

Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds

The Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds is an open-ended, diversified management
investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust in 1984. Shares
of the Funds are sold only to provide benefits under variable life insurance
policies and variable annuity contracts. Oppenheimer Management Corporation is
the Funds' investment advisor.

- -      Oppenheimer Bond Fund

       Investment Objective: Primarily to seek a high level of current income
       from investment in high yield fixed-income securities rated "Baa" or
       better by Moody's or "BBB" or better by Standard & Poor's. Secondarily,
       the Fund seeks capital growth when consistent with its primary objective.

- -      Oppenheimer Global Securities Fund

       Investment Objective: To seek long-term capital appreciation by investing
       a substantial portion of assets in securities of foreign issuers,
       "growth-type" companies, cyclical industries and special situations which
       are considered to have appreciation possibilities. Current income is not
       an objective. These securities may be considered to be speculative.

- -      Oppenheimer Multiple Strategies Fund

       Investment Objective: To seek a total investment return (which includes
       current income and capital appreciation in the value of its shares) from
       investments in common stocks and other equity securities, bonds and other
       debt securities, and "money market" securities.

Strong Special Fund II, Inc.

The Strong Special Fund II, Inc. is a diversified, open-end management company
commonly called a Mutual Fund. The Special Fund II, Inc. was incorporated in
Wisconsin and may only be purchased by the separate accounts of insurance
companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable
life insurance policies. Strong Capital Management Inc. (the "Advisor") is the
investment advisor for the Fund.

       Investment Objective: To seek capital appreciation through investments in
       a diversified portfolio of equity securities.

Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.

Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc. ("Corporation") is an open-end management
investment company, commonly referred to as a Mutual Fund. Incorporated in the
State of Wisconsin, the Corporation has been authorized to issue shares of
common stock and series and classes of series of common stock. The International
Stock Fund II and The Strong Discovery Fund II, Inc. ("Funds") are offered by
the Corporation to insurance company separate accounts for the purpose of
funding variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts. Strong
Capital Management, Inc. is the investment advisor to the Funds.

- -      Discovery Fund II, Inc.

       Investment Objective: To seek maximum capital appreciation through
       investments in a diversified portfolio of securities. The Fund normally
       emphasizes investment in equity securities and may invest up to 100% of
       its total assets in equity securities including common stocks, preferred
       stocks and securities convertible into common or preferred stocks.
       Although the Fund normally emphasizes investment in equity securities,
       the Fund has the flexibility to invest in any type of security that the
       Advisor believes has the potential for


                                       18
<PAGE>   22

       capital appreciation including up to 100% of its total assets in debt
       obligations, including intermediate to long-term corporate or U.S.
       government debt securities.

- -      International Stock Fund II

       Investment Objective: To seek capital growth by investing primarily in
       the equity securities of issuers located outside the United States.

Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust (Formerly Van Eck Investment Trust)Worldwide
Insurance Trust Formerly Van Eck Investment Trust)

Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust is an open-end management investment company
organized as a "business trust" under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts on January 7, 1987. Shares of the Trust are offered only to
separate accounts of various insurance companies to fund benefits of variable
insurance and annuity policies. The assets of the Trust are managed by Van Eck
Associates Corporation.

- -      Worldwide Bond Fund (Formerly Global Bond Fund)

       Investment Objective: To seek high total return through a flexible policy
       of investing globally, primarily in debt securities. The Fund does not
       invest in junk bonds.

   
- -      Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund
         
       Investment Objective: Seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
       primarily in equity securities in emerging markets around the world. The
       Fund specifically emphasizes investment in countries that, compared to
       the world's major economies, exhibit relatively low gross national
       product per capita, as well as the potential for rapid economic growth.
       Peregrine Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited serves as sub-investment
       adviser to this Fund.

- -      Worldwide Hard Assets Fund (formerly Gold and Natural Resources Fund)

       Investment Objective: To seek long-term capital appreciation by investing
       globally, primarily in "Hard Assets Securities." Hard assets are
       tangible, finite assets, asuch as real estate, energy, timber, and
       industrial and precious metals. Income is a secondary consideration.
    

Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust

The American Capital Life Investment Trust is an open-end diversified management
investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on June 3, 1985.
The Trust offers shares in separate funds which are sold only to insurance
companies to provide funding for variable life insurance policies and variable
annuity contracts. Van Kampen American Capital Asset Management, Inc. serves as
the Fund's investment adviser.

- -      American Capital Real Estate Securities Fund

       Investment Objective: To seek long-term capital growth by investing in a
       portfolio of securities of companies operating in the real estate
       industry ("Real Estate Securities"). Current income is a secondary
       consideration. Real Estate Securities include equity securities, common
       stocks and convertible securities, as well as non-convertible preferred
       stocks and debt securities of real estate industry companies. A "real
       estate industry company" is a company that derives at least 50% of its
       assets (marked to market), gross income or net profits from the
       ownership, construction, management or sale of residential, commercial or
       industrial real estate. Under normal market conditions, at least 65% of
       the Fund's total assets will be invested in Real Estate Securities,
       primarily equity securities of real estate investment trusts. The Fund
       may invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities issued by foreign
       issuers, some or all of which may also be Real Estate Securities. There
       can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Warburg Pincus Trust

The Warburg Pincus Trust ("Trust") is an open-end management investment company
organized in March 1995 as a business trust under the laws of The Commonwealth
of Massachusetts. The Trust offers its shares to insurance companies for
allocation to separate accounts for the purpose of funding variable annuity and
variable life contracts. Trust portfolios are managed by Warburg, Pincus
Counsellors, Inc. ("Counsellors.")


                                       19
<PAGE>   23

- -      International Equity Portfolio

       Investment Objective: To seek long-term capital appreciation by investing
       primarily in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity securities of
       companies, wherever organized, that in the judgment of "Counsellors" have
       their principal business activities and interests outside the United
       States. The Portfolio will ordinarily invest substantially all of its
       assets, but no less than 65% of its total assets, in common stocks,
       warrants and securities convertible into or exchangeable for common
       stocks. The Portfolio intends to invest principally in the securities of
       financially strong companies with opportunities for growth within growing
       international economies and markets through increased earning power and
       improved utilization or recognition of assets.

   
- -      Post-Venture Capital Portfolio

       Investment Objective: The Portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital by
       investing primarily in equity securities of issuers in their post-venture
       capital stage of development and pursues an aggressive investment
       strategy. Under normal market conditions, the Portfolio will invest at
       least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of "post-venture
       capital companies." A post-venture capital company is one that has
       received venture capital financing either (a) during the early stages of
       the company's existence or the early stages of the development of a new
       product or service or (b) as a part of a restructuring or
       recapitalization of the company. The Portfolio may invest up to 10% of
       its assets in venture capital and other investment funds.
    

- -      Small Company Growth Portfolio

       Investment Objective: To seek capital growth by investing in a portfolio
       of equity securities of small-sized domestic companies. The Portfolio
       ordinarily will invest at least 65% of its total assets in common stocks
       or warrants of small-sized companies (i.e., companies having stock market
       capitalizations of between $25 million and $1 billion at the time of
       purchase) that represent attractive opportunities for capital growth. The
       Portfolio intends to invest primarily in companies whose securities are
       traded on domestic stock exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. The
       Portfolio's investments will be made on the basis of their equity
       characteristics and securities ratings generally will not be a factor in
       the selection process.

Reinvestment

   
The Funds described above have as a policy the distribution of dividends in the
form of additional shares (or fractions thereof) of the Underlying Mutual Funds.
The distribution of additional shares will not affect the number of
Accumulation Units attributable to a particular Policy (see "Allocation of Cash
Value").
    

Transfers

   
After the first Policy Anniversary, the Policy Owner may annually transfer a
portion of the value of the Variable Account to the Fixed Account, without
penalty or adjustment. The Policy Owner may request a transfer of up to 100% of
the Cash Value from the Variable Account to the Fixed Account. The Company
reserves the right to restrict transfers to the Fixed Account to 25% of the Cash
Value. The Policy Owner's Cash Value in each sub-account will be determined as
of the date the transfer request is received in the Home Office in good order.
    

The Policy Owner may transfer a portion of the value of the Fixed Account to the
Variable Account once each Policy Year, without penalty or adjustment. The
Policy Owner may request a transfer of up to 100% of the Cash Value in the Fixed
Account to the Variable sub-accounts. The Company reserves the right to restrict
the amounts of such transfers to 25% of the Cash Value in the Fixed Account.

Transfers may be made either in writing or, in states allowing such transfers,
by telephone. In states allowing telephone transfers, and if the Owner so
elects, the Company will also permit the Policy Owner to utilize the Telephone
Exchange Privilege for exchanging amounts among sub-account options. The Company
will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by
telephone are genuine. Such procedures may include any or all of the following,
or such other procedures as the Company may, from time to time, deem reasonable:
requesting identifying information, such as name, contract number, Social
Security number, and/or personal identification number; tape recording all
telephone transactions; and providing written confirmation thereof to both the
Policy Owner and any agent of record at the last address of record. Although
failure to follow reasonable procedures may result in the Company's liability
for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone transfers, the
Company will not be liable for following instructions communicated by telephone
which it reasonably believes to be genuine. Any losses incurred pursuant to
actions taken by the Company in reliance on telephone instructions reasonably
believed to be genuine shall be borne by the Contract Owner. The Company may
determine to withdraw the Telephone Exchange Privilege, upon 30 days written
notice to Policy Owners.


                                       20
<PAGE>   24

Policy Owners who have entered into a Dollar Cost Averaging Agreement with the
Company (see "Dollar Cost Averaging" below) may transfer from the Fixed Account
to the Variable Account under the terms of that agreement.

   
Policies described in this prospectus may in some cases be sold to individuals
who independently utilize the services of a firm or individual engaged in market
timing. Generally, such firms or individuals obtain authorization from multiple
Policy Owners to make transfers and exchanges among the Sub-Accounts (the
Underlying Mutual Funds) on the basis of perceived market trends. Because of the
unusually large transfers of funds associated with some of these transactions,
the ability of the Company or Underlying Mutual Funds to process such
transactions may be compromised, and the execution of such transactions may
possibly disadvantage or work to the detriment of other Policy Owners not
utilizing market timing services.

Accordingly, the right to exchange Cash Surrender Values among the Sub-Accounts
may be subject to modification if such rights are exercised by a market timing
firm or any other third party authorized to initiate transfer or exchange
transactions on behalf of multiple Policy Owners. THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUAL
POLICY OWNERS TO EXCHANGE CASH SURRENDER VALUES, WHEN INSTRUCTIONS ARE SUBMITTED
DIRECTLY BY THE POLICY OWNER, OR BY THE POLICY OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE OF RECORD
AS AUTHORIZED BY THE EXECUTION OF A VALID NATIONWIDE LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY
FORM, WILL NOT BE MODIFIED IN ANY WAY. In modifying such rights, the Company
may, among other things, not accept (1) the transfer or exchange instructions of
any agent acting under a power of attorney on behalf of more than one Policy
Owner, or (2) the transfer or exchange instructions of individual policy owners
who have executed pre-authorized transfer or exchange forms which are submitted
by market timing firms or other third parties on behalf of more than one Policy
Owner at the same time. The Company will not impose any such restrictions or
otherwise modify exchange rights unless such action is reasonably intended to
prevent the use of such rights in a manner that will disadvantage or potentially
impair the contract rights of other Policy Owners.
    

Dollar Cost Averaging

   
The Policy Owner may direct the Company to automatically transfer from the Money
Market sub-account, Fixed Account, or the Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio
sub-account to any other sub-account within the Variable Account on a monthly
basis or as frequently as otherwise authorized by the Company. This service is
intended to allow the Policy Owner to utilize dollar cost averaging, a
long-term investment program which provides for regular, level investments over
time. The Company makes no guarantees that dollar cost averaging, will result in
a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. To qualify for dollar
cost averaging, there must be a minimum total Cash Value, less Policy
Indebtedness, of $15,000. Transfers for purposes of dollar cost averaging can
only be made from the Money Market sub-account, Fixed Account, or the Limited
Maturity Bond Portfolio sub-account. The minimum monthly dollar cost averaging
transfer is $100. In addition, dollar cost averaging monthly transfers from the
Fixed Account must be equal to or less than 1/30th of the Fixed Account value
when the dollar cost averaging program is requested. Transfers out of the Fixed
Account, other than for dollar cost averaging, may be subject to certain
additional restrictions (see "Transfers" above). A written election of this
service, on a form provided by the Company, must be completed by the Policy
Owner in order to begin transfers. Once elected, transfers from the Money Market
sub-account, Fixed Account, or the Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio sub-account
will be processed monthly until either the value in the Money Market
sub-account, Fixed Account, or the Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio sub-account
is completely depleted or the Policy Owner instructs the Company in writing to
cancel the transfers.

The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering dollar cost averaging
upon 30 days' written notice to Policy Owners however, any such discontinuation
would not affect dollar cost averaging programs already commenced. The Company
also reserves the right to assess a processing fee for this service.
    

Substitution of Securities

   
If shares of the Underlying Mutual Fund options should no longer be available
for investment by the Variable Account or, if in the judgment of the Company's
management further investment in such Underlying Mutual Funds should become
inappropriate in view of the purposes of the Policy, the Company may substitute
shares of another Underlying Mutual Fund for shares already purchased or to be
purchased in the future by Net Premium payments under the Policy. No
substitution of securities in the Variable Account may take place without prior
    


                                       21
<PAGE>   25

approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and under such requirements
as it and any state insurance department may impose.

Voting Rights

Voting rights under the Policies apply only with respect to Cash Value allocated
to the sub-accounts of the Variable Account.

   
In accordance with its view of present applicable law, the Company will vote the
shares of the Underlying Mutual Funds held in the Variable Account at regular
and special meetings of the shareholders of the Underlying Mutual Funds in
accordance with instructions received from Policy Owners. However, if the
Investment Company Act of 1940 or any regulation thereunder should be amended or
if the present interpretation thereof should change, and as a result the Company
determines that it is permitted to vote the shares of the Underlying Mutual
Funds in its own right, the Company may elect to do so.

The Policy Owner shall have the voting interest under a Policy. The number of
shares in each sub-account for which the Policy Owner may give voting
instructions is determined by dividing any portion of the Policy's Cash Value
derived from participation in that Underlying Mutual Fund by the net asset value
of one share of that Underlying Mutual Fund.

The number of shares which a person has a right to vote will be determined as of
a date chosen by the Company, but not more than 90 days prior to the meeting of
the Underlying Mutual Fund. Voting instructions will be solicited by written
communication prior to such meeting.

The Company will vote Underlying Mutual Fund shares in accordance with
instructions received from the Policy Owners. Underlying Mutual Fund shares
held by the Company or by the Variable Account as to which no timely
instructions are received will be voted by the Company in the same proportion as
the voting instructions which are received.

Each person having a voting interest in the Variable Account will receive
periodic reports relating to investments of the Variable Account, the Underlying
Mutual Funds' proxy material and a form with which to give such voting
instructions.

Notwithstanding contrary Policy Owner voting instructions, the Company may vote
Underlying Mutual Fund shares in any manner necessary to enable the Underlying
Mutual Fund to: (1) make or refrain from making any change in the investments or
investment policies for any of the Underlying Mutual Funds, if required by an
insurance regulatory authority; (2) refrain from making any change in the
investment policies or any investment adviser or principal underwriter of any
portfolio which may be initiated by Policy Owners or the Underlying Mutual
Fund's Board of Directors, provided the Company's disapproval of the change is
reasonable and, in the case of a change in the investment policies or investment
adviser, based on a good faith determination that such change would be contrary
to state law or otherwise inappropriate in light of the portfolio's objective
and purposes; or (3) enter into or refrain from entering into any advisory
agreement or underwriting contract, if required by any insurance regulatory
authority.
    

                         INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLICIES

Underwriting and Issuance

- -Minimum Requirements for Issuance of a Policy

   
The Policies are designed to provide life insurance coverage and the flexibility
to vary the amount and frequency of premium payments. At issue, the Policy Owner
selects the initial Specified Amount and premium. The minimum Specified Amount
is $50,000 ($100,000 in Pennsylvania and New Jersey). Policies may be issued to
Insureds who are 80 or younger at the time of issue. Before issuing any Policy,
the Company requires satisfactory evidence of insurability which may include a
medical examination.
    

- -Premium Payments

   
The Initial Premium for a Policy is payable in full at the Company's Home
Office. Upon payment of an initial premium, temporary insurance may be
provided, subject to a maximum amount. The effective date of permanent insurance
coverage is dependent upon completion of all underwriting requirements, payment
of Initial Premium, and delivery of the policy while the Insured is still
living.
    

Premiums, other than the Initial Premium, may be made at any time while the
Policy is in force subject to the limits described below. During the first three
Policy Years, the total premium payments less any Policy


                                       22
<PAGE>   26

Indebtedness, less any partial surrenders, and less any partial surrender fee
must be greater than or equal to the Minimum Premium requirement in order to
guarantee the Policy remains in force. The Minimum Premium requirement is equal
to the monthly Minimum Premium multiplied by the number of completed policy
months. The monthly Minimum Premium is shown on the Policy data page.

Each premium payment must be at least equal to the monthly Minimum Premium.
Additional premium payments may be made at any time while the Policy is in
force. However, the Company reserves the right to require satisfactory evidence
of insurability before accepting any additional premium payment which results in
an increase in the net amount at risk. Also, the Company will refund any portion
of any premium payment which is determined to be in excess of the premium limit
established by law to qualify the Policy as a contract for life insurance. The
Company may also require that any existing Policy Indebtedness is repaid prior
to accepting any additional premium payments. Additional premium payments or
other changes to the contract, may jeopardize the Policy's non-modified
endowment status. The Company will monitor premiums paid and other policy
transactions and will notify the Policy Owner when non-modified endowment
contract status is in jeopardy (see "Tax Matters").

Allocation of Cash Value

   
At the time a Policy is issued, its Cash Value will be based on the Nationwide
Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund sub-account value or the Fixed Account
as if the Policy had been issued and the Initial Net Premium invested on the
date such premium was received in good order by the Company. When the Policy is
issued, the Net Premiums will be allocated to the Nationwide Separate Account
Trust Money Market Fund sub-account (for any Net Premiums allocated to a
sub-account on the application) or the Fixed Account until the expiration of the
period in which the Policy Owner may exercise his or her short-term right to
cancel the Policy. Net Premiums not designated for the Fixed Account will be
placed in the Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money Market Sub-Account. At the
expiration of the period in which the Policy Owner may exercise his or her short
term right to cancel the Policy, shares of the Underlying Mutual Funds specified
by the Policy Owner are purchased at net asset value for the respective
sub-account(s). The Policy Owner may change the allocation of Net Premiums or
may transfer Cash Value from one sub-account to another, subject to such terms
and conditions as may be imposed by each Underlying Mutual Fund and as set forth
in the prospectus. Net Premiums allocated to the Fixed Account at the time of
application may not be transferred prior to the first Policy Anniversary (see
"Transfers" and "Investments of the Variable Account").
    

The designation of investment allocations will be made by the prospective Policy
Owner at the time of application for a Policy. The Policy Owner may change the
way in which future Net Premiums are allocated by giving written notice to the
Company. All percentage allocations must be in whole numbers, and must be at
least 5%. The sum of allocations must equal 100%.

Short-Term Right to Cancel Policy

   
A Policy may be returned for cancellation and a full refund of premium within 10
days after the Policy is received, within 45 days after the application for
insurance is signed, or within 10 days after the Company mails or delivers a
Notice of Right of Withdrawal, whichever is latest. The Policy can be mailed or
delivered to the registered representative who sold it, or to the Company.
Immediately after such mailing or delivery, the Policy will be deemed void from
the beginning. The Company will refund the total premiums paid within seven days
after it receives the Policy. The scope of this right may vary by state. The
exact policy provision approved or used in a particular state will be disclosed
in any policy issued.
    

                                 POLICY CHARGES

Deductions from Premiums

The Company deducts a sales load from each premium payment received not to
exceed 3.5% of each premium payment. On a current basis, the sales load is
reduced to 1.5% on any portion of the annual premium paid in excess of the
annual Break Point Premium. The total sales load actually deducted from any
Policy will be equal to the sum of this front-end sales load plus any sales
surrender charge that may be deducted from Policies that are surrendered.

The Company also pays any state premium taxes attributable to a particular
policy when incurred by the Company. The Company expects to pay an average state
premium tax rate of approximately 2.5% of premiums for all states, although such
tax rates range from 0% to 4%. To reimburse the Company for the payment of state
premium taxes associated with the Policies, the Company deducts a charge for
state premium taxes equal to


                                       23
<PAGE>   27

2.5% of all premium payments received. This charge may be more or less than the
amount actually assessed by the state in which a particular Policy Owner lives.
The Company does not expect to make a profit from this charge.

Surrender Charges

The Company will deduct a Surrender Charge from the Policy's Cash Value for any
Policy surrendered during the first nine Policy Years. The maximum initial
Surrender Charge varies by issue age, sex, Specified Amount and underwriting
classification and is calculated based on the initial Specified Amount. The
following table illustrates the maximum initial Surrender Charge per $1,000 of
initial Specified Amount for Policies which are issued on a standard basis (see
Appendix 1 for specific examples).

                    Initial Specified Amount $50,000-$99,999

    Issue          Male            Female            Male            Female
     Age        Non-Tobacco      Non-Tobacco       Standard         Standard
     ---        -----------      -----------       --------         --------
     25          $ 7.776          $ 7.521          $ 8.369          $ 7.818
     35            8.817            8.398            9.811            8.891
     45           12.191           11.396           13.887           12.169
     55           15.636           14.011           18.415           15.116
     65           22.295           19.086           26.577           20.641

                       Initial Specified Amount $100,000+

    Issue          Male            Female            Male            Female
     Age        Non-Tobacco      Non-Tobacco       Standard         Standard
     ---        -----------      -----------       --------         --------
     25          $ 5.776          $ 5.521          $ 6.369          $ 5.818
     35            6.817            6.398            7.811            6.891
     45            9.691            8.896           11.387            9.669
     55           13.136           11.511           15.915           12.616
     65           21.295           18.086           25.577           19.641

The Surrender Charge is comprised of two components: an underwriting surrender
charge and sales surrender charge. The underwriting surrender charge varies by
issue age in the following manner:

                              Charge per $1,000 of
                            Initial Specified Amount

                  Issue        Specified Amounts        Specified Amounts
                   Age        less than $100,000        $100,000 or more
                   ---        ------------------        ----------------
                   0-35              $6.00                     $4.00
                  36-55               7.50                      5.00
                  56-80               7.50                      6.50
 
The underwriting 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 Insured's underwriting class, and establishing policy
records. The Company does not expect to profit from the underwriting surrender
charges. The Surrender Charge may be insufficient to recover certain expenses
related to the sale of the Policies. Unrecovered expenses are borne by the
Company's general assets which may include profits, if any, from mortality and
expense risk charges (see "Deductions from the Sub-Accounts"). Additional
premiums and/or income earned on assets in the Variable Account have no effect
on these charges. The remainder of the Surrender Charge which is not
attributable to the underwriting surrender charge component represents the sales
surrender charge component. In no event will this component exceed 26 1/2% of
the lesser of the Guideline Level Premium required in the first year or the
premiums actually paid in the first year. The purpose of the sales surrender
charge component is to reimburse the Company for some of the expenses incurred
in the distribution of the Policies. The Company also deducts 3.5% of each
premium for sales load (see "Deductions from Premiums").


                                       24
<PAGE>   28

- -Reductions to Surrender Charges

The Surrender Charges are reduced in subsequent Policy Years in the following
manner:

                      Surrender Charge                          Surrender Charge
    Completed        as a % of Initial        Completed        as a % of Initial
  Policy Years       Surrender Charges       Policy Years      Surrender Charges
        0                   100%                  5                   60%
        1                   100%                  6                   50%
        2                    90%                  7                   40%
        3                    80%                  8                   30%
        4                    70%                  9+                   0%

Special guaranteed maximum Surrender Charges apply in Pennsylvania (see Appendix
1).

Deductions from Cash Value

The Company also deducts the following charges from the Policy's Cash Value on
the Policy Date and each subsequent Monthly Anniversary Day:

       1.     monthly cost of insurance charges; plus

       2.     monthly cost of any additional benefits provided by riders; plus

       3.     monthly administrative expense charge; plus

       4.     the increase charge per $1000 applied to any increase in the
              Specified Amount (see "Specified Amount Increases"). The increase
              charge is $2.04 per year per $1000 and is shown on the Policy data
              page. This charge is designed to cover the costs associated with
              increasing the Specified Amount (see "Policy Charges"). This
              charge will be deducted on each Monthly Anniversary Day for the
              first 12 months after the increase becomes effective.

These deductions will be charged proportionately to the Cash Value in each
Variable Account sub-account and the Fixed Account.

- -Monthly Cost of Insurance

The monthly cost of insurance charge for each policy month is determined by
multiplying the monthly cost of insurance rate by the net amount at risk. The
net amount at risk is the difference between the death benefit and the Policy's
Cash Value, each calculated at the beginning of the policy month.

If death benefit Option 1 is in effect and there have been increases in the
Specified Amount, then the Cash Value shall first be considered a part of the
initial Specified Amount. If the Cash Value exceeds the initial Specified
Amount, it shall then be considered a part of the additional increases in
Specified Amount resulting from the increases in the order of the increases.

Monthly cost of insurance rates will not exceed those guaranteed in the Policy.
Guaranteed cost of insurance rates for Policies issued on Specified Amounts less
than $100,000 are based on the 1980 Commissioners Extended Term Mortality Table,
Age Last Birthday (1980 CET). Guaranteed cost of insurance rates for Policies
issued on Specified Amounts $100,000 or more are based on the 1980 Commissioners
Standard Ordinary Mortality Table, Age Last Birthday (1980 CSO). Guaranteed cost
of insurance rates for Policies issued on a substandard basis are based on
appropriate percentage multiples of the 1980 CSO. These mortality tables are sex
distinct. In addition, separate mortality tables will be used for standard and
non-tobacco.

For Policies issued in Texas on a standard basis ("Special Class - Standard" in
Texas), guaranteed cost of insurance rates for Specified Amounts less than
$100,000 are based on 130% of the 1980 Commissioners Standard Ordinary Mortality
Table, Age Last Birthday (1980 CSO).

The rate class of an Insured may affect the cost of insurance rate. The Company
currently places Insureds into both standard rate classes and substandard
classes that involve a higher mortality risk. In an otherwise identical Policy,
an Insured in the standard rate class will have a lower cost of insurance than
an Insured in a rate class with higher mortality risks. The Company may also
issue certain Policies on a "Non Medical" basis to certain categories of
individuals. Due to the underwriting criteria established for Policies issued on
a Non Medical basis,


                                       25
<PAGE>   29


actual rates will be higher than the current cost of insurance rates being
charged under Policies that are medically underwritten.

- -Monthly Administrative Charge

   
The Company deducts a monthly Administrative Expense Charge to reimburse it for
certain expenses related to maintenance of the Policies, accounting and record
keeping and periodic reporting to Policy Owners. This charge is designed only to
reimburse the Company for certain actual administrative expenses. The Company
does not expect to recover from this charge any amount in excess of aggregate
maintenance expenses. Currently, this charge is $12.50 per month in the first
year, $5 per month in renewal years. The Company may at its sole discretion
increase this charge. However, the Company guarantees that this charge will
never exceed $25 per month in the first year and $7.50 per month in renewal
years.
    

- -Increase Charge

The Increase Charge is comprised of two components: an underwriting and
administration charge as well as a sales charge (see "Specified Amount
Increases"). The underwriting and administration charge is $1.50 per year per
$1000. This charge is to cover the cost of underwriting the increases and any
processing expenses. The Company does not expect to profit from this charge. The
sales charge is equal to .54 per year per $1000 and reimburses the Company for
expenses incurred in distribution.

Deductions from the Sub-Accounts

The Company assumes certain risks for guaranteeing the mortality and expense
charges. The mortality risks assumed under the Policies is that the Insured may
not live as long as expected. The expense risk assumed is that the actual
expenses incurred in issuing and administering the Policies may be greater than
expected. In addition, the Company assumes risks associated with the
non-recovery of policy issue, underwriting and other administrative expenses due
to Policies which lapse or are surrendered in the early Policy Years.
   
    
         
   
To compensate the Company for assuming these risks associated with the Policies,
the Company deducts on a daily basis from the assets of the Variable Account a
charge to provide for mortality and expense risks. This charge is equivalent to
an annual effective rate of 0.80% of the daily net assets of the Variable
Account. On each Policy Anniversary beginning with the 10th, the mortality and
expense risk charge is reduced to 0.50% on an annual basis of the daily net
assets of the Variable Account, provided the Cash Surrender Value is $25,000 or
more on such anniversary. (For policies issued in New York, such reduction
occurs regardless of the amount of Cash Surrender Value on such anniversary). To
the extent that future levels of mortality and expenses are less than or equal
to those expected, the Company may realize a profit from this charge. The
Surrender Charge may be insufficient to recover certain expenses related to the
sale of the Policies. Unrecovered expenses are born by the Company's general
assets which may include profits, if any, from mortality and expense risk
charges (see "Surrender Charges").
    

The Company does not currently assess any charge for income taxes incurred by
the Company as a result of the operations of the sub-accounts of the Variable
Account (see "Taxation of the Company"). The Company reserves the right to
assess a charge for such taxes against the Variable Account if the Company
determines that such taxes will be incurred.

   
Reduction of Charges

The Policy is available for purchase by individuals, corporations and other
groups. For group or sponsored arrangements (including employees of the Company
and their family members) and for special exchange programs which the Company
may make available from time to time, the Company reserves the right to reduce
or eliminate the sales load, surrender charge, monthly administrative charge,
monthly cost of insurance charges or other charges normally assessed on certain
multiple life cases where it is expected that the size or nature of such cases
will result in savings of sales, underwriting, administrative or other costs. 

Eligibility for and the amount of these reductions will be determined by a
number of factors, including the number of Insureds, the total premium expected
to be paid, total assets under management for the Policy Owner, the nature of
the relationship among individual Insureds, the purpose for which the Policies
are being purchased, the expected persistency of individual Policies, and any
other circumstances which, in the opinion of the Company is rationally related
to the expected reduction in expenses. The extent and nature of reductions may
change from
    


                                       26
<PAGE>   30

   
time to time. Any variations in the charge structure will be determined in a
uniform manner reflecting differences in costs of services and not unfairly
discriminatory to Policy Owners.
    

                            HOW THE CASH VALUE VARIES

On any date during the Policy Year, the Cash Value equals the Cash Value on the
preceding Valuation Date, plus any Net Premium applied since the previous
Valuation Date, minus any partial surrenders, plus or minus any investment
results, and less any Policy Charges.

There is no guaranteed Cash Value. The Cash Value will vary with the investment
experience of the Variable Account and/or the daily crediting of interest in the
Fixed Account and Policy Loan Account depending on the allocation of Cash Value
by the Policy Owner.

How the Investment Experience is Determined

The Cash Value in each sub-account is converted to Accumulation Units of that
sub-account. The conversion is accomplished by dividing the amount of Cash Value
allocated to a sub-account by the value of an Accumulation Unit for the
sub-account of the Valuation Period during which the allocation occurs.

   
The value of an Accumulation Unit for each sub-account was arbitrarily set
initially at $10 when the Underlying Mutual Fund shares in that sub-account
were available for purchase. The value for any subsequent Valuation Period is
determined by multiplying the Accumulation Unit value for each sub-account for
the immediately preceding Valuation Period by the Net Investment Factor for the
sub-account during the subsequent Valuation Period. The value of an Accumulation
Unit may increase or decrease from Valuation Period to Valuation Period. The
number of Accumulation Units will not change as a result of investment
experience.
    

Net Investment Factor

The Net Investment Factor for any Valuation Period is determined by dividing (a)
by (b) and subtracting (c) from the result where:

(a)    is the net of:

   
       (1)    the net asset value per share of the Underlying Mutual Fund held
              in the sub-account determined at the end of the current Valuation
              Period, plus

       (2)    the per share amount of any dividend or capital gain distributions
              made by the Underlying Mutual Fund held in the sub-account if the
              "ex-dividend" date occurs during the current Valuation Period.
    

(b)    is the net of:

   
       (1)    the net asset value per share of the Underlying Mutual Fund held
              in the Sub-Account determined at the end of the immediately
              preceding Valuation Period, plus or minus
    

       (2)    the per share charge or credit, if any, for any taxes reserved for
              in the immediately preceding Valuation Period (see "Charge For Tax
              Provisions").

   
(c)    is a factor representing the daily Mortality and Expense Risk Charge
       deducted from the Variable Account. Such factor is equal to an annual
       rate of 0.80% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account. On
       each Policy Anniversary beginning with the 10th, the mortality and
       expense risk charge is reduced to 0.50% on an annual basis of the daily
       net assets of the Variable Account, provided the Cash Surrender Value is
       $25,000 or more on such anniversary. For Policies issued in New York,
       such reduction occurs regardless of the amount of Cash Surrender Value on
       such anniversary.

For Underlying Mutual Fund options that credit dividends on a daily basis and
pay such dividends once a month, the Net Investment Factor allows for the
monthly reinvestment of these daily dividends.

The Net Investment Factor may be greater or less than one; therefore, the value
of an Accumulation Unit may increase or decrease. It should be noted that
changes in the Net Investment Factor may not be directly proportional to changes
in the net asset value of Underlying Mutual Fund shares, because of the
deduction for Mortality and Expense Risk Charge, and any charge or credit for
tax reserves.
    


                                       27
<PAGE>   31

Valuation of Assets

Underlying Mutual Fund shares in the Variable Account will be valued at their
net asset value.

Determining the Cash Value

The sum of the value of all Variable Account Accumulation Units attributable to
the Policy and amounts credited to the Fixed Account is the Cash Value. The
number of Accumulation Units credited per each sub-account are determined by
dividing the net amount allocated to the sub-account by the Accumulation Unit
Value for the sub-account for the Valuation Period during which the premium is
received by the Company. In the event part or all of the Cash Value is
surrendered or charges or deductions are made against the Cash Value, an
appropriate number of Accumulation Units from the Variable Account and an
appropriate amount from the Fixed Account will be deducted in the same
proportion that the Policy Owner's interest in the Variable Account and the
Fixed Account bears to the total Cash Value.

The Cash Value in the Fixed Account and the Policy Loan Account is credited with
interest daily at an effective annual rate which the Company periodically
declares. The annual effective rate will never be less than 4%. Upon request,
the Company will inform the Policy Owner of the then applicable rates for each
account.

Valuation Periods and Valuation Dates

   
A Valuation Period is the period commencing at the close of business on the New
York Stock Exchange and ending at the close of business for the next succeeding
Valuation Date. A Valuation Date is each day that the New York Stock Exchange
and the Company's Home Office are open for business or any other day during
which there is sufficient degree of trading that the current net asset value of
the Accumulation Units might be materially affected.
    

                        SURRENDERING THE POLICY FOR CASH

Right to Surrender

The Policy Owner may surrender the Policy in full at any time while the Insured
is living and receive its Cash Surrender Value. The cancellation will be
effective as of the date the Company receives a proper written request for
cancellation and the Policy. Such written request must be signed and, where
permitted, the signature guaranteed by a member firm of the New York, American,
Boston, Midwest, Philadelphia or Pacific Stock Exchange, or by a Commercial Bank
or a Savings and Loan, which is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation. In some cases, the Company may require additional documentation of
a customary nature.

Cash Surrender Value

The Cash Surrender Value increases or decreases daily to reflect the investment
experience of the Variable Account and the daily crediting of interest in the
Fixed Account and the Policy Loan Account. The Cash Surrender Value equals the
Policy's Cash Value, next computed after the date the Company receives a proper
written request for surrender and the Policy, minus any charges, Indebtedness or
other deductions due on that date, which may also include a Surrender Charge.

Partial Surrenders

After the Policy has been in force for one year, the Policy Owner may request a
partial surrender. Partial surrenders will be permitted only if they satisfy the
following requirements:

       1.     The minimum partial surrender is $500;

       2.     The partial surrender may not reduce the Specified Amount to less
              than $50,000;

       3.     After the partial surrender, the Cash Surrender Value is greater
              than $500 or an amount equal to three times the current monthly
              deduction if higher;

       4.     The maximum total partial surrenders in any policy year are
              limited to 10% of the total premium payments. On a current basis,
              this requirement is waived in years 15 and beyond provided the
              Cash Surrender Value is $10,000 or more after the withdrawal; and

       5.     After the partial surrender, the Policy continues to qualify as
              life insurance.


                                       28
<PAGE>   32

When a partial surrender is made, the Cash Value is reduced by the amount of the
partial surrender. Under Death Benefit Option 1, the Specified Amount is reduced
by the amount of the partial surrender, unless the Death Benefit is based on the
applicable percentage of Cash Value. In such a case, a partial surrender will
decrease the Specified Amount by the amount by which the partial surrender
exceeds the difference between the Death Benefit and Specified Amount.

Surrender charges will be waived for any partial surrenders which satisfy the
above conditions. Certain partial surrenders may result in currently taxable
income and tax penalties (see "Tax Matters").

Maturity Proceeds

The Maturity Date is the Policy Anniversary on or next following the Insured's
95th birthday. The maturity proceeds will be payable to the Policy Owner on the
Maturity Date provided the Policy is still in force. The Maturity Proceeds will
be equal to the amount of the Policy's Cash Value, less any Indebtedness.

Income Tax Withholding

Federal law requires the Company to withhold income tax from any portion of
surrender proceeds that is subject to tax, unless the Policy Owner advises the
Company, in writing, of his or her request not to withhold.

If the Policy Owner requests that the Company not withhold taxes, or if the
taxes withheld are insufficient, the Policy Owner may be liable for payment of
an estimated tax. The Policy Owner should consult his or her tax advisor.

In certain employer-sponsored life insurance arrangements, including equity
split dollar arrangements, participants may be required to report for income tax
purposes, one or more of the following: (1) the value each year of the life
insurance protection provided, (2) an amount equal to any employer-paid
premiums; or (3) some or all of the amount by which the current value exceeds
the employer's interest in the Contract. Participants should consult with the
sponsor or the administrator of the Plan, and/or with their personal tax or
legal advisor, to determine the tax consequences, if any, of their
employer-sponsored life insurance arrangements.

                                  POLICY LOANS

Taking a Policy Loan

After the first Policy Year, the Policy Owner may take a Policy loan using the
Policy as security. Maximum Policy Indebtedness is limited to 90% of the Cash
Value less Surrender Charge less interest due on the next Policy Anniversary.
Maximum Policy Indebtedness, in Texas, is limited to 90% of the Cash Value in
the sub-accounts and 100% of the Cash Value in the Fixed Account less Surrender
Charge less interest due on the next Policy Anniversary. The Company will not
grant a loan for an amount less than $200. Should the Death Proceeds become
payable, the Policy be surrendered, or the Policy mature while a loan is
outstanding, the amount of Policy Indebtedness will be deducted from the death
benefit, Cash Surrender Value or the maturity value, respectively.

Any request for a Policy loan must be in written form satisfactory to the
Company. The request must be signed and, where permitted, the signature
guaranteed by a member firm of the New York, American, Boston, Midwest,
Philadelphia or Pacific Stock Exchange; or by a Commercial Bank or a Savings and
Loan which is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Certain
policy loans may result in currently taxable income and tax penalties (see "Tax
Matters").

A Policy Owner considering the use of policy loans in connection with his or her
retirement income plan should consult his or her personal tax adviser regarding
potential tax consequences that may arise if necessary payments are not made to
keep the Policy from lapsing. The amount of such payments necessary to prevent
the Policy from lapsing would increase with age (see "Tax Matters").

Effect on Investment Performance

When a loan is made, an amount equal to the amount of the loan is transferred
from the Variable Account to the Policy Loan Account. If the assets relating to
a Policy are held in more than one sub-account, withdrawals from sub-accounts
will be made in proportion to the assets in each Variable sub-account at the
time of the loan. Policy loans will be transferred from the Fixed Account only
when insufficient amounts are available in the Variable sub-accounts. The amount
taken out of the Variable Account will not be affected by the Variable Account's
investment experience while the loan is outstanding.


                                       29
<PAGE>   33

Interest

On a current basis, policy loans are credited with an annual effective rate of
5.1% during policy years 2 through 14 and an annual effective rate of 6% during
the 15th and subsequent policy years. The rate is guaranteed never to be lower
than 5.1%. The Company may change the current interest crediting rate on policy
loans at any time at its sole discretion. The loan interest rate is 6% per year
for all Policy loans. In the event that it is determined that such loans will be
treated, as a result of the differential between the interest crediting rate and
the loan interest rate, as taxable distributions under any applicable ruling,
regulation, or court decision, the Company retains the right to increase the net
cost (by decreasing the interest crediting rate) on all subsequent policy loans
to an amount that would result in the transaction being treated as a loan under
Federal tax law. If this amount is not prescribed by such ruling, regulation, or
court decision, the amount will be that which the Company considers to be more
likely to result in the transaction being treated as a loan under Federal tax
law.

   
Amounts transferred to the Policy Loan Account will earn interest daily from the
date of transfer. The earned interest is transferred from the Policy Loan
Account to a Variable Account or the Fixed Account on each Policy Anniversary,
at the time a new loan is requested, or at the time of loan repayment. It will
be allocated according to the Fund allocation factors in effect at the time of
the transfer.
    

Interest is charged daily and is payable at the end of each Policy Year or at
the time of loan repayment. Unpaid interest will be added to the existing Policy
Indebtedness as of the due date and will be charged interest at the same rate as
the rest of the Indebtedness.

Whenever the total Policy Indebtedness exceeds the Cash Value less any Surrender
Charges, the Company will send a notice to the Policy Owner and the assignee, if
any. The Policy will terminate without value 61 days after the mailing of the
notice unless a sufficient repayment is made during that period. A repayment is
sufficient if it is large enough to reduce the total Policy Indebtedness to an
amount equal to the total Cash Value less any Surrender Charges plus an amount
sufficient to continue the Policy in force for 3 months.

Effect on Death Benefit and Cash Value

A Policy loan, whether or not repaid, will have a permanent effect on the Death
Benefit and Cash Value because the investment results of the Variable Account or
the Fixed Account will apply only to the non-loaned portion of the Cash Value.
The longer the loan is outstanding, the greater the effect is likely to be.
Depending on the investment results of the Variable Account or the Fixed Account
while the loan is outstanding, the effect could be favorable or unfavorable.

Repayment

   
All or part of the Indebtedness may be repaid at any time while the Policy is in
force during the Insured's lifetime. Any payment intended as a loan repayment,
rather than a premium payment, must be identified as such. Loan repayments will
be credited to the Variable sub-accounts and the Fixed Account in proportion to
the Policy Owner's Underlying Mutual Fund allocation factors in effect at the
time of the repayment. Each repayment may not be less than $50. The Company
reserves the right to require that any loan repayments resulting from Policy
loans transferred from the Fixed Account must be first allocated to the Fixed
Account.
    

                          HOW THE DEATH BENEFIT VARIES

Calculation of the Death Benefit

At issue, the Policy Owner selects the Specified Amount.

While the Policy is in force, the death benefit will never be less than the
Specified Amount. The death benefit may vary with the Cash Value of the Policy,
which depends on investment performance.

The Policy Owner may choose one of two death benefit options. Under Option 1,
the death benefit will be the greater of the Specified Amount or the Applicable
Percentage of Cash Value. Under Option 1, the amount of the death benefit will
ordinarily not change for several years to reflect the investment performance
and may not change at all. If investment performance is favorable the amount of
death benefit may increase. To see how and when investment performance will
begin to affect death benefits, please see the illustrations. Under Option 2,
the death benefit will be the greater of the Specified Amount plus the Cash
Value, or the Applicable Percentage of Cash Value and will vary directly with
the investment performance.

       The term "Applicable Percentage" means:

       1.     250% when the Insured is Attained Age 40 or less at the beginning
              of a Policy Year; and


                                       30
<PAGE>   34

       2.     when the Insured is above Attained Age 40, the percentage shown in
              the "Applicable Percentage of Cash Value Table."

                    APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE OF CASH VALUE TABLE

    Attained    Percentage    Attained    Percentage    Attained   Percentage
      Age      of Cash Value    Age      of Cash Value    Age     of Cash Value
      ---      -------------    ---      -------------    ---     -------------
     0-40          250%          60          130%          80         105%
       41          243%          61          128%          81         105%
       42          236%          62          126%          82         105%
       43          229%          63          124%          83         105%
       44          222%          64          122%          84         105%

       45          215%          65          120%          85         105%
       46          209%          66          119%          86         105%
       47          203%          67          118%          87         105%
       48          197%          68          117%          88         105%
       49          191%          69          116%          89         105%

       50          185%          70          115%          90         105%
       51          178%          71          113%          91         104%
       52          171%          72          111%          92         103%
       53          164%          73          109%          93         102%
       54          157%          74          107%          94         101%

       55          150%          75          105%          95         100%
       56          146%          76          105%
       57          142%          77          105%
       58          138%          78          105%
       59          134%          79          105%

Proceeds Payable on Death

The actual Death Proceeds payable on the Insured's death will be the death
benefit as described above, less any Policy Indebtedness and less any unpaid
Policy Charges. Under certain circumstances, the Death Proceeds may be adjusted
(see "Incontestability", "Error in Age or Sex", and "Suicide").

                  RIGHT TO EXCHANGE FOR A FIXED BENEFIT POLICY

The Policy Owner may exchange the Policy for a flexible premium adjustable life
insurance policy offered by the Company on the Policy Date. The benefits for the
new policy will not vary with the investment experience of a separate account.
The exchange must be elected within 24 months from the Policy Date. No evidence
of insurability will be required.

The Policy Owner and Beneficiary under the new policy will be the same as those
under the exchanged Policy on the effective date of the exchange. The new policy
will have a death benefit on the exchange date not more than the death benefit
of the original Policy immediately prior to the exchange date. The new policy
will have the same Policy Date and issue age as the original Policy. The initial
Specified Amount and any increases in Specified Amount will have the same rate
class as those of the original Policy. Any Indebtedness may be transferred to
the new policy.

The exchange may be subject to an equitable adjustment in rates and values to
reflect variances, if any, in the rates and values between the two Policies.
After adjustment, if any excess is owed the Policy Owner, the Company will pay
the excess to the Policy Owner in cash. The exchange may be subject to federal
income tax withholding (see "Income Tax Withholding").


                                       31
<PAGE>   35

                          CHANGES OF INVESTMENT POLICY

The Company may materially change the investment policy of the Variable Account.
The Company must inform the Policy Owners and obtain all necessary regulatory
approvals. Any change must be submitted to the various state insurance
departments which may disapprove it if deemed detrimental to the interests of
the Policy Owners or if it renders the Company's operations hazardous to the
public. If a Policy Owner objects, the Policy may be converted to a
substantially comparable General Account life insurance policy offered by the
Company on the life of the Insured. The Policy Owner has the later of 60 days (6
months in Pennsylvania) from the date of the investment policy change or 60 days
(6 months in Pennsylvania) from being informed of such change to make this
conversion. The Company will not require evidence of insurability for this
conversion.

The new policy will not be affected by the investment experience of any separate
account. The new policy will be for an amount of insurance not exceeding the
death benefit of the Policy converted on the date of such conversion.

                                  GRACE PERIOD

- -First Three Policy Years

This Policy will not lapse during the first three Policy Years provided that on
each Monthly Anniversary Day (1) is greater than or equal to (2) where:

       (1)    Is the sum of all premiums paid to date minus any Policy
              Indebtedness, minus any partial surrenders, and minus any partial
              surrender fee; and

       (2)    Is the sum of monthly Minimum Premiums required since the Policy
              Date including the monthly Minimum Premium for the current Monthly
              Anniversary Day.

If (1) is less than (2) and the Cash Surrender Value is less than zero, a Grace
Period of 61 days from the Monthly Anniversary Day will be allowed for the
payment of sufficient premium to satisfy the Minimum Premium requirement. If
sufficient premium is not paid by the end of the Grace Period, the Policy will
lapse without value. In any event the Policy will not lapse as long as there is
a positive Cash Surrender Value.

- -Policy Years Four and After

If the Cash Surrender Value on a Monthly Anniversary Day is not sufficient to
cover the current Policy Charges, a Grace Period of 61 days from the Monthly
Anniversary Day will be allowed for the payment of sufficient premium to cover
the current Policy Charges due plus an amount equal to three times the current
monthly deduction.

- -All Policy Years

The Company will send such a notice at the start of the Grace Period to the
Policy Owner's last known address. If the Insured dies during the Grace Period,
the Company will pay the Death Proceeds.

                                  REINSTATEMENT

If the Grace Period ends and the Policy Owner has neither paid the required
premium nor surrendered the Policy for its Cash Surrender Value, the Policy
Owner may reinstate the Policy by:

       1.     submitting a written request at any time within 3 years after the
              end of the Grace Period and prior to the Maturity Date;

       2.     providing evidence of insurability satisfactory to the Company;

       3.     paying an amount of premium equal to the sum of the Minimum
              Monthly Premiums missed since the beginning of the Grace Period,
              if your Policy terminated in the first three policy years;

       4.     paying sufficient premium to cover all policy charges that were
              due and unpaid during the Grace Period if your Policy terminated
              in the fourth or later policy year;

       5.     paying sufficient premium to keep the Policy in force for 3 months
              from the date of reinstatement; and

       6.     paying or reinstating any Indebtedness against the Policy which
              existed at the end of the Grace Period.

The effective date of a reinstated Policy will be the Monthly Anniversary Day on
or next following the date the application for reinstatement is approved by the
Company. If your Policy is reinstated, the Cash Value on the


                                       32
<PAGE>   36

date of reinstatement, but prior to applying any premiums or loan repayments
received, will be set equal to the lesser of:

       1.     the Cash Value at the end of the Grace Period; or

       2.     the Surrender Charge for the Policy Year in which the Policy was
              reinstated.

   
Unless the Policy Owner has provided otherwise, all amounts will be allocated
based on the Underlying Mutual Fund allocation factors in effect at the start
of the Grace Period.
    

                            THE FIXED ACCOUNT OPTION

   
Under exemptive and exclusionary provisions, interests in the Company's General
Account have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and the
General Account has not been registered as an investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. Accordingly, neither the General Account nor any
interests therein is subject to the provisions of these Acts, and the Company
has been advised that the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has
not reviewed the disclosures in this prospectus relating to the Fixed Account
option. Disclosures regarding the General Account may, however, be subject to
certain generally applicable provisions of the federal securities laws
concerning the accuracy and completeness of statements made in prospectuses.
    

As explained earlier, a Policy Owner may elect to allocate or transfer all or
part of the Cash Value to the Fixed Account and the amount allocated or
transferred becomes part of the Company's General Account. The Company's General
Account consists of all assets of the Company other than those in the Variable
Account and in other separate accounts that have been or may be established by
the Company. Subject to applicable law, the Company has sole discretion over the
investment of the assets of the General Account, and Policy Owners do not share
in the investment experience of those assets. The Company guarantees that the
part of the Cash Value invested under the Fixed Account option will accrue
interest daily at an effective annual rate that the Company declares
periodically. The Fixed Account crediting rate will not be less than an
effective annual rate of 4%. Upon request the Company will inform a Policy Owner
of the then applicable rate. The Company is not obligated to credit interest at
a higher rate.

                     CHANGES IN EXISTING INSURANCE COVERAGE

   
The Policy Owner may request certain changes in the insurance coverage under the
Policy. Any request must be in writing and received at the Company's Home
Office. No change will take effect unless the Cash Surrender Value, after the
change, is sufficient to keep the Policy in force for at least 3 months.
    

Specified Amount Increases

After the first Policy Year, the Policy Owner may request an increase to the
Specified Amount. Any increase will be subject to the following conditions:

       1.     the request must be applied for in writing;

       2.     satisfactory evidence of insurability must be provided;

       3.     the increase must be for a minimum of $10,000;

       4.     the Cash Surrender Value is sufficient to continue the Policy in
              force for at least 3 months; and

       5.     age limits are the same as for a new issue.

Any approved increase will have an effective date of the Monthly Anniversary Day
on or next following the date the Company approves the supplemental application.
The Company reserves the right to limit the number of Specified Amount increases
to one each Policy Year.

Specified Amount Decreases

After the first Policy Year, the Policy Owner may also request a decrease to the
Specified Amount. Any approved decrease will be effective on the Monthly
Anniversary Day on or next following the date the Company receives the request.
Any such decrease shall reduce insurance in the following order:

       1.     against insurance provided by the most recent increase;

       2.     against the next most recent increases successively; and

       3.     against insurance provided under the original application.


                                       33
<PAGE>   37

The Company reserves the right to limit the number of Specified Amount decreases
to one each Policy Year. The Company will refuse a request for a decrease which
would:

   
       1.     reduce the Specified Amount to less than $50,000 ($100,000 in New
              Jersey and Pennsylvania); or
    

       2.     disqualify the Policy as a contract for life insurance.

Changes in the Death Benefit Option

After the first Policy Year, the Policy Owner may change the death benefit
option under the Policy. If the change is from Option 1 to Option 2, the
Specified Amount will be decreased by the amount of the Cash Value. If the
change is from Option 2 to Option 1, the Specified Amount will be increased by
the amount of the Cash Value. Evidence of insurability is not required for a
change from Option 2 to Option 1. The Company reserves the right to require
evidence of insurability for a change from Option 1 to Option 2. The effective
date of the change will be the Monthly Anniversary Day on or next following the
date the Company approves the request for change. Only one change of option is
permitted per Policy Year. A change in death benefit option will not be
permitted if it results in the total premiums paid exceeding the then current
maximum premium limitations prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service to
qualify the Policy as a life insurance contract.

                             OTHER POLICY PROVISIONS

Policy Owner

While the Insured is living, all rights in this Policy are vested in the Policy
Owner named in the application or as subsequently changed, subject to
assignment, if any.

   
The Policy Owner may name a contingent Policy Owner or a new Policy Owner while
the Insured is living. Any change must be in a written form satisfactory to the
Company and recorded at the Company's Home Office. Once recorded, the change
will be effective when signed. The change will not affect any payment made or
action taken by the Company before it was recorded. The Company may require that
the Policy be submitted for endorsement before making a change.
    

If the Policy Owner is other than the Insured and names no contingent Policy
Owner, and dies before the Insured, the Policy Owner's rights in this Policy
belong to the Policy Owner's estate.

Beneficiary

The Beneficiary(ies) shall be as named in the application or as subsequently
changed, subject to assignment, if any.

   
The Policy Owner may name a new Beneficiary while the Insured is living. Any
change must be in a written form satisfactory to the Company and recorded at the
Company's Home Office. Once recorded, the change will be effective when signed.
The change will not affect any payment made or action taken by the Company
before it was recorded.
    

If any Beneficiary predeceases the Insured, that Beneficiary's interest passes
to any surviving Beneficiary(ies), unless otherwise provided. Multiple
Beneficiaries will be paid in equal shares, unless otherwise provided. If no
named Beneficiary survives the Insureds, the Death Proceeds shall be paid to the
Policy Owner or the Policy Owner's estate.

Assignment

   
While the Insured is living, the Policy Owner may assign his or her rights in
the Policy. The assignment must be in writing, signed by the Policy Owner and
recorded by the Company at its Home Office. Any assignment will not affect any
payments made or actions taken by the Company before it was recorded. The
Company is not responsible for any assignment not submitted for recording, nor
is the Company responsible for the sufficiency or validity of any assignment.
The assignment will be subject to any Indebtedness owed to the Company before it
was recorded.
    

Incontestability

The Company will not contest payment of the Death Proceeds based on the initial
Specified Amount after the Policy has been in force during the Insured's
lifetime for 2 years from the Policy Date. For any increase in Specified Amount
requiring evidence of insurability, the Company will not contest payment of the
Death Proceeds based on such an increase after it has been in force during the
Insured's lifetime for 2 years from its effective date.

Error in Age or Sex

If the age or sex of the Insured has been misstated, the affected benefits will
be adjusted. The amount of the death benefit will be 1. multiplied by 2. and
then the result added to 3., where:


                                       34
<PAGE>   38

       1.     is the amount of the death benefit at the time of the Insured's
              death reduced by the amount of the Cash Value at the time of the
              Insured's death;

       2.     is the ratio of the monthly cost of insurance applied in the
              policy month of death and the monthly cost of insurance that
              should have been applied at the true age and sex in the policy
              month of death; and

       3.     is the Cash Value at the time of the Insured's death.

Suicide

If the Insured dies by suicide, while sane or insane, within two years from the
Policy Date, the Company will pay no more than the sum of the premiums paid,
less any Indebtedness. If the Insured dies by suicide, while sane or insane,
within two years from the date an application is accepted for an increase in the
Specified Amount, the Company will pay no more than the amount paid for such
additional benefit.

Nonparticipating Policies

These are nonparticipating Policies on which no dividends are payable. These
Policies do not share in the profits or surplus earnings of the Company.

   
Riders

A rider may be added as an addition to the Policy. Riders currently include:

       1.     Maturity Extension Endorsement;
       2.     Spouse Rider;
       3.     Child Rider;
       4.     Waiver of Monthly Deductions Rider;
       5.     Accidental Death Benefit Rider;
       6.     Base Insured Term Rider;
       7.     Accelerated Death Benefit Rider;
       8.     Change of Insured Rider; and
       9.     Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit Rider.

Rider availability varies by state.
    

                              LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS

On July 6, 1983, the U.S. Supreme Court held in Arizona Governing Committee v.
Norris that certain annuity benefits provided by employers' retirement and
fringe benefit programs may not vary between men and women on the basis of sex.
This decision applies only to benefits derived from premiums made on or after
August 1, 1983. The Policies offered by this prospectus are based upon actuarial
tables which distinguish between men and women and thus the Policies provide
different benefits to men and women of the same age. Accordingly, employers and
employee organizations should consider, in consultation with legal counsel, the
impact of Norris on any employment related insurance or benefit program before
purchasing this Policy.

                          DISTRIBUTION OF THE POLICIES

   
The Policies will be sold by licensed insurance agents in those states where the
Policies may lawfully be sold. Such agents will be registered representatives of
broker dealers registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 who are
member firms of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD").
The Policies will be distributed by the General Distributor, Nationwide
Advisory Services, Inc. NAS acts as general distributor for the Nationwide
Multi-Flex Variable Account, Nationwide DC Variable Account, Nationwide DCVA-II,
Nationwide Variable Account-II, Nationwide Variable Account-5, Nationwide
Variable Account-6, Nationwide Variable Account-8, Nationwide VA Separate
Account-A, Nationwide VA Separate Account-B, Nationwide VA Separate Account-C,
Nationwide VL Separate Account-A, Nationwide VL Separate Account-B, Nationwide
VLI Separate Account-2, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3, NACo Variable Account
and the Nationwide Variable Account, all of which are separate investment
accounts of the Company or its affiliates. NAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of
the Company.
    


                                       35
<PAGE>   39

   
NAS also acts as principal underwriter for the Nationwide Investing Foundation,
Nationwide Separate Account Trust, Financial Horizons Investment Trust,
Nationwide Investing Foundation II and Nationwide Asset Allocation Trust, which
are open-end management investment companies.
    

Gross first year commissions plus any expense allowance payments paid by the
Company on the sale of these policies provided by the General Distributor will
not exceed 80% of the target Premium plus 4% of any excess premium payments.
Gross renewal commissions in years 2-10 paid by the Company will not exceed 4%
of actual premium payment, and will not exceed 1% in years 11+.

                               CUSTODIAN OF ASSETS

The Company serves as the Custodian of the assets of the Variable Account.

                                   TAX MATTERS

Policy Proceeds

Section 7702 of the Code provides that if certain tests are met, a Policy will
be treated as a life insurance policy for federal tax purposes. The Company will
monitor compliance with these tests. The Policy should thus receive the same
federal income tax treatment as fixed benefit life insurance. As a result, the
Death Proceeds payable under a Policy are excludable from gross income of the
beneficiary under Section 101 of the Code.

   
Section 7702A of the Code defines modified endowment contracts as those policies
issued or materially changed on or after June 21, 1988 on which the total
premiums paid during the first seven years exceed the amount that would have
been paid if the policy provided for paid up benefits after seven level annual
premiums (see "Information about the Policies"). The Code provides for taxation
of surrenders, partial surrenders, loans, collateral assignments and other
pre-death distributions from modified endowment contracts (other than certain
distributions to terminally ill or chronically ill individuals) are subject to
federal income taxes a manner similar to the way annuities are taxed. Modified
endowment contract distributions are defined by the Code as amounts not
received as an annuity and are taxable to the extent the cash value of the
policy exceeds, at the time of distribution, the premiums paid into the policy.
A 10% tax penalty generally applies to the taxable portion of such distributions
unless the Policy Owner is over age 59 1/2 or disabled or the distribution is
part of an annuity to the Policy Owner as defined in the Code. Under certain
circumstances, certain distributions made under a Policy on the life of a
"terminally ill individual" or a "chronically ill individual," as those terms
are defined in the Code, are excludible from gross income.
    

The Policies offered by this prospectus may or may not be issued as modified
endowment contracts. The Company will monitor premiums paid and will notify the
Policy Owner when the policy's non-modified endowment status is in jeopardy. If
a Policy is not a modified endowment contract, a cash distribution during the
first 15 years after a Policy is issued which causes a reduction in death
benefits may still become fully or partially taxable to the Owner pursuant to
Section 7702(f)(7) of the Code. The Policy Owner should carefully consider this
potential effect and seek further information before initiating any changes in
the terms of the policy. Under certain conditions, a Policy may become a
modified endowment as a result of a material change or a reduction in benefits
as defined by Section 7702A(c) of the Code.

   
In addition to meeting the tests required under Sections 7702, Section 817(h) of
the Code requires that the investments of separate accounts such as the Variable
Account be adequately diversified. Regulations under 817(h) provide that a
variable life policy that fails to satisfy the diversification standards will
not be treated as life insurance unless such failure was inadvertent, is
corrected, and the Policy Owner or the Company pays an amount to the Internal
Revenue Service. The amount will be based on the tax that would have been paid
by the Policy Owner if the income, for the period the policy was not
diversified, had been received by the Policy Owner. If the failure to diversify
is not corrected in this manner, the Policy Owner will be deemed the owner of
the underlying securities and taxed on the earnings of his or her account.

Representatives of the Internal Revenue Service have suggested, from time to
time, that the number of Underlying Mutual Funds available or the number of
transfer opportunities available under a variable product may be relevant in
determining whether the product qualifies for the desired tax treatment. No
formal guidance has been issued in this area. Should the Secretary of the
Treasury issue additional rules or regulations limiting the number of Underlying
Mutual Funds, transfers between Underlying Mutual Funds, exchanges of Underlying
Mutual Funds or changes in investment objectives of Underlying Mutual Funds such
that the Policy would no longer qualify as life insurance under Section 7702 of
the Code, the Company will take whatever steps are available to remain in
compliance.
    


                                       36
<PAGE>   40

The Company will monitor compliance with these regulations and, to the extent
necessary, will change the objectives or assets of the sub-account investments
to remain in compliance.

A total surrender or cancellation of the Policy by lapse or the maturity of the
Policy on its Maturity Date may have adverse tax consequences. If the amount
received by the Policy Owner plus total Policy Indebtedness exceeds the premiums
paid into the Policy, the excess generally will be treated as taxable income,
regardless of whether or not the Policy is a modified endowment contract.

   
- - Federal Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes

The federal estate tax is integrated with the federal gift tax under a unified
tax rate schedule. In general, an estate of less than $600,000 (inclusive of
certain predeath gifts) will not incur a federal estate tax liability. In
addition, an unlimited marital deduction may be available for federal estate tax
purposes, for certain amounts that pass to the surviving spouse.

When the Insured dies, the death benefit will generally be included in the
lnsured's federal gross estate if: (1) the proceeds were payable to or for the
benefit of the Insured's estate; or (2) the Insured held any "incident of
ownership" in the Policy at death or at any time within three years of death. An
incident of ownership is, in general, any right that may be exercised by the
Policy Owner, such as the right to borrow on the Policy, or the right to name a
new Beneficiary.

If the Policy Owner (whether or not he or she is the Insured) transfers
ownership of the Policy to another person, such transfer may be subject to a
federal gift tax. In addition, if such Policy Owner transfers the Policy to
someone two or more generations younger than the Policy Owner, the transfer may
be subject to the federal generation-skipping transfer tax ("GSTT"), the taxable
amount being the value of the Policy.

Similarly, if the Beneficiary is two or more generations younger than the
Insured, the payment of the Death Proceeds at the death of the Insured may be
subject to the GSTT. Pursuant to regulations recently promulgated by the U.S.
Treasury Department, the Company may be required to withhold a portion of the
Death Proceeds and pay them directly to the Internal Revenue Service as the GSTT
liability.

The GSTT provisions generally apply to the same transfers that are subject to
estate or gift taxes.

The tax rate is a flat rate equal to the maximum estate tax rate (currently
55%), and there is a provision for an aggregate $1 million exemption. Due to the
complexity of these rules, the Policy Owner should consult with counsel and
other competent advisors regarding these taxes,

- - Non-Resident Aliens

Distributions to nonresident aliens ("NRAs") are generally subject to federal
income tax and tax withholding, at a statutory rate of 30% of the amount of
income that is distributed. The Company is required to withhold such amount from
the Distribution and remit it to the Internal Revenue Service. Distributions to
certain NRAs may be subject to lower, or in certain instances zero, tax and
withholding rates, if the United States has entered into an applicable treaty.
However, in order to obtain the benefits of such treaty provisions, the NRA must
give to the Company sufficient proof of his or her residency and citizenship in
the form and manner prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, for
any Distribution made after December 31, 1997, the NRA must obtain an individual
Taxpayer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service, and furnish
that number to the Company prior to the Distribution. If the Company does not
have the proper proof of citizenship or residency and (for Distributions after
December 31, 1997) a proper individual Taxpayer Identification Number prior to
any Distribution, the Company will be required to withhold 30% of the income,
regardless of any treaty provision.

A payment may not be subject to withholding where the recipient sufficiently
establishes to the Company that such payment is effectively connected to the
recipient's conduct of a trade or business in the United States and that such
payment is includable in the recipient's gross income for United States federal
income tax purposes, Any such distributions may be subject to back-up
withholding at the statutory rate (currently 31%) if not taxpayer identification
number, or an incorrect taxpayer identification number, is provided.

State and local estate, inheritance, income and other tax consequences of
ownership or receipt of Policy proceeds depend on the circumstances of each
Policy Owner or Beneficiary.
    

Taxation of the Company

The Company is taxed as a life insurance company under the Code. Since the
Variable Account is not a separate entity from the Company and its operations
form a part of the Company, it will not be taxed separately as a "regulated
investment company" under Sub-chapter M of the Code. Investment income and
realized capital


                                       37
<PAGE>   41

gains on the assets of the Variable Account are reinvested and taken into
account in determining the value of Accumulation Units. As a result, such
investment income and realized capital gains are automatically applied to
increase reserves under the Policies.

The Company does not initially expect to incur any Federal income tax liability
that would be chargeable to the Variable Account. Based upon these expectations,
no charge is currently being made against the Variable Account for federal
income taxes. If, however, the Company determines that on a separate company
basis such taxes may be incurred, it reserves the right to assess a charge for
such taxes against the Variable Account.

The Company may also incur state and local taxes (in addition to premium taxes)
in several states. At present, these taxes are not significant. If they
increase, however, charges for such taxes may be made.

   
Tax Changes

The foregoing discussion, which is based on the Company's understanding of
federal tax laws as they are currently interpreted by the Internal Revenue
Service, is general and is not intended as tax advice.

In the recent past, the Code has been subjected to numerous amendments and
changes, and it is reasonable to believe that it will continue to be revised.
The United States Congress has, in the past, considered numerous legislative
proposals that, if enacted, could change the tax treatment of the Policies. It
is reasonable to believe that such proposals, and other proposals will be
considered in the future, and some may be enacted into law. In addition, the
U.S. Treasury Department may amend existing regulations, issue new regulations,
or adopt new interpretations of existing law that may be at variance with its
current positions on these matters. In addition, current state law (which is not
discussed herein), and future amendments to state law, may affect the tax
consequences of the Policy.

If the Policy Owner, Insured, or Beneficiary or other person receiving any
benefit or interest in or from the Policy is not both a resident and citizen of
the United States, there may be a tax imposed by a foreign country, in addition
to any tax imposed by the United States. The foreign law (including regulations,
rulings, and case law) may change and impose additional taxes on the Policy, the
Death Benefit, or other Distributions and/or ownership of the Policy, or a
treaty may be amended and all or part of the favorable treatment may be
eliminated.

Any or all of the foregoing may change from time to time without any notice, and
the tax consequences arising out of a Policy may be changed retroactively. There
is no way of predicting if when, and to what extent any such change may take
place. No representation is made as to the likelihood of the continuation of
these current laws, interpretations, and policies.

THE FOREGOING IS A GENERAL EXPLANATION AS TO CERTAIN TAX MATTERS PERTAINING TO
INSURANCE POLICIES. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE, AND SHOULD NOT
TAKE THE PLACE OF YOUR INDEPENDENT LEGAL, TAX AND/OR FINANCIAL ADVISOR.
    

                                   THE COMPANY

The life insurance business, which includes product lines in health insurance
and annuities, is the only business in which the Company is engaged.

The Company markets its Policies through independent insurance brokers, general
agents, and registered representatives of registered NASD broker/dealer firms.

   
The Company serves as depositor for the Nationwide Variable Account, Nationwide
Variable Account-II, Nationwide Variable Account-3, Nationwide Variable
Account-4, Nationwide Variable Account-5, Nationwide Variable Account-6,
Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account, Nationwide Variable Account-8, MFS
Variable Account, Nationwide Multi-Flex Variable Account, Nationwide VLI
Separate Account, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2, Nationwide VLI Separate
Account-3, NACo Variable Account, Nationwide DC Variable Account and the
Nationwide DCVA-II, each of which is a registered investment company, and each
of which is a separate investment account of the Company.
    

The Company, in common with other insurance companies, is subject to regulation
and supervision by the regulatory authorities of the states in which it is
licensed to do business. A license from the state insurance department is a
prerequisite to the transaction of insurance business in that state. In general,
all states have statutory administrative powers. Such regulation relates, among
other things, to licensing of insurers and their agents, the approval of policy
forms, the methods of computing reserves, the form and content of statutory
financial statements, the amount of policyholders' and stockholders' dividends,
and the type of distribution of investments permitted.


                                       38
<PAGE>   42

The Company operates in the highly competitive field of life insurance. There
are approximately 2,300 stock, mutual and other types of insurers in the life
insurance business in the United States, and a large number of them compete with
the registrant in the sale of insurance policies.

As is customary in insurance company groups, employees are shared with the other
insurance companies in the group. In addition to its direct salaried employees,
the Company shares employees with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and
Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

   
The Company does not presently own or lease any materially important physical
properties when its property holdings are viewed in relation to its total
assets. The Company shares Home Office, other facilities and equipment with
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
    

                               COMPANY MANAGEMENT

Nationwide Life Insurance Company, together with Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Company, Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Nationwide Indemnity Company,
Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company, Nationwide Property and Casualty
Insurance Company, National Casualty Company, West Coast Life Insurance Company,
Scottsdale Indemnity Company and Nationwide General Insurance Company and their
affiliated companies comprise the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise.

   
The companies comprising the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise have substantially
common boards of directors and officers. Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. is
the sole shareholder of Nationwide Life.
    

Directors of the Company

                             Director
     Name                      Since    Principal Occupation
     ----                      -----    --------------------

Lewis J. Alphin                 1993    Farm Owner and Operator (1)
                                        
   
Keith W. Eckel                  1996    Partner, Fred W. Eckel Sons; President,
                                        Eckel Farms, Inc. (1)
    
                                        
Willard J. Engel                1994    General Manager Lyon County Co-Operative
                                        Oil Company (1)
                                        
Fred C. Finney                  1992    Owner and Operator, Moreland Fruit Farm;
                                        Operator, Melrose Orchard (1)
                                        
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr. * +   1969    Chief Executive Officer, Fuellgraf
                                        Electric Company. (1)
                                        
   
Joseph J. Gasper*+              1996    President and Chief Operating Officer,
                                        Nationwide Life Insurance Company and
                                        Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance
                                        Company. (2)
    
                                        
Henry S. Holloway *+            1986    Farm Owner and Operator (1)
                                        
Dimon Richard McFerson *+       1988    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
                                        Nationwide Insurance Enterprise (2)
                                        
David O. Miller *+              1985    President, Owen Potato Farm, Inc.;
                                        Partner, M&M Enterprises (1)
                                        
   
C. Ray Noecker                  1994    Owner and Operator, Noecker Farms (1)
    
                                        
James F. Patterson +            1989    Vice President, Pattersons, Inc. ;
                                        President, Patterson Farms, Inc. (1)
                                        
Arden L. Shisler *+             1984    President and Chief Executive Officer,
                                        K&B Transport, Inc. (1)
                                        
   
Robert L. Stewart               1989    Owner and Operator, Sunnydale Farms and
                                        Mining (1)
    
                                        
Nancy C. Thomas *               1986    Farm Owner and Operator. (1)
                                        
Harold W. Weihl                 1990    Farm Owner and Operator, Weihl Farms (1)
                                        
*Member, Executive Committee            +Member, Investment Committee
                                       
1)     Principal occupation for last five years.

2)     Prior to assuming this current position, Messrs. McFerson and Gasper held
       other executive management positions with the companies.


                                       39
<PAGE>   43

Each of the directors is a director of the other major insurance affiliates of
the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise, except Mr. Gasper who is a director only of
the Company and Nationwide Life Insurance Company. Messrs. McFerson and Gasper
are directors of Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

   
Messrs. Holloway, McFerson, Miller, Patterson, Shisler and Fuellgraf are
directors of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. Messrs. Fuellgraf, McFerson,
Ms. Thomas and Mr. Weihl are trustees of Nationwide Investing Foundation, a
registered investment company. Mr. McFerson is trustee of Nationwide Separate
Account Trust, Financial Horizons Investment Trust, Nationwide Investing
Foundation II and Nationwide Asset Allocation Trust, registered investment
companies. Mr. Engel is a director of Western Cooperative Transport.
    

Executive Officers of the Company

Name                         Office Held
- ----                         -----------

Dimon Richard McFerson       Chairman and Chief Executive Officer-Nationwide
                             Insurance Enterprise

Joseph J. Gasper             President and Chief Operating Officer

Gordon E. McCutchan          Executive Vice President, Law and Corporate
                             Services and Secretary

Robert A. Oakley             Executive Vice President-Chief Financial Officer

Robert J. Woodward, Jr.      Executive Vice President-Chief Investment Officer

James E. Brock               Senior Vice President - Life Company Operations

W. Sidney Druen              Senior Vice President and General Counsel and
                             Assistant Secretary

Harvey S. Galloway, Jr.      Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary

Richard A. Karas             Senior Vice President - Sales and Financial
                             Services

   
Mark R. Thresher             Vice President - Controller

Duane M. Campbell            Vice President - Treasurer

Mr. Gasper is also President and Chief Operating Officer of Nationwide Life and
Annuity Insurance Company. Mr. Galloway is also an officer of Nationwide Mutual
Insurance Company and Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company. Each of the
other officers listed above is also an officer of each of the companies
comprising the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise. Each of the executive officers
listed above has been associated with the registrant in an executive capacity
for more than the past five years, except Mr. Thresher, who joined the
Registrant in 1996. From 1988-1996, Mr. Thresher served as a partner in the
accounting firm KPMG Peat Marwick LLP and lead partner for Nationwide Insurance
Enterprise from 1993-1996.
    

                      OTHER CONTRACTS ISSUED BY THE COMPANY

The Company does presently and will, from time to time, offer variable contracts
and policies with benefits which vary in accordance with the investment
experience of a separate account of the Company.

                                STATE REGULATION

The Company is subject to the laws of Ohio governing insurance companies and to
regulation by the Ohio Insurance Department. An annual statement in a prescribed
form is filed with the Insurance Department each year covering the operation of
the Company for the preceding year and its financial condition as of the end of
such year. Regulation by the Insurance Department includes periodic examination
to determine the Company's contract liabilities and reserves so that the
Insurance Department may certify the items are correct. The Company's books and
accounts are subject to review by the Insurance Department at all times and a
full examination of its operations is conducted periodically by the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners. Such regulation does not, however,
involve any supervision of management or investment practices or policies. In
addition, the Company is subject to regulation under the insurance laws of other
jurisdictions in which it may operate.


                                       40
<PAGE>   44

                            REPORTS TO POLICY OWNERS

The Company will mail to the Policy Owner, at the last known address of record,
an annual statement showing the amount of the current death benefit, the Cash
Value, and Cash Surrender Value, premiums paid and monthly charges deducted
since the last report, the amounts invested in the Fixed Account and in the
Variable Account and in each sub-account of the Variable Account, and any Policy
Indebtedness.

Policy Owners will also be sent annual and semi-annual reports containing
financial statements for the Variable Account as required by the 1940 Act.

In addition, Policy Owners will receive statements of significant transactions,
such as changes in Specified Amount, changes in death benefit option, changes in
future premium allocation, transfers among sub-accounts, premium payments,
loans, loan repayments, reinstatement and termination.

                                   ADVERTISING

The Company is also ranked and rated by independent financial rating services,
including Moody's, Standard & Poor's and A.M. Best Company. The purpose of these
ratings is to reflect the financial strength or claims-paying ability of the
Company. The ratings are not intended to reflect the investment experience or
financial strength of the Variable Account. The Company may advertise these
ratings from time to time. In addition, the Company may include in certain
advertisements, endorsements in the form of a list of organizations, individuals
or other parties which recommend the Company or the Contracts. Furthermore, the
Company may occasionally include in advertisements comparisons of currently
taxable and tax deferred investment programs, based on selected tax brackets, or
discussions of alternative investment vehicles and general economic conditions.

                                LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

   
From time to time the Company is a party to litigation and arbitration
proceedings in the ordinary course of its business, none of which is expected to
have a material adverse effect on the Company.

In recent years, life insurance companies have been named as defendants in
lawsuits, including class action lawsuits, relating to life insurance pricing
and sales practices. A number of these lawsuits have resulted in substantial
jury awards or settlements. In October 1996, a policyholder of Nationwide Life
filed a complaint in Alabama state court against Nationwide Life and an agent of
Nationwide Life (Wayne M. King v. Nationwide Life Insurance Company and Danny
Nix), related to the sale of a whole life policy on a "vanishing premium" basis
and seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. In February 1997,
Nationwide Life was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in New York Supreme
Court also related to the sale of whole life policies on a "vanishing premium"
basis (John H. Snyder v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Nationwide Mutual
Insurance Co. and Nationwide Life Insurance Co.). The plaintiff in such lawsuit
seeks to represent a national class of Nationwide Life policyholders and claims
unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. This lawsuit is in an early stage
and has not been certified as a class action. Nationwide Life intends to defend
these cases vigorously. There can be no assurance that any future litigation
relating to pricing and sales practices will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company.

The General Distributor, Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc., is not engaged in
any material litigation of any nature.
    

                                     EXPERTS

The financial statements and schedules have been included herein in reliance
upon the reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public
accountants, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.


                                       41
<PAGE>   45

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT

A Registration Statement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the
Policies offered hereby. This prospectus does not contain all the information
set forth in the Registration Statement and amendments thereto and exhibits
filed as a part thereof, to all of which reference is hereby made for further
information concerning the Variable Account, the Company, and the Policies
offered hereby. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the content of
Policies and other legal instruments are summaries. For a complete statement of
the terms thereof, reference is made to such instruments as filed.

                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

Legal matters in connection with the Policies described herein are being passed
upon by Druen, Rath & Dietrich, One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43216. All
the members of such firm are employed by the Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Company.


                                       42
<PAGE>   46

                                   APPENDIX 1
                                 ILLUSTRATION OF
                                SURRENDER CHARGES

Example 1: A female non-tobacco, age 45, purchases a Policy with a Specified
Amount of $50,000 and a Scheduled Premium of $750. She now wishes to surrender
the Policy during the first Policy year. By using the initial surrender charge
table reproduced below, (also see "Surrender Charges") the total surrender
charge per thousand multiplied by the Specified Amount expressed in thousands
equals the total surrender charge of $569.80 ($11.396 x 50=569.80).

Example 2: A male non-tobacco, age 35, purchases a Policy with a Specified
Amount of $100,000 and a Scheduled Premium of $1100. He now wants to surrender
the Policy in the sixth Policy Year. The total initial surrender charge is
calculated using the method illustrated above. (surrender charge per 1000 6.817
x 100=681.70 maximum initial surrender charge). Because the fifth Policy Year
has been completed, the maximum initial surrender charge is reduced by
multiplying it by the applicable percentage factor from the "Reductions to
Surrender Charges" table below. (Also see "Reductions to Surrender Charges"). In
this case, $681.70 x 60%=$409.02.

Maximum Surrender Charge per $1,000 of initial Specified Amount for policies
which are issued on a standard basis.

                    Initial Specified Amount $50,000-$99,999

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Issue          Male           Female         Male         Female
         Age       Non-Tobacco     Non-Tobacco     Standard      Standard
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         25           $7.776          $7.521        $8.369        $7.818
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         35            8.817           8.398         9.811         8.891
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         45           12.191          11.396        13.887        12.169
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         55           15.636          14.011        18.415        15.116
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         65           22.295          19.086        26.577        20.641
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       Initial Specified Amount $100,000+

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Issue          Male           Female         Male         Female
         Age       Non-Tobacco     Non-Tobacco     Standard      Standard
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         25           $5.776          $5.521        $6.369        $5.818
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         35            6.817           6.398         7.811         6.891
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         45            9.691           8.896        11.387         9.669
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         55           13.136          11.511        15.915        12.616
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         65           21.295          18.086        25.577        19.641
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        Reductions to Surrender Charges.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Surrender Charge                     Surrender Charge
      Completed     as a % of Initial     Completed      as a % of Initial
    Policy Years    Surrender Charges    Policy Years    Surrender Charges
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
          0                 100%              5                   60%
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
          1                 100%              6                   50%
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
          2                  90%              7                   40%
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
          3                  80%              8                   30%
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
          4                  70%              9+                   0%
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

The current Surrender Charges are the same for all states. However, in
Pennsylvania the guaranteed maximum Surrender Charges are spread out over 14
years. The guaranteed maximum Surrender Charge in subsequent years in
Pennsylvania is reduced in the following manner:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Completed  Surrender Charge   Completed  Surrender Charge   Completed  Surrender Charge
 Policy    as a % of Initial   Policy    as a % of Initial   Policy    as a % of Initial
  Years    Surrender Charges    Years    Surrender Charges    Years    Surrender Charges
  -----    -----------------    -----    -----------------    -----    -----------------
    <S>          <C>              <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>
    0            100%             5             60%            10             20%
    1            100%             6             50%            11             15%
    2             90%             7             40%            12             10%
    3             80%             8             30%            13              5%
    4             70%             9             25%            14+             0%
</TABLE>

   
The illustrations of current values in this prospectus are the same for
Pennsylvania. However, the illustrations of guaranteed values in this prospectus
do not reflect guaranteed maximum Surrender Charges which are spread out over 14
years. If this contract is issued in Pennsylvania, please contact the Home
Office for an illustration.
    

The Company has no plans to change the current Surrender Charges.


                                       43
<PAGE>   47

                                   APPENDIX 2

                          ILLUSTRATIONS OF CASH VALUES,
                             CASH SURRENDER VALUES,
                               AND DEATH BENEFITS

The illustrations in this prospectus have been prepared to help show how values
under the Policies change with investment performance. The illustrations
illustrate how Cash Values, Cash Surrender Values and death benefits under a
Policy would vary over time if the hypothetical gross investment rates of return
were a uniform annual effective rate of either 0%, 6% or 12%. If the
hypothetical gross investment rate of return averages 0%, 6% or 12% over a
period of years, but fluctuates above or below those averages for individual
years, the Cash Values, Cash Surrender Values and death benefits may be
different. For hypothetical returns of 0% and 6%, the illustrations also
illustrate when the Policies would go into default, at which time additional
premium payments would be required to continue the Policy in force. The
illustrations also assume there is no Policy Indebtedness, no additional premium
payments are made, no Cash Values are allocated to the Fixed Account, and there
are no changes in the Specified Amount or death benefit option.

   
The amounts shown for the Cash Value, Cash Surrender Value and death benefit as
of each Policy Anniversary reflect the fact that the net investment return on
the assets held in the sub-accounts is lower than the gross return. This is due
to the daily charges made against the assets of the sub-accounts for assuming
mortality and expense risks. The mortality and expense risk charges are
equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.80% of the daily net asset value of
the Variable Account. On each Policy Anniversary beginning with the 10th, the
mortality and expense risk charge is reduced to 0.50% on an annual basis of the
daily net assets of the Variable Account, provided the Cash Surrender Value is
$25,000 or more on such anniversary. In addition, the net investment returns
also reflect the deduction of Underlying Mutual Fund investment advisory fees
and other expenses which are equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.90% of
the daily net asset value of the Variable Account. This effective rate is based
on the average of the fund expenses for the preceding year for all mutual fund
options available under the policy as of April 30, 1996.

Considering current charges for mortality and expense risks and Underlying
Mutual Fund expenses, gross annual rates of return of 0%, 6% and 12% correspond
to net investment experience at constant annual rates of -1.70%, 4.30% and
10.30%. On each Policy Anniversary beginning with the 10th, the gross annual
rates of return of 0%, 6%, and 12% correspond to net investment experience at
constant annual rates of -1.50%, 4.60%, and 10.60%, provided the Cash Surrender
Value is $25,000 or more on such anniversary. This is due to a guaranteed
reduction in the mortality and expense risk charge from an annual effective rate
of 0.80% to an annual effective rate of 0.50% if the aforementioned conditions
apply.
    

The illustrations also reflect the fact that the Company makes monthly charges
for providing insurance protection. Current values reflect current cost of
insurance charges and guaranteed values reflect the maximum cost of insurance
charges guaranteed in the Policy. The values shown are for Policies which are
issued as standard. Policies issued on a substandard basis would result in lower
Cash Values and Death benefits than those illustrated.

The illustrations also reflect the fact that the Company deducts a sales load
from each premium payment. Current values reflect a deduction of 3.5% of each
premium payment up to Break Point Premium and 1.5% of any excess. Guaranteed
values reflect a deduction of 3.5% of each premium payment. The illustrations
also reflect the fact that the Company deducts a charge for state premium taxes
equal to 2.5% of all premium payments.

The Cash Surrender Values shown in the illustrations reflect the fact that the
Company will deduct a Surrender Charge from the Policy's Cash Value for any
Policy surrendered in full during the first nine years.

   
In addition, the illustrations reflect the fact that the Company deducts a
monthly administrative charge at the beginning of each Policy Month. This
monthly administrative expense charge is $12.50 per month in the first year, $5
per month in renewal years. The illustrations assume a monthly administrative
expense charge of $25 per month in the first year and $7.50 per month in renewal
years. The illustrations also reflect the fact that no charges for federal or
state income taxes are currently made against the Variable Account. If such a
charge is made in the future, it will require a higher gross investment return
than illustrated in order to produce the net after-tax returns shown in the
illustrations.
    

Upon request, the Company will furnish a comparable illustration based on the
proposed Insured's age, sex, smoking classification, rating classification and
premium payment requested.


                                       44
<PAGE>   48

                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                  $750 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $50,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 45

                                 CURRENT VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  0% Hypothetical                   6% Hypothetical                        12% Hypothetical
                              Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return                Gross Investment Return
                              -----------------------            -----------------------                -----------------------
            Premiums
           Paid Plus                   Cash                               Cash                                    Cash
  Policy    Interest        Cash       Surr        Death       Cash       Surr         Death         Cash         Surr        Death
    Year       at 5%       Value      Value      Benefit      Value      Value       Benefit        Value        Value      Benefit
    ----       -----       -----      -----      -------      -----      -----       -------        -----        -----      -------
      <S>     <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>   
       1         788         390          0       50,000        422          0        50,000          454            0       50,000
       2       1,614         852        278       50,000        943        369        50,000        1,038          464       50,000
       3       2,483       1,296        780       50,000      1,476        959        50,000        1,670        1,154       50,000
       4       3,394       1,717      1,258       50,000      2,016      1,557        50,000        2,352        1,893       50,000
       5       4,351       2,116      1,714       50,000      2,563      2,161        50,000        3,087        2,686       50,000
       6       5,357       2,493      2,149       50,000      3,118      2,774        50,000        3,883        3,539       50,000
       7       6,412       2,854      2,567       50,000      3,689      3,402        50,000        4,752        4,465       50,000
       8       7,520       3,193      2,964       50,000      4,268      4,039        50,000        5,696        5,467       50,000
       9       8,683       3,512      3,340       50,000      4,859      4,687        50,000        6,725        6,553       50,000
      10       9,905       3,810      3,810       50,000      5,462      5,462        50,000        7,847        7,847       50,000
      11      11,188       4,083      4,083       50,000      6,071      6,071        50,000        9,069        9,069       50,000
      12      12,535       4,330      4,330       50,000      6,688      6,688        50,000       10,403       10,403       50,000
      13      13,949       4,546      4,546       50,000      7,308      7,308        50,000       11,856       11,856       50,000
      14      15,434       4,729      4,729       50,000      7,929      7,929        50,000       13,441       13,441       50,000
      15      16,993       4,869      4,869       50,000      8,542      8,542        50,000       15,166       15,166       50,000
      16      18,630       4,968      4,968       50,000      9,149      9,149        50,000       17,052       17,052       50,000
      17      20,349       5,018      5,018       50,000      9,743      9,743        50,000       19,113       19,113       50,000
      18      22,154       5,008      5,008       50,000     10,316     10,316        50,000       21,367       21,367       50,000
      19      24,049       4,940      4,940       50,000     10,867     10,867        50,000       23,843       23,843       50,000
      20      26,039       4,804      4,804       50,000     11,389     11,389        50,000       26,568       26,568       50,000
      21      28,129       4,595      4,595       50,000     11,877     11,877        50,000       29,668       29,668       50,000
      22      30,323       4,303      4,303       50,000     12,324     12,324        50,000       33,114       33,114       50,000
      23      32,626       3,916      3,916       50,000     12,719     12,719        50,000       36,961       36,961       50,000
      24      35,045       3,422      3,422       50,000     13,052     13,052        50,000       41,274       41,274       50,000
      25      37,585       2,816      2,816       50,000     13,320     13,320        50,000       46,105       46,105       53,482
      26      40,252       2,084      2,084       50,000     13,510     13,510        50,000       51,420       51,420       59,132
      27      43,052       1,192      1,192       50,000     13,596     13,596        50,000       57,274       57,274       64,719
      28      45,992         131        131       50,000     13,570     13,570        50,000       63,731       63,731       70,741
      29      49,079         (*)        (*)          (*)     13,415     13,415        50,000       70,863       70,863       77,240
      30      52,321         (*)        (*)          (*)     13,108     13,108        50,000       78,753       78,753       84,266
</TABLE>

(1)   NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.

(2)   CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
      $12.50 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND $5.00
      THEREAFTER. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL PREMIUMS
      UP TO THE BREAK POINT PREMIUM AND 4% ON PREMIUMS IN EXCESS OF BREAK POINT
      FOR ANY SINGLE POLICY YEAR.

(3)   NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS INVESTMENT
      RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS APPENDIX.

(*)   UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

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%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY NATIONWIDE LIFE OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.


                                       45
<PAGE>   49

                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                  $750 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $50,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 45

                                GUARANTEED VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  0% Hypothetical                   6% Hypothetical                        12% Hypothetical
                              Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return                Gross Investment Return
                              -----------------------            -----------------------                -----------------------
            Premiums
           Paid Plus                   Cash                               Cash                                    Cash
  Policy    Interest        Cash       Surr        Death       Cash       Surr         Death         Cash         Surr        Death
    Year       at 5%       Value      Value      Benefit      Value      Value       Benefit        Value        Value      Benefit
    ----       -----       -----      -----      -------      -----      -----       -------        -----        -----      -------
      <S>     <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>   
       1         788         175          0       50,000        200          0        50,000          225            0       50,000
       2       1,614         539          0       50,000        606         33        50,000          678          104       50,000
       3       2,483         879        362       50,000      1,012        496        50,000        1,158          641       50,000
       4       3,394       1,194        735       50,000      1,416        957        50,000        1,667        1,208       50,000
       5       4,351       1,484      1,082       50,000      1,816      1,415        50,000        2,208        1,806       50,000
       6       5,357       1,744      1,400       50,000      2,210      1,865        50,000        2,781        2,436       50,000
       7       6,412       1,973      1,686       50,000      2,593      2,306        50,000        3,385        3,098       50,000
       8       7,520       2,167      1,937       50,000      2,961      2,732        50,000        4,021        3,792       50,000
       9       8,683       2,320      2,148       50,000      3,309      3,137        50,000        4,688        4,516       50,000
      10       9,905       2,429      2,429       50,000      3,632      3,632        50,000        5,386        5,386       50,000
      11      11,188       2,490      2,490       50,000      3,924      3,924        50,000        6,116        6,116       50,000
      12      12,535       2,499      2,499       50,000      4,180      4,180        50,000        6,877        6,877       50,000
      13      13,949       2,453      2,453       50,000      4,396      4,396        50,000        7,673        7,673       50,000
      14      15,434       2,346      2,346       50,000      4,563      4,563        50,000        8,504        8,504       50,000
      15      16,993       2,170      2,170       50,000      4,672      4,672        50,000        9,369        9,369       50,000
      16      18,630       1,916      1,916       50,000      4,711      4,711        50,000       10,267       10,267       50,000
      17      20,349       1,576      1,576       50,000      4,669      4,669        50,000       11,198       11,198       50,000
      18      22,154       1,132      1,132       50,000      4,526      4,526        50,000       12,158       12,158       50,000
      19      24,049         571        571       50,000      4,262      4,262        50,000       13,143       13,143       50,000
      20      26,039         (*)        (*)          (*)      3,855      3,855        50,000       14,153       14,153       50,000
      21      28,129         (*)        (*)          (*)      3,281      3,281        50,000       15,185       15,185       50,000
      22      30,323         (*)        (*)          (*)      2,511      2,511        50,000       16,240       16,240       50,000
      23      32,626         (*)        (*)          (*)      1,514      1,514        50,000       17,320       17,320       50,000
      24      35,045         (*)        (*)          (*)        248        248        50,000       18,427       18,427       50,000
      25      37,585         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       19,559       19,559       50,000
      26      40,252         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       20,711       20,711       50,000
      27      43,052         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       21,878       21,878       50,000
      28      45,992         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       23,051       23,051       50,000
      29      49,079         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       24,221       24,221       50,000
      30      52,321         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       25,386       25,386       50,000
</TABLE>

(1)   NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.

(2)   GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
      MONTHLY $25.00 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND
      $7.50 THEREAFTER. GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL
      PREMIUMS.

(3)   NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS INVESTMENT
      RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS APPENDIX.

(*)   UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

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%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY NATIONWIDE LIFE OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.


                                       46
<PAGE>   50

                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 2
                  $750 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $50,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 45

                                 CURRENT VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  0% Hypothetical                   6% Hypothetical                        12% Hypothetical
                              Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return                Gross Investment Return
                              -----------------------            -----------------------                -----------------------
            Premiums
           Paid Plus                   Cash                               Cash                                    Cash
  Policy    Interest        Cash       Surr        Death       Cash       Surr         Death         Cash         Surr        Death
    Year       at 5%       Value      Value      Benefit      Value      Value       Benefit        Value        Value      Benefit
    ----       -----       -----      -----      -------      -----      -----       -------        -----        -----      -------
      <S>     <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>   
       1         788         388          0       50,388        420          0        50,420          452            0       50,452
       2       1,614         847        273       50,847        937        363        50,937        1,032          458       51,032
       3       2,483       1,286        770       51,286      1,464        948        51,464        1,657        1,141       51,657
       4       3,394       1,700      1,241       51,700      1,995      1,536        51,995        2,327        1,868       52,327
       5       4,351       2,089      1,688       52,089      2,529      2,128        52,529        3,046        2,645       53,046
       6       5,357       2,454      2,110       52,454      3,068      2,724        53,068        3,819        3,475       53,819
       7       6,412       2,801      2,514       52,801      3,617      3,330        53,617        4,657        4,370       54,657
       8       7,520       3,123      2,893       53,123      4,170      3,941        54,170        5,560        5,331       55,560
       9       8,683       3,422      3,250       53,422      4,729      4,556        54,729        6,536        6,363       56,536
      10       9,905       3,697      3,697       53,697      5,291      5,291        55,291        7,590        7,590       57,590
      11      11,188       3,944      3,944       53,944      5,852      5,852        55,852        8,726        8,726       58,726
      12      12,535       4,161      4,161       54,161      6,411      6,411        56,411        9,949        9,949       59,949
      13      13,949       4,344      4,344       54,344      6,962      6,962        56,962       11,264       11,264       61,264
      14      15,434       4,489      4,489       54,489      7,499      7,499        57,499       12,674       12,674       62,674
      15      16,993       4,585      4,585       54,585      8,013      8,013        58,013       14,179       14,179       64,179
      16      18,630       4,635      4,635       54,635      8,501      8,501        58,501       15,788       15,788       65,788
      17      20,349       4,630      4,630       54,630      8,955      8,955        58,955       17,502       17,502       67,502
      18      22,154       4,560      4,560       54,560      9,359      9,359        59,359       19,320       19,320       69,320
      19      24,049       4,425      4,425       54,425      9,714      9,714        59,714       21,253       21,253       71,253
      20      26,039       4,217      4,217       54,217     10,005     10,005        60,005       23,301       23,301       73,301
      21      28,129       3,932      3,932       53,932     10,225     10,225        60,225       25,469       25,469       75,469
      22      30,323       3,560      3,560       53,560     10,361     10,361        60,361       27,845       27,845       77,845
      23      32,626       3,092      3,092       53,092     10,396     10,396        60,396       30,360       30,360       80,360
      24      35,045       2,517      2,517       52,517     10,314     10,314        60,314       33,015       33,015       83,015
      25      37,585       1,837      1,837       51,837     10,110     10,110        60,110       35,825       35,825       85,825
      26      40,252       1,041      1,041       51,041      9,767      9,767        59,767       38,794       38,794       88,794
      27      43,052         103        103       50,103      9,248      9,248        59,248       41,907       41,907       91,907
      28      45,992         (*)        (*)          (*)      8,546      8,546        58,546       45,178       45,178       95,178
      29      49,079         (*)        (*)          (*)      7,639      7,639        57,639       48,610       48,610       98,610
      30      52,321         (*)        (*)          (*)      6,508      6,508        56,508       52,209       52,209      102,209
</TABLE>

(1)   NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.

(2)   CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
      $12.50 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND $5.00
      THEREAFTER. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL PREMIUMS
      UP TO THE BREAK POINT PREMIUM AND 4% ON PREMIUMS IN EXCESS OF BREAK POINT
      FOR ANY SINGLE POLICY YEAR.

(3)   NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS INVESTMENT
      RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS APPENDIX.

(*)   UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

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%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY NATIONWIDE LIFE OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.


                                       47
<PAGE>   51

                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 2
                  $750 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $50,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 45

                                GUARANTEED VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  0% Hypothetical                   6% Hypothetical                        12% Hypothetical
                              Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return                Gross Investment Return
                              -----------------------            -----------------------                -----------------------
            Premiums
           Paid Plus                   Cash                               Cash                                    Cash
  Policy    Interest        Cash       Surr        Death       Cash       Surr         Death         Cash         Surr        Death
    Year       at 5%       Value      Value      Benefit      Value      Value       Benefit        Value        Value      Benefit
    ----       -----       -----      -----      -------      -----      -----       -------        -----        -----      -------
      <S>     <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>   
       1         788         173          0       50,173        198          0        50,198          223            0       50,223
       2       1,614         533          0       50,533        600         27        50,600          671           97       50,671
       3       2,483         868        352       50,868      1,000        483        51,000        1,143          627       51,143
       4       3,394       1,176        717       51,176      1,394        935        51,394        1,641        1,182       51,641
       5       4,351       1,455      1,053       51,455      1,781      1,379        51,781        2,164        1,763       52,164
       6       5,357       1,703      1,359       51,703      2,156      1,812        52,156        2,712        2,368       52,712
       7       6,412       1,917      1,630       51,917      2,517      2,230        52,517        3,283        2,996       53,283
       8       7,520       2,092      1,862       52,092      2,856      2,627        52,856        3,875        3,645       53,875
       9       8,683       2,223      2,051       52,223      3,168      2,996        53,168        4,483        4,311       54,483
      10       9,905       2,308      2,308       52,308      3,447      3,447        53,447        5,106        5,106       55,106
      11      11,188       2,341      2,341       52,341      3,686      3,686        53,686        5,738        5,738       55,738
      12      12,535       2,318      2,318       52,318      3,878      3,878        53,878        6,375        6,375       56,375
      13      13,949       2,239      2,239       52,239      4,019      4,019        54,019        7,016        7,016       57,016
      14      15,434       2,096      2,096       52,096      4,099      4,099        54,099        7,653        7,653       57,653
      15      16,993       1,883      1,883       51,883      4,108      4,108        54,108        8,278        8,278       58,278
      16      18,630       1,592      1,592       51,592      4,033      4,033        54,033        8,879        8,879       58,879
      17      20,349       1,216      1,216       51,216      3,862      3,862        53,862        9,445        9,445       59,445
      18      22,154         742        742       50,742      3,576      3,576        53,576        9,957        9,957       59,957
      19      24,049         157        157       50,157      3,156      3,156        53,156       10,396       10,396       60,396
      20      26,039         (*)        (*)          (*)      2,582      2,582        52,582       10,738       10,738       60,738
      21      28,129         (*)        (*)          (*)      1,835      1,835        51,835       10,961       10,961       60,961
      22      30,323         (*)        (*)          (*)        894        894        50,894       11,040       11,040       61,040
      23      32,626         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       10,947       10,947       60,947
      24      35,045         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       10,649       10,649       60,649
      25      37,585         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       10,103       10,103       60,103
      26      40,252         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)        9,254        9,254       59,254
      27      43,052         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)        8,036        8,036       58,036
      28      45,992         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)        6,366        6,366       56,366
      29      49,079         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)        4,151        4,151       54,151
      30      52,321         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)        1,298        1,298       51,298
</TABLE>

(1)   NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.

(2)   GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
      MONTHLY $25.00 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND
      $7.50 THEREAFTER. GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL
      PREMIUMS.

(3)   NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS INVESTMENT
      RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS APPENDIX.

(*)   UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

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%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY NATIONWIDE LIFE OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.


                                       48
<PAGE>   52

                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                 $1200 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $50,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 55

                                 CURRENT VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  0% Hypothetical                   6% Hypothetical                        12% Hypothetical
                              Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return                Gross Investment Return
                              -----------------------            -----------------------                -----------------------
            Premiums
           Paid Plus                   Cash                               Cash                                    Cash
  Policy    Interest        Cash       Surr        Death       Cash       Surr         Death         Cash         Surr        Death
    Year       at 5%       Value      Value      Benefit      Value      Value       Benefit        Value        Value      Benefit
    ----       -----       -----      -----      -------      -----      -----       -------        -----        -----      -------
      <S>     <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>   
       1       1,260         641          0       50,000        693          0        50,000          745           52       50,000
       2       2,583       1,341        648       50,000      1,487        794        50,000        1,640          947       50,000
       3       3,972       2,004      1,380       50,000      2,290      1,666        50,000        2,601        1,978       50,000
       4       5,431       2,628      2,073       50,000      3,099      2,545        50,000        3,633        3,079       50,000
       5       6,962       3,204      2,719       50,000      3,907      3,421        50,000        4,735        4,250       50,000
       6       8,570       3,734      3,318       50,000      4,714      4,298        50,000        5,918        5,502       50,000
       7      10,259       4,211      3,864       50,000      5,514      5,167        50,000        7,183        6,837       50,000
       8      12,032       4,626      4,349       50,000      6,298      6,021        50,000        8,535        8,258       50,000
       9      13,893       4,981      4,773       50,000      7,068      6,860        50,000        9,986        9,778       50,000
      10      15,848       5,267      5,267       50,000      7,816      7,816        50,000       11,544       11,544       50,000
      11      17,901       5,482      5,482       50,000      8,538      8,538        50,000       13,222       13,222       50,000
      12      20,056       5,615      5,615       50,000      9,226      9,226        50,000       15,032       15,032       50,000
      13      22,318       5,658      5,658       50,000      9,872      9,872        50,000       16,990       16,990       50,000
      14      24,694       5,601      5,601       50,000     10,466     10,466        50,000       19,115       19,115       50,000
      15      27,189       5,441      5,441       50,000     11,007     11,007        50,000       21,437       21,437       50,000
      16      29,808       5,166      5,166       50,000     11,484     11,484        50,000       23,988       23,988       50,000
      17      32,559       4,748      4,748       50,000     11,872     11,872        50,000       26,796       26,796       50,000
      18      35,447       4,181      4,181       50,000     12,167     12,167        50,000       30,006       30,006       50,000
      19      38,479       3,447      3,447       50,000     12,354     12,354        50,000       33,612       33,612       50,000
      20      41,663       2,528      2,528       50,000     12,415     12,415        50,000       37,693       37,693       50,000
      21      45,006       1,387      1,387       50,000     12,322     12,322        50,000       42,348       42,348       50,000
      22      48,517         (*)        (*)          (*)     12,040     12,040        50,000       47,707       47,707       50,093
      23      52,202         (*)        (*)          (*)     11,528     11,528        50,000       53,725       53,725       56,411
      24      56,073         (*)        (*)          (*)     10,742     10,742        50,000       60,337       60,337       63,354
      25      60,136         (*)        (*)          (*)      9,624      9,624        50,000       67,597       67,597       70,977
      26      64,403         (*)        (*)          (*)      8,099      8,099        50,000       75,564       75,564       79,342
      27      68,883         (*)        (*)          (*)      6,073      6,073        50,000       84,301       84,301       88,516
      28      73,587         (*)        (*)          (*)      3,434      3,434        50,000       93,877       93,877       98,571
      29      78,527         (*)        (*)          (*)         21         21        50,000      104,366      104,366      109,584
      30      83,713         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)      115,843      115,843      121,635
</TABLE>

(1)   NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.

(2)   CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
      $12.50 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND $5.00
      THEREAFTER. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL PREMIUMS
      UP TO THE BREAK POINT PREMIUM AND 4% ON PREMIUMS IN EXCESS OF A 6% BREAK
      POINT FOR ANY SINGLE POLICY YEAR.

(3)   NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS INVESTMENT
      RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS APPENDIX.

(*)   UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

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%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY NATIONWIDE LIFE OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.


                                       49
<PAGE>   53

                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                 $1200 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $50,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 55

                                GUARANTEED VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  0% Hypothetical                   6% Hypothetical                        12% Hypothetical
                              Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return                Gross Investment Return
                              -----------------------            -----------------------                -----------------------
            Premiums
           Paid Plus                   Cash                               Cash                                    Cash
  Policy    Interest        Cash       Surr        Death       Cash       Surr         Death         Cash         Surr        Death
    Year       at 5%       Value      Value      Benefit      Value      Value       Benefit        Value        Value      Benefit
    ----       -----       -----      -----      -------      -----      -----       -------        -----        -----      -------
      <S>     <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>   
       1       1,260         287          0       50,000        328          0        50,000          368            0       50,000
       2       2,583         728         35       50,000        833        140        50,000          944          251       50,000
       3       3,972       1,110        487       50,000      1,309        685        50,000        1,526          903       50,000
       4       5,431       1,429        874       50,000      1,746      1,192        50,000        2,110        1,556       50,000
       5       6,962       1,676      1,191       50,000      2,138      1,652        50,000        2,689        2,204       50,000
       6       8,570       1,846      1,430       50,000      2,472      2,056        50,000        3,256        2,840       50,000
       7      10,259       1,929      1,582       50,000      2,739      2,393        50,000        3,802        3,455       50,000
       8      12,032       1,912      1,635       50,000      2,922      2,645        50,000        4,314        4,036       50,000
       9      13,893       1,781      1,574       50,000      3,002      2,794        50,000        4,775        4,567       50,000
      10      15,848       1,523      1,523       50,000      2,959      2,959        50,000        5,170        5,170       50,000
      11      17,901       1,121      1,121       50,000      2,773      2,773        50,000        5,478        5,478       50,000
      12      20,056         560        560       50,000      2,420      2,420        50,000        5,680        5,680       50,000
      13      22,318         (*)        (*)          (*)      1,872      1,872        50,000        5,750        5,750       50,000
      14      24,694         (*)        (*)          (*)      1,096      1,096        50,000        5,656        5,656       50,000
      15      27,189         (*)        (*)          (*)         45         45        50,000        5,354        5,354       50,000
      16      29,808         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)        4,783        4,783       50,000
      17      32,559         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)        3,863        3,863       50,000
      18      35,447         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)        2,481        2,481       50,000
      19      38,479         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          499          499       50,000
      20      41,663         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      21      45,006         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      22      48,517         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      23      52,202         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      24      56,073         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      25      60,136         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      26      64,403         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      27      68,883         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      28      73,587         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      29      78,527         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      30      83,713         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
</TABLE>

(1)   NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.

(2)   GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
      MONTHLY $25.00 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND
      $7.50 THEREAFTER. GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL
      PREMIUMS.

(3)   NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS INVESTMENT
      RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS APPENDIX.

(*)   UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

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%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY NATIONWIDE LIFE OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.


                                       50
<PAGE>   54

                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 2
                 $1200 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $50,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 55

                                 CURRENT VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  0% Hypothetical                   6% Hypothetical                        12% Hypothetical
                              Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return                Gross Investment Return
                              -----------------------            -----------------------                -----------------------
            Premiums
           Paid Plus                   Cash                               Cash                                    Cash
  Policy    Interest        Cash       Surr        Death       Cash       Surr         Death         Cash         Surr        Death
    Year       at 5%       Value      Value      Benefit      Value      Value       Benefit        Value        Value      Benefit
    ----       -----       -----      -----      -------      -----      -----       -------        -----        -----      -------
      <S>     <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>   
       1       1,260         635          0       50,635        687          0        50,687          738           45       50,738
       2       2,583       1,324        631       51,324      1,468        775        51,468        1,619          926       51,619
       3       3,972       1,971      1,347       51,971      2,252      1,628        52,252        2,557        1,933       52,557
       4       5,431       2,571      2,016       52,571      3,031      2,477        53,031        3,552        2,997       53,552
       5       6,962       3,115      2,630       53,115      3,796      3,311        53,796        4,599        4,114       54,599
       6       8,570       3,606      3,190       53,606      4,548      4,132        54,548        5,704        5,288       55,704
       7      10,259       4,034      3,687       54,034      5,275      4,929        55,275        6,864        6,517       56,864
       8      12,032       4,389      4,112       54,389      5,966      5,688        55,966        8,071        7,794       58,071
       9      13,893       4,674      4,466       54,674      6,618      6,410        56,618        9,331        9,123       59,331
      10      15,848       4,878      4,878       54,878      7,219      7,219        57,219       10,638       10,638       60,638
      11      17,901       4,997      4,997       54,997      7,763      7,763        57,763       11,991       11,991       61,991
      12      20,056       5,023      5,023       55,023      8,235      8,235        58,235       13,384       13,384       63,384
      13      22,318       4,946      4,946       54,946      8,621      8,621        58,621       14,809       14,809       64,809
      14      24,694       4,756      4,756       54,756      8,905      8,905        58,905       16,256       16,256       66,256
      15      27,189       4,454      4,454       54,454      9,083      9,083        59,083       17,728       17,728       67,728
      16      29,808       4,030      4,030       54,030      9,137      9,137        59,137       19,213       19,213       69,213
      17      32,559       3,458      3,458       53,458      9,033      9,033        59,033       20,683       20,683       70,683
      18      35,447       2,738      2,738       52,738      8,762      8,762        58,762       22,135       22,135       72,135
      19      38,479       1,862      1,862       51,862      8,305      8,305        58,305       23,554       23,554       73,554
      20      41,663         819        819       50,819      7,643      7,643        57,643       24,924       24,924       74,924
      21      45,006         (*)        (*)          (*)      6,740      6,740        56,740       26,215       26,215       76,215
      22      48,517         (*)        (*)          (*)      5,562      5,562        55,562       27,476       27,476       77,476
      23      52,202         (*)        (*)          (*)      4,070      4,070        54,070       28,598       28,598       78,598
      24      56,073         (*)        (*)          (*)      2,233      2,233        52,233       29,544       29,544       79,544
      25      60,136         (*)        (*)          (*)         10         10        50,010       30,272       30,272       80,272
      26      64,403         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       30,730       30,730       80,730
      27      68,883         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       30,863       30,863       80,863
      28      73,587         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       30,617       30,617       80,617
      29      78,527         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       29,917       29,917       79,917
      30      83,713         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       28,677       28,677       78,677
</TABLE>

(1)   NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.

(2)   CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
      $12.50 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND $5.00
      THEREAFTER. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL PREMIUMS
      UP TO THE BREAK POINT PREMIUM AND 4% ON PREMIUMS IN EXCESS OF BREAK POINT
      FOR ANY SINGLE POLICY YEAR.

(3)   NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS INVESTMENT
      RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS APPENDIX.

(*)   UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

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%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY NATIONWIDE LIFE OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.


                                       51
<PAGE>   55

                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 2
                 $1200 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $50,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 55

                                GUARANTEED VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  0% Hypothetical                   6% Hypothetical                        12% Hypothetical
                              Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return                Gross Investment Return
                              -----------------------            -----------------------                -----------------------
            Premiums
           Paid Plus                   Cash                               Cash                                    Cash
  Policy    Interest        Cash       Surr        Death       Cash       Surr         Death         Cash         Surr        Death
    Year       at 5%       Value      Value      Benefit      Value      Value       Benefit        Value        Value      Benefit
    ----       -----       -----      -----      -------      -----      -----       -------        -----        -----      -------
      <S>     <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>   
       1       1,260         280          0       50,280        319          0        50,319          360            0       50,360
       2       2,583         708         15       50,708        811        118        50,811          919          226       50,919
       3       3,972       1,071        447       51,071      1,263        639        51,263        1,474          850       51,474
       4       5,431       1,364        809       51,364      1,668      1,113        51,668        2,016        1,461       52,016
       5       6,962       1,579      1,094       51,579      2,015      1,530        52,015        2,535        2,050       52,535
       6       8,570       1,709      1,293       51,709      2,293      1,877        52,293        3,021        2,605       53,021
       7      10,259       1,747      1,401       51,747      2,489      2,143        52,489        3,460        3,114       53,460
       8      12,032       1,680      1,403       51,680      2,586      2,309        52,586        3,833        3,555       53,833
       9      13,893       1,496      1,288       51,496      2,565      2,357        52,565        4,117        3,909       54,117
      10      15,848       1,183      1,183       51,183      2,407      2,407        52,407        4,290        4,290       54,290
      11      17,901         730        730       50,730      2,093      2,093        52,093        4,326        4,326       54,326
      12      20,056         128        128       50,128      1,603      1,603        51,603        4,199        4,199       54,199
      13      22,318         (*)        (*)          (*)        919        919        50,919        3,879        3,879       53,879
      14      24,694         (*)        (*)          (*)         16         16        50,016        3,332        3,332       53,332
      15      27,189         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)        2,511        2,511       52,511
      16      29,808         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)        1,360        1,360       51,360
      17      32,559         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      18      35,447         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      19      38,479         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      20      41,663         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      21      45,006         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      22      48,517         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      23      52,202         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      24      56,073         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      25      60,136         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      26      64,403         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      27      68,883         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      28      73,587         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      29      78,527         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      30      83,713         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
</TABLE>

(1)   NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.

(2)   GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
      MONTHLY $25.00 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND
      $7.50 THEREAFTER. GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL
      PREMIUMS.

(3)   NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS INVESTMENT
      RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS APPENDIX.

(*)   UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

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%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY NATIONWIDE LIFE OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.


                                       52
<PAGE>   56

                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                $1,500 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $100,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 45

                                 CURRENT VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  0% Hypothetical                   6% Hypothetical                        12% Hypothetical
                              Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return                Gross Investment Return
                              -----------------------            -----------------------                -----------------------
            Premiums
           Paid Plus                   Cash                               Cash                                    Cash
  Policy    Interest        Cash       Surr        Death       Cash       Surr         Death         Cash         Surr        Death
    Year       at 5%       Value      Value      Benefit      Value      Value       Benefit        Value        Value      Benefit
    ----       -----       -----      -----      -------      -----      -----       -------        -----        -----      -------
      <S>    <C>           <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>   
       1       1,575         947         49      100,000      1,016        119       100,000        1,085          188      100,000
       2       3,229       1,946      1,049      100,000      2,146      1,249       100,000        2,354        1,457      100,000
       3       4,965       2,910      2,102      100,000      3,304      2,496       100,000        3,732        2,924      100,000
       4       6,788       3,837      3,119      100,000      4,492      3,774       100,000        5,231        4,513      100,000
       5       8,703       4,731      4,103      100,000      5,712      5,084       100,000        6,865        6,236      100,000
       6      10,713       5,591      5,053      100,000      6,967      6,429       100,000        8,648        8,110      100,000
       7      12,824       6,408      5,960      100,000      8,247      7,799       100,000       10,587       10,139      100,000
       8      15,040       7,172      6,813      100,000      9,544      9,185       100,000       12,689       12,330      100,000
       9      17,367       7,884      7,615      100,000     10,860     10,590       100,000       14,972       14,703      100,000
      10      19,810       8,535      8,535      100,000     12,186     12,186       100,000       17,449       17,449      100,000
      11      22,376       9,139      9,139      100,000     13,536     13,536       100,000       20,155       20,155      100,000
      12      25,069       9,703      9,703      100,000     14,919     14,919       100,000       23,123       23,123      100,000
      13      27,898      10,229     10,229      100,000     16,341     16,341       100,000       26,386       26,386      100,000
      14      30,868      10,700     10,700      100,000     17,784     17,784       100,000       30,052       30,052      100,000
      15      33,986      11,097     11,097      100,000     19,236     19,236       100,000       34,077       34,077      100,000
      16      37,261      11,427     11,427      100,000     20,701     20,701       100,000       38,511       38,511      100,000
      17      40,699      11,681     11,681      100,000     22,175     22,175       100,000       43,402       43,402      100,000
      18      44,309      11,846     11,846      100,000     23,649     23,649       100,000       48,803       48,803      100,000
      19      48,099      11,916     11,916      100,000     25,119     25,119       100,000       54,780       54,780      100,000
      20      52,079      11,897     11,897      100,000     26,675     26,675       100,000       61,418       61,418      100,000
      21      56,258      11,775     11,775      100,000     28,234     28,234       100,000       68,803       68,803      100,000
      22      60,646      11,522     11,522      100,000     29,779     29,779       100,000       77,036       77,036      100,000
      23      65,253      11,128     11,128      100,000     31,306     31,306       100,000       86,243       86,243      101,766
      24      70,091      10,566     10,566      100,000     32,798     32,798       100,000       96,429       96,429      112,822
      25      75,170       9,824      9,824      100,000     34,252     34,252       100,000      107,629      107,629      124,850
      26      80,504       8,891      8,891      100,000     35,666     35,666       100,000      119,945      119,945      137,937
      27      86,104       7,726      7,726      100,000     37,017     37,017       100,000      133,520      133,520      150,878
      28      91,984       6,311      6,311      100,000     38,301     38,301       100,000      148,498      148,498      164,832
      29      98,158       4,619      4,619      100,000     39,509     39,509       100,000      165,042      165,042      179,895
      30     104,641       2,600      2,600      100,000     40,618     40,618       100,000      183,337      183,337      196,171
</TABLE>

(1)   NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.

(2)   CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
      $12.50 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND $5.00
      THEREAFTER. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL PREMIUMS.

(3)   NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS INVESTMENT
      RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS APPENDIX.

(*)   UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

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%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY NATIONWIDE LIFE OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.


                                       53
<PAGE>   57

                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                $1,500 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $100,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 45

                                GUARANTEED VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  0% Hypothetical                   6% Hypothetical                        12% Hypothetical
                              Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return                Gross Investment Return
                              -----------------------            -----------------------                -----------------------
            Premiums
           Paid Plus                   Cash                               Cash                                    Cash
  Policy    Interest        Cash       Surr        Death       Cash       Surr         Death         Cash         Surr        Death
    Year       at 5%       Value      Value      Benefit      Value      Value       Benefit        Value        Value      Benefit
    ----       -----       -----      -----      -------      -----      -----       -------        -----        -----      -------
      <S>    <C>           <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>   
       1       1,575         750          0      100,000        813          0       100,000          876            0      100,000
       2       3,229       1,672        774      100,000      1,851        953       100,000        2,038        1,140      100,000
       3       4,965       2,552      1,744      100,000      2,906      2,098       100,000        3,290        2,483      100,000
       4       6,788       3,389      2,671      100,000      3,978      3,260       100,000        4,642        3,924      100,000
       5       8,703       4,182      3,554      100,000      5,065      4,437       100,000        6,102        5,473      100,000
       6      10,713       4,926      4,388      100,000      6,163      5,625       100,000        7,676        7,138      100,000
       7      12,824       5,618      5,169      100,000      7,269      6,821       100,000        9,373        8,925      100,000
       8      15,040       6,251      5,892      100,000      8,378      8,019       100,000       11,202       10,843      100,000
       9      17,367       6,820      6,551      100,000      9,482      9,213       100,000       13,171       12,901      100,000
      10      19,810       7,320      7,320      100,000     10,578     10,578       100,000       15,291       15,291      100,000
      11      22,376       7,744      7,744      100,000     11,657     11,657       100,000       17,575       17,575      100,000
      12      25,069       8,088      8,088      100,000     12,717     12,717       100,000       20,039       20,039      100,000
      13      27,898       8,348      8,348      100,000     13,751     13,751       100,000       22,703       22,703      100,000
      14      30,868       8,515      8,515      100,000     14,753     14,753       100,000       25,586       25,586      100,000
      15      33,986       8,580      8,580      100,000     15,711     15,711       100,000       28,798       28,798      100,000
      16      37,261       8,532      8,532      100,000     16,615     16,615       100,000       32,298       32,298      100,000
      17      40,699       8,357      8,357      100,000     17,452     17,452       100,000       36,118       36,118      100,000
      18      44,309       8,036      8,036      100,000     18,201     18,201       100,000       40,294       40,294      100,000
      19      48,099       7,548      7,548      100,000     18,843     18,843       100,000       44,873       44,873      100,000
      20      52,079       6,873      6,873      100,000     19,356     19,356       100,000       49,910       49,910      100,000
      21      56,258       5,988      5,988      100,000     19,718     19,718       100,000       55,475       55,475      100,000
      22      60,646       4,871      4,871      100,000     19,905     19,905       100,000       61,656       61,656      100,000
      23      65,253       3,497      3,497      100,000     19,891     19,891       100,000       68,558       68,558      100,000
      24      70,091       1,834      1,834      100,000     19,643     19,643       100,000       76,311       76,311      100,000
      25      75,170         (*)        (*)          (*)     19,116     19,116       100,000       85,073       85,073      100,000
      26      80,504         (*)        (*)          (*)     18,248     18,248       100,000       94,894       94,894      109,128
      27      86,104         (*)        (*)          (*)     16,963     16,963       100,000      105,704      105,704      119,446
      28      91,984         (*)        (*)          (*)     15,157     15,157       100,000      117,616      117,616      130,554
      29      98,158         (*)        (*)          (*)     12,706     12,706       100,000      130,763      130,763      142,532
      30     104,641         (*)        (*)          (*)      9,468      9,468       100,000      145,305      145,305      155,477
</TABLE>

(1)   NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.

(2)   GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
      MONTHLY $25.00 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND
      $7.50 THEREAFTER. GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL
      PREMIUMS.

(3)   NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS INVESTMENT
      RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS APPENDIX.

(*)   UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

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%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY NATIONWIDE LIFE OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.


                                       54
<PAGE>   58

                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 2
                $1,500 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $100,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 45

                                 CURRENT VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  0% Hypothetical                   6% Hypothetical                        12% Hypothetical
                              Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return                Gross Investment Return
                              -----------------------            -----------------------                -----------------------
            Premiums
           Paid Plus                   Cash                               Cash                                    Cash
  Policy    Interest        Cash       Surr        Death       Cash       Surr         Death         Cash         Surr        Death
    Year       at 5%       Value      Value      Benefit      Value      Value       Benefit        Value        Value      Benefit
    ----       -----       -----      -----      -------      -----      -----       -------        -----        -----      -------
      <S>    <C>          <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>   
       1       1,575         943         46      100,943      1,012        115       101,012        1,082          184      101,082
       2       3,229       1,936      1,039      101,936      2,135      1,237       102,135        2,342        1,444      102,342
       3       4,965       2,889      2,081      102,889      3,280      2,472       103,280        3,705        2,897      103,705
       4       6,788       3,802      3,084      103,802      4,450      3,732       104,450        5,181        4,463      105,181
       5       8,703       4,677      4,048      104,677      5,645      5,017       105,645        6,781        6,153      106,781
       6      10,713       5,514      4,975      105,514      6,867      6,328       106,867        8,520        7,981      108,520
       7      12,824       6,302      5,853      106,302      8,105      7,656       108,105       10,397        9,948      110,397
       8      15,040       7,031      6,672      107,031      9,346      8,987       109,346       12,415       12,056      112,415
       9      17,367       7,701      7,431      107,701     10,593     10,324       110,593       14,587       14,318      114,587
      10      19,810       8,302      8,302      108,302     11,832     11,832       111,832       16,919       16,919      116,919
      11      22,376       8,848      8,848      108,848     13,078     13,078       113,078       19,438       19,438      119,438
      12      25,069       9,347      9,347      109,347     14,338     14,338       114,338       22,173       22,173      122,173
      13      27,898       9,803      9,803      109,803     15,614     15,614       115,614       25,147       25,147      125,147
      14      30,868      10,195     10,195      110,195     16,886     16,886       116,886       28,447       28,447      128,447
      15      33,986      10,502     10,502      110,502     18,131     18,131       118,131       32,010       32,010      132,010
      16      37,261      10,731     10,731      110,731     19,353     19,353       119,353       35,866       35,866      135,866
      17      40,699      10,873     10,873      110,873     20,541     20,541       120,541       40,037       40,037      140,037
      18      44,309      10,913     10,913      110,913     21,677     21,677       121,677       44,539       44,539      144,539
      19      48,099      10,847     10,847      110,847     22,750     22,750       122,750       49,397       49,397      149,397
      20      52,079      10,679     10,679      110,679     23,765     23,765       123,765       54,655       54,655      154,655
      21      56,258      10,398     10,398      110,398     24,701     24,701       124,701       60,337       60,337      160,337
      22      60,646       9,972      9,972      109,972     25,523     25,523       125,523       66,454       66,454      166,454
      23      65,253       9,394      9,394      109,394     26,295     26,295       126,295       73,040       73,040      173,040
      24      70,091       8,636      8,636      108,636     26,908     26,908       126,908       80,114       80,114      180,114
      25      75,170       7,694      7,694      107,694     27,344     27,344       127,344       87,716       87,716      187,716
      26      80,504       6,560      6,560      106,560     27,585     27,585       127,585       95,891       95,891      195,891
      27      86,104       5,199      5,199      105,199     27,582     27,582       127,582      104,658      104,658      204,658
      28      91,984       3,604      3,604      103,604     27,315     27,315       127,315      114,068      114,068      214,068
      29      98,158       1,762      1,762      101,762     26,752     26,752       126,752      124,170      124,170      224,170
      30     104,641           0          0            0     25,840     25,840       125,840      134,993      134,993      234,993
</TABLE>

(1)   NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.

(2)   CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
      $12.50 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND $5.00
      THEREAFTER. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL PREMIUMS
      UP TO THE BREAK POINT PREMIUM AND 4% ON PREMIUMS IN EXCESS OF BREAK POINT
      FOR ANY SINGLE POLICY YEAR.

(3)   NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS INVESTMENT
      RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS APPENDIX.

(*)   UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

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%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY NATIONWIDE LIFE OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.


                                       55
<PAGE>   59

                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 2
                $1,500 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $100,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 45

                                GUARANTEED VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  0% Hypothetical                   6% Hypothetical                        12% Hypothetical
                              Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return                Gross Investment Return
                              -----------------------            -----------------------                -----------------------
            Premiums
           Paid Plus                   Cash                               Cash                                    Cash
  Policy    Interest        Cash       Surr        Death       Cash       Surr         Death         Cash         Surr        Death
    Year       at 5%       Value      Value      Benefit      Value      Value       Benefit        Value        Value      Benefit
    ----       -----       -----      -----      -------      -----      -----       -------        -----        -----      -------
      <S>    <C>           <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>   
       1       1,575         747          0      100,747        809          0       100,809          872            0      100,872
       2       3,229       1,661        763      101,661      1,839        941       101,839        2,025        1,127      102,025
       3       4,965       2,530      1,722      102,530      2,881      2,073       102,881        3,262        2,454      103,262
       4       6,788       3,352      2,634      103,352      3,933      3,215       103,933        4,589        3,871      104,589
       5       8,703       4,124      3,496      104,124      4,993      4,365       104,993        6,013        5,385      106,013
       6      10,713       4,842      4,304      104,842      6,055      5,517       106,055        7,537        6,999      107,537
       7      12,824       5,502      5,053      105,502      7,114      6,665       107,114        9,166        8,717      109,166
       8      15,040       6,097      5,738      106,097      8,162      7,803       108,162       10,902       10,543      110,902
       9      17,367       6,619      6,350      106,619      9,190      8,921       109,190       12,749       12,480      112,749
      10      19,810       7,065      7,065      107,065     10,191     10,191       110,191       14,709       14,709      114,709
      11      22,376       7,426      7,426      107,426     11,155     11,155       111,155       16,786       16,786      116,786
      12      25,069       7,697      7,697      107,697     12,073     12,073       112,073       18,983       18,983      118,983
      13      27,898       7,874      7,874      107,874     12,937     12,937       112,937       21,309       21,309      121,309
      14      30,868       7,950      7,950      107,950     13,737     13,737       113,737       23,764       23,764      123,764
      15      33,986       7,913      7,913      107,913     14,455     14,455       114,455       26,350       26,350      126,350
      16      37,261       7,752      7,752      107,752     15,075     15,075       115,075       29,154       29,154      129,154
      17      40,699       7,455      7,455      107,455     15,578     15,578       115,578       32,103       32,103      132,103
      18      44,309       7,004      7,004      107,004     15,937     15,937       115,937       35,191       35,191      135,191
      19      48,099       6,379      6,379      106,379     16,125     16,125       116,125       38,408       38,408      138,408
      20      52,079       5,563      5,563      105,563     16,112     16,112       116,112       41,745       41,745      141,745
      21      56,258       4,539      4,539      104,539     15,871     15,871       115,871       45,197       45,197      145,197
      22      60,646       3,293      3,293      103,293     15,371     15,371       115,371       48,752       48,752      148,752
      23      65,253       1,809      1,809      101,809     14,585     14,585       114,585       52,405       52,405      152,405
      24      70,091          70         70      100,070     13,475     13,475       113,475       56,141       56,141      156,141
      25      75,170         (*)        (*)          (*)     11,996     11,996       111,996       59,933       59,933      159,933
      26      80,504         (*)        (*)          (*)     10,089     10,089       110,089       63,745       63,745      163,745
      27      86,104         (*)        (*)          (*)      7,684      7,684       107,684       67,523       67,523      167,523
      28      91,984         (*)        (*)          (*)      4,691      4,691       104,691       71,195       71,195      171,195
      29      98,158         (*)        (*)          (*)      1,020      1,020       101,020       74,681       74,681      174,681
      30     104,641         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       77,902       77,902      177,902
</TABLE>

(1)   NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.

(2)   GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
      MONTHLY $25.00 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND
      $7.50 THEREAFTER. GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL
      PREMIUMS.

(3)   NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS INVESTMENT
      RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS APPENDIX.

(*)   UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

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%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY NATIONWIDE LIFE OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.


                                       56
<PAGE>   60

                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                $2,500 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $100,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 55

                                 CURRENT VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  0% Hypothetical                   6% Hypothetical                        12% Hypothetical
                              Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return                Gross Investment Return
                              -----------------------            -----------------------                -----------------------
            Premiums
           Paid Plus                   Cash                               Cash                                    Cash
  Policy    Interest        Cash       Surr        Death       Cash       Surr         Death         Cash         Surr        Death
    Year       at 5%       Value      Value      Benefit      Value      Value       Benefit        Value        Value      Benefit
    ----       -----       -----      -----      -------      -----      -----       -------        -----        -----      -------
      <S>    <C>           <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>   
       1       2,625       1,533        371      100,000      1,647        485       100,000        1,762          599      100,000
       2       5,381       3,104      1,941      100,000      3,431      2,268       100,000        3,772        2,609      100,000
       3       8,275       4,625      3,579      100,000      5,267      4,221       100,000        5,964        4,918      100,000
       4      11,314       6,078      5,148      100,000      7,141      6,211       100,000        8,341        7,411      100,000
       5      14,505       7,447      6,633      100,000      9,036      8,222       100,000       10,905       10,091      100,000
       6      17,855       8,737      8,039      100,000     10,960     10,262       100,000       13,684       12,986      100,000
       7      21,373       9,943      9,362      100,000     12,910     12,328       100,000       16,699       16,118      100,000
       8      25,066      11,052     10,587      100,000     14,875     14,410       100,000       19,968       19,503      100,000
       9      28,945      12,062     11,714      100,000     16,854     16,505       100,000       23,520       23,172      100,000
      10      33,017      12,980     12,980      100,000     18,857     18,857       100,000       27,400       27,400      100,000
      11      37,293      13,793     13,793      100,000     20,877     20,877       100,000       31,739       31,739      100,000
      12      41,782      14,476     14,476      100,000     22,892     22,892       100,000       36,497       36,497      100,000
      13      46,497      15,025     15,025      100,000     24,903     24,903       100,000       41,735       41,735      100,000
      14      51,446      15,415     15,415      100,000     26,893     26,893       100,000       47,511       47,511      100,000
      15      56,644      15,639     15,639      100,000     28,949     28,949       100,000       53,913       53,913      100,000
      16      62,101      15,691     15,691      100,000     30,997     30,997       100,000       61,045       61,045      100,000
      17      67,831      15,536     15,536      100,000     33,017     33,017       100,000       69,018       69,018      100,000
      18      73,848      15,164     15,164      100,000     35,010     35,010       100,000       77,985       77,985      100,000
      19      80,165      14,555     14,555      100,000     36,973     36,973       100,000       88,129       88,129      100,000
      20      86,798      13,667     13,667      100,000     38,890     38,890       100,000       99,603       99,603      106,575
      21      93,763      12,467     12,467      100,000     40,753     40,753       100,000      112,329      112,329      117,946
      22     101,076      10,871     10,871      100,000     42,524     42,524       100,000      126,332      126,332      132,649
      23     108,755       8,813      8,813      100,000     44,183     44,183       100,000      141,732      141,732      148,819
      24     116,818       6,215      6,215      100,000     45,708     45,708       100,000      158,661      158,661      166,594
      25     125,284       2,976      2,976      100,000     47,071     47,071       100,000      177,258      177,258      186,121
      26     134,173         (*)        (*)          (*)     48,244     48,244       100,000      197,678      197,678      207,562
      27     143,506         (*)        (*)          (*)     49,200     49,200       100,000      220,086      220,086      231,090
      28     153,307         (*)        (*)          (*)     49,893     49,893       100,000      244,659      244,659      256,892
      29     163,597         (*)        (*)          (*)     50,268     50,268       100,000      271,586      271,586      285,165
      30     174,402         (*)        (*)          (*)     50,237     50,237       100,000      301,066      301,066      316,119
</TABLE>

(1)   NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.

(2)   CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
      $12.50 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND $5.00
      THEREAFTER. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL PREMIUMS
      UP TO THE BREAK POINT PREMIUM AND 4% ON PREMIUMS IN EXCESS OF BREAK POINT
      FOR ANY SINGLE POLICY YEAR.

(3)   NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS INVESTMENT
      RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS APPENDIX.

(*)   UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

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%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY NATIONWIDE LIFE OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.


                                       57
<PAGE>   61

                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                $2,500 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $100,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 55

                                GUARANTEED VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  0% Hypothetical                   6% Hypothetical                        12% Hypothetical
                              Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return                Gross Investment Return
                              -----------------------            -----------------------                -----------------------
            Premiums
           Paid Plus                   Cash                               Cash                                    Cash
  Policy    Interest        Cash       Surr        Death       Cash       Surr         Death         Cash         Surr        Death
    Year       at 5%       Value      Value      Benefit      Value      Value       Benefit        Value        Value      Benefit
    ----       -----       -----      -----      -------      -----      -----       -------        -----        -----      -------
      <S>    <C>           <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>   
       1       2,625       1,210         48      100,000      1,314        152       100,000        1,419          256      100,000
       2       5,381       2,538      1,375      100,000      2,827      1,664       100,000        3,130        1,967      100,000
       3       8,275       3,769      2,723      100,000      4,330      3,284       100,000        4,941        3,895      100,000
       4      11,314       4,898      3,968      100,000      5,816      4,886       100,000        6,857        5,927      100,000
       5      14,505       5,916      5,103      100,000      7,275      6,462       100,000        8,882        8,069      100,000
       6      17,855       6,814      6,117      100,000      8,698      8,001       100,000       11,022       10,324      100,000
       7      21,373       7,581      7,000      100,000     10,072      9,491       100,000       13,281       12,700      100,000
       8      25,066       8,200      7,735      100,000     11,379     10,914       100,000       15,661       15,196      100,000
       9      28,945       8,653      8,305      100,000     12,600     12,251       100,000       18,167       17,818      100,000
      10      33,017       8,925      8,925      100,000     13,716     13,716       100,000       20,805       20,805      100,000
      11      37,293       8,996      8,996      100,000     14,708     14,708       100,000       23,587       23,587      100,000
      12      41,782       8,851      8,851      100,000     15,556     15,556       100,000       26,529       26,529      100,000
      13      46,497       8,469      8,469      100,000     16,240     16,240       100,000       29,748       29,748      100,000
      14      51,446       7,826      7,826      100,000     16,730     16,730       100,000       33,197       33,197      100,000
      15      56,644       6,885      6,885      100,000     16,989     16,989       100,000       36,908       36,908      100,000
      16      62,101       5,596      5,596      100,000     16,966     16,966       100,000       40,917       40,917      100,000
      17      67,831       3,893      3,893      100,000     16,591     16,591       100,000       45,266       45,266      100,000
      18      73,848       1,689      1,689      100,000     15,776     15,776       100,000       50,008       50,008      100,000
      19      80,165         (*)        (*)          (*)     14,416     14,416       100,000       55,221       55,221      100,000
      20      86,798         (*)        (*)          (*)     12,393     12,393       100,000       61,017       61,017      100,000
      21      93,763         (*)        (*)          (*)      9,571      9,571       100,000       67,554       67,554      100,000
      22     101,076         (*)        (*)          (*)      5,787      5,787       100,000       75,040       75,040      100,000
      23     108,755         (*)        (*)          (*)        836        836       100,000       83,755       83,755      100,000
      24     116,818         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       94,068       94,068      100,000
      25     125,284         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)      105,902      105,902      111,197
      26     134,173         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)      118,857      118,857      124,800
      27     143,506         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)      133,024      133,024      139,675
      28     153,307         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)      148,495      148,495      155,920
      29     163,597         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)      165,367      165,367      173,635
      30     174,402         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)      183,741      183,741      192,928
</TABLE>

(1)   NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.

(2)   GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
      MONTHLY $25.00 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND
      $7.50 THEREAFTER. GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL
      PREMIUMS.

(3)   NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS INVESTMENT
      RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS APPENDIX.

(*)   UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

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%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY NATIONWIDE LIFE OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.


                                       58
<PAGE>   62

                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 2
                $2,500 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $100,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 55

                                 CURRENT VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  0% Hypothetical                   6% Hypothetical                        12% Hypothetical
                              Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return                Gross Investment Return
                              -----------------------            -----------------------                -----------------------
            Premiums
           Paid Plus                   Cash                               Cash                                    Cash
  Policy    Interest        Cash       Surr        Death       Cash       Surr         Death         Cash         Surr        Death
    Year       at 5%       Value      Value      Benefit      Value      Value       Benefit        Value        Value      Benefit
    ----       -----       -----      -----      -------      -----      -----       -------        -----        -----      -------
      <S>    <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>   
       1       2,625       1,521        358      101,521      1,634        471       101,634        1,747          585      101,747
       2       5,381       3,068      1,905      103,068      3,390      2,228       103,390        3,727        2,565      103,727
       3       8,275       4,553      3,507      104,553      5,185      4,138       105,185        5,870        4,824      105,870
       4      11,314       5,957      5,027      105,957      6,995      6,065       106,995        8,168        7,238      108,168
       5      14,505       7,260      6,446      107,260      8,803      7,989       108,803       10,618        9,804      110,618
       6      17,855       8,467      7,770      108,467     10,611      9,913       110,611       13,236       12,538      113,236
       7      21,373       9,572      8,991      109,572     12,410     11,829       112,410       16,032       15,450      116,032
       8      25,066      10,558     10,093      110,558     14,182     13,717       114,182       19,004       18,539      119,004
       9      28,945      11,422     11,073      111,422     15,920     15,571       115,920       22,165       21,816      122,165
      10      33,017      12,169     12,169      112,169     17,625     17,625       117,625       25,537       25,537      125,537
      11      37,293      12,787     12,787      112,787     19,282     19,282       119,282       29,216       29,216      129,216
      12      41,782      13,245     13,245      113,245     20,855     20,855       120,855       33,119       33,119      133,119
      13      46,497      13,537     13,537      113,537     22,329     22,329       122,329       37,260       37,260      137,260
      14      51,446      13,634     13,634      113,634     23,672     23,672       123,672       41,634       41,634      141,634
      15      56,644      13,532     13,532      113,532     24,866     24,866       124,866       46,253       46,253      146,253
      16      62,101      13,225     13,225      113,225     25,897     25,897       125,897       51,134       51,134      151,134
      17      67,831      12,676     12,676      112,676     26,801     26,801       126,801       56,262       56,262      156,262
      18      73,848      11,880     11,880      111,880     27,481     27,481       127,481       61,654       61,654      161,654
      19      80,165      10,824     10,824      110,824     27,908     27,908       127,908       67,317       67,317      167,317
      20      86,798       9,472      9,472      109,472     28,031     28,031       128,031       73,238       73,238      173,238
      21      93,763       7,801      7,801      107,801     27,806     27,806       127,806       79,414       79,414      179,414
      22     101,076       5,739      5,739      105,739     27,138     27,138       127,138       85,789       85,789      185,789
      23     108,755       3,246      3,246      103,246     25,958     25,958       125,958       92,333       92,333      192,333
      24     116,818         283        283      100,283     24,195     24,195       124,195       99,016       99,016      199,016
      25     125,284         (*)        (*)          (*)     21,690     21,690       121,690      105,789      105,789      205,789
      26     134,173         (*)        (*)          (*)     18,438     18,438       118,438      112,609      112,609      212,609
      27     143,506         (*)        (*)          (*)     14,369     14,369       114,369      119,439      119,439      219,439
      28     153,307         (*)        (*)          (*)      9,384      9,384       109,384      126,214      126,214      226,214
      29     163,597         (*)        (*)          (*)      3,380      3,380       103,380      132,863      132,863      232,863
      30     174,402         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)      139,270      139,270      239,270
</TABLE>

(1)   NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.

(2)   CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
      $12.50 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND $5.00
      THEREAFTER. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL PREMIUMS
      UP TO THE BREAK POINT PREMIUM AND 4% ON PREMIUMS IN EXCESS OF BREAK POINT
      FOR ANY SINGLE POLICY YEAR.

(3)   NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS INVESTMENT
      RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS APPENDIX.

(*)   UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

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%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY NATIONWIDE LIFE OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.


                                       59
<PAGE>   63

                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 2
                $2,500 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $100,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 55

                                GUARANTEED VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  0% Hypothetical                   6% Hypothetical                        12% Hypothetical
                              Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return                Gross Investment Return
                              -----------------------            -----------------------                -----------------------
            Premiums
           Paid Plus                   Cash                               Cash                                    Cash
  Policy    Interest        Cash       Surr        Death       Cash       Surr         Death         Cash         Surr        Death
    Year       at 5%       Value      Value      Benefit      Value      Value       Benefit        Value        Value      Benefit
    ----       -----       -----      -----      -------      -----      -----       -------        -----        -----      -------
      <S>    <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>   
       1       2,625       1,196         33      101,196      1,299        136       101,299        1,402          239      101,402
       2       5,381       2,495      1,333      102,495      2,780      1,617       102,780        3,078        1,915      103,078
       3       8,275       3,684      2,638      103,684      4,232      3,186       104,232        4,829        3,782      104,829
       4      11,314       4,755      3,825      104,755      5,643      4,713       105,643        6,651        5,721      106,651
       5      14,505       5,695      4,882      105,695      6,999      6,186       106,999        8,540        7,727      108,540
       6      17,855       6,496      5,799      106,496      8,285      7,587       108,285       10,488        9,791      110,488
       7      21,373       7,145      6,564      107,145      9,481      8,900       109,481       12,486       11,905      112,486
       8      25,066       7,623      7,158      107,623     10,563     10,098       110,563       14,516       14,051      114,516
       9      28,945       7,912      7,563      107,912     11,503     11,154       111,503       16,558       16,210      116,558
      10      33,017       7,994      7,994      107,994     12,275     12,275       112,275       18,593       18,593      118,593
      11      37,293       7,854      7,854      107,854     12,851     12,851       112,851       20,598       20,598      120,598
      12      41,782       7,476      7,476      107,476     13,204     13,204       113,204       22,551       22,551      122,551
      13      46,497       6,846      6,846      106,846     13,306     13,306       113,306       24,427       24,427      124,427
      14      51,446       5,947      5,947      105,947     13,122     13,122       113,122       26,195       26,195      126,195
      15      56,644       4,750      4,750      104,750     12,608     12,608       112,608       27,897       27,897      127,897
      16      62,101       3,219      3,219      103,219     11,706     11,706       111,706       29,400       29,400      129,400
      17      67,831       1,308      1,308      101,308     10,348     10,348       110,348       30,627       30,627      130,627
      18      73,848         (*)        (*)          (*)      8,448      8,448       108,448       31,482       31,482      131,482
      19      80,165         (*)        (*)          (*)      5,915      5,915       105,915       31,856       31,856      131,856
      20      86,798         (*)        (*)          (*)      2,666      2,666       102,666       31,640       31,640      131,640
      21      93,763         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       30,725       30,725      130,725
      22     101,076         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       28,996       28,996      128,996
      23     108,755         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       26,330       26,330      126,330
      24     116,818         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       22,587       22,587      122,587
      25     125,284         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       17,520       17,520      117,520
      26     134,173         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)       10,976       10,976      110,976
      27     143,506         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)        2,678        2,678      102,678
      28     153,307         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      29     163,597         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
      30     174,402         (*)        (*)          (*)        (*)        (*)           (*)          (*)          (*)          (*)
</TABLE>

(1)   NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.

(2)   GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
      MONTHLY $25.00 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND
      $7.50 THEREAFTER. GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL
      PREMIUMS.

(3)   NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS INVESTMENT
      RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS APPENDIX.

(*)   UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

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%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY NATIONWIDE LIFE OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.


                                       60
<PAGE>   64

                                   APPENDIX 3

   
The following performance tables display historical investment results of the
Underlying Mutual Fund sub-accounts of the Variable Account. This information
may be useful in helping potential investors in deciding which Underlying Mutual
Fund sub-accounts to choose and in assessing the competence of the Underlying
Mutual Funds' investment advisers. The performance figures shown should be
considered in light of the investment objectives and policies, characteristics
and quality of the underlying portfolios of the Underlying Mutual Funds, and the
market conditions during the periods of time quoted. The performance figures
should not be considered as estimates or predictions of future performance.
Investment return and the principal value of the Underlying Mutual Fund
sub-accounts are not guaranteed and will fluctuate so that a Policy Owner's
units, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
    


                                       61
<PAGE>   65

                             FUND PERFORMANCE TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    --------------------------------------------------
                                                            Annual Percentage Change  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Fund        Unit                                 
      Underlying Mutual Fund       Inception    Values      1994     1995     1996    
                                     Date**    12/31/96                               
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>          <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>     
   
American Century VP Balanced        05/01/91     14.64     -0.19     20.16    11.31   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP Capital         11/20/87     15.33     -1.95     30.06    -5.09   
Appreciation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP International   05/01/94     11.89       N/A     11.32    13.49   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP Value           05/01/96     10.14       N/A       N/A      N/A   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund    05/02/94      9.99       N/A     60.65    18.68   
Growth & Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Socially Responsible        10/06/93     17.32      0.69     33.49    20.26   
Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund            09/29/89     16.74      0.08     35.69    21.56   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II -Asset         09/06/89     18.17     -6.84     16.03    13.69   
Manager Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II -Contrafund    01/03/95     13.36       N/A       N/A    20.34   
Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - Equity-Income   10/09/86     25.19      6.22     34.02    13.37   
Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - Growth          10/09/86     24.19     -0.81     34.29    13.79   
Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - High Income     09/19/85     23.59     -2.33     19.65    13.12   
Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - Overseas        01/28/87     15.32      0.92      8.81    12.31   
Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Capital Appreciation Fund      04/15/92     18.41     -1.69     28.33    25.13   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Government Bond Fund           11/08/82     15.38        -4      17.8     2.66   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Money Market Fund              11/10/81     12.21      3.05      4.81     4.27   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Small Company Fund             10/23/95     13.92       N/A       N/A    21.85   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Total Return Fund              11/08/82     21.99      0.27     28.07    20.87   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers         09/10/84     17.28     -5.74     30.68     8.27   
Management Trust -Growth Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers         09/10/84     13.55     -0.95     10.05     3.47   
Management Trust -Bond Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers         03/22/94     17.47       N/A     35.39    28.53   
Management Trust -Partners
Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund   04/30/85     15.76     -2.72     16.07     3.96   
- - Bond Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund   11/12/90     13.49     -6.47      1.43    16.86   
- - Global Securities
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund   02/09/87     18.45     -2.73     20.39    14.57   
- - Multiple  Strategies
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance Funds,    05/08/92     16.51     -6.14     34.18        0   
Inc. -Discovery Fund II, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance Funds,    10/20/95     11.21       N/A       N/A      9.5   
Inc. -International Stock Fund II
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Special Fund II, Inc.        05/08/92     21.58      2.77     24.82     17.2   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust   12/27/95     10.07       N/A       N/A    25.72   
- -Worldwide  Emerging Markets Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust   09/01/89     13.48      -2.1     16.37      1.7   
- -Worldwide Bond Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust   09/01/87     18.28     -5.55     10.11    17.12   
- -Worldwide Hard Assets Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen American Capital Life    07/03/95     15.05       N/A       N/A    39.41   
Investment Trust - American
Capital Real Estate Securities Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-International  06/30/95     11.66       N/A       N/A      9.1   
Equity Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-Post Venture   11/18/96     10.16       N/A       N/A      N/A   
Capital Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-Small Company  06/30/95     14.08       N/A       N/A       13   
Growth Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

<CAPTION>
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
                                                 Non annualized Percentage Change          Annualized Percentage Change 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                     1 mo     1 Yr     2 Yrs     3 Yrs.   5 yrs.  Inception   3 Yrs.   5 yrs. Inception 
      Underlying Mutual Fund          to       to        to        to       to        to        to       to       to    
                                   12/31/96 12/31/96  12/31/96  12/31/96 12/31/96  12/31/96 12/31/96 12/31/96  12/31/96 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                                  <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>   
   
American Century VP Balanced         -2.53    11.31     33.75     33.5     32.92     65.98    10.11      5.86     9.36  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
American Century VP Capital          -3.19    -5.09     23.44    21.03     29.62    136.94     6.57      5.33     9.93  
Appreciation                                                                                                            
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
American Century VP International     1.98    13.49     26.34      N/A       N/A     19.38      N/A       N/A     6.88  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
American Century VP Value             0.65      N/A       N/A      N/A       N/A     11.69      N/A       N/A      N/A  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                                        
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund     -2.16    18.68     90.65      N/A       N/A     85.69      N/A       N/A    26.18  
Growth & Income Fund                                                                                                    
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Dreyfus Socially Responsible         -3.51    20.26     60.54    61.64       N/A      73.2    17.36       N/A    18.51  
Growth Fund                                                                                                             
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund             -2.11    21.56     64.94    65.07     90.23    139.17    18.18     13.72    12.78  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                                        
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund II -Asset          -1.52    13.69     31.91    22.89     63.78    111.97     7.11     10.37    10.81  
Manager Portfolio                                                                                                       
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund II -Contrafund     -0.67    20.34       N/A      N/A       N/A     66.69      N/A       N/A    29.24  
Portfolio                                                                                                               
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund - Equity-Income    -1.71    13.37     51.94    61.38    119.59    234.45     17.3     17.04    12.53  
Portfolio                                                                                                               
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund - Growth           -3.15    13.79      52.8    51.56     94.63    278.86    14.87     14.25    13.91  
Portfolio                                                                                                               
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund - High Income       1.31    13.12     35.34    32.19      92.9    225.65     9.75     14.04    11.03  
Portfolio                                                                                                               
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund - Overseas          0.46    12.31      22.2    23.32      48.7     96.27     7.24      8.26     7.03  
Portfolio                                                                                                               
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                                        
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
NSAT Capital Appreciation Fund        0.17    25.13     60.58    57.87       N/A     80.54    16.44       N/A    13.37  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
NSAT Government Bond Fund             -1.2     2.66     20.93     16.1     34.96     225.1      5.1      6.18     8.69  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
NSAT Money Market Fund                0.35     4.27      9.29    12.63     17.76    148.47     4.04      3.32      6.2  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
NSAT Small Company Fund                1.1    21.85       N/A      N/A       N/A     39.16      N/A       N/A    32.06  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
NSAT Total Return Fund                0.08    20.87     54.79    55.21     83.27    573.25    15.78     12.88    14.43  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                                        
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Neuberger & Berman Advisers          -0.65     8.27     41.48    33.36     53.51    300.16    10.07      8.95    11.93  
Management Trust -Growth Portfolio                                                                                      
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Neuberger & Berman Advisers          -0.14     3.47     13.87    12.79     24.48     141.9     4.09      4.48     7.44  
Management Trust -Bond Portfolio                                                                                        
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Neuberger & Berman Advisers           0.11    28.53     74.02      N/A       N/A     68.96      N/A       N/A    20.81  
Management Trust -Partners                                                                                              
Portfolio                                                                                                               
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                                        
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund    -0.99     3.96     20.66    17.38     39.06    171.26     5.49      6.82     8.93  
- - Bond Fund                                                                                                             
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund     0.73    16.86     18.52    10.85     72.59     77.53     3.49     11.53     9.81  
- - Global Securities                                                                                                     
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund    -0.57    14.57     37.94    34.18     66.87    171.81     10.3     10.78    10.64  
- - Multiple  Strategies                                                                                                  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                                        
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Strong Variable Insurance Funds,     -0.44        0     34.18    25.95       N/A     65.15     7.99       N/A     11.4  
Inc. -Discovery Fund II, Inc.                                                                                           
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Strong Variable Insurance Funds,     -0.86      9.5       N/A      N/A       N/A     12.19      N/A       N/A    10.09  
Inc. -International Stock Fund II                                                                                       
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Strong Special Fund II, Inc.         -0.32     17.2     46.29    50.35       N/A    115.75    14.56       N/A       18  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                                        
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust     0.98    25.72       N/A      N/A       N/A     24.45      N/A       N/A    24.17  
- -Worldwide  Emerging Markets Fund                                                                                       
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust    -0.96      1.7     18.35    15.86     16.37     51.56     5.03      3.08     5.84  
- -Worldwide Bond Fund                                                                                                    
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust      0.9    17.12     28.96     21.8     89.49     68.63      6.8     13.64     7.39  
- -Worldwide Hard Assets Fund                                                                                             
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                                        
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Van Kampen American Capital Life     10.98    39.41       N/A      N/A       N/A     50.45      N/A       N/A    31.49  
Investment Trust - American                                                                                             
Capital Real Estate Securities Fund                                                                                     
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                                        
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Warburg Pincus Trust-International    0.13      9.1       N/A      N/A       N/A     16.61      N/A       N/A    10.85  
Equity Portfolio                                                                                                        
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Warburg Pincus Trust-Post Venture    -0.07      N/A       N/A      N/A       N/A     -2.42      N/A       N/A      N/A  
Capital Portfolio                                                                                                       
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Warburg Pincus Trust-Small Company    2.23       13       N/A      N/A       N/A     40.81      N/A       N/A    25.78  
Growth Portfolio                                                                                                        
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    
</TABLE>


                                       62
<PAGE>   66

   
The preceding table displays three types of total return. Simply stated, total
return shows the percent change in unit values, with dividends and capital gains
reinvested, after the deduction of a 0.80% asset charge (and the deduction of
applicable investment advisory fees and other expenses of the Underlying Mutual
Funds). The total return figures shown in the Annual Percentage Change and
Annualized Percentage Change columns represent annualized figures, i.e., they
show the rate of growth that would have produced the corresponding cumulative
return had performance been constant over the entire period quoted. The
Non-Annualized Percentage Change total return figures are not annual return
figures but instead represent the total percentage change in unit value over the
stated periods without annualization. THE TOTAL RETURN FIGURES DO NOT TAKE INTO
ACCOUNT THE SEVERAL OTHER POLICY CHARGES WHICH ARE DESCRIBED IN THE "POLICY
CHARGES" SECTION. THESE OTHER CHARGES INCLUDE DEDUCTIONS FROM PREMIUMS, COST OF
INSURANCE CHARGES, SURRENDER CHARGES AND A MONTHLY ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE.

The Underlying Mutual Fund Inception Date is the date the Underlying Mutual Fund
first became effective, which is not necessarily the same date the Underlying
Mutual Fund was first made available through the Variable Account. For those
Underlying Mutual Funds which have not been offered as sub-accounts through the
Variable Account for one of the quoted periods, the total return figures will
show the investment performance such Underlying Mutual Funds would have achieved
(reduced by the 0.80% asset charge and Fund investment advisory fees and
expenses) had they been offered as sub-accounts through the Variable Account for
the period quoted. Certain Underlying Mutual Funds are not as old as some of the
periods quoted, therefore, total return figures may not be available for all of
the periods shown.
    


                                       63
<PAGE>   67

                          CASH VALUE PERFORMANCE TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1 Year to              2 Years to            3 Years to      
                                           12/31/96              12/31/96              12/31/96        
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Fund                   Cash                  Cash                  Cash    
  Underlying Mutual Fund    Inception   Accum      Surr.      Accum      Surr.      Accum      Surr.   
                            Date**      Value      Value      Value      Value      Value      Value   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>      
   
American Century VP         05/01/91    $9,067     $4,257    $20,049    $15,239    $30,771    $26,442  
Balanced
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP         11/20/87    $7,676     $2,866    $17,895    $13,085    $27,588    $23,259  
Capital Appreciation
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP         05/01/94    $9,251     $4,440    $19,518    $14,708      N/A        N/A    
International
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP Value   05/01/94      N/A       N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable            05/02/94    $9,772     $4,962    $25,783    $20,973      N/A        N/A    
Investment Fund
Growth & Income Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Socially            10/06/93    $9,863     $5,053    $23,145    $18,335    $36,162    $31,833  
Responsible Growth Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund    09/29/89    $9,961     $5,151    $23,634    $18,823    $36,901    $32,572  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II        09/06/89    $9,271     $4,461    $20,049    $15,239    $29,849    $25,520  
- -Asset Manager Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II        01/03/95    $9,843     $5,033      N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A    
- -Contrafund Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund -         10/09/86    $9,245     $4,435    $21,816    $17,005    $34,874    $30,544  
Equity-Income Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund -         10/09/86    $9,313     $4,503    $22,009    $17,199    $34,138    $29,809  
Growth Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - High    09/19/85    $9,243     $4,433    $20,371    $15,561    $30,971    $26,642  
Income Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund -         01/28/87    $9,161     $4,350    $19,090    $14,280    $29,045    $24,715  
Overseas Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Capital Appreciation   04/15/92    $10,274    $5,464    $23,483    $18,673    $36,142    $31,813  
Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Government Bond Fund   11/08/82    $8,292     $3,482    $18,212    $13,402    $27,473    $23,144  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Money Market Fund      11/10/81    $8,464     $3,653    $17,340    $12,530    $26,387    $22,058  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Small Company Fund     10/23/95    $10,031    $5,221      N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Total Return Fund      11/08/82    $9,894     $5,084    $22,673    $17,863    $35,176    $30,847  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman          09/10/84    $8,806     $3,995    $20,556    $15,745    $31,200    $26,871  
Advisers Management Trust
- -Growth Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman          09/10/84    $8,379     $3,569    $17,668    $12,858    $26,696    $22,367  
Advisers Management Trust
- -Bond Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman          03/22/94    $10,572    $5,762    $25,006    $20,196      N/A        N/A    
Advisers Management Trust
- -Partners Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable        04/30/85    $8,413     $3,602    $18,297    $13,487    $27,687    $23,357  
Account Fund - Bond Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable        11/12/90    $9,557     $4,747    $19,156    $14,346    $28,029    $23,700  
Account Fund - Global
Securities
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable        02/09/87    $9,356     $4,546    $20,705    $15,895    $31,455    $27,126  
Account Fund - Multiple
Strategies
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance   05/08/92    $8,051     $3,240    $19,139    $14,329    $29,165    $24,836  
Funds, Inc. -Discovery
Fund II, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance   10/20/95    $8,964     $4,154      N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A    
Funds, Inc.
- -International Stock Fund
II
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Special Fund II,     05/08/92    $9,580     $4,770    $21,608    $16,798    $33,752    $29,423  
Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide           12/27/95    $10,376    $5,565      N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A    
Insurance Trust
- -Worldwide  Emerging
Markets Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide           09/01/89    $8,212     $3,402    $17,945    $13,135    $27,192    $22,863  
Insurance Trust
- -Worldwide Bond Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide           09/01/89    $9,646     $4,836    $20,120    $15,310    $29,863    $25,534  
Insurance Trust
- -Worldwide Hard Assets
Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen American         07/03/95    $11,428    $6,618      N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A    
Capital Life Investment
Trust - American Capital
Real Estate Securities
Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus              06/30/95    $8,907     $4,097      N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A    
Trust-International
Equity Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-Post   11/18/96      N/A       N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A    
Venture Capital Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

<CAPTION>
                           ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
                                 5 Years to              10 Years to             Inception to       
                                 12/31/96                12/31/96                12/31/96           
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                          Cash                    Cash                    Cash      
  Underlying Mutual Fund      Accum       Surr.       Accum       Surr.       Accum       Surr.     
                              Value       Value       Value       Value       Value       Value     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                          <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>        
   
American Century VP          $52,534     $49,167       N/A         N/A       $67,054     $64,168    
Balanced                                                                                            
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
American Century VP          $48,358     $44,991       N/A         N/A      $126,231    $126,231    
Capital Appreciation                                                                                
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
American Century VP            N/A         N/A         N/A         N/A       $28,882     $24,553    
International                                                                                       
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
American Century VP Value      N/A         N/A         N/A         N/A       $9,565      $4,754     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Dreyfus Variable               N/A         N/A         N/A         N/A       $36,922     $32,593    
Investment Fund                                                                                     
Growth & Income Fund                                                                                
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Dreyfus Socially               N/A         N/A         N/A         N/A       $46,894     $43,045    
Responsible Growth Fund                                                                             
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund     $66,410     $63,043       N/A         N/A      $119,303    $117,379    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund II         $54,875     $51,508       N/A         N/A       $99,808     $97,884    
- -Asset Manager Portfolio                                                                            
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund II           N/A         N/A         N/A         N/A       $23,708     $18,898    
- -Contrafund Portfolio                                                                               
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund -          $67,969     $64,602    $186,089    $186,089    $192,079    $192,079    
Equity-Income Portfolio                                                                             
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund -          $64,166     $60,798    $192,142    $192,142    $199,148    $199,148    
Growth Portfolio                                                                                    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund - High     $59,499     $56,131    $160,318    $160,318    $194,769    $194,769    
Income Portfolio                                                                                    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund -          $54,558     $51,191       N/A         N/A      $125,565    $125,565    
Overseas Portfolio                                                                                  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
NSAT Capital Appreciation      N/A         N/A         N/A         N/A       $63,845     $60,478    
Fund                                                                                                
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
NSAT Government Bond Fund    $48,319     $44,952    $120,893    $120,893    $222,154    $222,154    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
NSAT Money Market Fund       $44,823     $41,456     $99,747     $99,747    $187,419    $187,419    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
NSAT Small Company Fund        N/A         N/A         N/A         N/A       $20,910     $16,099    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
NSAT Total Return Fund       $63,531     $60,164    $170,474    $170,474    $358,697    $358,697    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Neuberger & Berman           $54,640     $51,273    $147,823    $147,823    $209,997    $209,997    
Advisers Management Trust                                                                           
- -Growth Portfolio                                                                                   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Neuberger & Berman           $46,093     $42,726    $107,774    $107,774    $152,997    $152,997    
Advisers Management Trust                                                                           
- -Bond Portfolio                                                                                     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Neuberger & Berman             N/A         N/A         N/A         N/A       $37,409     $33,080    
Advisers Management Trust                                                                           
- -Partners Portfolio                                                                                 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Oppenheimer Variable         $49,343     $45,976    $124,163    $124,163    $161,581    $161,581    
Account Fund - Bond Fund                                                                            
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Oppenheimer Variable         $57,239     $53,872       N/A         N/A       $81,310     $78,905    
Account Fund - Global                                                                               
Securities                                                                                          
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Oppenheimer Variable         $57,225     $53,857       N/A         N/A      $145,121    $145,121    
Account Fund - Multiple                                                                             
Strategies                                                                                          
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Strong Variable Insurance      N/A         N/A         N/A         N/A       $54,838     $51,471    
Funds, Inc. -Discovery                                                                              
Fund II, Inc.                                                                                       
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Strong Variable Insurance      N/A         N/A         N/A         N/A       $18,380     $13,570    
Funds, Inc.                                                                                         
- -International Stock Fund                                                                           
II                                                                                                  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Strong Special Fund II,        N/A         N/A         N/A         N/A       $64,172     $60,805    
Inc.                                                                                                
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Van Eck Worldwide              N/A         N/A         N/A         N/A       $19,659     $14,848    
Insurance Trust                                                                                     
- -Worldwide  Emerging                                                                                
Markets Fund                                                                                        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Van Eck Worldwide            $46,231     $42,864       N/A         N/A       $79,016     $77,092    
Insurance Trust                                                                                     
- -Worldwide Bond Fund                                                                                
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Van Eck Worldwide            $61,534     $58,167       N/A         N/A       $95,449     $93,525    
Insurance Trust                                                                                     
- -Worldwide Hard Assets                                                                              
Fund                                                                                                
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Van Kampen American            N/A         N/A         N/A         N/A       $23,672     $18,862    
Capital Life Investment                                                                             
Trust - American Capital                                                                            
Real Estate Securities                                                                              
Fund                                                                                                
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Warburg Pincus                 N/A         N/A         N/A         N/A       $18,267     $13,456    
Trust-International                                                                                 
Equity Portfolio                                                                                    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Warburg Pincus Trust-Post      N/A         N/A         N/A         N/A       $8,884      $4,074     
Venture Capital Portfolio                                                                           
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    
</TABLE>


                                       64
<PAGE>   68

   
The preceding Cash-Value performance table shows the effect of the performance
quoted on accumulated values and cash surrender values, based on a hypothetical
annual premium of $10,000 for a 45 year-old male, non-tobacco preferred, with a
level death benefit and an initial specified amount of $496,386 (based on a
guideline-level premium of $10,000 issued on a preferred basis). The cash
surrender value figures reflect the deduction of all applicable Policy Charges,
including a deduction from each premium payment, a 0.80% asset charge,
applicable cost of insurance charges, surrender charges, and a monthly
administrative charge (and the deduction of applicable investment advisory fees
and other expenses of the Underlying Mutual Funds). See the "Policy Charges"
section for more information about these charges. The cost of insurance charges
may be higher or lower for purchasers who do not meet the profile of the
hypothetical purchaser. Illustrations reflecting a potential purchaser's
specific characteristics are available from the Company upon request.

**The Underlying Mutual Fund Inception Date is the date the Underlying Mutual
Fund first became effective, which is not necessarily the same date the
Underlying Mutual Fund was first made available through the Variable Account.
For those Underlying Mutual Funds which have not been offered as sub-accounts
through the Variable Account for one of the quoted periods, the cash values will
show the investment performance such Underlying Mutual Funds would have achieved
(reduced by any applicable Variable Account and Policy Charges, and Underlying
Mutual Fund investment advisory fees and expenses) had they been offered as
sub-accounts through the Variable Account for the period quoted. Certain
Underlying Mutual Funds are not as old as some of the periods quoted, therefore,
the cash values may not be available for all of the periods shown.
    


                                       65
<PAGE>   69

<PAGE>   1



                          Independent Auditors' Report
                          ----------------------------

The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance Company and 
   Contract Owners of Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2:

      We have audited the accompanying statement of assets, liabilities and
contract owners' equity of Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2 as of December 31,
1996, and the related statements of operations and changes in contract owners'
equity and schedules of changes in unit value for each of the years in the three
year period then ended. These financial statements and schedules of changes in
unit value are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and
schedules of changes in unit value based on our audits.

      We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and schedules of
changes in unit value 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 include confirmation of securities
owned as of December 31, 1996, by correspondence with the transfer agents of the
underlying mutual funds. 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 and schedules of changes in unit
value referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2 as of December 31, 1996, and the
results of its operations and its changes in contract owners' equity and the
schedules of changes in unit value for each of the years in the three year
period then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
February 7, 1997


<PAGE>   2
                        NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-2
          STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                                DECEMBER 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                            <C>        
ASSETS:

   Investments at market value:

      The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc. (DrySRGro)
         146,819 shares (cost $3,024,270) .................................    $ 2,949,585
      Dreyfus Stock Index Fund (DryStkIx)
         763,499 shares (cost $14,597,832) ................................     15,483,766
      Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio (FidVIPEI)
         2,131,003 shares (cost $38,585,366) ..............................     44,815,000
      Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio (FidVIPGr)
         1,730,628 shares (cost $51,294,462) ..............................     53,891,755
      Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio (FidVIPHI)
         1,362,065 shares (cost $16,148,006) ..............................     17,053,049
      Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio (FidVIPOv)
         859,910 shares (cost $14,604,187) ................................     16,200,703
      Fidelity VIP II - Asset Manager Portfolio (FidVIPAM)
         1,317,970 shares (cost $19,127,367) ..............................     22,313,225
      Fidelity VIP II - Contrafund Portfolio (FidVIPCon)
         824,740 shares (cost $12,402,278) ................................     13,657,697
      Nationwide SAT - Capital Appreciation Fund (NSATCapAp)
         505,369 shares (cost $7,950,583) .................................      8,227,404
      Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund (NSATGvtBd)
         605,008 shares (cost $6,588,470) .................................      6,679,290
      Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund (NSATMyMkt)
         34,777,014 shares (cost $34,777,014) .............................     34,777,014
      Nationwide SAT - Small Company Fund (NSATSmCo)
         425,548 shares (cost $5,751,682) .................................      5,910,856
      Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund (NSATTotRe)
         3,193,395 shares (cost $37,809,735) ..............................     42,376,355
      Neuberger &Berman - Growth Portfolio (NBAMTGro)
         493,535 shares (cost $12,574,511) ................................     12,723,337
      Neuberger &Berman - Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio (NBAMTLMat)
         197,236 shares (cost $2,784,764) .................................      2,771,172
      Neuberger &Berman - Partners Portfolio (NBAMTPart)
         646,222 shares (cost $9,535,912) .................................     10,649,743
      Oppenheimer - Bond Fund (OppBdFd)
         513,225 shares (cost $5,888,181) .................................      5,968,803
      Oppenheimer - Global Securities Fund (OppGlSec)
         561,069 shares (cost $8,710,530) .................................      9,914,098
      Oppenheimer - Multiple Strategies Fund (OppMult)
         509,706 shares (cost $7,225,046) .................................      7,966,703
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                             <C>       
      Strong Special Fund II, Inc. (StSpec2)
         893,185 shares (cost $14,371,245) ................................     17,184,873
      Strong VIF - Strong Discovery Fund II (StDisc2)
         624,950 shares (cost $7,308,503) .................................      6,749,458
      Strong VIF - Strong International Stock Fund II (StIntStk2)
         162,907 shares (cost $1,831,224) .................................      1,829,443
      TCI Portfolios - TCI Balanced (TCIBal)
         351,201 shares (cost $2,386,878) .................................      2,648,056
      TCI Portfolios - TCI Growth (TCIGro)
         1,169,740 shares (cost $12,750,085) ..............................     11,978,141
      TCI Portfolios - TCI International (TCIInt)
         576,818 shares (cost $3,278,870) .................................      3,437,835
      TCI Portfolios - TCI Value (TCIValue)
         1,637 shares (cost $9,188) .......................................          9,133
      Van Eck - Gold and Natural Resources Fund (VEGoldNR)
         377,518 shares (cost $6,100,328) .................................      6,312,096
      Van Eck - Worldwide Bond Fund (VEWrldBd)
         202,885 shares (cost $2,232,824) .................................      2,252,023
      Van Eck - Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund (VEWrldEMkt)
         257 shares (cost $3,213) .........................................          3,213
      Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Real Estate Securities Fund (VKACRES
         216,078 shares (cost $2,880,829) .................................      3,193,630
      Warburg Pincus - International Equity Portfolio (WPIntEq)
         730,797 shares (cost $8,366,199) .................................      8,389,554
      Warburg Pincus - Small Company Growth Portfolio (WPSmCoGr)
         514,119 shares (cost $7,238,771) .................................      7,326,189
                                                                             -------------
            Total investments .............................................    405,643,199
   Accounts receivable ....................................................      3,525,975
                                                                             -------------
            Total assets ..................................................    409,169,174
                                                                             -------------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY (NOTE 7) ..........................................  $ 409,169,174
                                                                             =============

</TABLE>






See accompanying notes to financial statements.


<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                        NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-2
         STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

                                                                           1996              1995              1994
                                                                       ------------      -----------       -----------
<S>                                                                   <C>               <C>               <C>       
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY:
   Reinvested capital gains and dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $ 16,972,691        6,764,208         3,376,057 
   Mortality and expense charges (note 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . .      (2,983,466)      (1,747,342)         (879,737)
                                                                       ------------      -----------       -----------
      Net investment activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      13,989,225        5,016,866         2,496,320 
                                                                       ------------      -----------       -----------

   Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold  . . . . . . . . . . . . .     275,979,207      163,574,836       184,340,809 
   Cost of mutual fund shares sold  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    (266,008,543)    (154,208,870)     (184,441,475)
                                                                       ------------      -----------       -----------
      Realized gain (loss) on investments . . . . . . . . . . . . .       9,970,664        9,365,966          (100,666)
   Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments  . . . . . . . .      12,175,328       17,134,325        (3,604,010)
                                                                       ------------      -----------       -----------
      Net gain (loss) on investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      22,145,992       26,500,291        (3,704,676)
                                                                       ------------      -----------       -----------
         Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
            equity resulting from operations  . . . . . . . . . . .      36,135,217       31,517,157        (1,208,356)
                                                                       ------------      -----------       -----------

EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:
   Purchase payments received from contract owners  . . . . . . . .     174,104,282      106,694,208        77,172,455 
   Surrenders (note 2d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      (6,124,049)      (4,970,867)       (1,308,994)
   Death benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (730,700)        (143,265)          (15,398)
   Policy loans (net of repayments) (note 5)  . . . . . . . . . . .      (6,468,023)      (2,529,830)       (2,980,396)
   Deductions for surrender charges (note 2d) . . . . . . . . . . .        (721,263)        (364,725)         (116,899)
   Redemptions to pay cost of insurance charges 
      and administrative charges (notes 2b and 2c)  . . . . . . . .     (24,075,896)     (14,110,656)       (5,382,393)
   Deductions for asset charges (note 3)  . . . . . . . . . . . . .         (20,037)          -                 -
                                                                       ------------      -----------       -----------
         Net increase (decrease) in equity transactions . . . . . .     135,964,314       84,574,865        67,368,375 
                                                                       ------------      -----------       -----------


NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     172,099,531      116,092,022        66,160,019 
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD . . . . . . . . . . . .     237,069,643      120,977,621        54,817,602 
                                                                       ------------      -----------       -----------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 409,169,174      237,069,643       120,977,621 
                                                                      =============      ===========       =========== 



See accompanying notes to financial statements.


</TABLE>

<PAGE>   5


                        NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-2
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

   (a) Organization and Nature of Operations

     The Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2 (the Account) was established
pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance
Company (the Company) on May 7, 1987. The Account has been registered as a unit
investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

     The Company offers Modified Single Premium and Flexible Premium Variable
Life Insurance Policies through the Account. The primary distribution for the
contracts is through the brokerage community; however, other distributors may be
utilized.

   (b) The Contracts

     Prior to December 31, 1990, only contracts without a front-end sales
charge, but with a contingent deferred sales charge and certain other fees, were
offered for purchase. Beginning December 31, 1990, contracts with a front-end
sales charge, a contingent deferred sales charge and certain other fees, are
offered for purchase. See note 2 for a discussion of policy charges, and note 3
for asset charges.

     Contract owners may invest in the following:

      The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc. (DrySRGro)

      Dreyfus Stock Index Fund (DryStkIx)

      Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund - Growth and Income Portfolio (DryGroInc)

      Portfolios of the Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund 
      (Fidelity VIP);
         Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio (FidVIPEI)
         Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio (FidVIPGr)
         Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio (FidVIPHI) 
         Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio (FidVIPOv)

      Portfolios of the Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund II (Fidelity 
      VIP-II);
         Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio (FidVIPAM)
         Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio (FidVIPCon)

      Funds of the Nationwide Separate Account Trust (Nationwide SAT) (managed 
      for a fee by an affiliated investment advisor);
         Nationwide SAT - Capital Appreciation Fund (NSATCapAp) 
         Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund (NSATGvtBd) 
         Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund (NSATMyMkt) 
         Nationwide SAT - Small Company Fund (NSATSmCo)
         Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund (NSATTotRe)

      Portfolios of the Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust 
      (Neuberger & Berman); 
         Neuberger & Berman - Growth Portfolio (NBAMTGro) 
         Neuberger & Berman - Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio (NBAMTLMat) 
         Neuberger & Berman - Partners Portfolio (NBAMTPart)

      Funds of the Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds (Oppenheimer);
         Oppenheimer - Bond Fund (OppBdFd)
         Oppenheimer - Global Securities Fund (OppGlSec)
         Oppenheimer - Multiple Strategies Fund (OppMult)
                                                          
  
<PAGE>   6

        Strong Special Fund II, Inc. (StSpec2)

        Funds of the Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc. (Strong VIF);
           Strong VIF - Strong Discovery Fund II (StDisc2)
           Strong VIF - Strong International Stock Fund II (StIntStk2)

        Portfolios of the TCI Portfolios, Inc. (TCI Portfolios);
           TCI Portfolios - TCI Balanced (TCIBal)
           TCI Portfolios - TCI Growth (TCIGro)
           TCI Portfolios - TCI International (TCIInt)
           TCI Portfolios - TCI Value (TCIValue)

        Funds of the Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust (Van Eck);
           Van Eck - Gold and Natural Resources Fund (VEGoldNR)
           Van Eck - Worldwide Bond Fund (VEWrldBd) (formerly Van Eck - Global 
            Bond Fund (VEGlobBd))
           Van Eck - Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund (VEWrldEMkt)

        Fund of the Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust 
         (Van Kampen American Capital);
           Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Real Estate Securities Fund 
            (VKACRESec)

        Portfolios of the Warburg Pincus Trust (Warburg Pincus);
           Warburg Pincus - International Equity Portfolio (WPIntEq)
           Warburg Pincus - Post Venture Capital Portfolio (WPPVenCap)
           Warburg Pincus - Small Company Growth Portfolio (WPSmCoGr)

      At December 31, 1996, contract owners have invested in all of the above
funds (except Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund - Growth and Income Portfolio and
Warburg Pincus - Post Venture Capital Portfolio.) The contract owners' equity is
affected by the investment results of each fund, equity transactions by contract
owners and certain contract expenses (see notes 2 and 3). The accompanying
financial statements include only contract owners' purchase payments pertaining
to the variable portions of their contracts and exclude any purchase payments
for fixed dollar benefits, the latter being included in the accounts of the
Company.

   (c) Security Valuation, Transactions and Related Investment Income

      The market value of the underlying mutual funds is based on the closing
net asset value per share at December 31, 1996. Fund purchases and sales are
accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). The
cost of investments sold is determined on a specific identification basis, and
dividends (which include capital gain distributions) are accrued as of the
ex-dividend date.

   (d) Federal Income Taxes

      Operations of the Account form a part of, and are taxed with, operations
of the Company, which is taxed as a life insurance company under the provisions
of the Internal Revenue Code.

      Fund purchases and sales are accounted for on the trade date (date the
order to buy or sell is executed). The cost of investments sold is determined on
a specific identification basis, and dividends (which include capital gain
distributions) are accrued as of the ex-dividend date.

   (e) Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

      The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles may require management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, if any, at the date of the
financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during
the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

   (f) Reclassifications

      Certain 1995 and 1994 amounts have been reclassified to conform with the
current year presentation.



<PAGE>   7

(2) POLICY CHARGES

   (a) Deductions from Premiums

      On multiple payment contracts and flexible premium contracts, the Company
deducts a charge for state premium taxes equal to 2.5% of all premiums received
to cover the payment of these premium taxes. The Company also deducts a sales
load from each premium payment received not to exceed 3.5% of each premium
payment.

      On last survivor flexible premium contracts, the Company deducts a charge
for state premium taxes equal to 3.5% of all premiums received to cover the
payment of these premium taxes. The Company also deducts a sales load from each
premium payment received not to exceed 5% of each premium payment during the
first ten years and 1.5% of each premium payment thereafter.

      The Company may at its sole discretion reduce this sales loading.

   (b) Cost of Insurance

      A cost of insurance charge is assessed monthly against each contract by
liquidating units. The amount of the charge is based upon age, sex, rate class
and net amount at risk (death benefit less total contract value).

      For last survivor flexible premium contracts, the monthly cost of
insurance is determined in a manner that reflects the anticipated mortality of
the two insureds and the fact that the death benefit is not payable until the
death of the second insured to die.

   (c) Administrative Charges

      An administrative charge is assessed against each contract to recover
policy maintenance, accounting, record keeping and other administrative expenses
and is assessed against each contract by liquidating units.

      For single premium contracts, the Company deducts an annual administrative
charge which is determined as follows:

      Contracts issued prior to April 16, 1990:

         Purchase payments totalling less than $25,000 - $10/month
         Purchase payments totalling $25,000 or more - none

      Contracts issued on or after April 16, 1990:

         Purchase payments totalling less than $25,000 - $90/year ($65/year in
         New York)
         Purchase payments totalling $25,000 or more - $50/year

      For multiple payment contracts, the Company currently deducts a monthly
administrative charge of $5 (may deduct up to $7.50, maximum).

      For flexible premium contracts, the Company currently deducts a monthly
administrative charge of $25 during the first policy year and $5 per month
thereafter (may deduct up to $7.50, maximum). Additionally, the Company deducts
an increase charge of $2.04 per year per $1,000 applied to any increase in the
specified amount during the first 12 months after the increase becomes
effective.

      For modified single premium contracts, the monthly charge is equal to an
annual rate of .30% multiplied by the policy's cash value. For policy years 11
and later, this monthly charge is reduced to an annual rate of 0.15% of the
policy's cash value. The monthly charge is subject to a $10 minimum.

      For last survivor flexible premium contracts, the Company deducts a
monthly administrative charge equal to the sum of the policy charge and the
basic coverage charge. For policy years one through ten the policy charge is
$10. Additionally, there is a $0.04 per $1000 basic coverage charge (not less
than $20 or more than $80 per policy). For policy years eleven and after, the
policy charge is $5. Additionally, there is a $0.02 per $1000 basic coverage
charge (not less than $10 or more than $40 per policy). Additionally, the
Company deducts a monthly increase charge of $2.40 per $1000 applied to any
increase in the specified amount during the first 12 months after the increase
becomes effective. The charge may be raised to $3.60 per $1000 of increase per
year at the Company's discretion.

                                                           
<PAGE>   8

   (d) Surrender Charges

      Policy surrenders result in a redemption of the contract value from the
Account and payment of the surrender proceeds to the contract owner or designee.
The surrender proceeds consist of the contract value, less any outstanding
policy loans, and less a surrender charge, if applicable. The charge is
determined according to contract type.

      For single premium contracts, the charge is determined based upon a
specified percentage of the original purchase payment. For single premium
contracts issued prior to April 16, 1990, the charge is 8% in the first year and
declines to 0% after the ninth year. For single premium contracts issued on or
after April 16, 1990, the charge is 8.5% in the first year, and declines to 0%
after the ninth year.

      For multiple payment contracts and flexible premium contracts, the amount
charged is based upon a specified percentage of the initial surrender charge,
which varies by issue age, sex and rate class. The charge is 100% of the initial
surrender charge in the first year, declining to 0% after the ninth year.

      For modified single premium contracts, the amount charged is based on the
original purchase payment. The charge is 10% in the first year, declining to 0%
in the ninth year.

      For last survivor flexible premium contracts, the charge is 100% of the
initial surrender charge, declining to 0% in the fourteenth year if the average
issue age is 74 or less. The charge is 100% of the initial surrender charge,
declining to 0% in the ninth year if the average issue age is 75 or greater. For
last survivor flexible payment contracts, the initial surrender charge is
comprised of two components, an underwriting surrender charge and a sales
surrender charge.

      The Company may waive the surrender charge for certain contracts in which
the sales expenses normally associated with the distribution of a contract are
not incurred.

(3) ASSET CHARGES

      For single premium contracts, the Company deducts a charge from the
contract to cover mortality and expense risk charges related to operations, and
to recover policy maintenance and premium tax charges. For contracts issued
prior to April 16, 1990, the charge is equal to an annual rate of .95% during
the first ten policy years, and .50% thereafter. A reduction of charges on these
contracts is possible in policy years six through ten for those contracts
achieving certain investment performance criteria. For single premium contracts
issued on or after April 16, 1990, the charge is equal to an annual rate of
1.30% during the first ten policy years, and 1.00% thereafter.

      For multiple payment contracts and flexible premium contracts, the Company
deducts a charge equal to an annual rate of .80%, with certain exceptions, to
cover mortality and expense risk charges related to operations. The above
charges are assessed through the daily unit value calculation.

      For modified single premium contracts, the Company deducts an annual rate
of .90% charged against the cash value of the contacts. This charge is assessed
monthly against each contract by liquidating units.

      For last survivor flexible premium contracts, the Company deducts an
annual rate of .80% in policy years one through ten. This charge is assessed
monthly by liquidating units. In policy years eleven and greater, the Company
deducts an annual rate of .80% if the cash value of the contract is less than
$100,000. If the cash value is greater than or equal to $100,000, the Company
reduces the annual asset fee rate to .30%.

(4) DEATH BENEFITS

      Death benefits result in a redemption of the contract value from the
Account and payment of the death benefit proceeds, less any outstanding policy
loans (and policy charges), to the legal beneficiary. For last survivor flexible
premium contracts, the proceeds are payable on the death of the last surviving
insured. The excess of the death benefit proceeds over the contract value on the
date of death is paid by the Company's general account.

                                                           
                                                            
<PAGE>   9

(5) POLICY LOANS (NET OF REPAYMENTS)

      Contract provisions allow contract owners to borrow up to 90% (50% during
first year of single and modified single premium contracts) of a policy's cash
surrender value. For single premium contracts issued prior to April 16, 1990,
6.5% interest is due and payable annually in advance. For single premium
contracts issued on or after April 16, 1990, multiple payment, flexible premium,
modified single and last survivor flexible premium contracts, 6% interest is due
and payable in advance on the policy anniversary when there is a loan
outstanding on the policy.

      At the time the loan is granted, the amount of the loan is transferred
from the Account to the Company's general account as collateral for the
outstanding loan. Collateral amounts in the general account are credited with
the stated rate of interest in effect at the time the loan is made, subject to a
guaranteed minimum rate. Loan repayments result in a transfer of collateral,
including interest, back to the Account.

(6) SCHEDULE I

      Schedule I presents the components of the change in the unit values, which
are the basis for determining contract owners' equity. This schedule is
presented for each series, as applicable, in the following format:

            -  Beginning unit value - Jan. 1

            -  Reinvested capital gains and dividends
               (This amount reflects the increase in the unit value due to
               capital gains and dividend distributions from the underlying
               mutual funds.)

            -  Unrealized gain (loss)
               (This amount reflects the increase (decrease) in the unit value
               resulting from the market appreciation (depreciation) of the
               underlying mutual funds.)

            -  Asset charges
               (This amount reflects the decrease in the unit value due to the 
               charges discussed in note 3.)

            -  Ending unit value - Dec. 31

            -  Percentage increase (decrease) in unit value.


<PAGE>   10


(7) COMPONENTS OF CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

    The following is a summary of contract owners' equity at December 31, 1996,
for each series, in both the accumulation and payout phases.

Contract owners' equity represented by:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              UNITS       UNIT VALUE
                                                                              -----       ----------
<S>                                                                          <C>        <C>               <C>
Single Premium contracts issued prior to April 16, 1990:
      Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio ........................         8,709       $29.854628       $260,004
      Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio ...............................         5,280        34.379126        181,522
      Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio ..........................         3,462        24.493313         84,796
      Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio .............................         5,297        19.654083        104,108
      Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio .....................         1,158        20.525705         23,769
      Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund .........................         2,831        19.842234         56,173
      Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund ............................        28,405        14.875178        422,529
      Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund ............................         1,189        26.717684         31,767
      Neuberger &Berman - Growth Portfolio ..........................         5,398        24.838185        134,077
      Neuberger &Berman - Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio ...........         5,192        16.433880         85,325
      Oppenheimer - Global Securities Fund ..........................         1,616        13.422186         21,690
      Strong Special Fund II, Inc. ..................................           406        21.426416          8,699
      TCI Portfolios - TCIGrowth ....................................         8,408        24.053649        202,243
      Van Eck - Gold and Natural Resources Fund .....................         4,593        15.014547         68,962
      Van Eck - Worldwide Bond Fund .................................            23        14.682655            338
      Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Real Estate Securities Fund .         5,134        15.011508         77,069
      Warburg Pincus - International Equity Portfolio ...............         1,802        11.634515         20,965

Single Premium contracts issued on or after April 16, 1990:
      The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc. ............        16,672        17.041821        284,121
      Dreyfus Stock Index Fund ......................................       166,883        16.474993      2,749,396
      Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio ........................       556,249        24.419978     13,583,588
      Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio ...............................       436,608        23.774932     10,380,326
      Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio ..........................       160,710        25.198564      4,049,661
      Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio .............................       349,868        14.155666      4,952,615
      Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio .....................       328,224        20.046209      6,579,647
      Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio ........................       253,591        13.256842      3,361,816
      Nationwide SAT - Capital Appreciation Fund ....................        69,468        17.984058      1,249,317
      Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund .........................       215,649        16.449774      3,547,377
      Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund ............................     1,264,987        12.479104     15,785,904
      Nationwide SAT - Small Company Fund ...........................        84,265        13.833221      1,165,656
      Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund ............................       145,392        23.035683      3,349,204
      Neuberger &Berman - Growth Portfolio ..........................       171,390        17.521012      3,002,926
      Neuberger &Berman - Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio ...........        72,295        14.088625      1,018,537
      Neuberger &Berman - Partners Portfolio ........................       166,759        17.259712      2,878,212
      Oppenheimer - Bond Fund .......................................       107,202        16.608318      1,780,445
      Oppenheimer - Global Securities Fund ..........................       112,397        13.270426      1,491,556
      Oppenheimer - Multiple Strategies Fund ........................       137,052        18.701076      2,563,020
      Strong Special Fund II, Inc. ..................................       145,314        21.077454      3,062,849
      Strong VIF - Strong Discovery Fund II .........................        96,856        16.133543      1,562,630
      Strong VIF - Strong International Stock Fund II ...............        51,959        11.141803        578,917
      TCI Portfolios - TCIBalanced ..................................        38,880        14.303509        556,120
      TCI Portfolios - TCIGrowth ....................................       187,431        16.163625      3,029,564
      TCI Portfolios - TCIInternational .............................       140,670        11.748051      1,652,598
      Van Eck - Gold and Natural Resources Fund .....................       179,378        16.582948      2,974,616
      Van Eck - Worldwide Bond Fund .................................        51,233        14.339608        734,661
      Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Real Estate Securities Fund .        77,060        14.933196      1,150,752
      Warburg Pincus - International Equity Portfolio ...............       229,373        11.573771      2,654,711
      Warburg Pincus - Small Company Growth Portfolio ...............       101,386        13.975650      1,416,935

Multiple Payment contracts and Flexible Premium contracts:
      The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc. ............       149,312        17.319589      2,586,022
      Dreyfus Stock Index Fund ......................................       743,163        16.744674     12,444,022
      Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio ........................     1,203,661        25.185570     30,314,888
      Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio ...............................     1,774,112        24.186560     42,909,666
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   11
<TABLE>

<S>                                                                        <C>            <C>              <C>       
      Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio ..........................       519,177        23.588786        12,246,755
      Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio .............................       723,688        15.324813        11,090,383
      Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio .....................       858,375        18.169993        15,596,668
      Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio ........................       741,153        13.356323         9,899,079
      Nationwide SAT - Capital Appreciation Fund ....................       373,658        18.410667         6,879,293
      Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund .........................       196,023        15.383251         3,015,471
      Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund ............................     1,548,800        12.214743        18,918,194
      Nationwide SAT - Small Company Fund ...........................       325,390        13.915643         4,528,011
      Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund ............................     1,740,045        21.988773        38,261,455
      Neuberger &Berman - Growth Portfolio ..........................       542,729        17.282005         9,379,445
      Neuberger &Berman - Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio ...........       117,219        13.551318         1,588,472
      Neuberger &Berman - Partners Portfolio ........................       434,744        17.469360         7,594,699
      Oppenheimer - Bond Fund .......................................       260,488        15.764821         4,106,547
      Oppenheimer - Global Securities Fund ..........................       616,399        13.487753         8,313,837
      Oppenheimer - Multiple Strategies Fund ........................       287,199        18.446363         5,297,777
      Strong VIF - Strong Discovery Fund II .........................       305,653        16.514861         5,047,817
      Strong VIF - Strong International Stock Fund II ...............       103,783        11.208230         1,163,224
      Strong Special Fund II, Inc. ..................................       649,651        21.575419        14,016,493
      TCI Portfolios - TCIBalanced ..................................       137,856        14.642920         2,018,614
      TCI Portfolios - TCIGrowth ....................................       564,722        15.327392         8,655,715
      TCI Portfolios - TCIInternational .............................       145,930        11.890858         1,735,233
      TCI Portfolios - TCI Value ....................................           900        10.143687             9,129
      Van Eck - Gold and Natural Resources Fund .....................       174,641        18.284590         3,193,239
      Van Eck - Worldwide Bond Fund .................................       110,868        13.479157         1,494,407
      Van Eck - Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund .....................           319        10.078948             3,215
      Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Real Estate Securities Fund .       120,572        15.045195         1,814,029
      Warburg Pincus - International Equity Portfolio ...............       469,367        11.660648         5,473,123
      Warburg Pincus - Small Company Growth Portfolio ...............       402,279        14.080553         5,664,311

Modified Single Premium and Last Survivor Flexible Premium contracts:
      The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc. ............         7,118        11.180091            79,580
      Dreyfus Stock Index Fund ......................................        25,438        11.459856           291,516
      Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio ........................        61,195        10.790149           660,303
      Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio ...............................        40,595        10.446167           424,062
      Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio ..........................        62,142        10.830462           673,027
      Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio .............................         5,158        10.668178            55,026
      Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio .....................        10,453        11.022140           115,214
      Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio ........................        35,353        11.249999           397,721
      Nationwide SAT - Capital Appreciation Fund ....................         8,542        11.610340            99,176
      Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund .........................         5,711        10.679205            60,989
      Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund ............................       304,482        10.339005         3,148,041
      Nationwide SAT - Small Company Fund ...........................        20,576        10.524418           216,550
      Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund ............................        64,330        11.444877           736,249
      Neuberger &Berman - Growth Portfolio ..........................        21,053         9.869834           207,790
      Neuberger &Berman - Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio ...........         7,552        10.477247            79,124
      Neuberger &Berman - Partners Portfolio ........................        15,462        11.476324           177,447
      Oppenheimer - Bond Fund .......................................         7,727        10.644626            82,251
      Oppenheimer - Global Securities Fund ..........................         8,064        10.833847            87,364
      Oppenheimer - Multiple Strategies Fund ........................         9,746        10.937578           106,598
      Strong Special Fund II, Inc. ..................................         9,106        10.766829            98,043
      Strong VIF - Strong Discovery Fund II .........................        14,115         9.884557           139,521
      Strong VIF - Strong International Stock Fund II ...............         8,692        10.054422            87,393
      TCI Portfolios - TCIBalanced ..................................         6,725        10.931147            73,512
      TCI Portfolios - TCIGrowth ....................................         9,987         9.118427            91,066
      TCI Portfolios - TCIInternational .............................         4,661        10.773558            50,216
      Van Eck - Gold and Natural Resources Fund .....................         7,974        10.056004            80,187
      Van Eck - Worldwide Bond Fund .................................         2,209        10.516764            23,232
      Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Real Estate Securities Fund .        11,112        13.673840           151,944
      Warburg Pincus - International Equity Portfolio ...............        24,290         9.935018           241,322
      Warburg Pincus - Small Company Growth Portfolio ...............        24,804         9.827590           243,764
                                                                             ------         --------      ------------
                                                                                                          $409,169,174
                                                                                                          ============
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   12

                                                                      SCHEDULE I

                        NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-2
                 SINGLE PREMIUM CONTRACTS ISSUED PRIOR TO APRIL 16, 1990

                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             FIDVIPEI           FIDVIPGR          FIDVIPHI          FIDVIPOV           FIDVIPAM    
                                             --------           --------          --------          --------           --------    
1996**
<S>                                         <C>                <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>      
   Beginning unit value - Jan  1            $26.373971         30.259267         21.685282         17.526172         18.081878
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                            1.217030          2.174262          1.977825           .431349          1.189904
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                     2.528645          2.256603          1.050520          1.872575          1.435663
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                              (.265018)         (.311006)         (.220314)         (.176013)         (.181740)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31              $29.854628         34.379126         24.493313         19.654083         20.525705
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)            
     in unit value*                                13%               14%               13%               12%               14%
================================================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value - Jan  1            $19.708533         22.566466         18.151674         16.131866         15.607540
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains                  
     and dividends                            1.542607           .124738          1.314664           .123427           .327932
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                     5.341041          7.828480          2.410020          1.428229          2.304058
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                              (.218210)         (.260417)         (.191076)         (.157350)          (.157652)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31              $26.373971         30.259267         21.685282         17.526172         18.081878
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)            
     in unit value*                                34%               34%               19%                9%               16%
================================================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value - Jan  1            $18.583057         22.785679         18.612185         16.009316         16.778042
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains                  
     and dividends                            1.395798          1.371061          1.706032           .082663           .815806
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                     (.087894)        (1.381165)        (1.991707)          .196908         (1.832732)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                              (.182428)         (.209109)         (.174836)         (.157021)         (.153576)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31              $19.708533         22.566466         18.151674         16.131866         15.607540
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)           
     in unit value*                                 6%               (1)%              (2)%               1%               (7)%
================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             NSATGVTBD         NSATMYMKT         NSATTOTRE
                                             ---------         ---------         ---------
1996
<S>                                          <C>               <C>               <C>       
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1             19.357639         14.287454         22.138653 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                            1.200383           .727569          1.479674 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                     (.533024)          .000000          3.328301 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                              (.182764)         (.139845)         (.228944)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31               19.842234         14.875178         26.717684 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value*                                   3%              4%               21% 
============================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1             16.457035         13.652006         17.312690 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                            1.167149           .768745          1.720678 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                     1.903991           .000000          3.293404 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                              (.170536)         (.133297)         (.188119)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31               19.357639         14.287454         22.138653 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value*                                18%                5%               28% 
============================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1            17.168348         13.267517         17.291720 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                           1.079469           .512535           .875020 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                   (1.633239)          .000000          (.688478)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                             (.157543)         (.128046)         (.165572)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31              16.457035         13.652006         17.312690 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value*                              (4)%                3%                0% 
============================================================================================

<FN>
  * An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as asset charges do not
include the policy charges discussed in note 2.
 **  No other investment options were being utilized.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   13

                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                        NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-2
            SINGLE PREMIUM CONTRACTS ISSUED PRIOR TO APRIL 16, 1990

                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             NBAMTGRO          NBAMTLDMAT         OPPGLSEC           STSPEC2            
                                             --------          ----------         --------           -------            
1996***
<S>                                        <C>                <C>               <C>               <C>               
   Beginning unit value - Jan  1            $22.976381         15.906671         11.503363         18.309087         
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains                  
     and dividends                            2.084651          1.338753           .000000           .861320         
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                      .004126          (.659070)         2.036434          2.443023         
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                              (.226973)         (.152474)         (.117611)         (.187014)        
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31              $24.838185         16.433880         13.422186         21.426416         
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)            
     unit value* (a)                                8%                3%               17%               17%         
=================================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value - Jan  1            $17.608267         14.475203         11.358489         14.690448         
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains                  
     and dividends                             .623265           .804090           .298934           .761035         
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                     4.945641           .771696          (.045712)         3.013032         
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                              (.200792)         (.144318)         (.108348)         (.155428)        
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31              $22.976381         15.906671         11.503363         18.309087         
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)            
     in unit value* (a)                            30%               10%                1%               25%        
=================================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value - Jan  1            $18.709214         14.635617         12.162716         14.315226         
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains                  
     and dividends                            2.255334           .618309           .214436           .411358         
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                    (3.185612)         (.641424)         (.903773)          .103258         
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                              (.170669)         (.137299)         (.114890)         (.139394)        
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31              $17.608267         14.475203         11.358489          14.690448        
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)           
     in unit value* (a)                           (6)%               (1)%              (7)%               3%         
=================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                TCIGRO          VEGOLDNR          VEWRLDBD         VKACRESEC         WPINTEQ
                                                ------          --------          --------         ---------         --------
1996***
<S>                                        <C>               <C>               <C>                <C>             <C>      
   Beginning unit value - Jan  1             25.381408         12.839256         14.458585          10.784280       10.679811
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains                
     and dividends                            2.847171           .272272           .394300            .288822         .226874
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                    (3.934619)         2.040791          (.034088)          4.051625         .835595
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                              (.240311)         (.137772)         (.136142)          (.113219)       (.107765)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31               24.053649         15.014547         14.682655          15.011508       11.634515
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)          
     unit value* (a)                              (5)%               17%                2%                39%              9%
=============================================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value - Jan  1             19.544976         11.677805         12.443161          10.000000              **
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains                
     and dividends                             .022491           .115292          1.008475            .092106
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                     6.032555          1.160549          1.138120            .740132
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                              (.218614)         (.114390)         (.131171)          (.047958)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31               25.381408         12.839256         14.458585          10.784280
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)          
     in unit value* (a)                            30%               10%               16%              8%(B)
=============================================================================================================================
1994
                                           
   Beginning unit value - Jan  1             19.964524         12.382561         12.729709                **               **
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains                
     and dividends                             .002137           .062321           .051271
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                     (.236035)         (.652194)         (.220753)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                              (.185650)         (.114883)         (.117066)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31               19.544976         11.677805         12.443161
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)          
     in unit value* (a)                           (2)%              (6)%              (2)%
=============================================================================================================================
<FN>
  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:
     (a)  Asset charges do not include the policy charges discussed in note 2; and
     (b)  This investment option was not utilized for the entire year indicated.
 **  This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.
***  No other investment options were being utilized.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   14

                                                          SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                        NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-2
           SINGLE PREMIUM CONTRACTS ISSUED ON OR AFTER APRIL 16, 1990

                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            DRYSRGRO     DRYSTKIX     FIDVIPEI     FIDVIPGR     FIDVIPHI   
                                            --------     --------     --------     --------     --------   
1996***
<S>                                     <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1         $14.242220    13.621789    21.648958    20.999607    22.388295    
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                          .735836      .587431      .998669     1.508424     2.041281    
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                  2.266937     2.459672     2.069513     1.561724     1.079684    
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                           (.203172)    (.193899)    (.297162)    (.294823)    (.310696)   
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31           $17.041821    16.474993    24.419978    23.774932    25.198564    
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                          20%          21%          13%          13%          13%   
============================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1         $10.722275    10.088849    16.234159    15.715602    18.805616    
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                          .392053      .361339     1.269479      .086841     1.361583    
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                  3.289798     3.326196     4.390826     5.444880     2.491513    
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                           (.161906)    (.154595)    (.245506)    (.247716)    (.270417)   
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31           $14.242220    13.621789    21.648958    20.999607    22.388295    
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                          33%          35%          33%          34%          19%   
============================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1         $10.702403    10.131165    15.360584    15.923752    19.350153    
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                          .276372      .283260     1.152726      .957853     1.773098    
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                  (.117327)    (.195255)    (.073161)    (.966373)   (2.069306)   
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                           (.139173)    (.130321)    (.205990)    (.199630)    (.248329)   
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31           $10.722275    10.088849    16.234159    15.715602    18.805616    
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                           0%           0%           6%         (1)%         (3)%   
============================================================================================================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           FIDVIPOV     FIDVIPAM    FIDVIPCON    NSATCAPAP    NSATGVTBD
                                           --------     --------    ---------    ---------    ---------
1996***
<S>                                      <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>       
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1          12.667544    17.721708    11.071965    14.444672    16.104612 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                          .311669     1.165823      .104326      .749268      .996469 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                  1.350232     1.401973     2.236026     2.998693     (.443598)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                           (.173779)    (.243295)    (.155475)    (.208575)    (.207709)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31            14.155666    20.046209    13.256842    17.984058    16.449774 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                          12%          13%          20%          25%           2%
============================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1          11.700527    15.350115    10.000000    11.312336    13.739287 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                          .089493      .322418      .142783      .642275      .972265 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                  1.033414     2.260958      .998389     2.653961     1.587542 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                           (.155890)    (.211783)    (.069207)    (.163900)    (.194482)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31            12.667544    17.721708    11.071965    14.444672    16.104612 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                          8%          15%       11%(B)          28%          17%
============================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1          11.652241    16.559029       **        11.563943    14.383265 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains 
     and dividends                          .060146      .804872                   .182742      .902346 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                   .144272    (1.806726)                 (.286826)   (1.366016)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                           (.156132)    (.207060)                 (.147523)    (.180308)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31            11.700527    15.350115                 11.312336    13.739287 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                          0%         (7)%                      (2)%         (4)%
============================================================================================================
<FN>
  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:
     (a)  Asset charges do not include the policy charges discussed in note 2; and
     (b)  This investment option was not utilized for the entire year indicated.
 **  This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.
***  No other investment options were being utilized.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   15

                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                        NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-2
           SINGLE PREMIUM CONTRACTS ISSUED ON OR AFTER APRIL 16, 1990

                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           NSATMYMKT        NSATSMCO          NSATTOTRE        NBAMTGRO       NBAMTLMAT   
                                           ---------        --------          ---------        --------       ---------   
1996***
<S>                                      <C>              <C>                <C>             <C>             <C>
   Beginning unit value - Jan  1          $12.028786       11.410311          19.154939       16.264834       13.684722      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                           .611421         .133295           1.276326        1.474851        1.151075      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                    .000000        2.456523           2.875006         .000818        (.567983)     
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                            (.161103)       (.166908)          (.270588)       (.219491)       (.179189)    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31            $12.479104       13.833221          23.035683       17.521012       14.088625      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)          
     in unit value* (a)                           4%             21%                20%              8%               3%       
====================================================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value - Jan  1          $11.534440       10.000000          15.031721       12.508337       12.496729      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains                
     and dividends                           .648458         .017459           1.489410         .442496         .693794      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                    .000000        1.418328           2.856936        3.508824         .664378      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                            (.154112)       (.025476)          (.223128)       (.194823)       (.170179)     
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31            $12.028786       11.410311          19.154939       16.264834       13.684722      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)          
     in unit value* (a)                           4%           14%(b)               27%             30%             10%            
====================================================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value - Jan  1          $11.249231              **          15.066007       13.336899       12.679406      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains                
     and dividends                           .433762                            .760244        1.607088         .535454      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                    .000000                           (.597472)      (2.269450)       (.555628)      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                            (.148553)                          (.197058)       (.166200)       (.162503)     
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31            $11.534440                          15.031721       12.508337       12.496729     
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)         
     in unit value* (a)                           3%                                 0%            (6)%              (1)%
====================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          NBAMTPART         OPPBDFD        OPPGLSEC         OPPMULT       STDISC2        STINTSTK2
                                          ---------         -------        --------         -------       -------        ---------
1996***
<S>                                      <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>      
   Beginning unit value - Jan  1          13.495873       16.056725       11.413379       16.404926       16.214896      10.226632
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                          .549661        1.030165         .000000        1.247087        3.300617        .050938
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                  3.411340        (.269155)       2.016448        1.276232       (3.177170)      1.007488
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                           (.197162)       (.209417)       (.159401)       (.227169)       (.204800)      (.143255)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31            17.259712       16.608318       13.270426       18.701076       16.133543      11.141803
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)         
     in unit value* (a)                         28%              3%             16%             14%             (1)%            9%
====================================================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value - Jan  1          10.018146       13.903136       11.309050       13.693997       12.144445      10.000000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains               
     and dividends                          .081860         .956955         .297396        1.103154         .211667        .041085
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                  3.550382        1.391543        (.045694)       1.805769        4.042004        .209467
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                           (.154515)       (.194909)       (.147373)       (.197994)       (.183220)      (.023920)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31            13.495873       16.056725       11.413379       16.404926       16.214896      10.226632
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)         
     in unit value* (a)                         35%             15%              1%            20%              34%           2%(b)
====================================================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value - Jan  1          10.000000       14.362878       12.152136       14.148115       13.003547             **
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains               
     and dividends                          .000000         .809172         .214078         .720350         .971167
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                   .072562       (1.086058)       (.900362)       (.993926)      (1.670283)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                            .054416        (.182856)       (.156802)       (.180542)       (.159986)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31            10.018146       13.903136       11.309050       13.693997       12.144445
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)         
     in unit value* (a)                       0%(b)            (3)%            (7)%            (3)%            (7)%
====================================================================================================================================
<FN>
  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:
     (a)   Asset charges do not include the policy charges discussed in note 2; and
     (b)   This investment option was not utilized for the entire year indicated.
 **  This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.
***  No other investment options were being utilized.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   16


                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                        NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-2
           SINGLE PREMIUM CONTRACTS ISSUED ON OR AFTER APRIL 16, 1990

                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          STSPEC2           TCIBAL          TCIGRO          TCIINT        VEGOLDNR      
                                          -------           ------          ------          ------        --------      
1996***
<S>                                   <C>               <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>            
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1       $18.074367        12.914886       17.116040       10.403803       14.230388      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                        .849403          .609960        1.918348         .247063         .301335      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                2.405871          .954721       (2.649394)       1.239275        2.259820      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                         (.252187)        (.176058)       (.221369)       (.142090)       (.208595)  
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31         $21.077454        14.303509       16.163625       11.748051       16.582948      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                       17%              11%            (6)%             13%             17%     
==================================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1       $14.552799        10.801955       13.226279        9.392654       12.988341      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
    and dividends                         .753037          .305779         .015219         .000000         .127947      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                2.978850         1.961461        4.076606        1.136602        1.287916      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                         (.210319)        (.154309)       (.202064)       (.125453)       (.173816)     
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31         $18.074367        12.914886       17.116040       10.403803       14.230388      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                       24%              20%             29%             11%             10%      
==================================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1       $14.230663        10.876445       13.557427       10.000000       13.820369       
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                        .407898          .260556         .001450         .000000         .069418       
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                 .103521         (.194370)       (.160376)       (.554327)       (.726294)      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                         (.189283)        (.140676)       (.172222)       (.053019)       (.175152)      
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31         $14.552799        10.801955       13.226279        9.392654       12.988341       
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                        2%             (1)%            (2)%         (6)%(b)            (6)%       
==================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                       VEWRLDBD       VKACRESEC         WPLNTEQ          WPSMCOGR
                                       --------       ---------         -------          --------
1996***
<S>                                  <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>       
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1      14.170551       10.765797       10.661502         12.430586 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                      .385883         .287384         .225731           .000000 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)              (.034573)       4.034391         .833478          1.720228 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                       (.182253)       (.154376)       (.146940)         (.175164)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31        14.339608       14.933196       11.573771         13.975650 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                      1%             39%              9%               12%
=================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1    $ 12.237880       10.000000       10.000000         10.000000 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
    and dividends                       .990055         .091962         .077347           .000000 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)              1.118852         .739397         .650501          2.501606 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                       (.176236)       (.065562)       (.066346)         (.071020)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31      $ 14.170551       10.765797       10.661502         12.430586 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                     16%           8%(b)           7%(b)            24%(b)
=================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1    $ 12.563474             **              **               **      
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                      .050533 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)              (.218292)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                       (.157835)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31      $ 12.237880 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                    (3)%
=================================================================================================
<FN>
  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:
     (a)  Asset charges do not include the policy charges discussed in note 2; and
     (b)  This investment option was not utilized for the entire year indicated.
 **  This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.
***  No other investment options were being utilized.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   17

                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                        NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-2
            MULTIPLE PAYMENT CONTRACTS AND FLEXIBLE PREMIUM CONTRACTS

                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUES
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     DRYSRGRO       DRYSTKIX       FIDVIPEI      FIDVIPGR       FIDVIPHI      
                                     --------       --------       --------      --------       --------      
1996***        
<S>                               <C>             <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>           
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1   $14.401809      13.775382      22.215745     21.256059      20.852993     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                    .747630        .596225       1.025291      1.527554       1.902180     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)            2.296912       2.494042       2.132663      1.587071       1.012148     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                     (.126762)      (.120975)      (.188129)     (.184124)      (.178535)    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31     $17.319589      16.744674      25.185570     24.186560      23.588786     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                   20%            22%            13%           14%            13%     
========================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1   $10.788547      10.151919      16.576413     15.828463      17.428943     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                    .396430        .364933       1.297971       .087506       1.262495     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)            3.317353       3.354508       4.496038      5.494030       2.316172     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                     (.100521)      (.095978)      (.154677)     (.153940)      (.154617)    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31     $14.401809      13.775382      22.215745     21.256059      20.852993     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                   33%            36%            34%           34%            20%     
========================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1   $10.715005      10.143796      15.606442     15.958341      17.844401     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                    .278073        .284601       1.172669       .960381       1.635883     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)            (.118575)      (.195976)      (.073581)     (.966828)     (1.910067)    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                     (.085956)      (.080502)      (.129117)     (.123431)      (.141274)    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31     $10.788547      10.151919      16.576413     15.828463      17.428943     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                    1%             0%             6%          (1)%           (2)%     
========================================================================================================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     FIDVIPOV      FIDVIPAM      FIDVIPCON      NSATCAPAP      NSATGVTBD
                                     --------      --------      ---------      ---------      ---------
1996***
<S>                                 <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>       
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1    13.645033     15.982529      11.099135      14.713230      14.984933 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                    .335875      1.051899        .104631        .766553        .930103 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)            1.459385      1.270941       2.248711       3.061949       (.412550)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                     (.115480)     (.135376)      (.096154)      (.131065)      (.119235)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31      15.324813     18.169993      13.356323      18.410667      15.383251 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                   12%           14%            20%            25%             3%
========================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1    12.540728     13.774855      10.000000      11.465403      12.720514 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                    .095965       .289466        .143118        .653781        .903001 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)            1.111417      2.035460        .998657       2.696528       1.472503 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                     (.103077)     (.117252)      (.042640)      (.102482)      (.111085)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31      13.645033     15.982529      11.099135      14.713230      14.984933 
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                    9%           16%         11%(b)            28%            18%
========================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1    12.426854     14.785784         **          11.662121      13.250482 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                    .064174       .719044                       .184927        .833925 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)             .152413     (1.615920)                     (.289863)     (1.261429)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                     (.102713)     (.114053)                     (.091782)      (.102464)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31      12.540728     13.774855                     11.465403      12.720514 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                    1%          (7)%                          (2)%           (4)%
========================================================================================================
<FN>
  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:
     (a)  Asset charges do not include the policy charges discussed in note 2; and
     (b)  This investment option was not utilized for the entire year indicated.
**   This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.
***  No other investment options were being utilized.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   18

                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                        NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-2
            MULTIPLE PAYMENT CONTRACTS AND FLEXIBLE PREMIUM CONTRACTS

                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUES
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    NSATMYMKT     NSATSMCO    NSATTOTRE     NBAMTGRO    NBAMTLMAT    NBAMTPART  
                                    ---------     --------    ---------     --------    ---------    ---------  
1996***
<S>                               <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>        
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1   $11.714295    11.420759    18.192762    15.962482    13.096811    13.591346  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                    .596995      .133983     1.217547     1.448641     1.102543      .554011  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)             .000000     2.463983     2.737018      .003774     (.542247)    3.446498  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                     (.096547)    (.103082)    (.158554)    (.132892)    (.105789)    (.122495) 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31     $12.214743    13.915643    21.988773    17.282005    13.551318    17.469360  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                   4%           22%          21%           8%           3%          29%  
================================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1  $11.176411    10.000000    14.205723    12.214794    11.900389    10.038887   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                   .629782      .017475     1.413734      .432461      .661221      .082096   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)            .000000     1.418968     2.703396     3.432609      .635177     3.565899   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                    (.091898)    (.015684)    (.130091)    (.117382)    (.099976)    (.095536)  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31    $11.714295    11.420759    18.192762    15.962482    13.096811    13.591346   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                   5%       14%(b)          28%          31%          10%          35%   
================================================================================================================
1994 
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1  $10.845265           **    14.167308     12.959107   12.014277    10.000000   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                   .419275                   .717782     1.562441      .507651      .000000   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)            .000000                  (.565055)   (2.207122)    (.526553)     .072401   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                    (.088129)                 (.114312)    (.099632)    (.094986)    (.033514)  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31    $11.176411                 14.205723    12.214794    11.900389    10.038887   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                   3%                        0%         (6)%         (1)%        0%(b)   
================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     OPPBDFD     OPPGLSEC      OPPMULT      STDISC2     STINTSTK2
                                     -------     --------      -------      -------     ---------
1996***
<S>                               <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>       
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1   15.164813    11.542134    16.100377    16.514850     10.236021 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                   .975830      .000000     1.226905     3.367146       .051144 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)           (.253799)    2.045080     1.256649    (3.238459)     1.009533 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                    (.122023)    (.099461)    (.137568)    (.128676)     (.088468)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31     15.764821    13.487753    18.446363    16.514861     11.208230 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                   4%          17%          15%           0%            9% 
================================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1  $13.065574    11.379737    13.372968    12.307607     10.000000 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                   .902009      .299595     1.079776      .215562       .041121 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)           1.310232     (.045711)    1.766931     4.106245       .209625 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                    (.113002)    (.091487)    (.119298)    (.114564)     (.014725)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31    $15.164813    11.542134    16.100377    16.514850     10.236021 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                  16%           1%          20%          34%         2%(b) 
================================================================================================================
1994 
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1  $13.430475    12.167250    13.747705    13.112678           **      
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                   .759284      .214589      .702216      .983647 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)          (1.018698)    (.905246)    (.968729)   (1.689193)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                    (.105487)    (.096856)    (.108224)    (.099525)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31    $13.065574    11.379737    13.372968    12.307607 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                 (3)%         (6)%         (3)%         (6)%
================================================================================================================
<FN>
  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:
     (a)   Asset charges do not include the policy charges discussed in note 2; and
     (b)   This investment option was not utilized for the entire year indicated.
 **  This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.
***  No other investment options were being utilized.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   19

                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                        NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-2
            MULTIPLE PAYMENT CONTRACTS AND FLEXIBLE PREMIUM CONTRACTS

                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUES
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       STSPEC2        TCIBAL       TCIGRO       TCIINT     TCIVALUE   
                                       -------        ------       ------       ------     --------   
1996***
<S>                                <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>        
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1    $18.408627     13.155049    16.149061    10.477472    10.000000  
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                     .866384       .622373     1.812196      .249286      .000000  
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)             2.458870       .976138    (2.505020)    1.252389      .145457  
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                      (.158462)     (.110640)    (.128845)    (.088289)    (.001770) 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31      $21.575419     14.642920    15.327392    11.890858    10.143687  
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                    17%           11%         (5)%          13%        1%(b)  
===================================================================================================
1995                                                                                          
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1    $14.748256     10.948128    12.417011     9.412116           **      
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                     .764407       .310910      .014289      .000000               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)             3.027469      1.992508     3.834812     1.142911               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                      (.131505)     (.096497)    (.117051)    (.077555)              
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31      $18.408627     13.155049    16.149061    10.477472               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                    25%           20%          30%          11%               
===================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1    $14.350073     10.968814    12.664593    10.000000           **      
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                     .412806       .263602      .001356      .000000               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)              .103139      (.196764)    (.149703)    (.555221)              
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                      (.117762)     (.087524)    (.099235)    (.032663)              
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31      $14.748256     10.948128    12.417011     9.412116               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                     3%            0%         (2)%        6%(b)               
===================================================================================================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     VEGOLDNR     VEWRLDBD    VEWRLDEMKT    VKACRESEC      WPLNTEQ    WPSMCOGR
                                     --------     --------    ----------    ---------      -------    --------
1996***   
<S>                                <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>       
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1    15.612002    13.253457     10.000000    10.792212    10.687672   12.461074 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                    .331277      .361660       .000000      .289441      .227366     .000000 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)            2.482492     (.030793)      .080699     4.059026      .836487    1.727810 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                     (.141181)    (.105167)     (.001751)    (.095484)    (.090877)   (.108331)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31      18.284590    13.479157     10.078948    15.045195    11.660648   14.080553 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                   17%           2%         1%(b)          39%           9%         13% 
==============================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1    14.178501    11.388987            **    10.000000    10.000000   10.000000 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                    .140115      .923751                    .092168      .077521     .000000 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)            1.410450     1.041904                    .740443      .651025    2.504833 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                     (.117064)    (.101185)                  (.040399)    (.040874)   (.043759)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31      15.612002    13.253457                  10.792212    10.687672   12.461074 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                   10%          16%                      8%(b)        7%(b)     25%(b) 
==============================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1    15.011706    11.633841            **           **           **          **      
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                    .075618      .046884 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)            (.791458)    (.201583)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Asset charges                     (.117365)    (.090155)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31      14.178501    11.388987 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                  (6)%         (2)%
==============================================================================================================
<FN>
  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:
     (a)   Asset charges do not include the policy charges discussed in note 2; and
     (b)   This investment option was not utilized for the entire year indicated.
 **  This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.
***  No other investment options were being utilized.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   20
                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                        NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-2
      MODIFIED SINGLE PREMIUM AND LAST SURVIVOR FLEXIBLE PREMIUM CONTRACTS

                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      DRYSRGRO          DRYSTKIX         FIDVIPEI          FIDVIPGR  
                                      --------          --------         --------          --------  
1996**
<S>                                <C>                <C>              <C>               <C>         
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1    $10.000000         10.000000        10.000000         10.000000   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                     .482403           .358216          .000000           .000000   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)              .697688          1.101640          .790149           .446167   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                    .000000           .000000          .000000           .000000   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31      $11.180091         11.459856        10.790149         10.446167   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value*(a)                  12%(b)            15%(b)            8%(b)             4%(b)  
===================================================================================================
                                      FIDVIPCON        NSATCAPAP        NSATGVTBD         NSATMYMKT  
                                      ---------        ---------        ---------         ---------  
1996**
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1     $10.000000        10.000000        10.000000         10.000000   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                     .000000           .445367          .489314           .339005   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)             1.249999          1.164973          .189891           .000000   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                    .000000           .000000          .000000           .000000   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31      $11.249999         11.610340        10.679205         10.339005  
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value*(a)                  12%(b)            16%(b)            7%(b)             3%(b)  
===================================================================================================
                                      NBAMTLMAT         NBAMTPART          OPPBDFD         OPPGLSEC  
                                      ---------         ---------          -------         --------  
1996**
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1    $10.000000         10.000000        10.000000         10.000000   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                     .000000           .000000          .479143           .000000   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)              .477247          1.476324          .165483           .833847   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                    .000000           .000000          .000000           .000000   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec.31       $10.477247         11.476324        10.644626         10.833847   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value*(a)                   5%(b)            15%(b)            6%(b)             8%(b)  
===================================================================================================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     FIDVIPHI         FIDVIPOV          FIDVIPAM
                                     --------         --------          --------
1996**
<S>                                <C>              <C>               <C>       
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1    10.000000        10.000000         10.000000 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                    .000000          .000000           .000000 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)             .830462          .668178          1.022140 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                   .000000          .000000           .000000 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec.31       10.830462        10.668178         11.022140 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value*(a)                  8%(b)            7%(b)            10%(b)
================================================================================
                                      NSATSMCO        NSATTOTRE         NBAMTGRO
                                      --------        ---------         --------
1996**
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1     10.000000        10.000000        10.000000 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                     .095576          .580169          .000000 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)              .428842          .864708         (.130166)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                    .000000          .000000          .000000 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec.31       $10.524418        11.444877         9.869834
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value*(a)                    5%(b)           14%(b)           (1)%(b)
================================================================================
                                       OPPMULT          STDISC2        STINTSTK2
                                       -------          -------        ---------
1996**
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1    $10.000000        10.000000        10.000000 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                     .402281          .520758          .045738 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)              .535297         (.636201)         .008684 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                    .000000          .000000          .000000 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec.31        10.937578         9.884557        10.054422 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value*(a)                   9%(b)          (1)%(b)            1%(b)
================================================================================
<FN>
  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:
     (a)   Asset charges do not include the policy charges discussed in note 2; and
     (b)   This investment option was not utilized for the entire year indicated.
 **  No other investment options were being utilized.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   21

                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                        NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-2

      MODIFIED SINGLE PREMIUM AND LAST SURVIVOR FLEXIBLE PREMIUM CONTRACTS

                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE

                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       STSPEC2            TCIBAL           TCIGRO            TCIINT    
                                       -------            ------           ------            ------    
1996**
<S>                                <C>                <C>              <C>               <C>          
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1    $10.000000         10.000000        10.000000         10.000000    
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                     .045100           .122861          .000000           .224735     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)              .721729           .808286         (.881573)          .548823     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                    .000000           .000000          .000000           .000000     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec.31       $10.766829         10.931147         9.118427         10.773558     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value*(a)                   8%(b)             9%(b)          (9)%(b)             8%(b)    
===================================================================================================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      VEGoldNR         VEWrldNR         VKACRESec
                                      --------         --------         ---------
1996**
<S>                                 <C>              <C>               <C>
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1     10.000000        10.000000         10.000000 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                     .181335          .280847           .255666 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)             (.125331)         .235917          3.418174 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                    .000000          .000000           .000000 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31       10.056004        10.516764         13.673840 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value*(a)                   1%(b)            5%(b)            37%(b) 
=================================================================================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       WPINTEQ          WPSMCOGR
                                       -------          --------
1996**
<S>                                <C>                <C>       
   Beginning unit value - Jan. 1    $10.000000         10.000000 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                     .193639           .000000 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)             (.258621)         (.172410)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                    .000000           .000000 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec.31        $9.935018          9.827590 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value*(a)                 (1)%(b)           (2)%(b)
================================================================
<FN>
  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:
     (a)   Asset charges do not include the policy charges discussed in note 2; and
     (b)   This investment option was not utilized for the entire year indicated.
 **  No other investment options were being utilized.

See note 6.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   70

<PAGE>   1


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
                          ----------------------------


The Board of Directors
Nationwide Life Insurance Company:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nationwide Life
Insurance Company and subsidiaries (collectively the Company) as of December 31,
1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholder's
equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1996.  These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Nationwide Life
Insurance Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles. 

In 1994, the Company adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting
Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115,
Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.

                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
January 31, 1997
<PAGE>   2





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           Consolidated Balance Sheets

                           December 31, 1996 and 1995
                                ($000's omitted)

                                        Assets                                                1996               1995
                                        ------                                          -----------------   ----------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>                 <C>       
Investments (notes 5, 8 and 9): 
   Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
      Fixed maturity securities (cost $11,970,878 in 1996; $11,862,556 in 1995)             $12,304,639          12,485,564
      Equity securities (cost $43,890 in 1996; $23,617 in 1995)                                  59,131              29,953
   Mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                         5,272,119           4,602,764
   Real estate, net                                                                             265,759             229,442
   Policy loans                                                                                 371,816             336,356
   Other long-term investments                                                                   28,668              61,989
   Short-term investments (note 13)                                                               4,789              32,792
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                             18,306,921          17,778,860
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------

Cash                                                                                             43,784               9,455
Accrued investment income                                                                       210,182             212,963
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                             1,366,509           1,020,356
Investment in subsidiaries classified as discontinued operations (notes 1 and 2)                485,707             506,677
Other assets (note 6)                                                                           426,441             388,214
Assets held in Separate Accounts (note 8)                                                    26,926,702          18,591,108
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                            $47,766,246          38,507,633
                                                                                        =================   ================

                         Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity
                         ------------------------------------

Future policy benefits and claims (notes 6 and 8)                                           $17,179,060          16,358,614
Policyholders' dividend accumulations                                                           361,401             348,027
Other policyholder funds                                                                         60,073              65,297
Accrued federal income tax (note 7):
   Current                                                                                       30,170              35,301
   Deferred                                                                                     162,212             246,627
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                                192,382             281,928
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------

Dividend payable to shareholder (notes 1 and 2)                                                 485,707                   -
Other liabilities                                                                               423,047             234,147
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts (note 8)                                            26,926,702          18,591,108
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                             45,628,372          35,879,121
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------

Commitments and contingencies (notes 6, 9 and 15)

Shareholder's equity (notes 3, 4, 5, 12 and 13):
   Capital shares, $1 par value.  Authorized 5,000,000 shares, issued and
      outstanding 3,814,779 shares                                                                3,815               3,815
   Additional paid-in capital                                                                   527,874             657,118
   Retained earnings                                                                          1,432,593           1,583,275
   Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net                                       173,592             384,304
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                              2,137,874           2,628,512
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                            $47,766,246          38,507,633
                                                                                        =================   ================
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   3


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        Consolidated Statements of Income

                  Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                ($000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   1996            1995            1994
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
<S>                                                                           <C>              <C>             <C>    
Revenues (note 16):
   Investment product and universal life insurance product policy charges       $   400,902        286,534         217,245
   Traditional life insurance premiums                                              198,642        199,106         176,658
   Net investment income (note 5)                                                 1,357,759      1,294,033       1,210,811
   Realized losses on investments  (note 5)                                            (326)        (1,724)        (16,527)
   Other income                                                                      35,861         20,702          11,312
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
                                                                                  1,992,838      1,798,651       1,599,499
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
Benefits and expenses:
   Benefits and claims                                                            1,160,580      1,115,493         992,667
   Provision for policyholders' dividends on participating policies (note 12)        40,973         39,937          38,754
   Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                133,394         82,695          85,568
   Other operating expenses (note 13)                                               342,394        272,954         240,652
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
                                                                                  1,677,341      1,511,079       1,357,641
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
      Income from continuing operations before federal income tax expense           315,497        287,572         241,858
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------

Federal income tax expense (benefit) (note 7):
   Current                                                                          116,512         88,700          73,559
   Deferred                                                                          (5,623)        11,108           5,030
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
                                                                                    110,889         99,808          78,589
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
      Income from continuing operations                                             204,608        187,764         163,269

Income from discontinued operations (less federal income tax expense of
   $4,453, $7,446 and $10,915 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively) (note 2)         11,324         24,714          20,459
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------

      Net income                                                                $   215,932        212,478         183,728
                                                                              ===============  ==============  =============
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   4


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity

                  Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                ($000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             Unrealized
                                                                                           gains (losses)
                                                             Additional                    on securities        Total
                                                 Capital      paid-in        Retained      available-for-   shareholder's
                                                  shares      capital        earnings        sale, net          equity
                                                ----------- ------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------
<S>                                             <C>         <C>           <C>             <C>               <C>      
1994:
   Balance, beginning of year                       $3,815      406,089       1,194,519             6,745       1,611,168
   Capital contribution                                  -      200,000               -                 -         200,000
   Net income                                            -            -         183,728                 -         183,728
   Adjustment for change in accounting for
      certain investments in debt and equity
      securities, net (note 4)                           -            -               -           212,553         212,553
   Unrealized losses on securities available-
      for-sale, net                                      -            -               -          (338,971)       (338,971)
                                                ----------- ------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------
   Balance, end of year                             $3,815      606,089       1,378,247          (119,673)      1,868,478
                                                =========== ============= =============== ================= ===============

1995:
   Balance, beginning of year                        3,815      606,089       1,378,247          (119,673)      1,868,478
   Capital contribution (note 13)                        -       51,029               -            (4,111)         46,918
   Dividends to shareholder                              -            -          (7,450)                -          (7,450)
   Net income                                            -            -         212,478                 -         212,478
   Unrealized gains on securities available-
      for-sale, net                                      -            -               -           508,088         508,088
                                                ----------- ------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------
   Balance, end of year                             $3,815      657,118       1,583,275           384,304       2,628,512
                                                =========== ============= =============== ================= ===============

1996:
   Balance, beginning of year                        3,815      657,118       1,583,275           384,304       2,628,512
   Capital contribution (note 13)                        -           25               5                 -              30
   Dividends to shareholder                              -     (129,269)       (366,619)          (39,819)       (535,707)
   Net income                                            -            -         215,932                 -         215,932
   Unrealized losses on securities available-
      for-sale, net                                      -            -               -          (170,893)       (170,893)
                                                ----------- ------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------
   Balance, end of year                             $3,815      527,874       1,432,593           173,592       2,137,874
                                                =========== ============= =============== ================= ===============

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   5


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                  Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                ($000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       1996            1995            1994
                                                                                 ---------------- --------------- ---------------
<S>                                                                              <C>              <C>             <C>    
  Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net income                                                                    $    215,932        212,478         183,728
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
        activities:
           Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs                         (422,572)      (321,327)       (242,431)
           Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                            133,394         82,695          85,568
           Amortization and depreciation                                                  6,962         10,234           3,603
           Realized (gains) losses on invested assets, net                                 (284)         3,250          16,094
           Deferred federal income tax expense (benefit)                                  7,603        (30,673)          9,946
           Decrease (increase) in accrued investment income                               2,781        (16,999)        (12,808)
           (Increase) decrease in other assets                                          (38,876)        39,880        (102,676)
           Increase in policy liabilities                                               305,755        135,937         118,361
           Increase in policyholders' dividend accumulations                             13,374         12,639          15,298
           (Decrease) increase in accrued federal income tax payable                     (5,131)        30,836          (5,714)
           Increase in other liabilities                                                188,900         26,851             506
           Other, net                                                                   (61,679)         1,832         (29,595)
                                                                                 ---------------  --------------- ---------------
              Net cash provided by operating activities                                 346,159        187,633          39,880
                                                                                 ---------------- --------------- ---------------

  Cash flows from investing activities:
     Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale                          1,162,766        634,553         544,843
     Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                                299,558        107,345         228,308
     Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                     -        564,450         491,862
     Proceeds from repayments of mortgage loans on real estate                          309,050        207,832         190,574
     Proceeds from sale of real estate                                                   18,519         48,331          46,713
     Proceeds from repayments of policy loans and sale of other invested assets          22,795         53,587         120,506
     Cost of securities available-for-sale acquired                                  (1,573,640)    (1,942,413)     (1,816,370)
     Cost of fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity acquired                              -       (593,636)       (410,379)
     Cost of mortgage loans on real estate acquired                                    (972,776)      (796,026)       (471,570)
     Cost of real estate acquired                                                        (7,862)       (10,928)         (6,385)
     Policy loans issued and other invested assets acquired                             (57,740)       (75,910)        (65,302)
     Short-term investments, net                                                         28,003         77,837         (89,376)
     Purchase of affiliate (note 13)                                                          -              -        (155,000)
                                                                                ---------------- --------------- ---------------
              Net cash used in investing activities                                    (771,327)    (1,724,978)     (1,391,576)
                                                                                ---------------- --------------- ---------------

  Cash flows from financing activities:
     Proceeds from capital contributions                                                     30              -         200,000
     Dividends paid to shareholder                                                      (50,000)        (7,450)              -
     Increase in investment product and universal life insurance
        product account balances                                                      2,293,933      2,809,385       3,547,976
     Decrease in investment product and universal life insurance
        product account balances                                                     (1,784,466)    (1,258,758)     (2,412,595)
                                                                                ---------------- --------------- --------------
              Net cash provided by financing activities                                 459,497      1,543,177       1,335,381
                                                                                ---------------- --------------- --------------

  Net increase (decrease) in cash                                                        34,329          5,832         (16,315)

                                                                                 ---------------- --------------- ---------------
  Cash, beginning of year                                                                 9,455          3,623          19,938
                                                                                 ---------------- --------------- ---------------
  Cash, end of year                                                               $      43,784          9,455           3,623
                                                                                 ================ =============== ===============
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   6




               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                        December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                ($000's omitted)

(1)      Organization and Description of Business
         ----------------------------------------

         Nationwide Life Insurance Company (NLIC) is a wholly owned subsidiary
         of Nationwide Corporation (Nationwide Corp.). Wholly owned subsidiaries
         of NLIC include Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company (NLAIC),
         Employers Life Insurance Company of Wausau and subsidiaries (ELICW),
         National Casualty Company (NCC), West Coast Life Insurance Company
         (WCLIC), Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. (formerly Nationwide
         Financial Services, Inc.), Nationwide Investment Services Corporation
         (formerly PEBSCO Securities Corporation) (NISC) and NWE, Inc. NLIC and
         its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as "the Company."

         Nationwide Corp. formed Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (NFS) in
         November 1996 as a holding company for NLIC and the other companies of
         the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise that offer or distribute long-term
         savings and retirement products. On January 27, 1997, Nationwide Corp.
         contributed to NFS the common stock of NLIC and three marketing and
         distribution companies. NFS is planning an initial public offering of
         its Class A common stock during the first quarter of 1997.

         In anticipation of the restructuring described above, on September 24,
         1996, NLIC's Board of Directors declared a dividend payable January 1,
         1997 to Nationwide Corp. consisting of the outstanding shares of common
         stock of certain subsidiaries (ELICW, NCC and WCLIC) that do not offer
         or distribute long-term savings and retirement products. In addition,
         during 1996, NLIC entered into two reinsurance agreements whereby all
         of NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business was
         ceded to ELICW and another affiliate effective January 1, 1996. These
         subsidiaries and all accident and health and group life insurance
         business have been accounted for as discontinued operations for all
         periods presented. See notes 2 and 13.

         In addition, as part of the restructuring described above, NLIC intends
         to make an $850,000 distribution to NFS which will then make an
         equivalent distribution to Nationwide Corp.

         The Company is a leading provider of long-term savings and retirement
         products to retail and institutional customers and is subject to
         competition from other financial services providers throughout the
         United States. The Company is subject to regulation by the Insurance
         Departments of states in which it is licensed, and undergoes periodic
         examinations by those departments.

         The following is a description of the most significant risks facing
         life insurers and how the Company mitigates those risks:

              LEGAL/REGULATORY RISK is the risk that changes in the legal or
              regulatory environment in which an insurer operates will create
              additional expenses not anticipated by the insurer in pricing its
              products. That is, regulatory initiatives, new legal theories or
              insurance company insolvencies through guaranty fund assessments
              may create costs for the insurer beyond those currently recorded
              in the consolidated financial statements. The Company mitigates
              this risk by offering a wide range of products and by operating
              throughout the United States, thus reducing its exposure to any
              single product or jurisdiction, and also by employing underwriting
              practices which identify and minimize the adverse impact of this
              risk.

              CREDIT RISK is the risk that issuers of securities owned by the
              Company or mortgagors on mortgage loans on real estate owned by
              the Company will default or that other parties, including
              reinsurers, which owe the Company money, will not pay. The Company
              minimizes this risk by adhering to a conservative investment
              strategy, by maintaining reinsurance and credit and collection
              policies and by providing for any amounts deemed uncollectible.
<PAGE>   7



               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


              INTEREST RATE RISK is the risk that interest rates will change and
              cause a decrease in the value of an insurer's investments. This
              change in rates may cause certain interest-sensitive products to
              become uncompetitive or may cause disintermediation. The Company
              mitigates this risk by charging fees for non-conformance with
              certain policy provisions, by offering products that transfer this
              risk to the purchaser, and/or by attempting to match the maturity
              schedule of its assets with the expected payouts of its
              liabilities. To the extent that liabilities come due more quickly
              than assets mature, an insurer would have to borrow funds or sell
              assets prior to maturity and potentially recognize a gain or loss.

(2)      Discontinued Operations
         -----------------------

         As discussed in note 1, NFS is a holding company for NLIC and certain
         other companies that offer or distribute long-term savings and
         retirement products. Prior to the contribution by Nationwide Corp. to
         NFS of the outstanding common stock of NLIC and other companies, NLIC
         effected certain transactions with respect to certain subsidiaries and
         lines of business that were unrelated to long-term savings and
         retirement products.

         On September 24, 1996, NLIC's Board of Directors declared a dividend to
         Nationwide Corp. consisting of the outstanding shares of common stock
         of three subsidiaries: ELICW, NCC and WCLIC. ELICW writes group
         accident and health and group life insurance business and maintains it
         offices in Wausau, Wisconsin. NCC is a property and casualty company
         that serves as a fronting company for a property and casualty
         subsidiary of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (NMIC), an affiliate.
         NCC maintains its offices in Scottsdale, Arizona. WCLIC writes high
         dollar term life insurance policies and is located in San Francisco,
         California. ELICW, NCC and WCLIC have been accounted for as
         discontinued operations for all periods presented. NLIC did not
         recognize any gain or loss on the disposal of these subsidiaries.

         A summary of the combined results of operations, including the results
         of the accident and health and group life insurance business ELICW
         assumed from NLIC in 1996, and assets and liabilities of ELICW, NCC and
         WCLIC as of and for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 is
         as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    1996           1995          1994
                                                                                ------------   -----------   -----------

               <S>                                                               <C>             <C>           <C>   
               Revenues                                                          $   668,870       422,149        84,226
               Net income                                                             11,324        26,456        11,753
               Assets, consisting primarily of investments                         3,029,293     2,967,326     2,537,692
               Liabilities, consisting primarily of policy benefits and claims     2,543,586     2,460,649     2,179,263
</TABLE>

         During 1996, NLIC entered into two reinsurance agreements whereby all
         of NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business was
         ceded to ELICW and NMIC, effective January 1, 1996. See note 13 for a
         complete discussion of the reinsurance agreements. NLIC has
         discontinued its accident and health and group life insurance business
         and in connection therewith has entered into reinsurance agreements to
         cede all existing and any future writings to other affiliated companies
         and will cease writing any new business prior to December 31, 1997.
         NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business is
         accounted for as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
         NLIC did not recognize any gain or loss on the disposal of the accident
         and health and group life insurance business. The assets, liabilities,
         results of operations and activities of discontinued operations are
         distinguished physically, operationally and for financial reporting
         purposes from the remaining assets, liabilities, results of operations
         and activities of NLIC.
<PAGE>   8
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         A summary of the results of operations, net of amounts ceded to ELICW
         and NMIC in 1996, and assets and liabilities of NLIC's accident and
         health and group life insurance business as of and for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    1996           1995          1994
                                                                                ------------   -----------   -----------

<S>                                                                                 <C>            <C>           <C>    
               Revenues                                                             $      -       354,788       362,476
               Net income (loss)                                                           -        (1,742)        8,706
               Assets, consisting primarily of investments                           259,185       239,426       234,082
               Liabilities, consisting primarily of policy benefits and claims       259,185       239,426       234,082
</TABLE>

(3)      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
         ------------------------------------------

         The significant accounting policies followed by the Company that
         materially affect financial reporting are summarized below. The
         accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
         accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) which
         differ from statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
         regulatory authorities. Annual Statements for NLIC and its insurance
         subsidiaries, filed with the department of insurance of each insurance
         company's state of domicile, are prepared on the basis of accounting
         practices prescribed or permitted by each department. Prescribed
         statutory accounting practices include a variety of publications of the
         National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), as well as
         state laws, regulations and general administrative rules. Permitted
         statutory accounting practices encompass all accounting practices not
         so prescribed. The Company has no material permitted statutory
         accounting practices.

         In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is
         required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
         amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent
         assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial
         statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the
         reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those
         estimates.

         The most significant estimates include those used in determining
         deferred policy acquisition costs, valuation allowances for mortgage
         loans on real estate and real estate investments and the liability for
         future policy benefits and claims. Although some variability is
         inherent in these estimates, management believes the amounts provided
         are adequate.

         (a)  Consolidation Policy
              --------------------

              The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NLIC
              and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Subsidiaries that are
              classified and reported as discontinued operations are not
              consolidated but rather are reported as "Investment in
              Subsidiaries Classified as Discontinued Operations" in the
              accompanying consolidated balance sheets and "Income for
              Discontinued Operations" in the accompanying consolidated
              statements of income. All significant intercompany balances and
              transactions have been eliminated.

         (b)  Valuation of Investments and Related Gains and Losses
              -----------------------------------------------------

              The Company is required to classify its fixed maturity securities
              and equity securities as either held-to-maturity,
              available-for-sale or trading. Fixed maturity securities are
              classified as held-to-maturity when the Company has the positive
              intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity and are
              stated at amortized cost. Fixed maturity securities not classified
              as held-to-maturity and all equity securities are classified as
              available-for-sale and are stated at fair value, with the
              unrealized gains and losses, net of adjustments to deferred policy
              acquisition costs and deferred federal income tax, reported as a
              separate component of shareholder's equity. The adjustment to
              deferred policy acquisition costs represents the change in
              amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs that would have
              been required as a charge or credit to operations had such
              unrealized amounts been realized. The Company has no fixed
              maturity securities classified as held-to-maturity or trading as
              of December 31, 1996 or 1995.
<PAGE>   9
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



              Mortgage loans on real estate are carried at the unpaid principal
              balance less valuation allowances. The Company provides valuation
              allowances for impairments of mortgage loans on real estate based
              on a review by portfolio managers. The measurement of impaired
              loans is based on the present value of expected future cash flows
              discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a
              practical expedient, at the fair value of the collateral, if the
              loan is collateral dependent. Loans in foreclosure and loans
              considered to be impaired are placed on non-accrual status.
              Interest received on non-accrual status mortgage loans on real
              estate are included in interest income in the period received.

              Real estate is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and
              valuation allowances. Other long-term investments are carried on
              the equity basis, adjusted for valuation allowances. Impairment
              losses are recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when
              indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash
              flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the
              assets' carrying amount.

              Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are
              determined on the basis of specific security identification.
              Estimates for valuation allowances and other than temporary
              declines are included in realized gains and losses on investments.

         (c)  Revenues and Benefits
              ---------------------

              INVESTMENT PRODUCTS AND UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCTS:
              Investment products consist primarily of individual and group
              variable and fixed annuities, annuities without life contingencies
              and guaranteed investment contracts. Universal life insurance
              products include universal life insurance, variable universal life
              insurance and other interest-sensitive life insurance policies.
              Revenues for investment products and universal life insurance
              products consist of net investment income, asset fees, cost of
              insurance, policy administration and surrender charges that have
              been earned and assessed against policy account balances during
              the period. Policy benefits and claims that are charged to expense
              include interest credited to policy account balances and benefits
              and claims incurred in the period in excess of related policy
              account balances.

              TRADITIONAL LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCTS: Traditional life insurance
              products include those products with fixed and guaranteed premiums
              and benefits and consist primarily of whole life insurance,
              limited-payment life insurance, term life insurance and certain
              annuities with life contingencies. Premiums for traditional life
              insurance products are recognized as revenue when due. Benefits
              and expenses are associated with earned premiums so as to result
              in recognition of profits over the life of the contract. This
              association is accomplished by the provision for future policy
              benefits and the deferral and amortization of policy acquisition
              costs.

              ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE PRODUCTS: Accident and health
              insurance premiums are recognized as revenue over the terms of the
              policies. Policy claims are charged to expense in the period that
              the claims are incurred. All accident and health insurance
              business is accounted for as discontinued operations. See note 2.

         (d)  Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
              ---------------------------------

              The costs of acquiring new business, principally commissions,
              certain expenses of the policy issue and underwriting department
              and certain variable agency expenses have been deferred. For
              investment products and universal life insurance products,
              deferred policy acquisition costs are being amortized with
              interest over the lives of the policies in relation to the present
              value of estimated future gross profits from projected interest
              margins, asset fees, cost of insurance, policy administration and
              surrender charges. For years in which gross profits are negative,
              deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized based on the
              present value of gross revenues. For traditional life products,
              these deferred policy acquisition costs are predominantly being
              amortized with interest over the premium paying period of the
              related policies in proportion to the ratio of actual annual
              premium revenue to the anticipated total premium revenue. Such
              anticipated premium revenue was estimated using the same
              assumptions as were used for computing liabilities for future
              policy benefits. Deferred policy acquisition costs are adjusted to
              reflect the impact of unrealized gains and losses on fixed
              maturity securities available-for-sale as described in note 3(b).
<PAGE>   10

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

         (e)  Separate Accounts
              -----------------

              Separate Account assets and liabilities represent contractholders'
              funds which have been segregated into accounts with specific
              investment objectives. The investment income and gains or losses
              of these accounts accrue directly to the contractholders. The
              activity of the Separate Accounts is not reflected in the
              consolidated statements of income and cash flows except for the
              fees the Company receives.

         (f)  Future Policy Benefits
              ----------------------

              Future policy benefits for investment products in the accumulation
              phase, universal life insurance and variable universal life
              insurance policies have been calculated based on participants'
              contributions plus interest credited less applicable contract
              charges.

              Future policy benefits for traditional life insurance policies
              have been calculated using a net level premium method based on
              estimates of mortality, morbidity, investment yields and
              withdrawals which were used or which were being experienced at the
              time the policies were issued, rather than the assumptions
              prescribed by state regulatory authorities. See note 6.

              Future policy benefits and claims for collectively renewable
              long-term disability policies and group long-term disability
              policies are the present value of amounts not yet due on reported
              claims and an estimate of amounts to be paid on incurred but
              unreported claims. The impact of reserve discounting is not
              material. Future policy benefits and claims on other group health
              insurance policies are not discounted. All health insurance
              business is accounted for as discontinued operations. See note 2.

         (g)  Participating Business
              ----------------------

              Participating business represents approximately 52% in 1996 (54%
              in 1995 and 55% in 1994) of the Company's life insurance in force,
              78% in 1996 (79% in 1995 and 79% in 1994) of the number of life
              insurance policies in force, and 40% in 1996 (47% in 1995 and 51%
              in 1994) of life insurance premiums. The provision for
              policyholder dividends is based on current dividend scales. Future
              dividends are provided for ratably in future policy benefits based
              on dividend scales in effect at the time the policies were issued.

         (h)  Federal Income Tax
              ------------------

              The Company, with the exception of ELICW, files a consolidated
              federal income tax return with NMIC, the majority shareholder of
              Nationwide Corp. The members of the consolidated tax return group
              have a tax sharing arrangement which provides, in effect, for each
              member to bear essentially the same federal income tax liability
              as if separate tax returns were filed. Through 1994, ELICW filed a
              consolidated federal income tax return with Employers Insurance of
              Wausau A Mutual Company, an affiliate. Beginning in 1995, ELICW
              files a separate federal income tax return.

              The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting
              for income tax. Under this method, deferred tax assets and
              liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
              attributable to differences between the financial statement
              carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
              respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit
              carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
              using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the
              years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
              recovered or settled. Under this method, the effect on deferred
              tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized
              in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
              Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce the
              deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized.
<PAGE>   11
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         (i)  Reinsurance Ceded
              -----------------
  
              Reinsurance premiums ceded and reinsurance recoveries on benefits
              and claims incurred are deducted from the respective income and
              expense accounts. Assets and liabilities related to reinsurance
              ceded are reported on a gross basis. All of the Company's accident
              and health and group life insurance business is ceded to
              affiliates and is accounted for as discontinued operations. See
              notes 2 and 13.

         (j)  Reclassification
              ----------------

              Certain items in the 1995 and 1994 consolidated financial
              statements have been reclassified to conform to the 1996
              presentation.


(4)      Change in Accounting Principle
         ------------------------------

         Effective January 1, 1994, the Company changed its method of accounting
         for certain investments in debt and equity securities in connection
         with the issuance of STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (SFAS)
         NO. 115 - ACCOUNTING FOR CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY
         SECURITIES. As of January 1, 1994, the Company classified fixed
         maturity securities with amortized cost and fair value of $6,299,665
         and $6,721,714, respectively, as available-for-sale and recorded the
         securities at fair value. Previously, these securities were recorded at
         amortized cost. The effect as of January 1, 1994 has been recorded as a
         direct credit to shareholder's equity as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             <S>                                                                     <C>    
             Excess of fair value over amortized cost of fixed maturity
                securities available-for-sale                                         $ 422,049
             Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                            (95,044)
             Deferred federal income tax                                               (114,452)
                                                                                    --------------
                                                                                      $ 212,553
                                                                                    ==============
</TABLE>


(5)      Investments
         -----------

         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities
         available-for-sale were as follows as of December 31, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     Gross         Gross
                                                                    Amortized     unrealized    unrealized     Estimated
                                                                      cost           gains        losses       fair value
                                                                  ------------    ----------    -----------    -----------  
<S>                                                                <C>             <C>          <C>            <C>    
             1996:
               Fixed maturity securities:
                 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
                   U.S. government corporations and agencies       $   275,696         4,795        (1,340)        279,151
                 Obligations of states and political subdivisions        6,242           450            (2)          6,690
                 Debt securities issued by foreign governments         100,656         2,141          (857)        101,940
                 Corporate securities                                7,999,310       285,946       (33,686)      8,251,570
                 Mortgage-backed securities                          3,588,974        91,438       (15,124)      3,665,288
                                                                   ------------    ----------   ------------   ------------ 
                     Total fixed maturity securities                11,970,878       384,770       (51,009)     12,304,639
               Equity securities                                        43,890        15,571          (330)         59,131
                                                                   ------------    ----------   ------------   ------------ 
                                                                   $12,014,768       400,341       (51,339)     12,363,770
                                                                   ============    ==========   ============   ============ 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   12
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities
         available-for-sale were as follows as of December 31, 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     Gross         Gross
                                                                    Amortized     unrealized    unrealized     Estimated
                                                                      cost           gains        losses       fair value
                                                                   ------------    ----------   -----------  ---------------
<S>                                                                <C>                <C>              <C>         <C>    
             1995:
               Fixed maturity securities:
                 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of 
                   U.S. government corporations and agencies       $   310,186        12,764           (1)         322,949
                 Obligations of states and political subdivisions        8,655         1,205           (1)           9,859
                 Debt securities issued by foreign governments         101,414         4,387          (66)         105,735
                 Corporate securities                                7,888,440       473,681      (25,742)       8,336,379
                 Mortgage-backed securities                          3,553,861       165,169       (8,388)       3,710,642
                                                                   ------------    ----------   -----------  ---------------
                     Total fixed maturity securities                11,862,556       657,206      (34,198)      12,485,564
               Equity securities                                        23,617         6,382          (46)          29,953
                                                                   ------------    ----------   -----------  ---------------
                                                                   $11,886,173       663,588      (34,244)      12,515,517
                                                                   ============    ==========   ===========  ===============
</TABLE>


         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity
         securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 1996, by contractual
         maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from
         contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or
         prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              
                                                                                   Amortized        Estimated
                                                                                      cost          fair value
                                                                                ---------------   --------------
                                                                                
<S>                                                                             <C>                    <C>                 
             Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
                Due in one year or less                                         $     440,235          444,214
                Due after one year through five years                               3,937,010        4,053,152
                Due after five years through ten years                              2,809,813        2,871,806
                Due after ten years                                                 1,194,846        1,270,179
                                                                                ---------------   --------------
                                                                                    8,381,904        8,639,351

             Mortgage-backed securities                                             3,588,974        3,665,288
                                                                                ---------------   --------------
                                                                                  $11,970,878       12,304,639
                                                                                ===============   ==============
</TABLE>


         The components of unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale,
         net, were as follows as of December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   1996            1995
                                                                              ---------------  --------------

             <S>                                                                  <C>              <C>    
             Gross unrealized gains                                               $349,002         629,344
             Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                       (81,939)       (138,914)
             Deferred federal income tax                                           (93,471)       (171,649)
                                                                              ---------------  --------------
                                                                                   173,592         318,781

             Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net, of
                subsidiaries classified as discontinued operations (note 2)              -          65,523
                                                                              ---------------  --------------
                                                                                  $173,592         384,304
                                                                              ===============  ==============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   13
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         An analysis of the change in gross unrealized gains (losses) on
         securities available-for-sale and fixed maturity securities
         held-to-maturity follows for the years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          1996             1995            1994
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  --------------
             <S>                                                     <C>               <C>            <C>    
             Securities available-for-sale:
                Fixed maturity securities                               $(289,247)         876,332       (675,373)
                Equity securities                                           8,905              (26)        (1,927)
             Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                         -           75,626       (398,183)
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  --------------
                                                                        $(280,342)         951,932     (1,075,483)
                                                                     ===============   =============  ==============
</TABLE>

         Proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale during 1996,
         1995 and 1994 were $299,558, $107,345 and $228,308, respectively.
         During 1996, gross gains of $6,606 ($4,838 and $3,045 in 1995 and 1994,
         respectively) and gross losses of $6,925 ($2,147 and $21,280 in 1995
         and 1994, respectively) were realized on those sales.

         During 1995, the Company transferred fixed maturity securities
         classified as held-to-maturity with amortized cost of $25,429 to
         available-for-sale securities due to evidence of a significant
         deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness. The transfer of those
         fixed maturity securities resulted in a gross unrealized loss of
         $3,535.

         As permitted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Special
         Report, A GUIDE TO IMPLEMENTATION OF STATEMENT 115 ON ACCOUNTING FOR
         CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES, issued in November
         1995 the Company transferred all of its fixed maturity securities
         previously classified as held-to-maturity to available-for-sale. As of
         December 14, 1995, the date of transfer, the fixed maturity securities
         had amortized cost of $3,320,093, resulting in a gross unrealized gain
         of $155,940.

         Investments that were non-income producing for the twelve month period
         preceding December 31, 1996 amounted to $26,805 ($27,712 in 1995) and
         consisted of $248 ($6,982 in 1995) in fixed maturity securities,
         $20,633 ($14,740 in 1995) in real estate and $5,924 ($5,990 in 1995) in
         other long-term investments.

         Real estate is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation of
         $30,338 as of December 31, 1996 ($30,482 as of December 31, 1995) and
         valuation allowances of $15,219 as of December 31, 1996 ($25,819 as of
         December 31, 1995).

         The recorded investment of mortgage loans on real estate considered to
         be impaired (under SFAS NO. 114 - ACCOUNTING BY CREDITORS FOR
         IMPAIRMENT OF A LOAN as amended by SFAS NO. 118 - ACCOUNTING BY
         CREDITORS FOR IMPAIRMENT OF A LOAN-INCOME RECOGNITION AND DISCLOSURE)
         as of December 31, 1996 was $51,765 ($44,409 as of December 31, 1995),
         which includes $41,663 ($23,975 as of December 31, 1995) of impaired
         mortgage loans on real estate for which the related valuation allowance
         was $8,485 ($5,276 as of December 31, 1995) and $10,102 ($20,434 as of
         December 31, 1995) of impaired mortgage loans on real estate for which
         there was no valuation allowance. During 1996, the average recorded
         investment in impaired mortgage loans on real estate was approximately
         $39,674 ($22,181 in 1995) and interest income recognized on those loans
         was $2,103 ($387 in 1995), which is equal to interest income recognized
         using a cash-basis method of income recognition.

         Activity in the valuation allowance account for mortgage loans on real
         estate is summarized for the years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   1996           1995
                                                                               -------------  --------------

<S>                                                                                <C>             <C>   
             Allowance, beginning of year                                          $49,128         46,381
                  Additions charged to operations                                    4,497          7,433
                  Direct write-downs charged against the allowance                  (2,587)        (4,686)
                                                                               -------------  -------------  
             Allowance, end of year                                                $51,038         49,128
                                                                               =============  ==============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   14

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         An analysis of investment income by investment type follows for the
         years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          1996             1995           1994
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  ------------
        <S>                                                           <C>              <C>            <C>          
             Gross investment income:
                 Securities available-for-sale:
                   Fixed maturity securities                          $   917,135          685,787        647,927
                   Equity securities                                        1,291            1,330            509
                 Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                     -          201,808        185,938
                 Mortgage loans on real estate                            432,815          395,478        372,734
                 Real estate                                               44,332           38,344         40,170
                 Short-term investments                                     4,155           10,576          6,141
                 Other                                                      3,998            7,239          2,121
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  --------------
                       Total investment income                          1,403,726        1,340,562      1,255,540
             Less investment expenses                                      45,967           46,529         44,729
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  ---------------  
                       Net investment income                           $1,357,759        1,294,033      1,210,811
                                                                     ===============   =============  ==============
</TABLE>

         An analysis of realized gains (losses) on investments, net of valuation
         allowances, by investment type follows for the years ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1996          1995          1994
                                                                     ------------  ------------  ------------
        <S>                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>    
             Securities available-for-sale:
                Fixed maturity securities                              $(3,462)        4,213        (7,296)
                Equity securities                                        3,143         3,386         1,422
             Mortgage loans on real estate                              (4,115)       (7,091)      (20,446)
             Real estate and other                                       4,108        (2,232)        9,793
                                                                     ------------  ------------  ------------ 
                                                                      $   (326)       (1,724)      (16,527)
                                                                     ============  ============  ============
</TABLE>

         Fixed maturity securities with an amortized cost of $6,161 and $5,592
         as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, were on deposit with
         various regulatory agencies as required by law.

(6)      Future Policy Benefits and Claims
         ---------------------------------

         The liability for future policy benefits for investment contracts
         represents approximately 87% and 87% of the total liability for future
         policy benefits as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The
         average interest rate credited on investment product policies was
         approximately 6.3%, 6.6% and 6.5% for the years ended December 31,
         1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

         The liability for future policy benefits for traditional life insurance
         policies has been established based upon the following assumptions:

              Interest rates:  Interest rates vary as follows:
              --------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                   Year of issue                Interest rates
                   -----------------   ----------------------------------------

                   <S>                <C>                
                   1996                6.6%, not graded
                   1984-1995           6.0% to 10.5%, not graded
                   1966-1983           6.0% to 8.1%, graded over 20 years to 4.0% to 6.6%
                   1965 and prior      generally lower than post 1965 issues

</TABLE>
<PAGE>   15
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


              WITHDRAWALS: Rates, which vary by issue age, type of coverage
              and policy duration, are based on Company experience.

              MORTALITY: Mortality and morbidity rates are based on
              published tables, modified for the Company's actual
              experience.

         The Company has entered into a reinsurance contract to cede a portion
         of its general account individual annuity business to The Franklin Life
         Insurance Company (Franklin). Total recoveries due from Franklin were
         $240,451 and $245,255 as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
         The contract is immaterial to the Company's results of operations. The
         ceding of risk does not discharge the original insurer from its primary
         obligation to the policyholder. Under the terms of the contract,
         Franklin has established a trust as collateral for the recoveries. The
         trust assets are invested in investment grade securities, the market
         value of which must at all times be greater than or equal to 102% of
         the reinsured reserves.

         The Company has reinsurance agreements with certain affiliates as
         described in note 13. All other reinsurance agreements are not material
         to either premiums or reinsurance recoverables.

(7)      Federal Income Tax
         -------------------

         The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
         components of the net deferred tax liability as of December 31, 1996
         and 1995 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              1996               1995
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
            <S>                                                         <C>                 <C>    
             Deferred tax assets:
                Future policy benefits                                        $175,571            149,192
                Liabilities in Separate Accounts                               188,426            129,120
                Mortgage loans on real estate and real estate                   23,366             25,165
                Other policyholder funds                                         7,407              7,424
                Other assets and other liabilities                              53,757             41,847
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
                  Total gross deferred tax assets                              448,527            352,748
                  Less valuation allowances                                     (7,000)            (7,000)
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
                  Net deferred tax assets                                      441,527            345,748
                                                                        =================   ===============

             Deferred tax liabilities:
                Deferred policy acquisition costs                              399,345            299,579
                Fixed maturity securities                                      133,210            227,345
                Deferred tax on realized investment gains                       37,597             40,634
                Equity securities and other long-term investments                8,210              3,780
                Other                                                           25,377             21,037
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
                  Total gross deferred tax liabilities                         603,739            592,375
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
                                                                              $162,212            246,627
                                                                        =================   ===============
</TABLE>

         In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management
         considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion of the
         total gross deferred tax assets will not be realized. Nearly all future
         deductible amounts can be offset by future taxable amounts or recovery
         of federal income tax paid within the statutory carryback period. There
         has been no change in the valuation allowance for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.
<PAGE>   16

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

         Total federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1996,
         1995 and 1994 differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S.
         federal income tax rate to income before tax as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                1996                    1995                    1994
                                                   ----------------------   ----------------------   ----------------------
                                                      Amount        %          Amount        %          Amount        %
                                                   ----------------------   ----------------------   ----------------------

             <S>                                      <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>         <C> 
             Computed (expected) tax expense          $110,424     35.0        $100,650     35.0         $84,650     35.0
             Tax exempt interest and dividends
                received deduction                        (212)    (0.1)            (18)    (0.0)           (130)    (0.1)
             Other, net                                    677      0.3            (824)    (0.3)         (5,931)    (2.5)
                                                   ------------  --------   ------------- --------   ------------- --------
               Total (effective rate of each year)    $110,889     35.2       $  99,808     34.7         $78,589     32.5
                                                   ============  ========   ============= ========   ============= ========
</TABLE>

         Total federal  income tax paid was $115,839,  $51,840 and $83,239  
         during the years ended  December 31, 1996,  1995 and 1994, 
         respectively.


 (8)     Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments
         -----------------------------------------------------

         SFAS NO. 107 - DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
         (SFAS 107) requires disclosure of fair value information about existing
         on and off-balance sheet financial instruments. SFAS 107 defines the
         fair value of a financial instrument as the amount at which the
         financial instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction
         between willing parties. In cases where quoted market prices are not
         available, fair value is based on estimates using present value or
         other valuation techniques.

         These techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used,
         including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows.
         Although fair value estimates are calculated using assumptions that
         management believes are appropriate, changes in assumptions could cause
         these estimates to vary materially. In that regard, the derived fair
         value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent
         markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in the immediate
         settlement of the instruments. SFAS 107 excludes certain assets and
         liabilities from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the
         aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying
         value of the Company.

         Although insurance contracts, other than policies such as annuities
         that are classified as investment contracts, are specifically exempted
         from SFAS 107 disclosures, estimated fair value of policy reserves on
         life insurance contracts is provided to make the fair value disclosures
         more meaningful.

         The tax ramifications of the related unrealized gains and losses can
         have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been
         considered in the estimates.

         The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in
         estimating its fair value disclosures:

              CASH, SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AND POLICY LOANS: The carrying amount
              reported in the consolidated balance sheets for these instruments
              approximates their fair value.

              FIXED MATURITY AND EQUITY SECURITIES: Fair value for fixed
              maturity securities is based on quoted market prices, where
              available. For fixed maturity securities not actively traded, fair
              value is estimated using values obtained from independent pricing
              services or, in the case of private placements, is estimated by
              discounting expected future cash flows using a current market rate
              applicable to the yield, credit quality and maturity of the
              investments. The fair value for equity securities is based on
              quoted market prices.

              SEPARATE ACCOUNT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES: The fair value of assets
              held in Separate Accounts is based on quoted market prices. The
              fair value of liabilities related to Separate Accounts is the
              amount payable on demand, which includes certain surrender
              charges.
<PAGE>   17
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


              MORTGAGE LOANS ON REAL ESTATE: The fair value for mortgage loans
              on real estate is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses,
              using interest rates currently being offered for similar loans to
              borrowers with similar credit ratings. Loans with similar
              characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations.
              Fair value for mortgages in default is the estimated fair value of
              the underlying collateral.

              INVESTMENT CONTRACTS: Fair value for the Company's liabilities
              under investment type contracts is disclosed using two methods.
              For investment contracts without defined maturities, fair value is
              the amount payable on demand. For investment contracts with known
              or determined maturities, fair value is estimated using discounted
              cash flow analyses. Interest rates used are similar to currently
              offered contracts with maturities consistent with those remaining
              for the contracts being valued.

              POLICY RESERVES ON LIFE INSURANCE CONTRACTS: Included are
              disclosures for individual life insurance, universal life
              insurance and supplementary contracts with life contingencies for
              which the estimated fair value is the amount payable on demand.
              Also included are disclosures for the Company's limited payment
              policies, which the Company has used discounted cash flow analyses
              similar to those used for investment contracts with known
              maturities to estimate fair value.

              POLICYHOLDERS' DIVIDEND ACCUMULATIONS AND OTHER POLICYHOLDER
              FUNDS: The carrying amount reported in the consolidated balance
              sheets for these instruments approximates their fair value.

              COMMITMENTS TO EXTEND CREDIT: Commitments to extend credit have
              nominal fair value because of the short-term nature of such
              commitments. See note 9.

           Carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instruments
           subject to SFAS 107 and policy reserves on life insurance contracts
           were as follows as of December 31, 1996 and 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           1996                            1995
                                                             ------------------------------   -------------------------------
                                                                Carrying      Estimated          Carrying       Estimated
                                                                 amount       fair value          amount        fair value
                                                             ------------------------------   --------------- ---------------
               <S>                                             <C>             <C>               <C>             <C>       
               Assets
               ------
               Investments:
                  Securities available-for-sale:
                     Fixed maturity securities                 $12,304,639     12,304,639        12,485,564      12,485,564
                     Equity securities                              59,131         59,131            29,953          29,953
                  Mortgage loans on real estate, net             5,272,119      5,397,865         4,602,764       4,961,655
                  Policy loans                                     371,816        371,816           336,356         336,356
                  Short-term investments                             4,789          4,789            32,792          32,792
               Cash                                                 43,784         43,784             9,455           9,455
               Assets held in Separate Accounts                 26,926,702     26,926,702        18,591,108      18,591,108

               Liabilities
               -----------
               Investment contracts                             13,914,441     13,484,526        13,229,360      12,876,798
               Policy reserves on life insurance contracts       2,971,337      2,775,991         2,836,323       2,733,486
               Policyholders' dividend accumulations               361,401        361,401           348,027         348,027
               Other policyholder funds                             60,073         60,073            65,297          65,297
               Liabilities related to Separate Accounts         26,926,702     26,164,213        18,591,108      18,052,362
</TABLE>

(9)      Additional Financial Instruments Disclosures
         --------------------------------------------
         
         FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK: The Company is a
         party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the
         normal course of business through management of its investment
         portfolio. These financial instruments include commitments to extend
         credit in the form of loans. These instruments involve, to varying
         degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of amounts recognized on the
         consolidated balance sheets.
<PAGE>   18
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         Commitments to fund fixed rate mortgage loans on real estate are
         agreements to lend to a borrower, and are subject to conditions
         established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed
         expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment
         of a deposit. Commitments extended by the Company are based on
         management's case-by-case credit evaluation of the borrower and the
         borrower's loan collateral. The underlying mortgage property represents
         the collateral if the commitment is funded. The Company's policy for
         new mortgage loans on real estate is to lend no more than 75% of
         collateral value. Should the commitment be funded, the Company's
         exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the borrower
         is represented by the contractual amounts of these commitments less the
         net realizable value of the collateral. The contractual amounts also
         represent the cash requirements for all unfunded commitments.
         Commitments on mortgage loans on real estate of $327,456 extending into
         1997 were outstanding as of December 31, 1996.

         SIGNIFICANT CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK: The Company grants mainly
         commercial mortgage loans on real estate to customers throughout the
         United States. The Company has a diversified portfolio with no more
         than 21% (20% in 1995) in any geographic area and no more than 2% (2%
         in 1995) with any one borrower as of December 31, 1996.

         The Company had a significant reinsurance recoverable balance from one
         reinsurer as of December 31, 1996 and 1995. See note 6.

         The summary below depicts loans by remaining principal balance as of
         December 31, 1996 and 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             Apartment
                                                Office       Warehouse         Retail         & other           Total
                                              ------------  -------------   -------------   -------------   --------------
              <S>                              <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>                 
               1996:
                 East North Central             $139,518        119,069         549,064         215,038        1,022,689
                 East South Central               33,267         22,252         172,968          90,623          319,110
                 Mountain                         17,972         43,027         113,292          73,390          247,681
                 Middle Atlantic                 129,077         54,046         160,833          18,498          362,454
                 New England                      33,348         43,581         161,960               -          238,889
                 Pacific                         202,562        325,046         424,295         110,108        1,062,011
                 South Atlantic                  103,889        134,492         482,934         385,185        1,106,500
                 West North Central              126,467          2,441          75,180          40,529          244,617
                 West South Central              104,877        120,314         197,090         304,256          726,537
                                              -------------   -------------   -------------   --------------  ------------
                                                $890,977        864,268       2,337,616       1,237,627        5,330,488
                                              ============  =============   =============   =============
                    Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                                            58,369
                                                                                                            --------------
                         Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                                             $5,272,119
                                                                                                            ==============
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                 <S>                          <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>    
               1995:
                 East North Central             $138,965        101,925         514,995         175,213          931,098
                 East South Central               21,329         13,053         180,858          82,383          297,623
                 Mountain                              -         17,219         138,220          45,274          200,713
                 Middle Atlantic                 116,187         64,813         158,252          10,793          350,045
                 New England                       9,559         39,525         148,449               1          197,534
                 Pacific                         183,206        233,186         374,915         105,419          896,726
                 South Atlantic                  106,246         73,541         446,800         278,265          904,852
                 West North Central              133,899         14,205          78,065          36,651          262,820
                 West South Central               69,140         92,594         190,299         267,268          619,301
                                              ------------  ------------    -------------   -------------   --------------
                                                $778,531        650,061       2,230,853       1,001,267        4,660,712
                                              ============  =============   =============   =============
                    Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                                            57,948
                                                                                                            --------------
                         Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                                             $4,602,764
                                                                                                            ==============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   19
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


(10)     Pension Plan
         ------------

         The Company is a participant, together with other affiliated companies,
         in a pension plan covering all employees who have completed at least
         one thousand hours of service within a twelve-month period and who have
         met certain age requirements. Benefits are based upon the highest
         average annual salary of a specified number of consecutive years of the
         last ten years of service. The Company funds pension costs accrued for
         direct employees plus an allocation of pension costs accrued for
         employees of affiliates whose work efforts benefit the Company.

         Effective January 1, 1995, the plan was amended to provide enhanced
         benefits for participants who met certain eligibility requirements and
         elected early retirement no later than March 15, 1995. The entire cost
         of the enhanced benefit was borne by NMIC and certain of its property
         and casualty insurance company affiliates.

         Effective December 31, 1995, the Nationwide Insurance Companies and
         Affiliates Retirement Plan was merged with the Farmland Mutual
         Insurance Company Employees' Retirement Plan and the Wausau Insurance
         Companies Pension Plan to form the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
         Retirement Plan. Immediately prior to the merger, the plans were
         amended to provide consistent benefits for service after January 1,
         1996. These amendments had no significant impact on the accumulated
         benefit obligation or projected benefit obligation as of December 31,
         1995.

         Pension costs charged to operations by the Company during the years
         ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $7,381, $10,478 and
         $10,063, respectively.

         The Company's net accrued pension expense as of December 31, 1996 and
         1995 was $1,075 and $1,392, respectively.

         The net periodic pension cost for the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
         Retirement Plan as a whole for the year ended December 31, 1996 and for
         the Nationwide Insurance Companies and Affiliates Retirement Plan as a
         whole for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1996             1995              1994
                                                                   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------

              <S>                                                    <C>                  <C>               <C>   
              Service cost (benefits earned during the period)       $   75,466           64,524            64,740
              Interest cost on projected benefit obligation             105,511           95,283            73,951
              Actual return on plan assets                             (210,583)        (249,294)          (21,495)
              Net amortization and deferral                             101,795          143,353           (62,150)
                                                                   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                     $   72,189           53,866            55,046
                                                                   ===============  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>


         Basis for measurements, net periodic pension cost:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1996             1995              1994
                                                                   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------

              <S>                                                   <C>              <C>               <C>  
              Weighted average discount rate                           6.00%            7.50%             5.75%
              Rate of increase in future compensation levels           4.25%            6.25%             4.50%
              Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets         6.75%            8.75%             7.00%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   20
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         Information regarding the funded status of the Nationwide Insurance
         Enterprise Retirement Plan as a whole as of December 31, 1996 and 1995
         follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                1996              1995
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------
              <S>                                                          <C>               <C>      
              Accumulated benefit obligation:
                 Vested                                                      $1,338,554         1,236,730
                 Nonvested                                                       11,149            26,503
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------
                                                                             $1,349,703         1,263,233
                                                                           ===============   ===============

              Net accrued pension expense:
                 Projected benefit obligation for services rendered to       
                    date                                                     $1,847,828         1,780,616
                 Plan assets at fair value                                    1,947,933         1,738,004
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------
                    Plan assets in excess of (less than) projected benefit
                       obligation                                               100,105           (42,612)
                 Unrecognized prior service cost                                 37,870            42,845
                 Unrecognized net gains                                        (201,952)          (63,130)
                 Unrecognized net asset at transition                            37,158            41,305
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------
                                                                            $   (26,819)          (21,592)
                                                                           ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

         Basis for measurements, funded status of plan:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                1996              1995
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------

              <S>                                                              <C>               <C>  
              Weighted average discount rate                                   6.50%             6.00%
              Rate of increase in future compensation levels                   4.75%             4.25%
</TABLE>

         Assets of the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise Retirement Plan are
         invested in group annuity contracts of NLIC and ELICW.

(11)     Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
         -------------------------------------------

         In addition to the defined benefit pension plan, the Company, together
         with other affiliated companies, participates in life and health care
         defined benefit plans for qualifying retirees. Postretirement life and
         health care benefits are contributory and generally available to full
         time employees who have attained age 55 and have accumulated 15 years
         of service with the Company after reaching age 40. Postretirement
         health care benefit contributions are adjusted annually and contain
         cost-sharing features such as deductibles and coinsurance. In addition,
         there are caps on the Company's portion of the per-participant cost of
         the postretirement health care benefits. These caps can increase
         annually, but not more than three percent. The Company's policy is to
         fund the cost of health care benefits in amounts determined at the
         discretion of management. Plan assets are invested primarily in group
         annuity contracts of NLIC.

         The Company elected to immediately recognize its estimated accumulated
         postretirement benefit obligation; however, certain affiliated
         companies elected to amortize their initial transition obligation over
         periods ranging from 10 to 20 years.

         The Company's accrued postretirement benefit expense as of December 31,
         1996 and 1995 was $34,884 and $33,537, respectively, and the net
         periodic postretirement benefit cost (NPPBC) for 1996, 1995 and 1994
         was $3,286, $3,132 and $4,284, respectively.
<PAGE>   21
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The amount of NPPBC for the plan as a whole for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                        1996          1995          1994
                                                                                     -----------   -----------   -----------

            <S>                                                                       <C>              <C>           <C>  
             Service cost (benefits attributed to employee service during the year)   $  6,541         6,235         8,586
             Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation             13,679        14,151        14,011
             Actual return on plan assets                                               (4,348)       (2,657)       (1,622)
             Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates              173         2,966           568
             Net amortization and deferral                                               1,830        (1,619)        1,622
                                                                                     -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                                                       $17,875        19,076        23,165
                                                                                     ===========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE>

         Information regarding the funded status of the plan as a whole as of
         December 31, 1996 and 1995 follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             1996              1995
                                                                                        ---------------   ---------------
             <S>                                                                          <C>                   <C>   
             Accrued postretirement benefit expense:
                Retirees                                                                  $   92,954            88,680
                Fully eligible, active plan participants                                      23,749            28,793
                Other active plan participants                                                83,986            90,375
                                                                                        ---------------   ---------------
                   Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)                      200,689           207,848
                Plan assets at fair value                                                     63,044            54,325
                                                                                        ---------------   ---------------
                   Plan assets less than accumulated postretirement benefit obligation      (137,645)         (153,523)
                Unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates                               1,654             1,827
                Unrecognized net gains                                                       (23,225)           (1,038)
                                                                                        ---------------   ---------------
                                                                                           $(159,216)         (152,734)
                                                                                        ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

         Actuarial  assumptions  used for the  measurement  of the APBO as of 
         December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the NPPBC for 1996, 1995 and 1994 were 
         as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1996          1996         1995         1995         1994
                                                      APBO         NPPBC         APBO        NPPBC         NPPBC
                                                   ------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------
             <S>                                     <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>  

             Discount rate                            7.25%         6.65%        6.75%        8.00%        7.00%
             Long-term rate of return on plan
                 assets, net of tax                     -           4.80%         -           8.00%         N/A
             Assumed health care cost trend rate:
                 Initial rate                        11.00%        11.00%       11.00%       10.00%       12.00%
                 Ultimate rate                        6.00%         6.00%        6.00%        6.00%        6.00%
                 Uniform declining period           12 Years      12 Years     12 Years     12 Years     12 Years
</TABLE>


         The health care cost trend rate assumption has an effect on the amounts
         reported. For the plan as a whole, a one percentage point increase in
         the assumed health care cost trend rate would increase the APBO as of
         December 31, 1996 by $701 and the NPPBC for the year ended December 31,
         1996 by $83.

(12)     Shareholder's Equity, Regulatory Risk-Based Capital, Retained Earnings 
         and Dividend Restrictions
         ---------------------------------------------------------------------

         Each insurance company's state of domicile imposes minimum risk-based
         capital requirements that were developed by the NAIC. The formulas for
         determining the amount of risk-based capital specify various weighting
         factors that are applied to financial balances or various levels of
         activity based on the perceived degree of risk. Regulatory compliance
         is determined by a ratio of the company's regulatory total adjusted
         capital, as defined by the NAIC, to its authorized control level
         risk-based capital, as defined by the NAIC. Companies below specific
         trigger points or ratios are classified within certain levels, each of
         which requires specified corrective action. NLIC and each of its
         insurance company subsidiaries exceed the minimum risk-based capital
         requirements.
<PAGE>   22
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The statutory capital shares and surplus of NLIC as of December 31,
         1996, 1995 and 1994 was $1,000,647, $1,363,031 and $1,262,861,
         respectively. The statutory net income of NLIC for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was $73,218, $86,529 and $76,532,
         respectively.

         NLIC is limited in the amount of shareholder dividends it may pay
         without prior approval by the Department of Insurance of the State of
         Ohio (the Department). NLIC's dividend of the outstanding shares of
         common stock of certain companies which was declared on September 24,
         1996 and the anticipated $850,000 dividend (as discussed in note 1) are
         deemed extraordinary under Ohio insurance laws. As a result of such
         dividends, any dividend paid by NLIC during the 12-month period
         immediately following the $850,000 dividend would also be an
         extraordinary dividend under Ohio insurance laws. Accordingly, no such
         dividend could be paid without prior regulatory approval.

         In addition, the payment of dividends by NLIC may also be subject to
         restrictions set forth in the insurance laws of New York that limit the
         amount of statutory profits on NLIC's participating policies (measured
         before dividends to policyholders) that can inure to the benefit of the
         Company and its stockholder.

         The Company currently does not expect such regulatory requirements to
         impair its ability to pay operating expenses and stockholder dividends
         in the future.

(13)     Transactions With Affiliates
         ----------------------------

         The Company leases office space from NMIC and certain of its
         subsidiaries. For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the
         Company made lease payments to NMIC and its subsidiaries of $9,065,
         $8,986 and $8,133, respectively.

         Pursuant to a cost sharing agreement among NMIC and certain of its
         direct and indirect subsidiaries, including the Company, NMIC provides
         certain operational and administrative services, such as sales support,
         advertising, personnel and general management services, to those
         subsidiaries. Expenses covered by this agreement are subject to
         allocation among NMIC, the Company and other affiliates. Amounts
         allocated to the Company were $101,584, $107,112, and $100,601 in 1996,
         1995 and 1994, respectively. The allocations are based on techniques
         and procedures in accordance with insurance regulatory guidelines.
         Measures used to allocate expenses among companies include individual
         employee estimates of time spent, special cost studies, salary expense,
         commissions expense and other methods agreed to by the participating
         companies that are within industry guidelines and practices. The
         Company believes these allocation methods are reasonable. In addition,
         the Company does not believe that expenses recognized under the
         intercompany agreements are materially different than expenses that
         would have been recognized had the Company operated on a stand alone
         basis. Amounts payable to NMIC from the Company under the cost sharing
         agreement were $15,111 and $1,186 as of December 31, 1996 and 1995,
         respectively.

         The Company also participates in intercompany repurchase agreements
         with affiliates whereby the seller will transfer securities to the
         buyer at a stated value. Upon demand or a stated period, the securities
         will be repurchased by the seller at the original sales price plus a
         price differential. Transactions under the agreements during 1996 and
         1995 were not material. The Company believes that the terms of the
         repurchase agreements are materially consistent with what the Company
         could have obtained with unaffiliated parties.
<PAGE>   23

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

         Intercompany reinsurance contracts exist between NLIC and, respectively
         NMIC and ELICW whereby all of NLIC's accident and health and group life
         insurance business is ceded on a modified coinsurance basis. NLIC
         entered into the reinsurance agreements during 1996 because the
         accident and health and group life insurance business was unrelated to
         NLIC's long-term savings and retirement products. Accordingly, the
         accident and health and group life insurance business has been
         accounted for as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
         Under modified coinsurance agreements, invested assets are retained by
         the ceding company and investment earnings are paid to the reinsurer.
         Under the terms of NLIC's agreements, the investment risk associated
         with changes in interest rates is borne by NMIC or ELICW, as the case
         may be. Risk of asset default is retained by NLIC, although a fee is
         paid by NMIC or ELICW, as the case may be, to NLIC for the NLIC's
         retention of such risk. The agreements will remain in force until all
         policy obligations are settled. However, with respect to the agreement
         between NLIC and NMIC, either party may terminate the contract on
         January 1 of any year with prior notice. The ceding of risk does not
         discharge the original insurer from its primary obligation to the
         policyholder. NLIC believes that the terms of the modified coinsurance
         agreements are consistent in all material respects with what NLIC could
         have obtained with unaffiliated parties.

         Amounts ceded to ELICW in 1996 are included in ELICW's results of
         operations for 1996 which, combined with the results of WCLIC and NCC,
         are summarized in note 2. Amounts ceded to ELICW in 1996 include
         premiums of $224,224, net investment income and other revenue of
         $14,833, and benefits, claims and other expenses of $246,641. Amounts
         ceded to NMIC in 1996 include premiums of $97,331, net investment
         income of $10,890, and benefits, claims and other expenses of $100,476.

         The Company and various affiliates entered into agreements with
         Nationwide Cash Management Company (NCMC) and California Cash
         Management Company (CCMC), both affiliates, under which NCMC and CCMC
         act as common agents in handling the purchase and sale of short-term
         securities for the respective accounts of the participants. Amounts on
         deposit with NCMC and CCMC were $4,789 and $9,654 as of December 31,
         1996 and 1995, respectively, and are included in short-term investments
         on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

         On April, 5 1996, Nationwide Corp. contributed all of the outstanding
         shares, with shareholder equity value of $30, of NISC to NLIC. NLIC
         contributed an additional $500 to NISC on August 30, 1996.

         On March 1, 1995, Nationwide Corp. contributed all of the outstanding
         shares of common stock of Farmland Life Insurance Company (Farmland) to
         NLIC. Farmland merged into WCLIC effective June 30, 1995. The
         contribution resulted in a direct increase to consolidated
         shareholder's equity of $46,918. As discussed in note 2, WCLIC is
         accounted for as discontinued operations.

         Effective December 31, 1994, NLIC purchased all of the outstanding
         shares of common stock of ELICW from Wausau Service Corporation (WSC)
         for $155,000. NLIC transferred fixed maturity securities and cash with
         a fair value of $155,000 to WSC on December 28, 1994, which resulted in
         a realized loss of $19,239 on the disposition of the securities. The
         purchase price approximated both the historical cost basis and fair
         value of net assets of ELICW. ELICW has and will continue to share home
         office, other facilities, equipment and common management and
         administrative services with WSC. As discussed in note 2, ELICW is
         accounted for as discontinued operations.

         Certain annuity products are sold through three affiliated companies
         which are also subsidiaries of Nationwide Corp. Total commissions and
         fees paid to these affiliates for the years ended December 31, 1996,
         1995 and 1994 were $76,922, $57,280 and $50,168, respectively.

(14)     Bank Lines of Credit
         --------------------

         In August 1996, NLIC, along with NMIC, established a $600,000 revolving
         credit facility which provides for a $600,000 loan over a five year
         term on a fully revolving basis with a group of national financial
         institutions. The credit facility provides for several and not joint
         liability with respect to any amount drawn by either NLIC or NMIC. NLIC
         and NMIC pay facility and usage fees to the financial institutions to
         maintain the revolving credit facility. All previously existing line of
         credit agreements were canceled.
<PAGE>   24
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


(15)     Contingencies
         -------------

         The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits. In the opinion of
         management, the effects, if any, of such lawsuits are not expected to
         be material to the Company's financial position or results of
         operations.

(16)     Segment Information
         -------------------

         The Company has three primary segments: Variable Annuities, Fixed
         Annuities and Life Insurance. The Variable Annuities segment consists
         of annuity contracts that provide the customer with the opportunity to
         invest in mutual funds managed by the Company and independent
         investment managers, with the investment returns accumulating on a
         tax-deferred basis. The Fixed Annuities segment consists of annuity
         contracts that generate a return for the customer at a specified
         interest rate, fixed for a prescribed period, with returns accumulating
         on a tax-deferred basis. The Life Insurance segment consists of
         insurance products that provide a death benefit and may also allow the
         customer to build cash value on a tax-deferred basis. In addition, the
         Company reports corporate expenses and investments, and the related
         investment income supporting capital not specifically allocated to its
         product segments in a Corporate and Other segment. In addition, all
         realized gains and losses, investment management fees and other revenue
         earned from mutual funds, other than the portion allocated to the
         variable annuities and life insurance segments, are reported in the
         Corporate and Other segment.

         During 1996, the Company changed its reporting segments to better
         reflect the way the businesses are managed. Prior periods have been
         restated to reflect these changes.

         The following table summarizes the revenues and income from continuing
         operations before federal income tax expense for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 and assets as of December 31, 1996,
         1995 and 1994, by business segment.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              1996              1995              1994
                                                                        -----------------  ---------------   ---------------
             <S>                                                        <C>                <C>               <C>    
              Revenues:
                   Variable Annuities                                      $    284,638          189,071           132,687
                   Fixed Annuities                                            1,092,566        1,051,970           939,868
                   Life Insurance                                               435,657          409,135           383,150
                   Corporate and Other                                          179,977          148,475           143,794
                                                                        -----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                           $  1,992,838        1,798,651         1,599,499
                                                                        =================  ===============   ===============

              Income from continuing operations before federal income tax
                 expense:
                   Variable Annuities                                            90,244           50,837            24,574
                   Fixed Annuities                                              135,405          137,000           138,950
                   Life Insurance                                                67,242           67,590            53,046
                   Corporate and Other                                           22,606           32,145            25,288
                                                                        -----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                          $     315,497          287,572           241,858
                                                                        =================  ===============   ===============

              Assets:

                   Variable Annuities                                        25,069,725       17,333,039        11,146,465
                   Fixed Annuities                                           13,994,715       13,250,359        11,668,973
                   Life Insurance                                             3,353,286        3,027,420         2,752,283
                   Corporate and Other                                        5,348,520        4,896,815         3,678,303
                                                                        -----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                            $47,766,246       38,507,633        29,246,024
                                                                        =================  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   71

                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

                       CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

   
This Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to Form S-6 Registration Statement
comprises the following papers and documents:
    

The facing sheet.

Cross-reference to items required by Form N-8B-2.

   
The prospectus consisting of 110 pages.
    

Representations and Undertakings.

The Signatures.

Accountants' Consent

The following exhibits required by Forms N-8B-2 and S-6:

   
1.     Power of Attorney dated April 2, 1997.   Attached hereto.
    

2.     Resolution of the Depositor's Board of   Included with the Registration  
       Directors authorizing the establishment  Statement on Form N-8B-2 for the
       of the Registrant, adopted               Nationwide VLI Separate         
                                                Account-2 (File No. 811-5311),  
                                                and is hereby incorporated by   
                                                reference.                      

3.     Distribution Contracts                   Included with the Registration
                                                Statement on Form N-8B-2 for the
                                                Nationwide VLI Separate
                                                Account-2 (File No. 811-5311),
                                                and is hereby incorporated by
                                                reference.

4.     Form of Security                         Included with the Registration
                                                Statement on Form S-6 for the
                                                Nationwide VLI Separate
                                                Account-2 (File No. 33-42180),
                                                and is hereby incorporated by
                                                reference.

5.     Articles of Incorporation of Depositor   Included with the Registration
                                                Statement on Form N-8B-2 for the
                                                Nationwide VLI Separate
                                                Account-2 (File No. 811-5311),
                                                and is hereby incorporated by
                                                reference.

6.     Application form of Security             Included with the Registration
                                                Statement on Form S-6 for the
                                                Nationwide VLI Separate
                                                Account-2 (File No. 33-42180),
                                                and is hereby incorporated by
                                                reference.

7.     Opinion of Counsel                       Included with the Registration
                                                Statement on Form S-6 for the
                                                Nationwide VLI Separate
                                                Account-2 (File No. 33-42180),
                                                and is hereby incorporated by
                                                reference.


                                      111
<PAGE>   72

Representations and Undertakings

The Registrant and the Company hereby make the following representations and
undertakings:

(a)    This filing is made pursuant to Rules 6c-3 and 6e-3(T) under the
       Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act"). The Registrant and the
       Company elect to be governed by Rule 6e-3(T)(b)(13)(i)(A) under the Act
       with respect to the Policies described in the prospectus. The Policies
       have been designed in such a way as to qualify for the exemptive relief
       from various provisions of the Act afforded by Rule 6e-3(T).

(b)    Paragraph (b) (13) (iii) (F) of Rule 6e-3(T) is being relied on for the
       deduction of the mortality and expense risk charges ("risk charges")
       assumed by the Company under the Policies. The Company represents that
       the risk charges are within the range of industry practice for comparable
       policies and reasonable in relation to all of the risks assumed by the
       issuer under the Policies. Actuarial memoranda demonstrating the
       reasonableness of these charges are maintained by the Company, and will
       be made available to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
       "Commission") on request.

(c)    The Company has concluded that there is a reasonable likelihood that the
       distribution financing arrangement of the separate account will benefit
       the separate account and the contractholders and will keep and make
       available to the Commission on request a memorandum setting forth the
       basis for this representation.

(d)    The Company represents that 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.

(e)    Subject to the terms and conditions of Section 15(d) of the Securities
       Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant hereby undertakes to file with the
       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.

   
(f)    The fees and charges deducted under the Policy in the aggregate are
       reasonable in relation to the services rendered, the expenses expected
       to be incurred, and the risks assumed by the Company.
    


                                      112
<PAGE>   73

                              ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT

   
The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance Company and 
Contract Owners of Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2:
    

We consent to the use of our reports included herein and to the reference to our
firm under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus.

                                                        KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
April 28, 1997


                                      113
<PAGE>   74

                                   SIGNATURES

   
       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant, NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-2, certifies that it meets the
requirements of Securities Act Rule 485(b) for effectiveness of this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 and has duly caused this Post-Effective
Amendment No. 13 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized, and its seal to be hereunto affixed and attested, all in the City of
Columbus, and State of Ohio, on the 28th day of April, 1997.
    

                                        NATIONWIDE VLI SEPARATE ACCOUNT-2       
                                        ---------------------------------       
                                                  (Registrant)

(Seal)                                  NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY       
Attest:                                 ---------------------------------       
                                                  (Depositor)


W. SIDNEY DRUEN                         By:       JOSEPH P. RATH
- -----------------------------               -----------------------------
W. Sidney Druen                                   Joseph P. Rath
Assistant Secretary                               Vice President

   
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective
Amendment No. 13 has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on the 28th day of April, 1997.
    

       Signature                                  Title


LEWIS J. ALPHIN                                 Director
- ---------------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin


KEITH W. ECKEL                                  Director
- ---------------------------------
Keith W. Eckel


WILLARD J. ENGEL                                Director
- ---------------------------------
Willard J. Engel


FRED C. FINNEY                                  Director
- ---------------------------------
Fred C. Finney


CHARLES L. FUELLGRAF, JR.                       Director
- ---------------------------------
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.


JOSEPH J. GASPER                  President/Chief Operating Officer and Director
- ---------------------------------
Joseph J. Gasper


HENRY S. HOLLOWAY                     Chairman of the Board and Director
- --------------------------------
Henry S. Holloway

                                      Chairman and Chief Executive Officer -
DIMON RICHARD MCFERSON             Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and Director
- ---------------------------------
Dimon Richard McFerson


DAVID O. MILLER                                 Director
- ---------------------------------
David O. Miller


C. RAY NOECKER                                  Director
- ---------------------------------
C. Ray Noecker


ROBERT A. OAKLEY                        Executive Vice President-
- ---------------------------------        Chief Financial Officer
Robert A. Oakley


JAMES F. PATTERSON                              Director   By /s/ JOSEPH P. RATH
- ---------------------------------                          ---------------------
James F. Patterson                                           Joseph P. Rath
                                                             Attorney-in-Fact

ARDEN L. SHISLER                                Director     
- ---------------------------------
Arden L. Shisler


ROBERT L. STEWART                               Director
- ---------------------------------
Robert L. Stewart


NANCY C. THOMAS                                 Director
- ---------------------------------
Nancy C. Thomas


HAROLD W. WEIHL                                 Director
- ---------------------------------
Harold W. Weihl


                                      114

<PAGE>   1
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



         KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned as
directors and/or officers of NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, and NATIONWIDE
LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY, both Ohio corporations, which have filed or
will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, various Registration Statements and
amendments thereto for the registration under said Act of Individual Deferred
Variable Annuity Contracts in connection with MFS Variable Account, Nationwide
Variable Account, Nationwide Variable Account-II, Nationwide Variable Account-3,
Nationwide Variable Account-4, Nationwide Variable Account-5, Nationwide
Variable Account-6, Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account, Nationwide
Multi-Flex Variable Account, Nationwide Variable Account-8, Nationwide VA
Separate Account-A, Nationwide VA Separate Account-B, Nationwide VA Separate
Account-C and Nationwide VA Separate Account-Q; and the registration of fixed
interest rate options subject to a market value adjustment offered under some or
all of the aforementioned individual Variable Annuity Contracts in connection
with Nationwide Multiple Maturity Separate Account and Nationwide Multiple
Maturity Separate Account-A, and the registration of Group Flexible Fund
Retirement Contracts in connection with Nationwide DC Variable Account,
Nationwide DCVA-II, and NACo Variable Account; and the registration of Group
Common Stock Variable Annuity Contracts in connection with Separate Account No.
1; and the registration of variable life insurance policies in connection with
Nationwide VLI Separate Account, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2, Nationwide
VLI Separate Account-3, Nationwide VL Separate Account-A and Nationwide VL
Separate Account-B, hereby constitutes and appoints Dimon Richard McFerson,
Joseph J. Gasper, W. Sidney Druen, and Joseph P. Rath, and each of them with
power to act without the others, his/her attorney, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for and in his/her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to approve, and sign such Registration Statements and
any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix the corporate seal of said
corporation thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and
thing requisite to all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said attorneys, or any of
them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This instrument may
be executed in one or more counterparts.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have herewith set their names and
seals as of this 2nd day of April, 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                 <C>
/s/ Lewis J. Alphin                                                 /s/ David O. Miller
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin, Director                                           David O. Miller, Director

/s/ Keith W. Eckel                                                  /s/ C. Ray Noecker
- -------------------------------------------------                   -------------------------------------------------
Keith W. Eckel, Director                                            C. Ray Noecker, Director

/s/ Willard J. Engel                                                /s/ Robert A. Oakley
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Willard J. Engel, Director                                          Robert A. Oakley, Executive Vice President and Chief
                                                                    Financial Officer

/s/ Fred C. Finney                                                  /s/ James F. Patterson
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Fred C. Finney, Director                                            James F. Patterson, Director

/s/ Charles L. Fuellgraf                                            /s/ Arden L. Shisler
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr., Director                                 Arden L. Shisler, Director

/s/ Joseph J. Gasper                                                /s/ Robert L. Stewart
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Joseph J. Gasper, President and Chief Operating Officer             Robert L. Stewart, Director
and Director

/s/ Henry S. Holloway                                               /s/ Nancy C. Thomas
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Henry S. Holloway, Chairman of the Board, Director                  Nancy C. Thomas, Director

/s/ Dimon Richard McFerson                                          /s/ Harold W. Weihl
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Dimon Richard McFerson, Chairman and Chief Executive                Harold W. Weihl, Director
Officer-Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and Director
</TABLE>






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