NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT 3
485BPOS, 1999-04-30
Previous: NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT 3, 485BPOS, 1999-04-30
Next: PLATINUM TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL INC, 10-K/A, 1999-04-30



<PAGE>   1
              As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
                                                       '33 Act File No. 33-18422
                                                       '40 Act File No. 811-5405
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549

                                    FORM N-4

                   REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
                                   ACT OF 1933

   
                       Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 [x]

                                       and

                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                         INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

                              Amendment No. 14 [x]
    
                          NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-3
                           (Exact Name of Registrant)

                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                               (Name of Depositor)

                   ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
         (Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

        Depositor's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (614) 249-7111

     DENNIS W. CLICK, SECRETARY, ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

       This Post-Effective Amendment amends the Registration Statement in
respect of the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, and the
Financial Statements.

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

   
[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485 
[X] on May 1, 1999 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485 
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of Rule 485 
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of Rule (485)
[ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
    previously filed post-effective amendment.
    


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

                                    1 of 112
<PAGE>   2


                          NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-3
                     REFERENCE TO ITEMS REQUIRED BY FORM N-4


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

N-4 ITEM
                                                                                                                     PAGE
<S>     <C>                                                                                                         <C>
Part A     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS
    Item    1.    Cover Page...........................................................................................  3
    Item    2.    Definitions..........................................................................................  4
    Item    3.    Synopsis or Highlights............................................................................... 10
    Item    4.    Condensed Financial Information...................................................................... 11
    Item    6.    Deductions and Expenses.............................................................................. 16
    Item    7.    General Description of Variable Annuity Contracts.................................................... 20
    Item    8.    Annuity Period....................................................................................... 28
    Item    9.    Death Benefit and Distributions...................................................................... 30
    Item   10.    Purchases and Contract Value......................................................................... 20
    Item   11.    Redemptions.......................................................................................... 23
    Item   12.    Taxes................................................................................................ 33
    Item   13.    Legal Proceedings.................................................................................... 39
    Item   14.    Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information......................................... 44

Part B     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    Item   15.    Cover Page........................................................................................... 47
    Item   16.    Table of Contents.................................................................................... 47
    Item   17.    General Information and History...................................................................... 47
    Item   18.    Services............................................................................................. 47
    Item   19.    Purchase of Securities Being Offered................................................................. 47
    Item   20.    Underwriters......................................................................................... 48
    Item   21.    Calculation of Performance........................................................................... 48
    Item   22.    Annuity Payments..................................................................................... 49
    Item   23.    Financial Statements................................................................................. 50

Part C     OTHER INFORMATION
    Item   24.    Financial Statements and Exhibits.................................................................... 85
    Item   25.    Directors and Officers of the Depositor.............................................................. 87
    Item   26.    Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Depositor or Registrant....................... 89
    Item   27.    Number of Contract Owners............................................................................101
    Item   28.    Indemnification......................................................................................101
    Item   29.    Principal Underwriter................................................................................101
    Item   30.    Location of Accounts and Records.....................................................................108
    Item   31.    Management Services..................................................................................108
    Item   32.    Undertakings.........................................................................................109

</TABLE>
    

                                    2 of 112

<PAGE>   3


                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                       Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts

             Issued by Nationwide Life Insurance Company through its
                          Nationwide Variable Account-3

   
                   The date of this prospectus is May 1, 1999.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

This prospectus contains basic information you should know about the contracts
before investing.

Please read it and keep it for future reference.

The following underlying mutual funds are available under the contracts:

VAN KAMPEN LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST

   -   Asset Allocation Portfolio (formerly "Multiple Strategy Fund") 
   -   Domestic Income Portfolio (formerly "Domestic Strategic Income Fund") 
   -   Emerging Growth Portfolio 
   -   Enterprise Portfolio (formerly "Common Stock Fund")
   -   Global Equity Portfolio 
   -   Government Portfolio 
   -   Money Market Portfolio 
   -   Morgan Stanley Real Estate Securities Portfolio (formerly "Real Estate 
   -   Securities Fund")

Purchase payments not invested in the underlying mutual fund options of the
Nationwide Variable Account-3 ("variable account") may be allocated to the fixed
account.

   
The Statement of Additional Information (dated May 1, 1999) which contains
additional information about the contracts and the variable account, has been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and is incorporated
herein by reference. The table of contents for the Statement of Additional
Information is on page 42.
    

For general information or to obtain FREE copies of the:

   -   Statement of Additional Information
   -   prospectus for any underlying mutual fund
   -   required Nationwide forms,

call:

         1-800-826-3167
     TDD 1-800-238-3035

or write:

       NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
       P.O. BOX 182030
       COLUMBUS, OHIO 43218-2030

The Statement of Additional Information and other material incorporated by
reference can be found on the SEC website at:

                www.sec.gov
                -----------

THIS ANNUITY IS NOT:
- -  A BANK DEPOSIT             - FEDERALLY INSURED
- -  ENDORSED BY A BANK OR      - AVAILABLE IN EVERY
   GOVERNMENT AGENCY            STATE

Investors assume certain risks when investing in the contracts, including the
possibility of losing money.

These contracts are offered to customers of various financial institutions and
brokerage firms. No financial institution or brokerage firm is responsible for
the guarantees under the contracts. Guarantees under the contracts are the sole
responsibility of Nationwide.

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC, NOR HAS THE
SEC PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                                       1

                                    3 of 112

<PAGE>   4




GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS

   
ACCUMULATION UNIT- An accounting unit of measure used to calculate the contract
value allocated to the variable account before the annuitization date.
    

ANNUITIZATION DATE- The date on which annuity payments begin.

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE- The date on which annuity payments are scheduled to
begin. This date may be changed by the contract owner with Nationwide's consent.

ANNUITY UNIT- An accounting unit used to calculate the variable payment annuity
payments.

CONTRACT VALUE- The total of all accumulation units in a contract and any amount
held in the fixed account.

CONTRACT YEAR- Each year the contract is in force beginning with the date the
contract is issued.

ERISA- The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

FIXED ACCOUNT- An investment option that is funded by the general account of
Nationwide.

GENERAL ACCOUNT- All assets of Nationwide other than those of the variable
account or in other separate accounts that have been or may be established by
Nationwide.

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT- An account that qualifies for favorable tax
treatment under Section 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, but does not
include Roth IRAs.

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITY- An annuity contract that qualifies for favorable
tax treatment under Section 408(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, but does not
include Roth IRAs.

NATIONWIDE- Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACT- A contract which does not qualify for favorable tax
treatment as a Qualified Plan, Individual Retirement Annuity, SEP IRA, or Tax
Sheltered Annuity.

QUALIFIED PLANS- Retirement plans which receive favorable tax treatment under
Section 401 or 403(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

SEP IRA- An annuity contract which qualifies for favorable tax treatment under
Section 408(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.

SUB-ACCOUNTS- Divisions of the variable account to which underlying mutual fund
shares are allocated and for which accumulation units and annuity units are
separately maintained.

TAX SHELTERED ANNUITY- An annuity that qualifies for favorable tax treatment
under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.

   
VALUATION PERIOD- Each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business.
    

VARIABLE ACCOUNT- Nationwide Variable Account-3, a separate account of
Nationwide that contains variable account allocations. The variable account is
divided into sub-accounts, each of which invests in shares of a separate
underlying mutual fund.

                                       2

                                    4 of 112


<PAGE>   5




   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS

<S>                                                <C> 
GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS.......................... 2

SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES....................... 5
 
UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL
       EXPENSES.................................... 6

EXAMPLE............................................ 7

SYNOPSIS OF THE CONTRACTS.......................... 8

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS............................... 8

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION.................... 9

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY..................12

GENERAL DISTRIBUTOR................................12

INVESTING IN THE CONTRACT..........................12
     The Variable Account and Underlying 
        Mutual Funds
     The Fixed Account

STANDARD CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS....................14
     Contract Maintenance Charge
     Mortality and Expense Risk Charge
     Administration Charge
     Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
     Premium Taxes

CONTRACT OWNERSHIP.................................17
     Joint Ownership
     Contingent Ownership
     Annuitant
     Beneficiary and Contingent Beneficiary

OPERATION OF THE CONTRACT..........................18
     Minimum Initial and Subsequent Purchase 
        Payments
     Pricing
     Allocation of Purchase Payments
     Determining the Contract Value
     Transfers

RIGHT TO REVOKE....................................21

SURRENDER (REDEMPTION).............................21
     Surrenders Under a Texas Optional 
        Retirement Program
     Surrenders Under a Qualified Plan 
        or Tax Sheltered Annuity

LOAN PRIVILEGE.....................................23
     Minimum & Maximum Loan Amounts
     Loan Processing Fee
     How Loan Requests are Processed
     Interest
     Loan Repayment
     Distributions & Annuity Payments
     Transferring the Contract
     Grace Period & Loan Default

ASSIGNMENT.........................................24

CONTRACT OWNER SERVICES............................25
     Asset Rebalancing
     Dollar Cost Averaging
     Systematic Withdrawals

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE..........................25

ANNUITIZING THE CONTRACT...........................26
     Annuitization Date
     Annuitization
     Fixed Payment Annuity
     Variable Payment Annuity
     Frequency and Amount of Annuity 
        Payments
     Annuity Payment Options

DEATH BENEFITS.....................................28
     Death of Contract Owner - Non-
        Qualified Contracts
     Death of Annuitant - Non-Qualified 
        Contracts
     Death of Contract Owner/Annuitant
     Death Benefit Payment

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS.............................29
     Required Distributions for Non-
        Qualified Contracts
     Required Distributions for Qualified 
        Plans or Tax Sheltered Annuities
     Required Distributions for IRAs and 
        SEP IRAs

FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS.........................31
     Federal Income Taxes
     IRAs, SEP IRAs, Qualified Plans, 
        and Tax Sheltered Annuities
</TABLE>
    

                                       3

                                    5 of 112

<PAGE>   6

   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
     Withholding
     Non-Resident Aliens
     Federal Estate, Gift, and Generation 
        Skipping Transfer Taxes
     Puerto Rico
     Charge for Tax
     Diversification
     Tax Changes

STATEMENTS AND REPORTS................................36

YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE ISSUES...........................36

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.....................................37

ADVERTISING AND SUB-ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE
     SUMMARY..........................................38

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF
     ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...........................42

APPENDIX A: OBJECTIVES FOR UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS....43
</TABLE>
    

                                        4

                                    6 of 112


<PAGE>   7




SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES

The expenses listed below are charged to all contracts unless the contract owner
meets an available exception.

CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES

Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge ("CDSC") (as a percentage of the lesser
of purchase payments or amounts surrendered)............................6%(1)

Range of CDSC over time:

Number of Completed Years from            CDSC
   Date of Purchase Payment            Percentage
               0                           6%
               1                           6%
               2                           6%
               3                           3%
               4                           3%
               5                           3%
               6                           0%

(1)During the first contract year, the contract owner may withdraw without a
CDSC any amount withdrawn to meet minimum distribution requirements under the
Internal Revenue Code. Starting with the second year after a purchase payment
has been made, the contract owner may withdraw without a CDSC the greater of:

   a) 10% of that purchase payment; or
   b) any amount withdrawn to meet minimum distribution requirements under the
      Internal Revenue Code. 

This free withdrawal privilege is non-cumulative. Free amounts not taken during
any given contract year cannot be taken as free amounts in a subsequent contract
year (see "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").

Withdrawals may be restricted for contracts issued to fund a Qualified Contract
or Tax Sheltered Annuity.

MAXIMUM ANNUAL CONTRACT
MAINTENANCE CHARGE.............................$35(2)

VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES(3)
(as a percentage of average account value)

Mortality and Expense Risk Charge.............1.25%
Administration Charge.........................0.05%
    Total Variable Account Charges............1.30%

(2)The Contract Maintenance Charge is deducted on each contract anniversary and
on the date of surrender upon full surrender of the contract.

   
(3)These charges apply only to sub-account allocations. They do not apply to
allocations made to the fixed account. They are charged on a daily basis at the
annual rate noted above.

Nationwide may assess a loan processing fee at the time each new loan is
processed. Loans are only available for contracts issued as Qualified Contracts
and Tax Sheltered Annuities. Loans are not available in all states. In addition,
some states may not allow Nationwide to assess a loan processing fee (see "Loan
Privilege").
    

                                       5

                                    7 of 112

<PAGE>   8

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   

                     UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES
 (AS A PERCENTAGE OF UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND NET ASSETS, AFTER EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT)

                                                        Management       Other          12b-1       Total Mutual
                                                           Fees         Expenses         Fees      Fund Expenses

<S>                                                    <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>  
Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Asset Allocation        0.38%          0.00%          0.00%          0.38%
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Domestic Income         0.01%          0.00%          0.00%          0.01%
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Emerging Growth         0.18%          0.00%          0.00%          0.18%
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Enterprise              0.40%          0.00%          0.00%          0.40%
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Global Equity           0.00%          0.00%          0.00%          0.00%
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Government              0.35%          0.00%          0.00%          0.35%
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Money Market            0.09%          0.00%          0.00%          0.09%
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Morgan Stanley          1.20%          0.00%          0.00%          1.20%
Real Estate Securities Portfolio

    

</TABLE>


The expenses shown above are deducted by the underlying mutual fund before it
provides Nationwide with the daily net asset value. Nationwide then deducts
applicable variable account charges from the net asset value to calculate the
unit value of the corresponding sub-account. The management fees and other
expenses are more fully described in the prospectus for each underlying mutual
fund. Information relating to the underlying mutual funds was provided by the
underlying mutual funds and not independently verified by Nationwide.

Some underlying mutual funds are subject to fee waivers and expense
reimbursements. The following chart shows what the expenses would have been for
such funds without fee waivers and expense reimbursements.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   
                                                         Management        Other         12b-1      Total Mutual
                                                            Fees         Expenses         Fees      Fund Expenses

<S>                                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>  
Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Asset Allocation        0.50%          0.00%          0.00%          0.50%
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Domestic Income         0.48%          0.00%          0.00%          0.48%
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Emerging Growth         0.39%          0.00%          0.00%          0.39%
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Enterprise              0.44%          0.00%          0.00%          0.44%
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Global Equity           0.96%          0.00%          0.00%          0.96%
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Government              0.47%          0.00%          0.00%          0.47%
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Money Market            0.41%          0.00%          0.00%          0.41%
Portfolio

    
</TABLE>

                                       6

                                    8 of 112

<PAGE>   9


EXAMPLE

The following chart shows the amount of expenses (in dollars) that would be
incurred under this contract assuming a $1,000 investment, 5% annual return, and
no change in expenses. These dollar figures are illustrative only and should not
be considered a representation of past or future expenses. Actual expenses may
be greater or less than those shown below.

The example reflects expenses of both the variable account and the underlying
mutual funds. The example reflects the maximum CDSC and the maximum amount of
variable account charges that could be assessed to a contract (1.30%).
Deductions for premium taxes are not reflected but may apply.

The example reflects the Contract Maintenance Charge, expressed as a percentage
of average account value. Since the average contract value is greater than
$1,000, the expense effect of the Contract Maintenance Charge is reduced
accordingly.

The summary of contract expenses and example are to help contract owners
understand the expenses associated with the contract.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   
                              If you surrender your contract  If you do not surrender your  If you annuitize your contract 
                               at the end of the applicable    contract at the end of the    at the end of the applicable
                                       time period              applicable time period                time period

                              1 Yr.  3 Yrs.  5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.  1 Yr.  3 Yrs 5 Yrs.  10 Yrs.  1 Yr. 3 Yrs.  5 Yrs.  10 Yrs.

<S>                          <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>      <C>   <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>
Van Kampen Life Investment      78     111    125     213      18    57     98      213      *     57      98      213
Trust - Asset Allocation
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment      75     99     105     172      15    45     78      172      *     45      78      172
Trust - Domestic Income
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment      76     105    115     191      16    51     88      191      *     51      88      191
Trust - Emerging Growth
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment      79     112    126     216      19    58     99      216      *     58      99      216
Trust - Enterprise Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment      74     99     105     170      14    45     78      170      *     45      78      170
Trust - Global Equity
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment      78     110    124     210      18    56     97      210      *     56      97      210
Trust - Government Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment      75     102    110     181      15    48     83      181      *     48      83      181
Trust - Money Market
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment      87     137    169     301      27    83     142     301      *     83     142      301
Trust - Morgan Stanley Real
Estate Securities Portfolio

    

</TABLE>

*The contracts sold under this prospectus do not permit annuitization during the
first two contract years.

                                       7

                                    9 of 112


<PAGE>   10


SYNOPSIS OF THE CONTRACTS

The contracts described in this prospectus are flexible purchase payment
contracts.

The contracts can be categorized as:

   -   Non-Qualified;
   -   Individual Retirement Annuities;
   -   SEP IRAs;
   -   Tax Sheltered Annuities; and
   -   Qualified.

MINIMUM INITIAL AND SUBSEQUENT PURCHASE PAYMENTS

                    MINIMUM INITIAL       MINIMUM
    CONTRACT           PURCHASE          SUBSEQUENT
     TYPE               PAYMENT           PAYMENTS

Non-Qualified            $1,500             $10

IRA                        $0               $10

SEP IRA                    $0               $10

Tax Sheltered              $0               $10
Annuity

Qualified                  $0               $10

Nationwide may lower the $10 subsequent purchase payment minimum for certain
employer sponsored programs.

CHARGES AND EXPENSES

Nationwide deducts a Mortality and Expense Risk Charge equal to an annual rate
of 1.25% of the daily net assets of the variable account. Nationwide assesses
this charge in return for bearing certain mortality and administrative risks
(see "Mortality and Expense Risk Charge").

Nationwide deducts an Administration Charge equal to an annual rate of 0.05% of
the daily net assets of the variable account. Nationwide assesses this charge to
reimburse it for administrative expenses related to contract issuance and
maintenance (see "Administration Charge").

A $35 Contract Maintenance Charge is deducted on each contract anniversary and
on the date of surrender upon full surrender of the contract (see "Contract
Maintenance Charge").

   
Nationwide does not deduct a sales charge from purchase payments upon deposit
into the contract. However, Nationwide may deduct a CDSC if any amount is
withdrawn from the contract. This CDSC reimburses Nationwide for sales expenses.
The amount of the CDSC will not exceed 6% of purchase payments surrendered.
    

ANNUITY PAYMENTS

Annuity payments begin on the annuitization date. The payments will be based on
the annuity payment option chosen at the time of application (see "Annuity
Payment Options").

TAXATION

How the contracts are taxed depends on the type of contract issued. Nationwide
will charge against the contract any premium taxes levied by any governmental
authority (see "Federal Tax Considerations" and "Premium Taxes").

TEN DAY FREE LOOK

Contract owners may return the contract for any reason within ten days of
receipt and Nationwide will refund the contract value or the amount required by
law (see "Right to Revoke").

   
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial statements for the variable account and Nationwide are located in the
Statement of Additional Information. A current Statement of Additional
Information may be obtained without charge by contacting Nationwide's home
office at the telephone number listed on page 1 of this prospectus.
    


                                       8

                                   10 of 112


<PAGE>   11


CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Accumulation unit values for accumulation units outstanding throughout the
period.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   

UNDERLYING MUTUAL        ACCUMULATION UNIT      ACCUMULATION UNIT      NUMBER OF               YEAR
FUND                     VALUE AT BEGINNING     VALUE AT END OF        ACCUMULATION UNITS AT
                         OF PERIOD              PERIOD                 END OF PERIOD

<S>                         <C>                    <C>                    <C>              <C> 
Van Kampen Life                 28.743704              32.817146               332,781         1998
Investment Trust -              23.907038              28.743704               422,523         1997
Asset Allocation                21.272421              23.907038               513,310         1996
Portfolio - Q                   16.406732              21.272421               606,415         1995
                                17.253369              16.406732               749,168         1994
                                16.230095              17.253369               841,559         1993
                                15.327503              16.230095               812,793         1992
                                12.222570              15.327503               704,818         1991
                                12.154424              12.222570               577,104         1990
                                10.451221              12.154424               405,746         1989

Van Kampen Life                 28.743704              32.817146               630,892         1998
Investment Trust -              23.907038              28.743704               771,497         1997
Asset Allocation                21.272421              23.907038             1,010,988         1996
Portfolio - NQ                  16.406732              21.272421             1,070,729         1995
                                17.253369              16.406732             1,250,980         1994
                                16.230095              17.253369             1,367,736         1993
                                15.327503              16.230095             1,273,695         1992
                                12.222570              15.327503             1,058,861         1991
                                12.154424              12.222570               876,452         1990
                                10.451221              12.154424               672,660         1989

Van Kampen Life                 18.437191              19.461620                83,850         1998
Investment Trust -              16.692636              18.437191               124,140         1997
Domestic Income                 15.854864              16.692636               165,684         1996
Portfolio - Q                   13.235145              15.854864               294,678         1995
                                14.016253              13.235145               304,564         1994
                                12.208185              14.016253               363,127         1993
                                10.995055              12.208185               247,610         1992
                                 9.189127              10.995055               175,620         1991
                                10.036383               9.189127                85,930         1990
                                10.753229              10.036383                87,598         1989

Van Kampen Life                 18.437191              19.461620               260,019         1998
Investment Trust -              16.692636              18.437191               329,087         1997
Domestic Income                 15.854864              16.692636               486,983         1996
Portfolio - NQ                  13.235145              15.854864               720,487         1995
                                14.016253              13.235145               574,730         1994
                                12.208185              14.016253               705,552         1993
                                10.995055              12.208185               707,076         1992
                                 9.189127              10.995055               587,343         1991
                                10.036383               9.189127               324,341         1990
                                10.753229              10.036383               311,252         1989

    
</TABLE>

                                       9

                                   11 of 112

<PAGE>   12

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   

UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND   ACCUMULATION UNIT      ACCUMULATION UNIT      NUMBER OF               YEAR
                         VALUE AT BEGINNING     VALUE AT END OF        ACCUMULATION UNITS AT
                         OF PERIOD              PERIOD                 END OF PERIOD

<S>                          <C>                    <C>                      <C>            <C> 
Van Kampen Life                 15.921536              21.616956                60,795         1998
Investment Trust -              13.395245              15.921536                58,542         1997
Emerging Growth                 11.635151              13.395245                91,181         1996
Portfolio - Q                   10.000000              11.635151                24,126         1995

Van Kampen Life                 15.921536              21.616956               129,602         1998
Investment Trust -              13.395245              15.921536               158,887         1997
Emerging Growth                 11.635151              13.395245               173,307         1996
Portfolio - NQ                  10.000000              11.635151                79,497         1995

Van Kampen Life                 40.944001              50.513291               258,320         1998
Investment Trust -              31.749417              40.944001               316,766         1997
Enterprise Portfolio -          25.778191              31.749417               352,086         1996
Q                               19.065611              25.778191               425,489         1995
                                19.993094              19.065611               549,470         1994
                                18.587100              19.993094               530,005         1993
                                17.522020              18.587100               495,092         1992
                                13.014276              17.522020               398,318         1991
                                14.154142              13.014276               218,497         1990
                                10.682887              14.154142               104,326         1989

Van Kampen Life                 40.944001              50.513291               558,179         1998
Investment Trust -              31.749417              40.944001               666,789         1997
Enterprise Portfolio -          25.778191              31.749417               797,023         1996
NQ                              19.065611              25.778191               865,665         1995
                                19.993094              19.065611             1,141,284         1994
                                18.587100              19.993094             1,146,227         1993
                                17.522020              18.587100               926,595         1992
                                13.014276              17.522020               687,711         1991
                                14.154142              13.014276               286,980         1990
                                10.682887              14.154142               141,530         1989

Van Kampen Life                 13.493564              16.196384                19,983         1998
Investment Trust -              11.800884              13.493564                20,265         1997
Global Equity                   10.244062              11.800884                13,264         1996
Portfolio - Q                   10.000000              10.244062                 4,239         1995

Van Kampen Life                 13.493564              16.196384                33,277         1998
Investment Trust -              11.800884              13.493564                32,094         1997
Global Equity                   10.244062              11.800884                20,602         1996
Portfolio - NQ                  10.000000              10.244062                 5,677         1995

    

</TABLE>

                                       10

                                   12 of 112

<PAGE>   13

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   

UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND   ACCUMULATION UNIT      ACCUMULATION UNIT      NUMBER OF               YEAR
                         VALUE AT BEGINNING     VALUE AT END OF        ACCUMULATION UNITS AT
                         OF PERIOD              PERIOD                 END OF PERIOD

<S>                         <C>                    <C>                      <C>            <C> 
Van Kampen Life                 16.168107              17.329001                49,618         1998
Investment Trust -              14.944372              16.168107                61,597         1997
Government Portfolio-           14.827943              14.944372               101,057         1996
Q                               12.821877              14.827943               187,304         1995
                                13.620968              12.821877               227,201         1994
                                12.794291              13.620968               293,305         1993
                                12.260048              12.794291               171,646         1992
                                10.689640              12.260048                92,681         1991
                                10.000000              10.689640                34,202         1990

Van Kampen Life                 16.168107              17.329001               189,945         1998
Investment Trust -              14.944372              16.168107               228,036         1997
Government Portfolio -          14.827943              14.944372               315,546         1996
NQ                              12.821877              14.827943               427,994         1995
                                13.620968              12.821877               501,364         1994
                                12.794291              13.620968               720,049         1993
                                12.260048              12.794291               452,081         1992
                                10.689640              12.260048               257,611         1991
                                10.000000              10.689640               119,020         1990

Van Kampen Life                 14.734706              15.274640                89,001         1998
Investment Trust -              14.208651              14.734706               108,657         1997
Money Market                    13.724323              14.208651               115,165         1996
Portfolio - Q*                  13.183559              13.724323               147,447         1995
                                12.879003              13.183559               277,679         1994
                                12.709641              12.879003               280,849         1993
                                12.458190              12.709641               264,988         1992
                                11.950917              12.458190               209,280         1991
                                11.217660              11.950917               207,210         1990
                                10.412806              11.217660               120,394         1989

Van Kampen Life                 14.734706              15.274640               303,632         1998
Investment Trust -              14.208651              14.734706               356,149         1997
Money Market                    13.724323              14.208651               240,045         1996
Portfolio - NQ*                 13.183559              13.724323               326,438         1995
                                12.879003              13.183559               532,988         1994
                                12.709641              12.879003               583,001         1993
                                12.458190              12.709641               374,887         1992
                                11.950917              12.458190               415,122         1991
                                11.217660              11.950917               370,884         1990
                                10.412806              11.217660               188,561         1989

    
</TABLE>

                                       11

                                   13 of 112

<PAGE>   14

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   

UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND   ACCUMULATION UNIT      ACCUMULATION UNIT      NUMBER OF               YEAR
                         VALUE AT BEGINNING     VALUE AT END OF        ACCUMULATION UNITS AT
                         OF PERIOD              PERIOD                 END OF PERIOD

<S>                          <C>                    <C>                       <C>           <C> 
Van Kampen Life                 17.901858              15.615675                 8,813         1998
Investment Trust -              14.931303              17.901858                 9,466         1997
Morgan Stanley Real             10.765351              14.931303                 4,266         1996
Estate Securities               10.000000              10.765351                 1,762         1995
Portfolio - Q        


Van Kampen Life                 17.901858              15.615675                16,694         1998
Investment Trust -              14.931303              17.901858                29,364         1997
Morgan Stanley Real             10.765351              14.931303                 5,179         1996
Estate Securities               10.000000              10.765351                 2,808         1995
Portfolio - Q          

</TABLE>

*The 7-day yield on the Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Money Market
Portfolio as of December 31, 1998 was 3.17%.

    

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

Nationwide is a stock life insurance company organized under Ohio law in March,
1929 with its home office at One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
Nationwide is a provider of life insurance, annuities and retirement products.
It is admitted to do business in all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto
Rico.

GENERAL DISTRIBUTOR

The contracts are distributed by the general distributor, Van Kampen Funds Inc.,
located at 1 Parkview Plaza, P.O. Box 5555, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555.

INVESTING IN THE CONTRACT

THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT AND UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS

Nationwide Variable Account-3 is a separate account that invests in the
underlying mutual funds listed in Appendix A. Nationwide established the
separate account on October 7, 1987, pursuant to Ohio law. Although the separate
account is registered with the SEC as a unit investment trust pursuant to the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), the SEC does not supervise the
management of Nationwide or the variable account.

Income, gains, and losses credited to, or charged against, the variable account
reflect the variable account's own investment experience and not the investment
experience of Nationwide's other assets. The variable account's assets are held
separately from Nationwide's assets and are not chargeable with liabilities
incurred in any other business of Nationwide. Nationwide is obligated to pay all
amounts promised to contract owners under the contracts.

The variable account is divided into sub-accounts. Nationwide uses the assets of
each sub-account to buy shares of the underlying mutual funds based on contract
owner instructions. There are two sub-accounts for each underlying mutual fund.
One sub-account contains shares attributable to accumulation units under
Non-Qualified Contracts. The other contains shares attributable to accumulation
units under IRAs, SEP IRAs, Tax Sheltered Annuities, and Qualified Contracts.

Each underlying mutual fund's prospectus contains more detailed information
about that fund. Prospectuses for the underlying mutual funds should be read in
conjunction with this prospectus.

                                       12

                                   14 of 112

<PAGE>   15


Underlying mutual funds in the variable account are NOT publicly traded mutual
funds. They are only available as investment options in variable life insurance
policies or variable annuity contracts issued by life insurance companies, or in
some cases, through participation in certain qualified pension or retirement
plans.

The investment advisers of the underlying mutual funds may manage publicly
traded mutual funds with similar names and investment objectives. However, the
underlying mutual funds are NOT directly related to any publicly traded mutual
fund. Contract owners should not compare the performance of a publicly traded
fund with the performance of underlying mutual funds participating in the
variable account. The performance of the underlying mutual funds could differ
substantially from that of any publicly traded funds.

Voting Rights

Contract owners who have allocated assets to the underlying mutual funds are
entitled to certain voting rights. Nationwide will vote contract owner shares at
special shareholder meetings based on contract owner instructions. However, if
the law changes and Nationwide is allowed to vote in its own right, it may elect
to do so.

Contract owners with voting interests in an underlying mutual fund will be
notified of issues requiring the shareholders' vote as soon as possible before
the shareholder meeting. Notification will contain proxy materials and a form
with which to give Nationwide voting instructions. Nationwide will vote shares
for which no instructions are received in the same proportion as those that are
received.

The number of shares which a contract owner may vote is determined by dividing
the cash value of the amount they have allocated to an underlying mutual fund by
the net asset value of that underlying mutual fund. Nationwide will designate a
date for this determination not more than 90 days before the shareholder
meeting.

Material Conflicts

The underlying mutual funds may be offered through separate accounts of other
insurance companies, as well as through other separate accounts of Nationwide.
Nationwide does not anticipate any disadvantages to this. However, it is
possible that a conflict may arise between the interests of the variable account
and one or more of the other separate accounts in which these underlying mutual
funds participate.

Material conflicts may occur due to a change in law affecting the operations of
variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts, or differences
in the voting instructions of the contract owners and those of other companies.
If a material conflict occurs, Nationwide will take whatever steps are necessary
to protect contract owners and variable annuity payees, including withdrawal of
the variable account from participation in the underlying mutual fund(s)
involved in the conflict.

Substitution of Securities

Nationwide may substitute, eliminate, or combine shares of another underlying
mutual fund for shares already purchased or to be purchased in the future if
either of the following occurs:

   1) shares of a current underlying mutual fund are no longer available for 
      investment; or

   2) further investment in an underlying mutual fund is inappropriate.

No substitution, elimination, or combination of shares may take place without
the prior approval of the SEC and state insurance departments.

THE FIXED ACCOUNT

   
The fixed account is an investment option that is funded by assets of
Nationwide's general account. The general account contains all of Nationwide's
assets other than those in other Nationwide separate accounts. It is used to
support Nationwide's annuity and insurance obligations and may contain
compensation for mortality and expense risks. The general 
    

                                       13

                                   15 of 112
<PAGE>   16


   
account is not subject to the same laws as the variable account and the SEC has
not reviewed material in this prospectus relating to the fixed account. However,
information relating to the fixed account is subject to federal securities laws
relating to accuracy and completeness of prospectus disclosure.

Purchase payments will be allocated to the fixed account by election of the
contract owner.

The investment income earned by the fixed account will be allocated to the
contracts at varying guaranteed interest rates(s) depending on the following
categories of fixed account allocations:

- -    New Money Rate - The rate credited on the fixed account allocation when
     the contract is purchased or when subsequent purchase payments are made.
     Subsequent purchase payments may receive different New Money Rates than the
     rate when the contract was issued, since the New Money Rate is subject to
     change based on market conditions.

- -    Variable Account to Fixed Rate - Allocations transferred from any of the
     underlying mutual funds in the variable account to the fixed account may
     receive a different rate. The rate may be lower than the New Money Rate.
     There may be limits on the amount and frequency of movements from the
     variable account to the fixed account.

- -    Renewal Rate - The rate available for maturing fixed account allocations
     that are entering a new guarantee period. The contract owner will be
     notified of this rate in a letter issued with the quarterly statements when
     any of the money in the contract owner's fixed account matures. At that
     time, the contract owner will have an opportunity to leave the money in the
     fixed account and receive the Renewal Rate or the contract owner can move
     the money to any of the underlying mutual fund options.

- -    Dollar Cost Averaging - From time to time, Nationwide may offer a more
     favorable rate for an initial purchase payment into a new contract when
     used in conjunction with a Dollar Cost Averaging program.

All of these rates are subject to change on a daily basis; however, once applied
to the fixed account, the interest rates are guaranteed until the end of the
calendar quarter during the 12 month anniversary in which the fixed account
allocation occurs.

Credited interest rates are annualized rates - the effective yield of interest
over a one-year period. Interest is credited to each contract on a daily basis.
As a result, the credited interest rate is compounded daily to achieve the
stated effective yield.
    

The guaranteed rate for any purchase payment will be effective for not less than
twelve months. Nationwide guarantees that the rate will not be less than 3.0%
per year.

Any interest in excess of 3.0% will be credited to fixed account allocations at
Nationwide's sole discretion. The contract owner assumes the risk that interest
credited to fixed account allocations may not exceed the minimum guarantee of
3.0% for any given year.

Nationwide guarantees that the fixed account contract value will not be less
than the amount of the purchase payments allocated to the fixed account, plus
interest credited as described above, less any applicable charges including
CDSC.

STANDARD CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS

CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE

On each contract anniversary (and upon a full surrender of the contract),
Nationwide deducts a maximum Contract Maintenance Charge of $35. This charge
reimburses Nationwide for administrative expenses involved in issuing and
maintaining the contract.

                                       14

                                   16 of 112



<PAGE>   17
The Contract Maintenance Charge will be assessed as follows:

       Contract                  Contract
  Maintenance Charge               Type

         $35            - Non-Qualified Contracts
                        - IRAs
                        - Tax Sheltered Annuities
                          sold before May 1, 1992
                        - Qualified Contracts sold
                          before May 1, 1992(1)

         $12            - Tax Sheltered Annuities
                          sold on or after May 1,
                          1992(2)

      $35 to $0         - Qualified Contracts sold
                          on or after May 1, 1992(3)
                        - SEP IRAs sold on or after
                          May 1, 1992(3)

(1)If an Internal Revenue Code Section 401 plan funded by the contracts was
established before May 1, 1992, all contracts subsequently issued under that
plan will have an annual Contract Maintenance Charge of $35.

(2)The Contract Maintenance Charge for these plans may be lowered to reflect
administrative savings.

(3)Nationwide uses internal underwriting guidelines to determine the Contract
Maintenance Charge for these contract types. These guidelines include: the size
of the group, the average participant account balance to be transferred, if any,
and administrative savings. Contract Maintenance Charges for these contracts
will vary in $5.00 increments between $0 and $35.

The deduction of the Contract Maintenance Charge will be taken proportionately
from each sub-account and the fixed account based on the value in each option as
compared to the total contract value.

Nationwide will not increase the Contract Maintenance Charge. Nationwide will
not reduce or eliminate the Contract Maintenance Charge where it would be
discriminatory or unlawful.

MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE

Nationwide deducts a Mortality and Expense Risk Charge from the variable
account. This amount is computed on a daily basis, and is equal to an annual
rate of 1.25% of the daily net assets of the variable account.

The mortality risk charges compensate Nationwide for guaranteeing the annuity
rate of the contracts. This guarantee ensures that the annuity rates will not
change regardless of the death rates of annuity payees or the general
population.

The expense risk charges compensate Nationwide for guaranteeing that
administration charges will not increase regardless of actual expenses.

   
If the Mortality and Expense Risk Charge is insufficient to cover actual
expenses, the loss is borne by Nationwide.
    

ADMINISTRATION CHARGE

Nationwide deducts an Administration Charge from the variable account. This
amount is computed on a daily basis, and is equal to an annual rate of 0.05% of
the daily net assets of the variable account.

The Administration Charge compensates Nationwide for administrative expenses
related to contract issuance and maintenance.

If this charge is insufficient to cover actual expenses, the loss is borne by
Nationwide.

CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

   
No sales charge deduction is made from the purchase payments when amounts are
deposited into the contracts. However, if any part of the contract is
surrendered, Nationwide will deduct a CDSC. The CDSC will not exceed 6% of
purchase payments surrendered.
    

The CDSC is calculated by multiplying the applicable CDSC percentage (noted
below) by the amount of purchase payments surrendered.

For purposes of calculating the CDSC, surrenders are considered to come first
from the oldest purchase payment made to the contract, then the next oldest
purchase payment, and so forth. For tax purposes, a surrender is usually treated
as a withdrawal of earnings first.

                                       15

                                    17 of 112
<PAGE>   18

The CDSC applies as follows:

 Number of Years from Date             CDSC
    of Purchase Payment             Percentage

             0                          6%
             1                          6%
             2                          6%
             3                          3%
             4                          3%
             5                          3%
             6                          0%

The CDSC is used to cover sales expenses, including commissions (maximum of 6%
of purchase payments), production of sales material, and other promotional
expenses. If expenses are greater than the CDSC, the shortfall will be made up
from Nationwide's general account, which may indirectly include portions of the
Contract Maintenance Charge and other variable account charges, since Nationwide
may generate a profit from these charges.

Contract owners taking withdrawals before age 59 1/2 may be subject to a 10% tax
penalty. In addition, all or a portion of the withdrawal may be subject to
federal income taxes (see "Non-Qualified Contracts - Natural Persons as Contract
Owners").

Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge

During the first contract year, the contract owner may withdraw without a CDSC
any amount withdrawn to meet minimum distribution requirements under the
Internal Revenue Code. Starting with the second year after a purchase payment
has been made, the contract owner may withdraw without a CDSC the greater of:

   (a) 10% of that purchase payment; or
   (b) any amount withdrawn to meet minimum distribution requirements under the
       Internal Revenue Code.

This CDSC-free privilege is non-cumulative. Free amounts not taken during any
given contract year cannot be taken as free amounts in a subsequent contract
year.

In addition, no CDSC will be deducted:

   (1) upon the annuitization of contracts which have been in force for at least
       two years; 

   (2) upon payment of a death benefit; or 

   (3) from any values which have been held under a contract for at 
       least 6 years.

For the following contract types: Tax Sheltered Annuities purchased on or after
May 1, 1992; Qualified Contracts that fund Internal Revenue Code Section 401
plans sold on or after May 1, 1992; and SEP IRAs sold after May 1, 1992,
Nationwide will waive the CDSC when:

   (a) the participant experiences a hardship (as provided in Internal Revenue
       Code Section 403(b) and as defined for purposes of Section 401(k));

   (b) the participant becomes disabled (within the meaning of Internal Revenue
       Code Section 72(m)(7));

   (c) the participant attains age 59 1/2 and has participated in the contract
       for at least 5 years, as determined from the contract anniversary;

   (d) the participant has participated in the contract for at least 15 years as
       determined from the contract anniversary;

   (e) the participant dies; or

   (f) the contract is annuitized after 2 years from the inception of the
       contract.

No CDSC applies to transfers among sub-accounts or between or among the fixed
account and the variable account. Nationwide may waive the CDSC if a contract
described in this prospectus is exchanged for another Nationwide contract (or a
contract of any of its affiliated insurance companies). A CDSC may apply to the
contract received in the exchange.

The CDSC will not be eliminated if to do so would be unfairly discriminatory or
prohibited by state law.

PREMIUM TAXES

Nationwide will charge against the contract value any premium taxes levied by a
state or 

                                       16

                                   18 of 112
<PAGE>   19


other government entity. Premium tax rates currently range from 0% to
3.5%. This range is subject to change. The method used to assess premium tax
will be determined by Nationwide at its sole discretion in compliance with state
law.

If applicable, Nationwide will deduct premium taxes from the contract either at:

   (1) the time the contract is surrendered; 

   (2) annuitization; or 

   (3) such earlier date as Nationwide becomes subject to premium taxes.

   
Premium taxes may be deducted from death benefit proceeds.
    

CONTRACT OWNERSHIP

The contract owner has all rights under the contract. Purchasers who name
someone other than themselves as the contract owner will have no rights under
the contract.

Contract owners of Non-Qualified Contracts may name a new contract owner at any
time before the annuitization date. Any change of contract owner automatically
revokes any prior contract owner designation. Changes in contract ownership may
result in federal income taxation and may be subject to state and federal gift
taxes.

A change in contract ownership must be submitted in writing and recorded at
Nationwide's home office. Once recorded, the change will be effective as of the
date signed. However, the change will not affect any payments made or actions
taken by Nationwide before it was recorded.

The contract owner may also request a change in the annuitant, contingent
annuitant, contingent owner, beneficiary, or contingent beneficiary before the
annuitization date. These changes must be:

   -   on a Nationwide form;

   -   signed by the contract owner; and

   -   received at Nationwide's home office before the annuitization date.

Nationwide must review and approve any change requests. If the contract owner is
not a natural person and there is a change of the annuitant, distributions will
be made as if the contract owner died at the time of the change.

On the annuitization date, the annuitant will become the contract owner.

JOINT OWNERSHIP

Joint owners each own an undivided interest in the contract.

Contract owners can name a joint owner at any time before annuitization subject
to the following conditions:

   -  Joint owners can only be named for Non-Qualified Contracts;

   -  Joint owners must be spouses at the time joint ownership is requested,
      unless state law requires Nationwide to allow non-spousal joint owners;

   
   -  The exercise of any ownership right in the contract will generally require
      a written request signed by both joint owners;
    

   -  Nationwide will not be liable for any loss, liability, cost, or expense
      for acting in accordance with the instructions of either joint owner;

   
   -  An election in writing signed by both contract owners must be made to
      authorize Nationwide to allow the exercise of ownership rights
      independently by either joint owner.
    

CONTINGENT OWNERSHIP

The contingent owner is entitled to certain benefits under the contract, if a
contract owner who is NOT the annuitant dies before the annuitization date, and
there is no surviving joint owner.

The contract owner may name or change a contingent owner at any time before the
annuitization date. To change the contingent owner, a written request must be
submitted to Nationwide. Once Nationwide has recorded the change, it will be
effective as of the date it was 

                                       17

                                   19 of 112

<PAGE>   20
signed, whether or not the contract owner was living at the time it was
recorded. The change will not affect any action taken by Nationwide before the
change was recorded.

ANNUITANT

The annuitant is the person who will receive annuity payments and upon whose
continuation of life any annuity payment involving life contingencies depends.
This person must be age 78 or younger at the time of contract issuance, unless
Nationwide approves a request for an annuitant of greater age. The annuitant may
be changed before the annuitization date with Nationwide's consent.

BENEFICIARY AND CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY

   
The beneficiary is the person(s) who is entitled to the death benefit if the
annuitant dies before the annuitization date and there is no joint owner. The
contract owner can name more than one beneficiary. Multiple beneficiaries will
share the death benefit equally, unless otherwise specified.
    

The contract owner may change the beneficiary or contingent beneficiary during
the annuitant's lifetime by submitting a written request to Nationwide. Once
recorded, the change will be effective as of the date it was signed, whether or
not the annuitant was living at the time it was recorded. The change will not
affect any action taken by Nationwide before the change was recorded.

OPERATION OF THE CONTRACT

MINIMUM INITIAL AND SUBSEQUENT PURCHASE PAYMENTS

                    MINIMUM INITIAL      MINIMUM
   CONTRACT            PURCHASE         SUBSEQUENT
     TYPE               PAYMENT          PAYMENTS

Non-Qualified            $1,500             $10

IRA                        $0               $10

SEP IRA                    $0               $10

Tax Sheltered              $0               $10
Annuity

Qualified                  $0               $10


Nationwide may lower the $10 subsequent purchase payment minimum for certain
employer sponsored programs.

PRICING

   
Initial purchase payments allocated to sub-accounts will be priced at the
accumulation unit value determined no later than 2 business days after receipt
of an order to purchase if the application and all necessary information are
complete. If the application is not complete, Nationwide may retain a purchase
payment for up to 5 business days while attempting to complete it. If the
application is not completed within 5 business days, the prospective purchaser
will be informed of the reason for the delay. The purchase payment will be
returned unless the prospective purchaser specifically allows Nationwide to hold
the purchase payment until the application is completed.
    

Subsequent purchase payments will be priced based on the next available
accumulation unit value after the payment is received. The cumulative total of
all purchase payments under contracts on the life of any one annuitant cannot
exceed $1,000,000 without Nationwide's prior consent.

Purchase payments will not be priced when the New York Stock Exchange is closed
or on the following nationally recognized holidays:

- -  New Year's Day                 -  Independence Day
- -  Martin Luther King, Jr. Day    -  Labor Day
- -  Presidents Day                 -  Thanksgiving
- -  Good Friday                    -  Christmas
- -  Memorial Day

Nationwide also will not price purchase payments if:

   (1) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted;

   (2) an emergency exists making disposal or valuation of securities held in
       the variable account impracticable; or

   (3) the SEC, by order, permits a suspension or postponement for the
       protection of security holders.

                                       18

                                   20 of 112

<PAGE>   21

   
Rules and regulations of the SEC will govern as to when the conditions described
in (2) and (3) exist. If Nationwide is closed on days when the New York Stock
Exchange is open, contract value may be affected since the contract owner would
not have access to their account.
    

ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS

   
Nationwide allocates purchase payments to sub-accounts and/or the fixed account
as instructed by the contract owner. Shares of the underlying mutual funds
allocated to the sub-accounts are purchased at net asset value, then converted
into accumulation units. Contract owners can change allocations or make
exchanges among the sub-accounts and the fixed account. However, no change may
be made that would result in an amount less than 1% of the purchase payments
allocated to the sub-account. Certain transactions may be subject to conditions
imposed by the underlying mutual funds, as well as those set forth in the
contract.
    

DETERMINING THE CONTRACT VALUE

The contract value is the sum of:

   1) the value of amounts allocated to the sub-accounts of the variable 
      account; and

   2) amounts allocated to the fixed account.

If part or all of the contract value is surrendered, or charges are assessed
against the contract value, Nationwide will deduct a proportionate amount from
each sub-account and the fixed account based on current cash values.

Determining Variable Account Value - Valuing an Accumulation Unit

Purchase payments or transfers allocated to sub-accounts are accounted for in
accumulation units. Accumulation unit values (for each sub-account) are
determined by calculating the net investment factor for the underlying mutual
funds for the current valuation period and multiplying that result with the
accumulation unit values determined on the previous valuation period.

Nationwide uses the net investment factor as a way to calculate the investment
performance of a sub-account from valuation period to valuation period. For each
sub-account, the net investment factor shows the investment performance of the
underlying mutual fund in which a particular sub-account invests, including the
charges assessed against that sub-account for a valuation period.

The net investment factor for any particular sub-account is determined by
dividing (a) by (b), and then subtracting (c) from the result, where:

   (a)  is:

       (1) the net asset value of the underlying mutual fund as of the end of 
           the current valuation period; and

       (2) the per share amount of any dividend or income distributions made by
           the underlying mutual fund (if the ex-dividend date occurs during the
           current valuation period).

   (b) is the net asset value of the underlying mutual fund determined as of the
       end of the preceding valuation period.


   (c) is a factor representing the daily variable account charges. The factor
       is equal to an annual rate of 1.30% of the daily net assets of the
       variable account.

Based on the net investment factor, the value of an accumulation unit may
increase or decrease. Changes in the net investment factor may not be directly
proportional to changes in the net asset value of the underlying mutual fund
shares because of the deduction of variable account charges.

Though the number of accumulation units will not change as a result of
investment experience, the value of an accumulation unit may increase or
decrease from valuation period to valuation period.

                                       19

                                   21 of 112

<PAGE>   22



Determining Fixed Account Value

Nationwide determines the value of the fixed account by:

     1) adding all amounts allocated to the fixed account, minus amounts 
        previously transferred or withdrawn; and

     2) adding any interest earned on the amounts allocated.

TRANSFERS

   
Transfers from the Fixed Account to the Variable Account

Fixed account allocations may be transferred to the variable account only upon
reaching the end of an interest rate guarantee period. Normally, Nationwide will
permit 100% of such fixed account allocations to be transferred to the variable
account; however Nationwide may, under certain economic conditions and at its
discretion, limit the maximum transferable amount. Under no circumstances will
the maximum transferable amount be less than 10% of the fixed account allocation
reaching the end of an interest rate guarantee period. Transfers of the fixed
account allocations must be made within 45 days after reaching the end of an
interest rate guarantee period.

Contract owners who use Dollar Cost Averaging may transfer from the fixed
account to the variable account under the terms of that program (see "Dollar
Cost Averaging").

Transfers to the Fixed Account

Variable account allocations may be transferred to the fixed account at any
time. Normally, Nationwide will not restrict transfers from the variable account
to the fixed account; however, Nationwide may establish a maximum transfer limit
from the variable account to the fixed account. Except as noted below, under no
circumstances will the transfer limit be less than 10% of the current value of
the variable account, less any transfers made in the 12 months preceding the
date the transfer is requested, but not including transfers made prior to the
imposition of the transfer limit. However, where permitted by state law,
Nationwide reserves the right to refuse transfers or purchase payments to the
fixed account when the fixed account value is greater than or equal to 30% of
the contract value at the time the purchase payment is made or the transfer is
requested.
    

Transfer Requests

Nationwide will accept transfer requests in writing or over the telephone.
Nationwide will use reasonable procedures to confirm that telephone instructions
are genuine and will not be liable for following telephone instructions that it
reasonably determined to be genuine. Nationwide may withdraw the telephone
exchange privilege upon 30 days written notice to contract owners.

After annuitization, transfers may only be made on the anniversary of the
annuitization date.

Amounts transferred to the variable account will receive the accumulation unit
value next determined after the transfer request is received.

Interest Rate Guarantee Period

The interest rate guarantee period is the period of time that the fixed account
interest rate is guaranteed to remain the same. Within 45 days of the end of an
interest rate guarantee period, transfers may be made from the fixed account to
the variable account. Nationwide will determine the amount that may be
transferred and will declare this amount at the end of the guarantee period.
This amount will not be less than 10% of the amount in the fixed account that is
maturing.

For new purchase payments allocated to the fixed account, or transfers to the
fixed account from the variable account, this period begins on the date of
deposit or transfer and ends on the one year anniversary of the deposit or
transfer. The guaranteed interest rate period may last for up to 3 months beyond
the 1 year anniversary because guaranteed terms end on the last day of a
calendar quarter.

During an interest rate guarantee period, transfers cannot be made from the
fixed 

                                       20

                                   22 of 112
<PAGE>   23

account, and amounts transferred to the fixed account must remain on
deposit.

Market Timing Firms

Some contract owners may use market timing firms or other third parties to make
transfers on their behalf. Generally, in order to take advantage of perceived
market trends, market-timing firms will submit transfer or exchange requests on
behalf of multiple contract owners at the same time. Sometimes this can result
in unusually large transfers of funds. These large transfers might interfere
with the ability of Nationwide or the underlying mutual fund to process
transactions. This can potentially disadvantage contract owners not using
market-timing firms. To avoid this, Nationwide may modify transfer and exchange
rights of contract owners who use market timing firms (or other third parties)
to transfer or exchange funds on their behalf.

The exchange and transfer rights of individual contract owners will not be
modified in any way when instructions are submitted directly by the contract
owner, or by the contract owner's representative (as authorized by the execution
of a valid Nationwide Limited Power of Attorney Form).

To protect contract owners, Nationwide may refuse exchange and transfer
requests:

   -  submitted by any agent acting under a power of attorney on behalf of more 
      than one contract owner; or

  -   submitted on behalf of individual contract owners who have executed
      pre-authorized exchange forms which are submitted by market timing firms
      (or other third parties) on behalf of more than one contract owner at the
      same time.

Nationwide will not restrict exchange rights unless Nationwide believes it to be
necessary for the protection of all contract owners.

RIGHT TO REVOKE

   
Contract owners have a ten day "free look" to examine the contract. The contract
may be returned to Nationwide's home office for any reason within ten days of
receipt and Nationwide will refund the contract value or another amount required
by law. The refunded contract value will reflect the deduction of any contract
charges, unless otherwise required by law. All IRA and SEP IRA refunds will be a
return of purchase payments. State and/or federal law may provide additional
free look privileges.
    

Liability of the variable account under this provision is limited to the
contract value in each sub-account on the date of revocation. Any additional
amounts refunded to the contract owner will be paid by Nationwide.

SURRENDER (REDEMPTION)

Contract owners may surrender some or all of their contract value before the
earlier of the annuitization date or the annuitant's death. Surrender requests
must be in writing and Nationwide may require additional information. When
taking a full surrender, the contract must accompany the written request.
Nationwide may require a signature guarantee.

Nationwide will pay any amounts surrendered from the sub-accounts within 7 days.
However, Nationwide may suspend or postpone payment when it is unable to price a
purchase payment or transfer.

PARTIAL SURRENDERS (PARTIAL REDEMPTIONS)

Nationwide will surrender accumulation units from the sub-accounts and an amount
from the fixed account. The amount withdrawn from each investment option will be
in proportion to the value in each option at the time of the surrender request.

   
A CDSC may apply. The contract owner may direct Nationwide to deduct the CDSC
from either:
    

    a) the amount requested; or

   
    b) the contract value remaining after the contract owner receives the amount
       requested.
    

                                       21

                                   23 of 112

<PAGE>   24

   
If the contract owner does not make a specific election, any applicable CDSC
will be taken from the contract value remaining after the contract owner has
received the amount requested.
    

FULL SURRENDERS (FULL REDEMPTIONS)

   
The contract value upon full surrender may be more or less than the total of all
purchase payments made to the contract. The contract value will reflect variable
account charges, underlying mutual fund charges, Contract Maintenance Charge,
and the investment performance of the underlying mutual funds. A CDSC may apply.

SURRENDERS UNDER A TEXAS OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM
    

Redemption restrictions apply to contracts issued under the Texas Optional
Retirement Program.

The Texas Attorney General has ruled that participants in contracts issued under
the Texas Optional Retirement Program may only take withdrawals if:

- -   the participant dies;

- -   the participant retires;

- -   the participant terminates employment due to total disability; or

- -   the participant that works in a Texas public institution of higher
    education terminates employment.

Due to the restrictions described above, a participant under this plan will not
be able to withdraw cash values from the contract unless one of the applicable
conditions is met. However, contract value may be transferred to other carriers,
subject to any CDSC.

Nationwide issues this contract to participants in the Texas Optional Retirement
Program in reliance upon and in compliance with Rule 6c-7 of the Investment
Company Act of 1940.

SURRENDERS UNDER A QUALIFIED PLAN OR TAX SHELTERED ANNUITY

Contract owners of a Qualified Plan or Tax Sheltered Annuity may surrender part
or all of their contract value before the earlier of the annuitization date or
the annuitant's death, except as provided below:

A.   Contract value attributable to contributions made under a qualified cash or
     deferred arrangement (within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section
     402(g)(3)(A)), a salary reduction agreement (within the meaning of Internal
     Revenue Code Section 402(g)(3)(C)), or transfers from a Custodial Account
     (described in Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code), may be
     surrendered only: 

     1. when the contract owner reaches age 59 1/2, separates
        from service, dies, or becomes disabled (within the
        meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 72(m)(7)); or

     2. in the case of hardship (as defined for purposes of Internal Revenue
        Code Section 401(k)), provided that any such hardship surrender may NOT
        include any income earned on salary reduction contributions.

B.  The surrender limitations described in Section A also apply to:

     1.  salary reduction contributions to Tax Sheltered Annuities made for plan
         years beginning after December 31, 1988;

     2.  earnings credited to such contracts after the last plan year beginning
         before January 1, 1989, on amounts attributable to salary reduction
         contributions; and

     3.  all amounts transferred from 403(b)(7) Custodial Accounts (except that
         earnings and employer contributions as of December 31, 1988 in such
         Custodial Accounts may be withdrawn in the case of hardship).

C.   Any distribution other than the above, including a ten day free look
     cancellation of 

                                       22

                                   24 of 112
<PAGE>   25

     the contract (when available) may result in taxes,
     penalties, and/or retroactive disqualification of a Qualified Contract or
     Tax Sheltered Annuity.

In order to prevent disqualification of a Tax Sheltered Annuity after a ten day
free look cancellation, Nationwide will transfer the proceeds to another Tax
Sheltered Annuity upon proper direction by the contract owner.

These provisions explain Nationwide's understanding of current withdrawal
restrictions. These restrictions may change.

Distributions pursuant to Qualified Domestic Relations Orders will not violate
the restrictions stated above.

LOAN PRIVILEGE

The loan privilege is ONLY available to owners of Qualified Contracts and Tax
Sheltered Annuities. These contract owners can take loans from the contract
value beginning 30 days after the contract is issued up to the annuitization
date. Loans are subject to the terms of the contract, the plan, and the Internal
Revenue Code. Nationwide may modify the terms of a loan to comply with changes
in applicable law.

MINIMUM & MAXIMUM LOAN AMOUNTS

Contract owners may borrow a minimum of $1000, unless Nationwide is required by
law to allow a lesser minimum amount. Each loan must individually satisfy the
contract minimum amount.

Nationwide will calculate the maximum nontaxable loan amount based upon
information provided by the participant or the employer. Loans may be taxable if
a participant has additional loans from other plans. The total of all
outstanding loans must not exceed the following limits:

                CONTRACT     MAXIMUM OUTSTANDING LOAN
                VALUES       BALANCE ALLOWED

NON-ERISA       up to        up to 80% of contract
PLANS           $20,000      value (not more than
                             $10,000)

                $20,000      up to 50% of contract
                and over     value (not more than
                             $50,000*)

ERISA PLANS     All          up to 50% of contract
                             value (not more than
                             $50,000*)

*The $50,000 limits will be reduced by the highest outstanding balance owed
during the previous 12 months.

For salary reduction Tax Sheltered Annuities, loans may be secured only by the
contract value.

LOAN PROCESSING FEE

   
Nationwide may charge a loan processing fee at the time each new loan is
processed. If assessed, this fee compensates Nationwide for expenses related to
administering and processing loans.
    

The fee is taken from the sub-accounts and the fixed account in proportion to
the contract value at the time the loan is processed.

HOW LOAN REQUESTS ARE PROCESSED

All loans are made from the collateral fixed account. Nationwide transfers
accumulation units in proportion to the assets in each sub-account to the
collateral fixed account until the requested amount is reached. If there are not
enough accumulation units available in the contract to reach the requested loan
amount, Nationwide next transfers contract value from the fixed account. No CDSC
will be deducted on transfers related to loan processing.

INTEREST

The outstanding loan balance in the collateral fixed account is credited with
interest until the loan is repaid in full. The interest rate will be 2.25% less
than the loan interest rate fixed by Nationwide. It is guaranteed never to fall
below 3.0%.

Specific loan terms are disclosed at the time of loan application or issuance.

                                       23

                                   25 of 112

<PAGE>   26



LOAN REPAYMENT

Loans must be repaid in five years. However, if the loan is used to purchase the
contract owner's principal residence, the contract owner has 15 years to repay
the loan.

Contract owners must identify loan repayments as loan repayments or they will be
treated as purchase payments and will not reduce the outstanding loan. Payments
must be substantially level and made at least quarterly.

Loan repayments will consist of principal and interest in amounts set forth in
the loan agreement. Repayments are allocated to the sub-accounts in accordance
with the contract, unless Nationwide and the contract owner have agreed to amend
the contract at a later date on a case by case basis.

DISTRIBUTIONS & ANNUITY PAYMENTS

Distributions made from the contract while a loan is outstanding will be reduced
by the amount of the outstanding loan plus accrued interest if:

   -  the contract is surrendered;

   -  the contract owner/annuitant dies;

   -  the contract owner who is not the annuitant dies prior to 
      annuitization; or

   -  annuity payments begin.

TRANSFERRING THE CONTRACT

Nationwide reserves the right to restrict any transfer of the contract while the
loan is outstanding.

GRACE PERIOD & LOAN DEFAULT

If a loan payment is not made when due, interest will continue to accrue. A
grace period may be available (please refer to the terms of the loan agreement).
If a loan payment is not made by the end of the applicable grace period, the
entire loan will be treated as a deemed distribution and will be taxable to the
borrower. This deemed distribution may also be subject to an early withdrawal
tax penalty by the Internal Revenue Service.

After default, interest will continue to accrue on the loan. Defaulted amounts,
plus interest, are deducted from the contract value when the participant is
eligible for a distribution of at least that amount. Additional loans are not
available while a previous loan is in default.

ASSIGNMENT

Contract rights are personal to the contract owner and may not be assigned
without Nationwide's written consent.

A Non-Qualified Contract owner may assign some or all rights under the contract.
An assignment must occur before annuitization while the annuitant is alive. Once
proper notice of assignment is recorded by Nationwide's home office, the
assignment will become effective as of the date the written request was signed.

SEP IRAs, IRAs, Qualified Contracts, and Tax Sheltered Annuities may not be
assigned, pledged or otherwise transferred except where allowed by law.

Nationwide is not responsible for the validity or tax consequences of any
assignment. Nationwide is not liable for any payment or settlement made before
the assignment is recorded. Assignments will not be recorded until Nationwide
receives sufficient direction from the contract owner and the assignee regarding
the proper allocation of contract rights.

Amounts pledged or assigned will be treated as distributions and will be
included in gross income to the extent that the cash value exceeds the
investment in the contract for the taxable year in which it was pledged or
assigned. Amounts assigned may be subject to a tax penalty equal to 10% of the
amount included in gross income.

Assignment of the entire contract value may cause the portion of the contract
value exceeding the total investment in the contract and previously taxed
amounts to be included 

                                       24

                                   26 of 112
<PAGE>   27

in gross income for federal income tax purposes each year that the assignment is
in effect.

CONTRACT OWNER SERVICES

ASSET REBALANCING

Asset rebalancing is the automatic reallocation of contract values to the
sub-accounts on a predetermined percentage basis. Asset rebalancing is not
available for assets held in the fixed account. Requests for asset rebalancing
must be on a Nationwide form.

Asset rebalancing occurs every three months or on another frequency if permitted
by Nationwide. If the last day of the three-month period falls on a Saturday,
Sunday, recognized holiday, or any other day when the New York Stock Exchange is
closed, asset rebalancing will occur on the next business day.

Asset rebalancing may be subject to employer limitations or restrictions for
contracts issued to a Qualified Contract or Tax Sheltered Annuity. Contract
owners should consult a financial adviser to discuss the use of asset
rebalancing.

Nationwide reserves the right to stop establishing new asset rebalancing
programs. Nationwide also reserves the right to assess a processing fee for this
service.

DOLLAR COST AVERAGING

Dollar Cost Averaging is a long-term transfer program that allows you to make
regular, level investments over time. It involves the automatic transfer of a
specified amount from the fixed account and/or certain sub-accounts into other
sub-accounts. Contract owners may participate in this program if their contract
value is $15,000 or more. Nationwide does not guarantee that this program will
result in profit or protect contract owners from loss.

Contract owners direct Nationwide to automatically transfer specified amounts
from the fixed account and the following underlying mutual fund: Van Kampen Life
Investment Trust - Money Market Portfolio to any other underlying mutual fund.
The minimum monthly transfer is $100. 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 occur monthly or on another frequency if permitted by Nationwide.
Nationwide will process transfers until either the value in the originating
investment option is exhausted, or the contract owner instructs Nationwide in
writing to stop the transfers.

Nationwide reserves the right to stop establishing new Dollar Cost Averaging
programs. Nationwide also reserves the right to assess a processing fee for this
service.

SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS

Systematic withdrawals allow contract owners to receive a specified amount (of
at least $100) on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. Requests
for systematic withdrawals and requests to discontinue systematic withdrawals
must be in writing.

The withdrawals will be taken from the sub-accounts and the fixed account
proportionately unless Nationwide is instructed otherwise.

Nationwide will withhold federal income taxes from systematic withdrawals unless
otherwise instructed by the contract owner. The Internal Revenue Service may
impose a 10% penalty tax if the contract owner is under age 59 1/2 unless the
contract owner has made an irrevocable election of distributions of
substantially equal payments. A CDSC may apply.

Nationwide reserves the right to stop establishing new systematic withdrawal
programs. Nationwide also reserves the right to assess a processing fee for this
service. Systematic withdrawals are not available before the end of the ten-day
free look period (see "Right to Revoke").

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE

The annuity commencement date is the date on which annuity payments are
scheduled to begin. The contract owner may change the annuity commencement date
before annuitization. This change must be in writing and approved by 

                                       25

                                   27 of 112


<PAGE>   28

Nationwide. However, if the annuity commencement date is postponed beyond the
first day of the calendar month after the annuitant's 75th birthday (or such
other annuity commencement date provided in the plan), the death benefit will be
limited to the contract value.

ANNUITIZING THE CONTRACT

ANNUITIZATION DATE

The annuitization date is the date that annuity payments begin. It will be the
first day of a calendar month unless otherwise agreed, and must be at least 2
years after the contract is issued. If the contract is issued to fund a
Qualified Plan or Tax Sheltered Annuity plan, annuitization may occur during the
first 2 years subject to Nationwide's approval.

ANNUITIZATION

Annuitization is the period during which annuity payments are received. It is
irrevocable once payments have begun. Upon arrival of the annuitization date,
the annuitant must choose:

   (1) an annuity payment option; and

   (2) either a fixed payment annuity, variable payment annuity, or an available
       combination.

Nationwide guarantees that each payment under a fixed payment annuity will be
the same throughout annuitization. Under a variable payment annuity, the amount
of each payment will vary with the performance of the underlying mutual funds
chosen by the contract owner.

FIXED PAYMENT ANNUITY

A fixed payment annuity is an annuity where the amount of the annuity payment
remains level.

The first payment under a fixed payment annuity is determined on the
annuitization date on an age last birthday basis by:

   1) deducting applicable premium taxes from the total contract value; then

   2) applying the contract value amount specified by the contract owner to the
      fixed payment annuity table for the annuity payment option elected.

Subsequent payments will remain level unless the annuity payment option elected
provides otherwise. Nationwide does not credit discretionary interest during
annuitization.

VARIABLE PAYMENT ANNUITY

A variable payment annuity is an annuity where the amount of the annuity
payments will vary depending on the performance of the underlying mutual funds
selected.

   
The first payment under a variable payment annuity is determined on the
annuitization date on an age last birthday basis by:

   1) deducting applicable premium taxes from the total contract value; then
    

   2) applying the contract value amount specified by the contract owner to the
      variable payment annuity table for the annuity payment option elected.

The dollar amount of the first payment is converted into a set number of annuity
units that will represent each monthly payment. This is done by dividing the
dollar amount of the first payment by the value of an annuity unit as of the
annuitization date. This number of annuity units remains fixed during
annuitization.

The second and subsequent payments are determined by multiplying the fixed
number of annuity units by the annuity unit value for the valuation period in
which the payment is due. The amount of the second and subsequent payments will
vary with the performance of the selected underlying mutual funds. Nationwide
guarantees that variations in mortality experience from assumptions used to
calculate the first payment will not affect the dollar amount of the second and
subsequent payments.

Assumed Investment Rate

An assumed investment rate is the percentage rate of return assumed to determine
the amount of the first payment under a variable payment 

                                       26

                                   28 of 112

<PAGE>   29

   
annuity. Nationwide uses the assumed investment rate of 3.5% to calculate the
first annuity payment and to calculate the investment performance of an
underlying mutual fund in order to determine subsequent payments under a
variable payment annuity. An assumed investment rate is the percentage rate of
return required to maintain level variable annuity payments. Subsequent variable
annuity payments may be more or less than the first payment based on whether
actual investment performance is higher or lower than the assumed investment
rate of 3.5%.
    

Value of an Annuity Unit

Annuity unit values for sub-accounts are determined by multiplying the net
investment factor for the valuation period for which the annuity unit is being
calculated by the immediately preceding valuation period's annuity unit value,
and multiplying the result by an interest factor to neutralize the assumed
investment rate of 3.5% per annum built into the variable payment annuity
purchase rate basis in the contracts.

Exchanges among Underlying Mutual Funds

Exchanges among underlying mutual funds during annuitization must be in writing.
Exchanges will occur on each anniversary of the annuitization date.

FREQUENCY AND AMOUNT OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS

Payments are made based on the annuity payment option selected, unless:

   -  the amount to be distributed is less than $500, in which case Nationwide 
      may make one lump sum payment of the contract value; or

   -  an annuity payment would be less than $20, in which case Nationwide can
      change the frequency of payments to intervals that will result in payments
      of at least $20. Payments will be made at least annually.

ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTIONS

Contract owners must elect an annuity payment option before the annuitization
date. The annuity payment options are:

(1)  LIFE ANNUITY - An annuity payable periodically, but at least annually, for
     the lifetime of the annuitant. Payments will end upon the annuitant's
     death. For example, if the annuitant dies before the second annuity payment
     date, the annuitant will receive only one annuity payment. The annuitant
     will only receive two annuity payments if he or she dies before the third
     annuity payment date, and so on.

(2)  JOINT AND LAST SURVIVOR ANNUITY - An annuity payable periodically, but at
     least annually, during the joint lifetimes of the annuitant and a
     designated second individual. If one of these parties dies, payments will
     continue for the lifetime of the survivor. As is the case under option 1,
     there is no guaranteed number of payments. Payments end upon the death of
     the last surviving party, regardless of the number of payments received.

(3)  LIFE ANNUITY WITH 120 OR 240 MONTHLY PAYMENTS GUARANTEED - An annuity
     payable monthly during the lifetime of the annuitant. If the annuitant dies
     before all of the guaranteed payments have been made, payments will
     continue to the end of the guaranteed period and will be paid to a designee
     chosen by the annuitant at the time the annuity payment option was elected.

     The designee may elect to receive the present value of the remaining
     guaranteed payments in a lump sum. The present value will be computed as of
     the date Nationwide receives the notice of the annuitant's death.

Not all of the annuity payment options may be available in all states. Contract
owners may request other options before the annuitization date. These options
are subject to Nationwide's approval.

                                       27

                                   29 of 112
<PAGE>   30

No distribution for Non-Qualified Contracts will be made until an annuity
payment option has been elected. IRAs, SEP IRAs, Qualified Contracts, and Tax
Sheltered Annuities are subject to the "minimum distribution" requirements set
forth in the plan, contract, and the Internal Revenue Code.

DEATH BENEFITS

DEATH OF CONTRACT OWNER - NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

If the contract owner who is NOT the annuitant dies before the annuitization
date, the joint owner becomes the contract owner. If no joint owner is named,
the contingent owner becomes the contract owner. If no contingent owner is
named, the annuitant becomes the contract owner.

If the contract owner and annuitant are the same, and the contract
owner/annuitant dies before the annuitization date, the contingent owner will
not have any rights in the contract unless the contingent owner is also the
beneficiary.

Distributions under Non-Qualified Contracts will be made pursuant to the
"Required Distributions for Non-Qualified Contracts" provision.

DEATH OF ANNUITANT - NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

If the annuitant who is NOT the contract owner dies before the annuitization
date, a death benefit is payable to the beneficiary unless a contingent
annuitant is named. If a contingent annuitant is named, the contingent annuitant
becomes the annuitant and no death benefit is payable.

The beneficiary may elect to receive the death benefit:

   (1) in a lump sum;

   (2) as an annuity; or

   (3) in any other manner permitted by law and approved by Nationwide.

The beneficiary must notify Nationwide of this election within 60 days of the
annuitant's death.

   
If no beneficiaries survive the annuitant, the contingent beneficiary(ies)
receives the death benefit. Contingent beneficiaries will share the death
benefit equally, unless otherwise specified.
    

If no beneficiaries or contingent beneficiaries survive the annuitant, the
contract owner or the last surviving contract owner's estate will receive the
death benefit.

If the annuitant dies after the annuitization date, any benefit that may be
payable will be paid according to the selected annuity payment option.

DEATH OF CONTRACT OWNER/ANNUITANT

If a contract owner who is also the annuitant dies before the annuitization
date, a death benefit is payable according to the "Death of the Annuitant -
Non-Qualified Contracts" provision.

If the contract owner/annuitant dies after the annuitization date, any benefit
that may be payable will be paid according to the selected annuity payment
option.

DEATH BENEFIT PAYMENT

The death benefit value is determined as of the date Nationwide receives:

   (1) proper proof of the annuitant's death;

   (2) an election specifying the distribution method; and

   (3) any state required form(s).

If the annuitant dies before the first day of the calendar month after his or
her 75th birthday and before annuitization, the dollar amount of the death
benefit will be the greater of:

   1) the contract value; or

   2) the sum of all purchase payments, less any amounts surrendered.


If the annuitant dies on or after the first day of the calendar month after his
or her 75th birthday and before annuitization, the death benefit will equal the
contract value.

                                       28

                                   30 of 112


<PAGE>   31



REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

Internal Revenue Code Section 72(s) requires Nationwide to make certain
distributions when a contract owner dies. The following distributions will be
made according to those requirements:

   1)  If any contract owner dies on or after the annuitization date and before
       the entire interest in the contract has been distributed, then the
       remaining interest must be distributed at least as rapidly as the
       distribution method in effect on the contract owner's death.

   2)  If any contract owner dies before the annuitization date, then the entire
       interest in the contract (consisting of either the death benefit or the
       contract value reduced by charges set forth elsewhere in the contract)
       will be distributed within 5 years of the contract owner's death,
       provided however:

       a)  any interest payable to or for the benefit of a natural person
           (referred to herein as a "designated beneficiary"), may be
           distributed over the life of the designated beneficiary or over a
           period not longer than the life expectancy of the designated
           beneficiary. Payments must begin within one year of the contract
           owner's death unless otherwise permitted by federal income tax
           regulations;

       b)  if the designated beneficiary is the surviving spouse of the deceased
           contract owner, the spouse can choose to become the contract owner
           instead of receiving a death benefit. Any distributions required
           under these distribution rules will be made upon that spouse's death.

In the event that the contract owner is not a natural person (e.g., a trust or
corporation), then, for purposes of these distribution provisions:

   a) the death of the annuitant will be treated as the death of a contract 
      owner;

   b) any change of annuitant will be treated as the death of a contract 
      owner; and

   c) in either case, the appropriate distribution will be made upon the death
      or change, as the case may be.

These distribution provisions do not apply to any contract exempt from Section
72(s) of the Internal Revenue Code by reason of Section 72(s)(5) or any other
law or rule.

The designated beneficiary must elect a method of distribution and notify
Nationwide of this election within 60 days of the contract owner's death.

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR QUALIFIED PLANS OR TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

Distributions from Qualified Plans and Tax Sheltered Annuities will be made
according to the Minimum Distribution and Incidental Benefit ("MDIB") provisions
of Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code. Distributions will be made to
the annuitant according to the selected annuity payment option over a period not
longer than

   a) the life of the annuitant or the joint lives of the annuitant and the 
      annuitant's designated beneficiary; or

   b) a period not longer than the life expectancy of the annuitant or the
      joint life expectancies of the annuitant and the annuitant's designated
      beneficiary.

Required distributions do not have to be withdrawn from this contract if they
are being withdrawn from another Qualified Plan or Tax Sheltered Annuity of the
annuitant.

If the annuitant's entire interest in a Qualified Plan or Tax Sheltered Annuity
will be distributed in equal or substantially equal payments over a period
described in a) or b), the payments will begin on the required beginning date.
The required beginning date is the later of:

                                       29

                                   31 of 112

<PAGE>   32


   a) April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the 
      annuitant reaches age 70 1/2; or

   b) the annuitant's retirement date.

Provision b) does not apply to any employee who is a 5% owner (as defined in
Section 416 of the Internal Revenue Code) with respect to the plan year ending
in the calendar year when the employee attains the age of 70 1/2.

   
Distribution commencing on the required distribution date must satisfy minimum
distribution and incidental benefit provisions set forth in the Internal Revenue
Code. Those provisions require that distributions cannot be less than the amount
determined by dividing the annuitant's interest in the Tax Sheltered Annuity
determined by the end of the previous calendar year by (a) the annuitant's life
expectancy; or, if applicable, (b) the joint and survivor life expectancy of the
annuitant and the annuitant's beneficiary. The life expectancies and joint life
expectancies are determined by reference to Treasury Regulation 1.72-9.
    

If the annuitant dies before distributions begin, the interest in the Qualified
Plan or Tax Sheltered Annuity must be distributed by December 31 of the calendar
year in which the fifth anniversary of the annuitant's death occurs unless:

   a)  the annuitant names his or her surviving spouse as the beneficiary and
       the spouse chooses to receive distribution of the contract in
       substantially equal payments over his or her life (or a period not longer
       than his or her life expectancy) and beginning no later than December 31
       of the year in which the annuitant would have attained age 70 1/2; or

   b)  the annuitant names a beneficiary other than his or her surviving spouse
       and the beneficiary elects to receive distribution of the contract in
       substantially equal payments over his or her life (or a period not longer
       than his or her life expectancy) beginning no later than December 31 of
       the year following the year in which the annuitant dies.

If the annuitant dies after distributions have begun, distributions must
continue at least as rapidly as under the schedule used before the annuitant's
death.

If distribution requirements are not met, a penalty tax of 50% is levied on the
difference between the amount that should have been distributed for that year
and the amount that actually was distributed for that year.

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR IRAS AND SEP IRAS

Distributions from an IRA or SEP IRA must begin no later than April 1 of the
calendar year following the calendar year in which the contract owner reaches
age 70 1/2. Distribution may be paid in a lump sum or in substantially equal
payments over:

   a)  the contract owner's life or the lives of the contract owner and his or 
       her spouse or designated beneficiary; or

   b)  a period not longer than the life expectancy of the contract owner or the
       joint life expectancy of the contract owner and the contract owner's
       designated beneficiary.

If the contract owner dies before distributions begin, the interest in the IRA
or SEP IRA must be distributed by December 31 of the calendar year in which the
fifth anniversary of the contract owner's death occurs, unless:

   a)   the contract owner names his or her surviving spouse as the beneficiary 
        and such spouse chooses to:

       1)   treat the contract as an IRA or SEP IRA established for his or her 
            benefit; or

       2)  receive distribution of the contract in substantially equal payments
           over his or her life (or a period not longer than his or her life
           expectancy) and beginning no later than December 31 of the year in
           which the contract 

                                       30

                                   32 of 112
<PAGE>   33


          owner would have reached age 70 1/2; or

   b)  the contract owner names a beneficiary other than his or her surviving
       spouse and such beneficiary elects to receive a distribution of the
       contract in substantially equal payments over his or her life (or a
       period not longer than his or her life expectancy) beginning no later
       than December 31 of the year following the year of the contract owner's
       death.

Required distributions do not have to be withdrawn from this contract if they
are being withdrawn from another IRA or SEP IRA of the contract owner.

If the contract owner dies after distributions have begun, distributions must
continue at least as rapidly as under the schedule being used before the
contract owner's death. However, a surviving spouse who is the beneficiary under
the annuity payment option may treat the contract as his or her own, in the same
manner as is described in section (a)(i) of this provision.

If distribution requirements are not met, a penalty tax of 50% is levied on the
difference between the amount that should have been distributed for that year
and the amount that actually was distributed for that year.

A portion of each distribution will be included in the recipient's gross income
and taxed at ordinary income tax rates. The portion of a distribution which is
taxable is based on the ratio between the amount by which non-deductible
purchase payments exceed prior non-taxable distributions and total account
balances at the time of the distribution. The owner of an IRA or SEP IRA must
annually report the amount of non-deductible purchase payments, the amount of
any distribution, the amount by which non-deductible purchase payments for all
years exceed non-taxable distributions for all years, and the total balance of
all IRAs.

If the contract owner dies before the entire interest in the contract has been
distributed, the balance will also be included in his or her gross estate.

FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

Contract owners should consult a financial consultant, legal counsel or tax
advisor to discuss in detail the taxation and the use of the contracts.

Nationwide does not guarantee the tax status of the contracts or any
transactions involving the contracts.

Section 72 of the Internal Revenue Code governs federal income taxation of
annuities in general. That section sets forth different rules for: (1)
Individual Retirement Annuities and Individual Retirement Accounts; (2) SEP
IRAs; (3) Qualified Contracts; (4) Tax Sheltered Annuities; and (5)
Non-Qualified Contracts. Each type of annuity is discussed below.

IRAs, SEP IRAs, and Individual Retirement Accounts

Distributions from IRAs, SEP IRAs, and contracts owned by Individual Retirement
Accounts are generally taxed when received. The excludable portion of each
payment is based on the ratio between the amount by which non-deductible
purchase payments to all the contracts exceeds prior non-taxable distributions
from the contracts, and the total account balances in the contracts at the time
of the distribution. The owner of the IRA, SEP IRA, or the annuitant under
contracts held by Individual Retirement Accounts must annually report to the
Internal Revenue Service:

   -  the amount of nondeductible purchase payments;

   -  the amount of any distributions;

   -  the amount by which nondeductible purchase payments for all years exceed 
      non-taxable distributions for all years; and

   -  the total balance in all IRAs.

Qualified Contracts and Tax Sheltered Annuities

Distributions from Qualified Contracts and Tax Sheltered Annuities are generally
taxed when 

                                       31

                                   33 of 112

<PAGE>   34


received. A portion of each distribution is excludable from income based on a
formula required by the Internal Revenue Code. The formula excludes from income
the amount invested in the contract divided by the number of anticipated
payments (as determined pursuant to Section 72(d) of the Internal Revenue Code)
until the full investment in the contract is recovered. Thereafter all
distributions are fully taxable.

Non-Qualified Contracts - Natural Persons as Contract Owners

   
The rules applicable to Non-Qualified Contracts provide that a portion of each
annuity payment is excludable from taxable income based on the ratio between the
contract owner's investment in the contract and the expected return on the
contract until the investment has been recovered. Thereafter the entire amount
is includible in income. The maximum amount excludable from income is the
investment in the contract. If the annuitant dies before the entire investment
in the contract has been excluded from income and no additional payments are due
after his or her death, then he or she may be entitled to a deduction for the
balance of the unrecovered investment in the contract on his or her final income
tax return.
    

Distributions before the annuitization date are taxable to the contract owner to
the extent that the cash value of the contract exceeds the contract owner's
investment at the time of the distribution. Distributions, for this purpose,
include partial surrenders, dividends, loans, or any portion of the contract
that is assigned or pledged; or for contracts issued after April 22, 1987, any
portion of the contract transferred by gift. For these purposes, a transfer by
gift may occur upon annuitization if the contract owner and the annuitant are
not the same individual.

In determining the taxable amount of a distribution, all annuity contracts
issued after October 21, 1988 by the same company to the same contract owner
during any 12-month period will be treated as one annuity contract. Additional
limitations on the use of multiple contracts may be imposed by Treasury
Regulations.

Distributions before the annuitization date allocable to a portion of the
contract invested prior to August 14, 1982, are treated first as a recovery of
the investment in the contract as of that date. A distribution in excess of the
amount of the investment in the contract as of August 14, 1982, will be treated
as taxable income.

The Tax Reform Act of 1986 has changed the tax treatment of certain
Non-Qualified Contracts held by entities other than individuals. Such entities
are taxed currently on earnings from contributions made to the contract after
February 28, 1986. There are exceptions for immediate annuities and certain
contracts owned for the benefit of an individual. An immediate annuity, for
purposes of this discussion, is a single premium contract on which payments
begin within one year of purchase. If this contract is issued as the result of
an exchange described in Section 1035 of the Internal Revenue Code, for purposes
of determining whether the contract is an immediate annuity, it will generally
be considered to have been purchased on the purchase date of the contract given
up in the exchange.

Internal Revenue Code Section 72 also assesses a penalty tax if a distribution
is made before the contract owner reaches age 59 1/2. The amount of the penalty
is 10% of the portion of any distribution that is includible in gross income.
The penalty tax does not apply if the distribution

     1)  is the result of a contract owner's death;

     2)  is the result of a contract owner's disability;

     3)  is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments made over
         the life or life expectancy of the contract owner (or the joint lives
         or joint life expectancies of the contract owner and the beneficiary
         selected by the contract owner to receive payment under the 

                                       32

                                   34 of 112
<PAGE>   35

         annuity payment option selected by the contract owner);

     4)  is for the purchase of an immediate annuity;

     5)  is allocable to an investment in the contract before August 14, 1982.

A contract owner that wants to begin taking distributions to which the 10% tax
penalty does not apply should forward a written request to Nationwide. Upon
receipt of this written request, Nationwide will inform the contract owner of
Nationwide's policies and procedures, as well as contract limitations. An
election to begin taking these withdrawals will be irrevocable and may not be
amended or changed.

In order to qualify as an annuity contract under Section 72 of the Internal
Revenue Code, the contract must provide for distribution of the entire contract
upon a contract owner's death.

The Internal Revenue Code requires that any election to receive an annuity
instead of a lump sum payment be made within 60 days after the lump sum becomes
payable (generally, within 60 days of the death of a contract owner or the
annuitant). As long as the election is made within the 60 day period, each
distribution will be taxable when it is paid. Upon the end of this 60 day
period, if no election has been made, the entire amount of the lump sum will be
subject to immediate tax, even if the payee decides at a later date to take the
distribution as an annuity.

Non-Qualified Contracts - Non-Natural Persons as Contract Owners

The previous discussion related to the taxation of Non-Qualified Contracts owned
(or, pursuant to Section 72(u) of the Internal Revenue Code, deemed to be owned)
by individuals. Different rules apply if the contract owner is not a natural
person.

Generally, contracts owned by corporations, partnerships, trusts, and similar
entities ("non-natural persons") are not treated as annuity contracts under the
Internal Revenue Code. Specifically, they are not treated as annuity contracts
for purposes of Section 72. Therefore, income earned under a Non-Qualified
Contract that is owned by a non-natural person is taxed as ordinary income
during the taxable year that it is earned. Taxation is not deferred, even if the
income is not distributed out of the contract to the contract owner.

This non-natural person rule does not apply to all entity-owned contracts. A
contract that is owned by a non-natural person as an agent for an individual is
treated as owned by the individual. This would put the contract back under
Section 72, allowing tax deferral. However, this exception does not apply when
the non-natural person is an employer that holds the contract under a
non-qualified deferred compensation arrangement for one or more employees.

The non-natural person rule also does not apply to contracts that are:

   a) acquired by the estate of a decedent by reason of the death of the 
      decedent;

   b) issued in connection with certain qualified retirement plans and
      individual retirement plans;

   c) used in connection with certain structured settlements;

   d) purchased by an employer upon the termination of certain qualified
      retirement plans; or

   e) an immediate annuity.

IRAS, SEP IRAS, QUALIFIED PLANS, AND TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

Contract owners looking for information on eligibility, limitations on
permissible amounts of purchase payments, and the tax consequences of
distributions from IRAs, SEP IRAs, Qualified Plans and Tax Sheltered Annuities
should contact a qualified adviser. The terms of each plan may limit the rights
available under the contracts.

Section 403(b)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code requires a contract issued as
a Tax Sheltered Annuity to limit purchase payments 

                                       33

                                   35 of 112
<PAGE>   36


for any year to an amount that does not exceed the limit set forth in Section
402(g) of the Internal Revenue Code. This limit is increased from time to time
to reflect increases in the cost of living. This limit may be reduced by
deposits, contributions or payments made to another Tax Sheltered Annuity or
other plan, contract or arrangement by or on behalf of the contract owner.

The Internal Revenue Code allows most distributions from Qualified Plans to be
rolled into another Qualified Plan, IRA, or SEP IRA. Most distributions from Tax
Sheltered Annuities may be rolled into another Tax Sheltered Annuity, IRA, or
SEP IRA. Distributions that may NOT be rolled over are those that are:

   a)   one of a series of substantially equal annual (or more frequent) 
        payments made:

       1) over the life (or life expectancy) of the contract owner;

       2) over the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the contract
          owner and the contract owner's designated beneficiary;

       3) for a specified period of ten years or more; or

   b)  a required minimum distribution.

Any distribution that is eligible for rollover will be subject to federal tax
withholding of 20% if the distribution is not rolled into an appropriate plan as
described above.

IRAs and SEP IRAs may not provide life insurance benefits. If the death benefit
exceeds the greater of the contract's cash value or the sum of all purchase
payments (less any surrenders), the contract could be considered life insurance.
Consequently, the Internal Revenue Service could determine that the IRA or SEP
IRA does not qualify for the desired tax treatment.

WITHHOLDING

Pre-death distributions from the contracts are subject to federal income tax.
Nationwide will withhold the tax from the distributions unless the contract
owner requests otherwise. Contract owners may not waive withholding if the
distribution is subject to mandatory back-up withholding (if no mandatory
taxpayer identification number is given or if the Internal Revenue Service
notifies Nationwide that mandatory back-up withholding is required), or if it is
an eligible rollover distribution. Mandatory back-up withholding rates are 31%
of income that is distributed.

NON-RESIDENT ALIENS

Generally, a pre-death distribution from a contract to a non-resident alien is
subject to federal income tax at a rate of 30% of the amount of income that is
distributed. Nationwide is required to withhold this amount and send it to the
Internal Revenue Service. Some distributions to non-resident aliens may be
subject to a lower (or no) tax if a treaty applies. In order to obtain the
benefits of such a treaty, the non-resident alien must:

   1) provide Nationwide with proof of residency and citizenship (in accordance 
      with Internal Revenue Service requirements); and

   2) provide Nationwide with an individual taxpayer identification number.

If the non-resident alien does not meet the above conditions, Nationwide will
withhold 30% of income from the distribution.

Another way to avoid the 30% withholding is for the non-resident alien to
provide Nationwide with sufficient evidence that:

   1) the distribution is connected to the non-resident alien's conduct of 
      business in the United States; and

   2) the distribution is includible in the non-resident alien's gross income
      for United States federal income tax purposes.

Note that these distributions may be subject to back-up withholding, currently
31%, if a correct taxpayer identification number is not provided.

                                       34

                                   36 of 112
<PAGE>   37



FEDERAL ESTATE, GIFT, AND GENERATION SKIPPING TRANSFER TAXES

The following transfers may be considered a gift for federal gift tax purposes:

   -  a transfer of the contract from one contract owner to another; or

   -  a distribution to someone other than a contract owner.

Upon the contract owner's death, the value of the contract may be subject to
estate taxes, even if all or a portion of the value is also subject to federal
income taxes.

Section 2612 of the Internal Revenue Code may require Nationwide to determine
whether a death benefit or other distribution is a "direct skip" and the amount
of the resulting generation skipping transfer tax, if any. A direct skip is when
property is transferred to, or a death benefit or other distribution is made to:

   a)  an individual who is two or more generations younger than the contract 
       owner; or

   b)  certain trusts, as described in Section 2613 of the Internal Revenue Code
       (generally, trusts that have no beneficiaries who are not 2 or more
       generations younger than the contract owner).

If the contract owner is not an individual, then for this purpose ONLY,
"contract owner" refers to any person:

   -   who would be required to include the contract, death benefit, 
       distribution, or other payment in his or her federal gross estate at his 
       or her death; or

   -   who is required to report the transfer of the contract, death benefit,
       distribution, or other payment for federal gift tax purposes.

If a transfer is a direct skip, Nationwide will deduct the amount of the
transfer tax from the death benefit, distribution or other payment, and remit it
directly to the Internal Revenue Service.

PUERTO RICO

Under the Puerto Rico tax code, distributions from a Non-Qualified Contract
before annuitization are treated as nontaxable return of principal until the
principal is fully recovered. Thereafter all distributions are fully taxable.
Distributions after annuitization are treated as part taxable income and part
nontaxable return of principal. The amount excluded from gross income after
annuitization is equal to the amount of the distribution in excess of 3% of the
total purchase payments paid, until an amount equal to the total purchase
payments paid has been excluded. Thereafter, the entire distribution is included
in gross income. Puerto Rico does not impose an early withdrawal penalty tax.
Generally, Puerto Rico does not require income tax to be withheld from
distributions of income. A personal adviser should be consulted in these
situations.

CHARGE FOR TAX

Nationwide is not required to maintain a capital gain reserve liability on
Non-Qualified Contracts. If tax laws change requiring a reserve, Nationwide may
implement and adjust a tax charge.

DIVERSIFICATION

Internal Revenue Code Section 817(h) contains rules on diversification
requirements for variable annuity contracts. A variable annuity contract that
does not meet these diversification requirements will not be treated as an
annuity, unless

   -  the failure to diversify was accidental;

   -  the failure is corrected; and

   -  a fine is paid to the Internal Revenue Service.

The amount of the fine will be the amount of tax that would have been paid by
the contract owner if the income, for the period the contract was not
diversified, had been received by the contract owner.

If the violation is not corrected, the contract owner will be considered the
owner of the 

                                       35

                                   37 of 112
<PAGE>   38

underlying securities and will be taxed on the earnings of his or her contract.
Nationwide believes that the investments underlying this contract meet these
diversification requirements.

TAX CHANGES

The foregoing tax information is based on Nationwide's understanding of federal
tax laws. It is NOT intended as tax advice. All information is subject to change
without notice. For more details, contact your personal tax and/or financial
advisor.

STATEMENTS AND REPORTS

Nationwide will mail contract owners statements and reports. Therefore, contract
owners should promptly notify Nationwide of any address change.

These mailings will contain:

   -  statements showing the contract's quarterly activity;

   -  confirmation statements showing transactions that affect the contract's
      value. Confirmation statements will not be sent for recurring transactions
      (i.e., Dollar Cost Averaging or salary reduction programs). Instead,
      confirmation of recurring transactions will appear in the contract's
      quarterly statements;

   
   -  annual and semi-annual reports containing all applicable information and
      financial statements or their equivalent, which must be sent to the
      underlying mutual fund beneficial shareholders as required by the rules
      under the Investment Company Act of 1940 for the variable account.
    

Contract owners should review statements and confirmations carefully. All errors
or corrections must be reported to Nationwide immediately to assure proper
crediting to the contract. Unless Nationwide is notified within 30 days of
receipt of the statement, Nationwide will assume statements and confirmation
statements are correct.

YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE ISSUES

Nationwide has developed and implemented a plan to address issues related to the
Year 2000. The problem relates to many existing computer systems using only two
digits to identify a year in a date field. These systems were designed and
developed without considering the impact of the upcoming change in the century.
If not corrected, many computer systems could fail or create erroneous results
when processing information dated after December 31, 1999. Like many
organizations, Nationwide is required to renovate or replace computer systems so
that the systems will function properly after December 31, 1999.

   
Nationwide has completed an inventory and assessment of all computer systems and
has implemented a plan to renovate or replace all applications that were
identified as not Year 2000 compliant. Nationwide has renovated all applications
that required renovation. Testing of the renovated programs included running
each application in a Year 2000 environment and was completed as planned during
1998. For applications being replaced, Nationwide had all replacement systems in
place and functioning as planned by year-end 1998. Conversions of existing
traditional life policies will continue through second quarter, 1999. In
addition, the shareholder services system that supports our mutual fund products
will be fully deployed in the first quarter of 1999.

Nationwide has completed an inventory and assessment of all vendor products and
has tested and certified that each vendor product is Year 2000 compliant. Any
vendor products that could not be certified as Year 2000 compliant were replaced
or eliminated in 1998.

Nationwide has also addressed issues associated with the exchange of electronic
data with external organizations. Nationwide has completed an inventory and
assessment of all business partners including electronic interfaces. Processes
have been put into place and programs initiated to process data irrespective 
    

                                       36

                                   38 of 112
<PAGE>   39

   
of the format by converting non-compliant data into a Year 2000 compliant
format.

Systems supporting Nationwide's infrastructure such as telecommunications, voice
and networks will be compliant by March 1999. Nationwide's assessment of Year
2000 issues has also included non-information technology systems with embedded
computer chips. Nationwide's building systems such as fire, security, and
elevators and escalators supporting facilities in Columbus, Ohio have been
tested and are Year 2000 compliant.

In addition to resolving internal Year 2000 readiness issues, Nationwide is
surveying significant external organizations (business partners) to assess if
they will be Year 2000 compliant and be in a position to do business in the Year
2000 and beyond. Specifically, nationwide has contacted mutual fund
organizations that provide funds for our variable annuity and life products. The
same action will continue during the first quarter of 1999 with wholesale
producers. Nationwide continues its efforts to identify external risk factors
and is planning to develop contingency plans as part of its ongoing risk
management strategy.

Operating expenses in 1998 and 1997 included approximately $44.7 million and
$45.4 million, respectively, for technology projects, including costs related to
Year 2000. Nationwide anticipates spending approximately $5 million on Year 2000
activities in 1999. These expenses do not have an effect on the assets of the
variable account and are not charged through to the contract owner.
    

Management does not anticipate that the completion of Year 2000 renovation and
replacement activities will result in a reduction in operating expenses. Rather,
personnel and resources currently allocated to Year 2000 issues will be assigned
to other technology-related projects.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Nationwide Life Insurance Company ("Nationwide") 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 Nationwide.

   
In recent years, life insurance companies have been named as defendants in
lawsuits, including class action lawsuits, relating to life insurance and
annuity pricing and sales practices. A number of these lawsuits have resulted in
substantial jury awards or settlements.

In February 1997, Nationwide was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in New
York state court related to the sale of whole life policies on a "vanishing
premium" basis (John H. Snyder v. Nationwide Life Insurance Co.). In April 1998,
Nationwide was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in Ohio state court
similar to the Snyder case (David and Joan Mishler v. Nationwide Life Insurance
Co.). In August 1998, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Nationwide and the
plaintiffs executed a stipulation of settlement and submitted it to the New York
state court for approval. On August 20, 1998, the court in the Snyder case
signed an order preliminarily approving a class for settlement purposes (which
would include the Mishler case) and scheduled a fairness hearing for December
17, 1998. At that hearing, the court reviewed the fairness and reasonableness of
the proposed settlement and issued a final order and judgment. The approved
settlement provides for dismissal of both the Snyder and Mishler cases, bars
class members from pursuing litigation against Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Company and its affiliates, including Nationwide and its subsidiaries, relating
to the allegations in the Snyder case, and provides class members with a
potential value of approximately $100 million in policy adjustments, discounted
premiums and discounted products.

In November 1997, two plaintiffs, one who was the owner of a variable life
insurance policy and the other who was the owner of a variable annuity contract,
commenced a lawsuit in a federal court in Texas against Nationwide and the
American Century group of defendants (Robert Young and David D. Distad v.
    

                                       37

                                   39 of 112

<PAGE>   40

   
Nationwide Life Insurance Company et al.). In this lawsuit, plaintiffs seek to
represent a class of variable life insurance policy owners and variable annuity
contract owners whom they claim were allegedly misled when purchasing these
variable contracts into believing that the performance of their underlying
mutual fund option managed by American Century, whose shares may only be
purchased by insurance companies, would track the performance of a mutual fund,
also managed by American Century, whose shares are publicly traded. The amended
complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. On April 27,
1998, the district court denied, in part, and granted, in part, Nationwide and
American Century's motions to dismiss the complaint. The remaining claims
against Nationwide allege securities fraud, common law fraud, civil conspiracy
and breach of contract. On December 2, 1998, the district court issued an order
denying plaintiffs' motion for class certification. On December 10, 1998, the
district court stayed the lawsuit pending plaintiffs' petition to the federal
appeals court for interlocutory review of the order denying class certification.
On December 14, 1998, plaintiffs filed their petition for interlocutory review,
on which the federal appeals court has not yet ruled. Nationwide intends to
defend the case vigorously.

On October 29, 1998, Nationwide and certain of its subsidiaries were named in a
lawsuit filed in Ohio state court related to the sale of deferred annuity
products for use as investments in tax-deferred contributory retirement plans
(Mercedes Castillo v. Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., Nationwide Life
Insurance Company and Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company). The
plaintiff in such lawsuit seeks to represent a national class of Nationwide's
customers and seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. Nationwide
currently is evaluating this lawsuit, which has not been certified as a class.
Nationwide intends to defend this lawsuit vigorously.

There can be no assurance that any litigation relating to pricing or sales
practices will not have a material adverse effect on Nationwide in the future.

The general distributor, Van Kampen Funds Inc., is not engaged in any litigation
of any material nature.
    

ADVERTISING AND SUB-ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

ADVERTISING

A "yield" and "effective yield" may be advertised for the Van Kampen Life
Investment Trust - Money Market Portfolio. "Yield" is a measure of the net
dividend and interest income earned over a specific seven-day period (which
period will be stated in the advertisement) expressed as a percentage of the
offering price of the Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Money Market
Portfolio's units. Yield is an annualized figure, which means that it is assumed
that the Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Money Market Portfolio generates the
same level of net income over a 52-week period. The "effective yield" is
calculated similarly but includes the effect of assumed compounding, calculated
under rules prescribed by the SEC. The effective yield will be slightly higher
than yield due to this compounding effect.

Nationwide may advertise the performance of a sub-account in relation to the
performance of other variable annuity sub-accounts, underlying mutual fund
options with similar or different objectives, or the investment industry as a
whole. Other investments to which the sub-accounts may be compared include, but
are not limited to:

   -  precious metals;
   -  real estate;
   -  stocks and bonds;
   -  closed-end funds;
   -  bank money market deposit accounts and passbook savings;
   -  CDs; and
   -  the Consumer Price Index.

                                       38

                                   40 of 112
<PAGE>   41

Market Indexes

The sub-accounts will be compared to certain market indexes, such as:

   -  S&P 500;
   -  Shearson/Lehman Intermediate Government/Corporate Bond Index;
   -  Shearson/Lehman Long-Term Government/Corporate Bond Index;
   -  Donoghue Money Fund Average;
   -  U.S. Treasury Note Index;
   -  Bank Rate Monitor National Index of 2 1/2 Year CD Rates; and 
   -  Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Tracking & Rating Services; Publications

Nationwide's rankings and ratings are sometimes published by other services,
such as:

   -  Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.;
   -  CDA/Wiesenberger;
   -  Morningstar;
   -  Donoghue's;
   -  magazines such as:
      - Money;
      - Forbes;
      - Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine;
      - Financial World;
      - Consumer Reports;
      - Business Week;
      - Time;
      - Newsweek;
      - National Underwriter; and
      - News and World Report;
   -  LIMRA;
   -  Value;
   -  Best's Agent Guide;
   -  Western Annuity Guide;
   -  Comparative Annuity Reports;
   -  Wall Street Journal;
   -  Barron's;
   -  Investor's Daily;
   -  Standard & Poor's Outlook; and
   -  Variable Annuity Research & Data Service (The VARDS Report).

These rating services and publications rank the underlying mutual funds'
performance against other funds. These rankings may or may not include the
effects of sales charges or other fees.

                                       39

                                   41 of 112
<PAGE>   42

Financial Rating Services

Nationwide is also ranked and rated by independent financial rating services,
among which are Moody's, Standard & Poor's and A.M. Best Company. Nationwide may
advertise these ratings. These ratings reflect Nationwide's financial strength
or claims-paying ability. The ratings are not intended to reflect the investment
experience or financial strength of the variable account.

Some Nationwide advertisements and endorsements may include lists of
organizations, individuals or other parties that recommend Nationwide or the
contract. Furthermore, Nationwide may occasionally advertise comparisons of
currently taxable and tax deferred investment programs, based on selected tax
brackets, or discussions of alternative investment vehicles and general economic
conditions.

Historical Performance of the Sub-Accounts

Nationwide will advertise historical performance of the sub-accounts. Nationwide
may advertise for the sub-account's standardized "average annual total return,"
calculated in a manner prescribed by the SEC, and nonstandardized "total
return." Average annual total return shows the percentage rate of return of a
hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 for the most recent one, five and ten
year periods (or for a period covering the time the underlying mutual fund has
been available in the variable account if it has not been available for one of
the prescribed periods). This calculation reflects the CDSC and the deduction of
variable account charges and the Contract Maintenance Charge, but does not
reflect the loan processing fee and premium taxes, which may be imposed by
certain states.

Nonstandardized "total return," calculated similar to standardized "average
annual total return," shows the percentage rate of return of a hypothetical
initial investment of $10,000 for the most recent one, five and ten year periods
(or for a period covering the time the underlying mutual fund has been in
existence). For those underlying mutual funds which have not been available for
one of the prescribed periods, the nonstandardized total return illustrations
will show the investment performance the underlying mutual funds would have
achieved (reduced by the same charges except the CDSC) had they been available
in the variable account for one of the periods. The CDSC is not reflected
because the contracts are designed for long term investment. The CDSC, if
reflected, would decrease the level of performance shown. An initial investment
of $10,000 is assumed because that amount is closer to the size of a typical
contract than $1,000, which was used in calculating the standardized average
annual total return.

The standardized average annual total return and nonstandardized total return
quotations are calculated using data for the period ended December 31, 1998.
However, Nationwide generally provides performance information more frequently.
Information relating to performance of the sub-accounts is based on historical
earnings and does not represent or guarantee future results.

                                       40

                                   42 of 112


<PAGE>   43



                        SUB-ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      
                                                                                   10 Years or Date 
                                                                                    Fund Available  
                                                                                      in Variable        Date Fund
                                                   1 Year to        5 Years to        Account to        Available in
              Sub-Account Options                   12/31/98         12/31/98          12/31/98       Variable Account
                                                                                   
<S>                                               <C>             <C>                <C>              <C>  
Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Asset              4.67%           10.24%             9.56%            05/06/88
Allocation Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Domestic          -3.94%            2.91%             2.61%            05/06/88
Income Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Emerging          26.27%             N/A             20.22%            07/03/95
Growth Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Enterprise        13.87%           17.13%            14.54%            05/06/88
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Global            10.53%             N/A              9.77%            07/03/95
Equity Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Government        -2.32%            0.86%             2.69%            12/01/89
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Money             -5.84%           -0.59%             0.58%            05/06/88
Market Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Morgan           -21.29%             N/A              9.07%            07/03/95
Stanley Real Estate Securities Portfolio

NON-STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
                                                                                      10 Years to
                                                   1 Year to        5 Years to     12/31/98 or Life      Date Fund
              Sub-Account Options                   12/31/98         12/31/98           of Fund         Established

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Asset            13.82%            13.43%            11.89%            05/06/88
Allocation Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Domestic          5.21%             6.46%             5.81%            05/06/88
Income Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Emerging         35.42%              N/A             24.33%            07/03/95
Growth Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Enterprise       23.02%            20.08%            16.60%            05/06/88
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Global           19.68%              N/A             14.42%            07/03/95
Equity Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Government        6.83%             4.60%             6.68%            04/07/85
Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Money             3.31%             3.14%             3.61%            05/06/88
Market Portfolio

Van Kampen Life Investment Trust -Morgan           -13.12%              N/A             13.28%            07/03/95
Stanley Real Estate Securities Portfolio

    

</TABLE>
                                       41

                                   43 of 112

<PAGE>   44



            TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                                                                        PAGE
   
General Information and History...........................................1
Services..................................................................1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered......................................1
Underwriters..............................................................2
Calculations of Performance...............................................2
Annuity Payments..........................................................3
Financial Statements......................................................4
    

                                       42

                                   44 of 112

<PAGE>   45


APPENDIX A: OBJECTIVES FOR UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS

The underlying mutual funds listed below are designed primarily as investments
for variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by
insurance companies.

There is no guarantee that the investment objectives will be met.

VAN KAMPEN LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST
Van Kampen Life Investment Trust is an open-end diversified management
investment company organized as a Delaware business trust. Shares are offered in
separate portfolios which are sold only to insurance companies to provide
funding for variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts. Van
Kampen Asset Management, Inc. serves as the portfolio's investment adviser.

     ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO (FORMERLY "MULTIPLE STRATEGY FUND")
     Investment Objective: Seeks a high total investment return consistent with
     prudent risk through a fully managed investment policy utilizing equity
     securities, primarily common stocks of large capitalization companies, as
     well as investment grade intermediate and long-term debt securities and
     money market securities.

     DOMESTIC INCOME PORTFOLIO (FORMERLY "DOMESTIC STRATEGIC INCOME FUND")
     Investment Objective: Seeks current income as its primary objective.
     Capital appreciation is a secondary objective. The Portfolio attempts to
     achieve these objectives through investment primarily in a diversified
     portfolio of fixed-income securities. The Portfolio may invest in
     investment grade securities and lower rated and nonrated securities. Lower
     rated securities are regarded by the rating agencies as predominantly
     speculative with respect to the issuer's continuing ability to meet
     principal and interest payments.

     EMERGING GROWTH PORTFOLIO
     Investment Objective: Seeks capital appreciation by investing in a
     portfolio of securities consisting principally of common stocks of small
     and medium sized companies considered by Van Kampen Asset Management, Inc.
     ("the Adviser"), to be emerging growth companies. Under normal market
     conditions, at least 65% of the Portfolio's total assets will be invested
     in common stocks of small and medium sized companies (less than $2 billion
     of market capitalization), both domestic and foreign. The Portfolio may
     invest up to 20% of its total assets in securities of foreign issuers.
     Additionally, the Portfolio may invest up to 15% of the value of its assets
     in restricted securities (i.e., securities which may not be sold without
     registration under the Securities Act of 1933) and in other securities not
     having readily available market quotations.

     ENTERPRISE PORTFOLIO (FORMERLY "COMMON STOCK FUND")
     Investment Objective: Seeks capital appreciation by investing in a
     portfolio of securities consisting principally of common stocks.

     GLOBAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
     Investment Objective: Seeks long term capital growth through investments in
     an internationally diversified portfolio of equity securities of companies
     of any nation including the United States. The Portfolio intends to be
     invested in equity securities of companies of at least three countries
     including the United States. Under normal market conditions, at least 65%
     of the Portfolio's total assets are so invested. Equity securities include
     common stocks, preferred stocks and warrants or options to acquire such
     securities.

                                       43

                                   45 of 112
<PAGE>   46



     GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO
     Investment Objective: Seeks to provide investors with a high current return
     consistent with preservation of capital. The Government Portfolio invests
     primarily in debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government,
     its agencies or instrumentalities. In order to hedge against changes in
     interest rates, the Government Portfolio may also purchase or sell options
     and engage in transactions involving interest rate futures contracts and
     options on such contracts.

     MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
     Investment Objective: Seeks protection of capital and high current income
     by investing in short-term money market instruments.

     MORGAN STANLEY REAL ESTATE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
     Investment Objective: Seeks long-term capital growth by investing
     principally in a diversified 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,
     including 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 Portfolio's total assets will be invested
     in Real Estate Securities, primarily equity securities of real estate
     investment trusts. The Portfolio 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.

                                       44

                                   46 of 112
<PAGE>   47

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   
                                   MAY 1, 1999
    

                       DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
 ISSUED BY NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY THROUGH ITS NATIONWIDE VARIABLE 
                                   ACCOUNT-3

   
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It contains
additional information than set forth in the Prospectus and should be read in
conjunction with the Prospectus dated May 1, 1999. The Prospectus may be
obtained from Nationwide Life Insurance Company by writing P.O. Box 182030,
Columbus, Ohio 43218-2030, or by calling 1-800-826-3167, TDD 1-800-238-3035.
    

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                        PAGE
   
General Information and History.............................................1
Services....................................................................1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered........................................1
Underwriters................................................................2
Calculations of Performance.................................................2
Annuity Payments............................................................3
Financial Statements........................................................4
    

GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY

   
The Nationwide Variable Account-3 ("variable account") is a separate investment
account of Nationwide Life Insurance Company ("Nationwide"). All of Nationwide's
common stock is owned by Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. ("NFS"), a holding
company. NFS has two classes of common stock outstanding with different voting
rights enabling Nationwide Corporation (the holder of all of the outstanding
Class B Common Stock) to control NFS. Nationwide Corporation is a holding
company as well. All of its common stock is held by Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Company (95.24%) and Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company (4.76%), the
ultimate controlling persons of Nationwide Insurance Enterprise. The Nationwide
Insurance Enterprise is one of America's largest insurance and financial
services family of companies, with combined assets of over $98.28 billion as of
December 31, 1998.
    

SERVICES

Nationwide, which has responsibility for administration of the contracts and the
variable account, maintains records of the name, address, taxpayer
identification number, and other pertinent information for each contract owner
and the number and type of contract issued to each contract owner and records
with respect to the contract value of each contract.

The custodian of the assets of the variable account is Nationwide. Nationwide
will maintain a record of all purchases and redemptions of shares of the
underlying mutual funds.

The audited financial statements have been included herein in reliance upon the
reports of KPMG LLP, independent certified public accountants, Two Nationwide
Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.

PURCHASE OF SECURITIES BEING OFFERED

The contracts will be sold by licensed insurance agents in the states where the
contracts may be lawfully sold. The agents will be registered representatives of
broker-dealers registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 who are
members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD").

                                       1

                                   47 of 112

<PAGE>   48



UNDERWRITERS

The contracts, which are offered continuously, are distributed by American
Capital Marketing Inc., 2800 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, Texas 77056. No
underwriting commissions are paid by Nationwide to the distributor, only sales
commissions.

CALCULATIONS OF PERFORMANCE

   
Any current yield quotations of the Money Market Portfolio, subject to Rule 482
of the 1933 Act, will consist of a seven calendar day historical yield, carried
at least to the nearest hundredth of a percent. The yield will be calculated by
determining the net change, exclusive of capital changes, in the value of a
hypothetical pre-existing account having a balance of one accumulation unit at
the beginning of the base period, subtracting a hypothetical charge reflecting
deductions from contract owner accounts, and dividing the net change in account
value by the value of the account at the beginning of the period to obtain a
base period return, and multiplying the base period return by 365/7 (366/7 in a
leap year). At December 31, 1998, the Money Market Portfolio's seven-day current
unit value yield was 3.17%. The Money Market Portfolio's effective yield is
computed similarly but includes the effect of assumed compounding on an
annualized basis of the current unit value yield quotations of the fund. At
December 31, 1998, the Money Market Portfolio's effective yield was 3.22%.
    

The Money Market Portfolio's yield and effective yield will fluctuate daily.
Actual yields will depend on factors such as the type of instruments in the
Money Market Portfolio, portfolio quality and average maturity, changes in
interest rates, and the Money Market Portfolio's expenses. Although the Money
Market Portfolio determines its yield on the basis of a seven calendar day
period, it may use a different time period on occasion. There is no assurance
that the yields quoted on any given occasion will remain in effect for any
period of time and there is no guarantee that the net asset values will remain
constant. It should be noted that a contract owner's investment in the Money
Market Portfolio is not guaranteed or insured. Yields of other money market
funds may not be comparable if a different base period or another method of
calculation is used.

   
All performance advertising will include quotations of standardized average
annual total return, calculated in accordance with standard method prescribed by
rules of the SEC. Standardized average annual total return is found by first
taking a hypothetical $1,000 investment in each of the sub-accounts' units on
the first day of the period at the offering price, which is the accumulation
unit value per unit ("initial investment") and computing the ending redeemable
value ("redeemable value") of that investment at the end of the period. The
redeemable value is then divided by the initial investment and this quotient is
taken to the Nth root (N represents the number of years in the period) and 1 is
subtracted from the result which is then expressed as a percentage, carried to
at least the nearest hundredth of a percent. Standardized average annual total
return reflects the deduction of a maximum $35 Contract Maintenance Charge and
variable account charges of 1.30%. The redeemable value also reflects the effect
of any applicable CDSC that my be imposed at the end of the period (see
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" located in the prospectus). No deduction is
made for premium taxes which may be assessed by certain states.
    

Nonstandardized average annual total return may also be advertised, and is
calculated in a manner similar to standardized average annual total return
except the nonstandardized average annual total return is based on a
hypothetical initial investment of $10,000 and does not reflect the deduction of
any applicable CDSC. Reflecting the CDSC would decrease the level of the
performance advertised. The CDSC is not reflected because the contract is
designed for long term investment. An assumed initial investment of $10,000 will
be used because that figure more closely approximates the size of a typical
contract than does the $1,000 figure used in calculating the standardized
average annual total return 

                                       2



                                   48 of 112
<PAGE>   49

quotations. The amount of the hypothetical initial investment used affects
performance because the Contract Maintenance Charge is a fixed per contract
charge.

The standardized average annual total return and nonstandardized average annual
total return quotations will be current to the last day of the calendar quarter
preceding the date on which an advertisement is submitted for publication. The
standardized average annual return will be based on rolling calendar quarters
and will cover periods of one, five, and ten years, or a period covering the
time the underlying mutual fund has been available in the variable account if
the underlying mutual fund as not been available for one of the prescribed
periods. The nonstandardized annual total return will be based on rolling
calendar quarters and will cover periods of one, five and ten years, or a period
covering the time the underlying mutual fund has been in existence.

Quotations of average annual total return and total average annual return are
based upon historical earnings and will fluctuate. Any quotation of performance,
is not a guarantee of future performance. Factors affecting a sub-account's
performance include general market conditions, operating expenses and investment
management. A contract owner's account when redeemed may be more or less than
the original cost.

ANNUITY PAYMENTS

See "Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments" located in the prospectus.



                                       3


                                   49 of 112
<PAGE>   50

<PAGE>   1
                          Independent Auditors' Report



The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance Company and Contract Owners
   of Nationwide Variable Account-3:

      We have audited the accompanying statement of assets, liabilities and
contract owners' equity of Nationwide Variable Account-3 as of December 31,
1998, and the related statements of operations and changes in contract owners'
equity for each of the years in the two year period then ended. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.

      We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included
confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 1998, 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 referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Nationwide Variable
Account-3 as of December 31, 1998, and the results of its operations and its
changes in contract owners' equity for each of the years in the two year period
then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

                                                                KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio
February 5, 1999
<PAGE>   2
                          NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-3

          STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

                                DECEMBER 31, 1998


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                         <C>
ASSETS:

   Investments at market value:

      Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Asset Allocation Fund
         2,365,967 shares (cost $27,200,098) .....................          $31,656,640

      Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Domestic Income Fund
         762,233 shares (cost $6,359,603) ........................            6,707,650

      Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Emerging Growth Fund
         181,951 shares (cost $2,775,990) ........................            4,115,742

      Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Enterprise Fund
         1,843,873 shares (cost $30,898,378) .....................           41,284,309

      Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Global Equity Fund
         65,300 shares (cost $787,422) ...........................              862,608

      Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Government Fund
         436,209 shares (cost $3,876,586) ........................            4,183,244

      Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Money Market Fund
         6,020,591 shares (cost $6,020,591) ......................            6,020,591

      Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Morgan Stanley Real
         Estate Securities Portfolio 28,947 shares (cost $448,832)              398,316
                                                                            -----------
            Total assets .........................................           95,229,100

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE .................................................                  977
                                                                            -----------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY ..........................................          $95,228,123
                                                                            ===========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                ANNUAL
Contract owners' equity represented by:                      UNITS         UNIT VALUE                           RETURN*
                                                             -----         ----------                           -------
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>                <C>               <C>
   Contracts in accumulation phase:

      Van Kampen American Capital LIT  -
      Asset Allocation Fund:
         Tax qualified ................................      332,781       $ 32.817146        $ 10,920,923            14%
         Non-tax qualified ............................      630,892         32.817146          20,704,075            14%

      Van Kampen American Capital LIT  -
      Domestic Income Fund:
         Tax qualified ................................       83,850         19.461620           1,631,857             6%
         Non-tax qualified ............................      260,019         19.461620           5,060,391             6%

      Van Kampen American Capital LIT  -
      Emerging Growth Fund:
         Tax qualified ................................       60,795         21.616956           1,314,203            36%
         Non-tax qualified ............................      129,602         21.616956           2,801,601            36%

      Van Kampen American Capital LIT  -
      Enterprise Fund:
         Tax qualified ................................      258,320         50.513291          13,048,593            23%
         Non-tax qualified ............................      558,179         50.513291          28,195,458            23%

      Van Kampen American Capital LIT  -
      Global Equity Fund:
         Tax qualified ................................       19,983         16.196384             323,652            20%
         Non-tax qualified ............................       33,277         16.196384             538,967            20%

      Van Kampen American Capital LIT  -
      Government Fund:
         Tax qualified ................................       49,618         17.329001             859,830             7%
         Non-tax qualified ............................      189,945         17.329001           3,291,557             7%

      Van Kampen American Capital LIT  -
      Money Market Fund:
         Tax qualified ................................       89,001         15.274640           1,359,458             4%
         Non-tax qualified ............................      303,632         15.274640           4,637,869             4%

      Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Morgan
      Stanley Real Estate Securities Portfolio:
         Tax qualified ................................        8,813         15.615675             137,621           (13)%
         Non-tax qualified ............................       16,694         15.615675             260,688           (13)%
                                                             =======         =========

   Reserves for annuity contracts in payout phase:
         Tax qualified ................................                                              1,930
         Non-tax qualified ............................                                            139,450
                                                                                              ------------
                                                                                              $ 95,228,123
                                                                                              ============
</TABLE>


* The annual return does not include contract charges satisfied by surrendering
units.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

<PAGE>   4
                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-3

         STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997

          (UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS OF VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL LIT)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Total                 Asset Allocation Fund
                                                                 1998           1997          1998           1997
<S>                                                          <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Investment activity:
Reinvested dividends .....................................   $   462,441      2,882,784        36,927      1,323,309
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) .......................................    (1,266,400)    (1,297,462)     (429,630)      (447,791)
                                                             -----------    -----------    ----------    -----------
  Net investment activity ................................      (803,959)     1,585,322      (392,703)       875,518
                                                             -----------    -----------    ----------    -----------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold ....................    39,771,201     42,955,530     9,985,119     10,382,595
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ..........................   (34,580,486)   (40,204,323)   (9,405,948)   (10,464,852)
                                                             -----------    -----------    ----------    -----------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments ....................     5,190,715      2,751,207       579,171        (82,257)
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments ..........     8,994,987      4,412,174     3,129,573      1,899,930
                                                             -----------    -----------    ----------    -----------
  Net gain (loss) on investments .........................    14,185,702      7,163,381     3,708,744      1,817,673
                                                             -----------    -----------    ----------    -----------
Reinvested capital gains .................................     1,466,481      9,294,629       998,161      3,495,122
                                                             -----------    -----------    ----------    -----------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ...................    14,848,224     18,043,332     4,314,202      6,188,313
                                                             -----------    -----------    ----------    -----------
Equity transactions:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners ........................................     1,969,286      2,333,844       524,822        523,984
Transfers between funds ..................................            -              -       (809,904)    (2,491,298)
Redemptions ..............................................   (20,875,429)   (20,007,928)   (6,663,073)    (6,275,268)
Annuity benefits .........................................       (22,456)       (17,547)       (7,968)        (5,559)
Annual contract maintenance charge (note 2) ..............       (77,816)       (88,218)      (29,820)       (34,597)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) ...............       (76,867)       (92,750)      (14,549)       (28,394)
Adjustments to maintain reserves .........................          (817)         3,551          (558)           525
                                                             -----------    -----------    ----------    -----------
    Net equity transactions ..............................   (19,084,099)   (17,869,048)   (7,001,050)    (8,310,607)
                                                             -----------    -----------    ----------    -----------

Net change in contract owners' equity ....................    (4,235,875)       174,284    (2,686,848)    (2,122,294)
Contract owners' equity beginning of period ..............    99,463,998     99,289,714    34,342,903     36,465,197
                                                             -----------    -----------    ----------    -----------
Contract owners' equity end of period ....................   $95,228,123     99,463,998    31,656,055     34,342,903
                                                             ===========    ===========    ==========    ===========
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Domestic Income Fund       Emerging Growth Fund
                                                                   1998           1997         1998          1997
<S>                                                            <C>            <C>           <C>          <C>
Investment activity:
Reinvested dividends .....................................         20,180        660,199        1,446            -
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) .......................................        (96,249)      (115,033)     (48,924)      (41,179)
                                                               ----------     ----------    ---------    ----------
  Net investment activity ................................        (76,069)       545,166      (47,478)      (41,179)
                                                               ----------     ----------    ---------    ----------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold ....................      3,746,179      5,623,192    1,245,627     1,698,623
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ..........................     (3,581,711)    (5,435,881)    (934,382)   (1,524,002)
                                                               ----------     ----------    ---------    ----------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments ....................        164,468        187,311      311,245       174,621
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments ..........        292,822         90,778      831,306       390,722
                                                               ----------     ----------    ---------    ----------
  Net gain (loss) on investments .........................        457,290        278,089    1,142,551       565,343
                                                               ----------     ----------    ---------    ----------
Reinvested capital gains .................................             -              -            -             -
                                                               ----------     ----------    ---------    ----------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ...................        381,221        823,255    1,095,073       524,164
                                                               ----------     ----------    ---------    ----------
Equity transactions:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners ........................................        225,507        610,662      217,054       249,000
Transfers between funds ..................................       (729,708)    (1,206,000)     246,295      (598,377)
Redemptions ..............................................     (1,527,773)    (2,740,231)    (881,368)     (252,006)
Annuity benefits .........................................         (2,586)        (2,452)          -             -
Annual contract maintenance charge (note 2) ..............         (5,953)        (8,049)      (3,551)       (2,828)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) ...............         (6,386)       (14,395)      (6,441)       (1,043)
Adjustments to maintain reserves .........................             17            265      (13,062)           12
                                                               ----------     ----------    ---------    ----------
    Net equity transactions ..............................     (2,046,882)    (3,360,200)    (441,073)     (605,242)
                                                               ----------     ----------    ---------    ----------

Net change in contract owners' equity ....................     (1,665,661)    (2,536,945)     654,000       (81,078)
Contract owners' equity beginning of period ..............      8,373,324     10,910,269    3,461,804     3,542,882
                                                               ----------     ----------    ---------    ----------
Contract owners' equity end of period ....................      6,707,663      8,373,324    4,115,804     3,461,804
                                                               ==========     ==========    =========    ==========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   5
                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-3

        STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
          (UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS OF VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL LIT)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Enterprise Fund             Global Equity Fund
                                                                   1998             1997          1998          1997
<S>                                                            <C>              <C>             <C>           <C>
Investment activity:
Reinvested dividends .......................................   $    37,274         189,025        10,562         5,587
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) .........................................      (532,088)       (513,606)      (11,146)       (9,313)
                                                               -----------      ----------      --------      --------
  Net investment activity ..................................      (494,814)       (324,581)         (584)       (3,726)
                                                               -----------      ----------      --------      --------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold ......................    11,539,797      11,862,498       400,134       515,818
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ............................    (7,516,554)     (9,510,386)     (402,388)     (435,109)
                                                               -----------      ----------      --------      --------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments ......................     4,023,243       2,352,112        (2,254)       80,709
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments ............     4,474,361       2,008,216       155,933       (92,300)
                                                               -----------      ----------      --------      --------
  Net gain (loss) on investments ...........................     8,497,604       4,360,328       153,679       (11,591)
                                                               -----------      ----------      --------      --------
Reinvested capital gains ...................................       457,154       5,615,976            -        123,625
                                                               -----------      ----------      --------      --------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations .....................     8,459,944       9,651,723       153,095       108,308
                                                               -----------      ----------      --------      --------
Equity transactions:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners ..........................................       629,483         654,999        30,769        81,259
Transfers between funds ....................................      (128,135)        614,166       266,300       244,625
Redemptions ................................................    (7,873,368)     (7,063,843)     (291,981)     (125,840)
Annuity benefits ...........................................        (3,745)         (1,685)           -             -
Annual contract maintenance charge (note 2) ................       (29,054)        (32,010)       (1,035)         (747)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) .................       (24,380)        (31,955)       (1,051)         (750)
Adjustments to maintain reserves ...........................       (39,639)          2,287            13             5
                                                               -----------      ----------      --------      --------
    Net equity transactions ................................    (7,468,838)     (5,858,041)        3,015       198,552
                                                               -----------      ----------      --------      --------

Net change in contract owners' equity ......................       991,106       3,793,682       156,110       306,860
Contract owners' equity beginning of period ................    40,292,749      36,499,067       706,509       399,649
                                                               -----------      ----------      --------      --------
Contract owners' equity end of period ......................   $41,283,855      40,292,749       862,619       706,509
                                                               ===========      ==========      ========      ========
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Government Fund                   Money Market Fund
                                                                   1998            1997              1998             1997
<S>                                                            <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>
Investment activity:
Reinvested dividends .......................................       47,499          327,154          307,418         359,396
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) .........................................      (58,697)         (68,546)         (81,908)        (94,990)
                                                               ----------       ----------      -----------      ----------
  Net investment activity ..................................      (11,198)         258,608          225,510         264,406
                                                               ----------       ----------      -----------      ----------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold ......................    1,798,576        2,763,818       10,714,673       9,957,418
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ............................   (1,667,686)      (2,748,960)     (10,714,673)     (9,957,418)
                                                               ----------       ----------      -----------      ----------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments ......................      130,890           14,858               -               -
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments ............      187,878          104,873               -               -
                                                               ----------       ----------      -----------      ----------
  Net gain (loss) on investments ...........................      318,768          119,731               -               -
                                                               ----------       ----------      -----------      ----------
Reinvested capital gains ...................................           -                -                -               -
                                                               ----------       ----------      -----------      ----------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations .....................      307,570          378,339          225,510         264,406
                                                               ----------       ----------      -----------      ----------
Equity transactions:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners ..........................................       58,124           47,775          252,638          90,587
Transfers between funds ....................................       28,249         (624,152)       1,199,627       3,600,877
Redemptions ................................................     (915,228)      (1,327,694)      (2,556,917)     (2,137,248)
Annuity benefits ...........................................       (5,087)          (4,790)          (3,070)         (3,061)
Annual contract maintenance charge (note 2) ................       (3,571)          (4,561)          (4,321)         (5,021)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) .................       (4,251)          (7,902)         (19,446)         (8,068)
Adjustments to maintain reserves ...........................           41              257           52,370             212
                                                               ----------       ----------      -----------      ----------
    Net equity transactions ................................     (841,723)      (1,921,067)      (1,079,119)      1,538,278
                                                               ----------       ----------      -----------      ----------

Net change in contract owners' equity ......................     (534,153)      (1,542,728)        (853,609)      1,802,684
Contract owners' equity beginning of period ................    4,717,386        6,260,114        6,874,194       5,071,510
                                                               ----------       ----------      -----------      ----------
Contract owners' equity end of period ......................    4,183,233        4,717,386        6,020,585       6,874,194
                                                               ==========       ==========      ===========      ==========
</TABLE>

                                                                     (Continued)
<PAGE>   6
                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-3

        STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997

          (UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS OF VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL LIT)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   MORGAN STANLEY REAL ESTATE
                                                                     SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
                                                                      1998             1997
<S>                                                                <C>              <C>
Investment activity:
Reinvested dividends ..........................................    $  1,135           18,114
Mortality, expense and administration
  charges (note 2) ............................................      (7,758)          (7,004)
                                                                   --------         --------
  Net investment activity .....................................      (6,623)          11,110
                                                                   --------         --------

Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold .........................     341,096          151,568
Cost of mutual fund shares sold ...............................    (357,144)        (127,715)
                                                                   --------         --------
  Realized gain (loss) on investments .........................     (16,048)          23,853
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments ...............     (76,886)           9,955
                                                                   --------         --------
  Net gain (loss) on investments ..............................     (92,934)          33,808
                                                                   --------         --------
Reinvested capital gains ......................................      11,166           59,906
                                                                   --------         --------
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
      equity resulting from operations ........................     (88,391)         104,824
                                                                   --------         --------
Equity transactions:
Purchase payments received from
  contract owners .............................................      30,889           75,578
Transfers between funds .......................................     (72,724)         460,159
Redemptions ...................................................    (165,721)         (85,798)
Annuity benefits ..............................................          -                -
Annual contract maintenance charge (note 2) ...................        (511)            (405)
Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) ....................        (363)            (243)
Adjustments to maintain reserves ..............................           1              (12)
                                                                   --------         --------
    Net equity transactions ...................................    (208,429)         449,279
                                                                   --------         --------

Net change in contract owners' equity .........................    (296,820)         554,103
Contract owners' equity beginning of period ...................     695,129          141,026
                                                                   --------         --------
Contract owners' equity end of period .........................    $398,309          695,129
                                                                   ========         ========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.


<PAGE>   7
                          NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-3

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                           DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997


(1)  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     (a) Organization and Nature of Operations

         Nationwide Variable Account-3 (the Account) was established pursuant to
         a resolution of the Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance
         Company (the Company) on October 7, 1987. The Account has been
         registered as a unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act
         of 1940.

         The Company offers tax qualified and non-tax qualified Individual
         Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts through the Account. The primary
         distribution for the contracts is through the brokerage community;
         however, other distributors may be utilized.

     (b) The Contracts

         Only contracts without a front-end sales charge, but with a contingent
         deferred sales charge and certain other fees, are offered for purchase.
         See note 2 for a discussion of contract expenses.

         Contract owners in either the accumulation or the payout phase may
         invest in the following funds of the Van Kampen American Capital Life
         Investment Trust (Van Kampen American Capital LIT):

              Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Asset Allocation Fund
              Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Domestic Income Fund
              Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Emerging Growth Fund
              Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Enterprise Fund
              Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Global Equity Fund
              Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Government Fund
              Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Money Market Fund
              Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Morgan Stanley Real Estate
                                                   Securities Portfolio

         At December 31, 1998, contract owners have invested in all of the above
         funds. The contract owners' equity is affected by the investment
         results of each fund, equity transactions by contract owners and
         certain contract expenses (see note 2). 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.

         A contract owner may choose from among a number of different underlying
         mutual fund options. The underlying mutual fund options are not
         available to the general public directly. The underlying mutual funds
         are available as investment options in variable life insurance policies
         or variable annuity contracts issued by life insurance companies or, in
         some cases, through participation in certain qualified pension or
         retirement plans.

         Some of the underlying mutual funds have been established by investment
         advisers which manage publicly traded mutual funds having similar names
         and investment objectives. While some of the underlying mutual funds
         may be similar to, and may in fact be modeled after, publicly traded
         mutual funds, the underlying mutual funds are not otherwise directly
         related to any publicly traded mutual fund. Consequently, the
         investment performance of publicly traded mutual funds and any
         corresponding underlying mutual funds may differ substantially.

<PAGE>   8
     (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, 1998. The cost of investments
         sold is determined on a specific identification basis. Investment
         transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy
         or sell is executed) and dividend income is recorded on 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 Internal Revenue Code.

         The Company does not provide for income taxes within the Account. Taxes
         are the responsibility of the contract owner upon termination or
         withdrawal.

     (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.

(2)  EXPENSES

     The Company does not deduct a sales charge from purchase payments received
     from the contract owners. However, if any part of the contract value of
     such contracts is surrendered, the Company will, with certain exceptions,
     deduct from the contract owner's contract value a contingent deferred sales
     charge, not to exceed 6% (3% after 36 months) of the lesser of the total of
     all purchase payments made within 72 months prior to the date of the
     request for surrender, or the amount surrendered. (For contracts issued in
     the State of New York, the contingent deferred sales charge will not exceed
     7% of purchase payments, such charge declining 1% per year, to 0%, after
     the purchase payment has been held in the contract for seven years.) No
     sales charges are deducted on redemptions used to purchase units in the
     fixed investment options of the Company.

     The following contract charges are deducted by the Company: (a) an annual
     contract maintenance charge of up to $35, dependent upon contract type and
     issue date (up to $30, dependent upon contract type and issue date, for
     contracts issued in the State of New York), which is satisfied by
     surrendering units; and (b) a mortality risk charge, an expense risk charge
     and an administration charge assessed through the daily unit value
     calculation equal to an annual rate of 0.80%, 0.45% and 0.05%,
     respectively.

(3)  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     The Company performs various services on behalf of the Mutual Fund
     Companies in which the Account invests and may receive fees for the
     services performed. These services include, among other things, shareholder
     communications, preparation, postage, fund transfer agency and various
     other record keeping and customer service functions. These fees are paid to
     an affiliate of the Company.


<PAGE>   51

<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), a wholly owned
subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., as of December 31, 1998 and
1997, 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,
1998. 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, 1998 and 1997, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.


                                                                        KPMG LLP


Columbus, Ohio
January 29, 1999




<PAGE>   2

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                                 Consolidated Balance Sheets

                     (in millions of dollars, except per share amounts)


                                                                          December 31,
                                                                    -----------------------
                                        Assets                        1998          1997
                                        ------                      ---------     ---------
<S>                                                                 <C>           <C>
Investments:
  Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
    Fixed maturity securities                                       $14,245.1     $13,204.1
    Equity securities                                                   127.2          80.4
  Mortgage loans on real estate, net                                  5,328.4       5,181.6
  Real estate, net                                                      243.6         311.4
  Policy loans                                                          464.3         415.3
  Other long-term investments                                            44.0          25.2
  Short-term investments                                                289.1         358.4
                                                                    ---------     ---------
                                                                     20,741.7      19,576.4
                                                                    ---------     ---------

Cash                                                                      3.4         175.6
Accrued investment income                                               218.7         210.5
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                     2,022.2       1,665.4
Other assets                                                            420.3         438.4
Assets held in separate accounts                                     50,935.8      37,724.4
                                                                    ---------     ---------
                                                                    $74,342.1     $59,790.7
                                                                    =========     =========

                         Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity
                         ------------------------------------
Future policy benefits and claims                                   $19,767.1     $18,702.8
Other liabilities                                                       866.1         885.6
Liabilities related to separate accounts                             50,935.8      37,724.4
                                                                    ---------     ---------
                                                                     71,569.0      57,312.8
                                                                    ---------     ---------

Commitments and contingencies (notes 7 and 12)

Shareholder's equity:
  Common stock, $1 par value.  Authorized 5.0 million shares;
    3.8 million shares issued and outstanding                             3.8           3.8
  Additional paid-in capital                                            914.7         914.7
  Retained earnings                                                   1,579.0       1,312.3
  Accumulated other comprehensive income                                275.6         247.1
                                                                    ---------     ---------
                                                                      2,773.1       2,477.9
                                                                    ---------     ---------
                                                                    $74,342.1     $59,790.7
                                                                    =========     =========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                                         Consolidated Statements of Income

                                             (in millions of dollars)


                                                                                    Years ended December 31,
                                                                              -----------------------------------
                                                                                 1998         1997        1996
                                                                              --------     --------     ---------
<S>                                                                           <C>          <C>          <C>
Revenues:
  Policy charges                                                              $  698.9     $  545.2     $  400.9
  Life insurance premiums                                                        200.0        205.4        198.6
  Net investment income                                                        1,481.6      1,409.2      1,357.8
  Realized gains (losses) on investments                                          28.4         11.1         (0.3)
  Other                                                                           66.8         46.5         35.9
                                                                              --------     --------     --------
                                                                               2,475.7      2,217.4      1,992.9
                                                                              --------     --------     --------
Benefits and expenses:
  Interest credited to policyholder account balances                           1,069.0      1,016.6        982.3
  Other benefits and claims                                                      175.8        178.2        178.3
  Policyholder dividends on participating policies                                39.6         40.6         41.0
  Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                              214.5        167.2        133.4
  Other operating expenses                                                       419.7        384.9        342.4
                                                                              --------     --------     --------
                                                                               1,918.6      1,787.5      1,677.4
                                                                              --------     --------     --------

    Income from continuing operations before federal income tax expense          557.1        429.9        315.5

Federal income tax expense                                                       190.4        150.2        110.9
                                                                              --------     --------     --------

    Income from continuing operations                                            366.7        279.7        204.6

Income from discontinued operations (less federal income tax expense
  of $4.5 in 1996)                                                                --           --           11.3
                                                                              --------     --------     --------

    Net income                                                                $  366.7     $  279.7     $  215.9
                                                                              ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                              Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity

                                Years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
                                         (in millions of dollars)


                                                                                  Accumulated
                                                         Additional                  other         Total
                                              Common      paid-in      Retained  comprehensive  shareholder's
                                              stock       capital      earnings      income        equity
                                              -----       -------      --------      ------        ------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>     
December 31, 1995                             $  3.8     $ 657.2      $1,583.2      $ 384.3      $2,628.5

Comprehensive income:
    Net income                                  --          --           215.9         --           215.9
    Net unrealized losses on securities
      available-for-sale arising during
      the year                                  --          --            --         (170.9)       (170.9)
                                                                                                 --------
  Total comprehensive income                                                                         45.0
                                                                                                 --------
Dividends to shareholder                        --        (129.3)       (366.5)       (39.8)       (535.6)
                                              ------     -------      --------      -------      --------
December 31, 1996                                3.8       527.9       1,432.6        173.6       2,137.9

Comprehensive income:
    Net income                                  --          --           279.7         --           279.7
    Net unrealized gains on securities
      available-for-sale arising during
      the year                                  --          --            --           73.5          73.5
                                                                                                 --------
  Total comprehensive income                                                                        353.2
                                                                                                 --------
Capital contribution                            --         836.8          --           --           836.8
Dividend to shareholder                         --        (450.0)       (400.0)        --          (850.0)
                                              ------     -------      --------      -------      --------
December 31, 1997                                3.8       914.7       1,312.3        247.1       2,477.9

Comprehensive income:
    Net income                                  --          --           366.7         --           366.7
    Net unrealized gains on securities
      available-for-sale arising during
      the year                                  --          --            --           28.5          28.5
                                                                                                 --------
  Total comprehensive income                                                                        395.2
                                                                                                 --------
Dividend to shareholder                         --          --          (100.0)        --          (100.0)
                                              ------     -------      --------      -------      --------
December 31, 1998                             $  3.8     $ 914.7      $1,579.0      $ 275.6      $2,773.1
                                              ======     =======      ========      =======      ========

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                            (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                                           Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                                  (in millions of dollars)


                                                                                           Years ended December 31,
                                                                                   ---------------------------------------
                                                                                     1998           1997            1996
                                                                                   ---------      ---------      ---------
<S>                                                                                <C>            <C>            <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                                                       $   366.7      $   279.7      $   215.9
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
    activities:
      Interest credited to policyholder account balances                             1,069.0        1,016.6          982.3
      Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs                             (584.2)        (487.9)        (422.6)
      Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                214.5          167.2          133.4
      Amortization and depreciation                                                     (8.5)          (2.0)           7.0
      Realized gains on invested assets, net                                           (28.4)         (11.1)          (0.3)
      (Increase) decrease in accrued investment income                                  (8.2)          (0.3)           2.8
      (Increase) decrease in other assets                                               16.4          (12.7)         (38.9)
      Decrease in policy liabilities                                                    (8.3)         (23.1)        (151.0)
      (Decrease) increase in other liabilities                                         (34.8)         230.6          191.4
      Other, net                                                                       (11.3)         (10.9)         (61.7)
                                                                                   ---------      ---------      ---------
        Net cash provided by operating activities                                      982.9        1,146.1          858.3
                                                                                   ---------      ---------      ---------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale                            1,557.0          993.4        1,162.8
  Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                                  610.5          574.5          299.6
  Proceeds from repayments of mortgage loans on real estate                            678.2          437.3          309.0
  Proceeds from sale of real estate                                                    103.8           34.8           18.5
  Proceeds from repayments of policy loans and sale of other invested assets            23.6           22.7           22.8
  Cost of securities available-for-sale acquired                                    (3,182.8)      (2,828.1)      (1,573.6)
  Cost of mortgage loans on real estate acquired                                      (829.1)        (752.2)        (972.8)
  Cost of real estate acquired                                                          (0.8)         (24.9)          (7.9)
  Policy loans issued and other invested assets acquired                               (88.4)         (62.5)         (57.7)
  Short-term investments, net                                                           69.3         (354.8)          28.0
                                                                                   ---------      ---------      ---------
        Net cash used in investing activities                                       (1,058.7)      (1,959.8)        (771.3)
                                                                                   ---------      ---------      ---------

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from capital contributions                                                   --            836.8           --
  Cash dividends paid                                                                 (100.0)          --            (50.0)
  Increase in investment product and universal life insurance
    product account balances                                                         2,682.1        2,488.5        1,781.8
  Decrease in investment product and universal life insurance
    product account balances                                                        (2,678.5)      (2,379.8)      (1,784.5)
                                                                                   ---------      ---------      ---------
        Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities                            (96.4)         945.5          (52.7)
                                                                                   ---------      ---------      ---------
Net (decrease) increase in cash                                                       (172.2)         131.8           34.3

Cash, beginning of year                                                                175.6           43.8            9.5
                                                                                   ---------      ---------      ---------
Cash, end of year                                                                  $     3.4      $   175.6      $    43.8
                                                                                   =========      =========      =========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




<PAGE>   6


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                        December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996



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

         Prior to January 27, 1997, Nationwide Life Insurance Company (NLIC) was
         wholly owned by Nationwide Corporation (Nationwide Corp.). On that
         date, Nationwide Corp. contributed the outstanding shares of NLIC's
         common stock to Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (NFS), a holding
         company formed by Nationwide Corp. in November 1996 for NLIC and the
         other companies within the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise that offer
         or distribute long-term savings and retirement products. On March 11,
         1997, NFS completed an initial public offering of its Class A common
         stock.

         During 1996 and 1997, Nationwide Corp. and NFS completed certain
         transactions in anticipation of the initial public offering that
         focused the business of NFS on long-term savings and retirement
         products. On September 24, 1996, NLIC declared a dividend payable to
         Nationwide Corp. on January 1, 1997 consisting of the outstanding
         shares of common stock of certain subsidiaries that do not offer or
         distribute long-term savings or 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 two affiliates effective January 1, 1996. These subsidiaries,
         through December 31, 1996, and all accident and health and group life
         insurance business have been accounted for as discontinued operations
         for all periods presented. See notes 10 and 14. Additionally, NLIC paid
         $900.0 million of dividends, $50.0 million to Nationwide Corp. on
         December 31, 1996 and $850.0 million to NFS, which then made an
         equivalent dividend to Nationwide Corp., on February 24, 1997.

         NFS contributed $836.8 million to the capital of NLIC during March
         1997.

         Wholly owned subsidiaries of NLIC include Nationwide Life and Annuity
         Insurance Company (NLAIC), Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc.,
         Nationwide Investment Services Corporation and NWE, Inc. NLIC and its
         subsidiaries are collectively referred to as "the Company."

         The Company is a leading provider of long-term savings and retirement
         products, including variable annuities, fixed annuities and life
         insurance.

(2)      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, which differ
         from statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
         regulatory authorities. Annual Statements for NLIC and NLAIC, filed
         with the Department of Insurance of the State of Ohio (the Department),
         are prepared on the basis of accounting practices prescribed or
         permitted by the 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.




<PAGE>   7


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         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. Operations that are classified
              and reported as discontinued operations are not consolidated but
              rather are reported as "Income from 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, 1998 or 1997.

              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 is 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.




<PAGE>   8

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



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

              Investment Products and Universal Life Insurance Products:
              Investment products consist primarily of individual and group
              variable and fixed deferred annuities. Universal life insurance
              products include universal life insurance, variable universal life
              insurance, corporate owned 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.

         (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 sales 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 insurance
              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 2(b).

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

              Separate account assets and liabilities represent contractholders'
              funds which have been segregated into accounts with specific
              investment objectives. For all but $743.9 million of separate
              account assets, 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. The average interest rate credited on investment product
              policy reserves was 6.0%, 6.1% and 6.3% for the years ended
              December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

              Future policy benefits for traditional life insurance policies
              have been calculated by the net level premium method using
              interest rates varying from 6.0% to 10.5% and 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.




<PAGE>   9

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



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

              Participating business represents approximately 40% in 1998 (50%
              in 1997 and 52% in 1996) of the Company's life insurance in force,
              74% in 1998 (77% in 1997 and 78% in 1996) of the number of life
              insurance policies in force, and 14% in 1998 (27% in 1997 and 40%
              in 1996) of life insurance statutory premiums. The provision for
              policyholder dividends is based on current dividend scales and is
              included in "Future policy benefits and claims" in the
              accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

         (h)  Federal Income Tax
              ------------------
 
              The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with
              Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (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.

              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.

         (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 10 and 14.





<PAGE>   10

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



(j)           Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
              -----------------------------------------

              On January 1, 1998 the Company adopted SFAS No. 131 - Disclosures
              about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information (SFAS
              131). SFAS 131 supersedes SFAS No. 14 - Financial Reporting for
              Segments of a Business Enterprise. SFAS 131 establishes standards
              for public business enterprises to report information about
              operating segments in annual financial statements and selected
              information about operating segments in interim financial reports.
              SFAS 131 also establishes standards for related disclosures about
              products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. The
              adoption of SFAS 131 did not affect results of operations or
              financial position, nor did it affect the manner in which the
              Company defines its operating segments. The segment information
              required for annual financial statements is included in note 13.

              On January 1, 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 132 - Employers'
              Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (SFAS
              132). SFAS 132 revises employers' disclosures about pension and
              other postretirement benefit plans. The Statement does not change
              the measurement or recognition of benefit plans in the financial
              statements. The revised disclosures required by SFAS 132 are
              included in note 8.

              In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133 - Accounting for
              Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133). SFAS 133
              establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative
              instruments and for hedging activities. Contracts that contain
              embedded derivatives, such as certain insurance contracts, are
              also addressed by the Statement. SFAS 133 requires that an entity
              recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the
              statement of financial position and measure those instruments at
              fair value. The Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning
              after June 15, 1999. It may be implemented earlier provided
              adoption occurs as of the beginning of any fiscal quarter after
              issuance. The Company plans to adopt this Statement in first
              quarter 2000 and is currently evaluating the impact on results of
              operations and financial condition.

              In March 1998, The American Institute of Certified Public
              Accountant's Accounting Standards Executive Committee issued
              Statement of Position 98-1 - Accounting for the Costs of Computer
              Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use (SOP 98-1). SOP
              98-1 provides guidance intended to standardize accounting
              practices for costs incurred to develop or obtain computer
              software for internal use. Specifically, SOP 98-1 provides
              guidance for determining whether computer software is for internal
              use and when costs incurred for internal use software are to be
              capitalized. SOP 98-1 is effective for financial statements for
              fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998. The Company does
              not expect the adoption of SOP 98-1, which occurred on January 1,
              1999, to have a material impact on the Company's financial
              statements.


         (k)  Reclassification
              ----------------

              Certain items in the 1997 and 1996 consolidated financial
              statements have been reclassified to conform to the 1998
              presentation.




<PAGE>   11

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



(3)      Investments
         -----------

         The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated
         fair value of securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 1998 and
         1997 were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     Gross         Gross
                                                                     Amortized     unrealized    unrealized     Estimated
             (in millions of dollars)                                  cost           gains        losses       fair value
             ------------------------                                  ----           -----        ------       ----------
             <S>                                                     <C>             <C>           <C>          <C>
             December 31, 1998:
               Fixed maturity securities:
                 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.
                   government corporations and agencies              $   255.9       $ 13.0        $   --        $   268.9
                 Obligations of states and political subdivisions          1.6           --            --              1.6
                 Debt securities issued by foreign governments           106.5          4.5            --            111.0
                 Corporate securities                                  9,899.6        423.2         (18.7)        10,304.1
                 Mortgage-backed securities                            3,457.7        104.2          (2.4)         3,559.5
                                                                     ---------       ------        ------        ---------
                     Total fixed maturity securities                  13,721.3        544.9         (21.1)        14,245.1
               Equity securities                                         110.4         18.3          (1.5)           127.2
                                                                     ---------       ------        ------        ---------
                                                                     $13,831.7       $563.2        $(22.6)       $14,372.3
                                                                     =========       ======        ======        =========

             December 31, 1997:
               Fixed maturity securities:
                 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.
                   government corporations and agencies              $   305.1       $  8.6        $   --        $   313.7
                 Obligations of states and political subdivisions          1.6           --           --               1.6
                 Debt securities issued by foreign governments            93.3          2.7          (0.2)            95.8
                 Corporate securities                                  8,698.7        355.5         (11.5)         9,042.7
                 Mortgage-backed securities                            3,634.2        118.6          (2.5)         3,750.3
                                                                     ---------       ------        ------        ---------
                     Total fixed maturity securities                  12,732.9        485.4         (14.2)        13,204.1
               Equity securities                                          67.8         12.9          (0.3)            80.4
                                                                     ---------       ------        ------        ---------
                                                                     $12,800.7       $498.3        $(14.5)       $13,284.5
                                                                     =========       ======        ======        =========
</TABLE>

         As of December 31, 1998 the Company had entered into S&P 500 futures
         contracts with a notional amount of $20.0 million to reduce the risk of
         changes in the fair market value of certain investments classified as
         equity securities. These contracts had an unrealized loss of $1.3
         million as of December 31, 1998 which is included in the recorded
         amount of the equity securities and in accumulated other comprehensive
         income, net of tax, similar to other unrealized gains and losses on
         securities available-for-sale.



<PAGE>   12

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity
         securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 1998, by expected
         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
             (in millions of dollars)                                                 cost          fair value
                                                                                      ----          ----------
             <S>                                                                    <C>              <C>
             Fixed maturity securities available for sale:
               Due in one year or less                                              $ 2,019.9        $ 2,048.0
               Due after one year through five years                                  8,169.1          8,470.6
               Due after five years through ten years                                 2,795.0          2,927.7
               Due after ten years                                                      737.3            798.8
                                                                                    ---------        ---------
                                                                                    $13,721.3        $14,245.1
                                                                                    =========        =========
</TABLE>

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                                                1998          1997
                                                                                     ----          ----
             <S>                                                                    <C>           <C>
             Gross unrealized gains                                                 $ 540.6       $ 483.8
             Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                         (116.6)       (103.7)
             Deferred federal income tax                                             (148.4)       (133.0)
                                                                                    -------       -------
                                                                                    $ 275.6       $ 247.1
                                                                                    =======       =======
</TABLE>

         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>
             (in millions of dollars)                                         1998          1997          1996
                                                                              ----          ----          ----
             <S>                                                              <C>          <C>          <C>
             Securities available-for-sale:
               Fixed maturity securities                                      $52.6        $137.5       $(289.2)
               Equity securities                                                4.2          (2.7)          8.9
                                                                              -----        ------       -------
                                                                              $56.8        $134.8       $(280.3)
                                                                              =====        ======       =======
</TABLE>

         Proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale during 1998,
         1997 and 1996 were $610.5 million, $574.5 million and $299.6 million,
         respectively. During 1998, gross gains of $9.0 million ($9.9 million
         and $6.6 million in 1997 and 1996, respectively) and gross losses of
         $7.6 million ($18.0 million and $6.9 million in 1997 and 1996,
         respectively) were realized on those sales. In addition, gross gains of
         $15.1 million and gross losses of $0.7 million were realized in 1997
         when the Company paid a dividend to NFS, which then made an equivalent
         dividend to Nationwide Corp., consisting of securities having an
         aggregate fair value of $850.0 million.

         The recorded investment of mortgage loans on real estate considered to
         be impaired as of December 31, 1998 was $3.7 million. No valuation
         allowance has been recorded for these loans as of December 31, 1998.
         The recorded investment of mortgage loans on real estate considered to
         be impaired as of December 31, 1997 was $19.9 million which includes
         $3.9 million of impaired mortgage loans on real estate for which the
         related valuation allowance was $0.1 million and $16.0 million of
         impaired mortgage loans on real estate for which there was no valuation
         allowance. During 1998, the average recorded investment in impaired
         mortgage loans on real estate was approximately $9.1 million ($31.8
         million in 1997) and interest income recognized on those loans was $0.3
         million ($1.0 million in 1997), which is equal to interest income
         recognized using a cash-basis method of income recognition.



<PAGE>   13

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                                                1998          1997
                                                                                     ----          ----
             <S>                                                                     <C>           <C>
             Allowance, beginning of year                                            $42.5         $51.0
               Reductions credited to operations                                      (0.1)         (1.2)
               Direct write-downs charged against the allowance                         --          (7.3)
                                                                                     -----         -----
             Allowance, end of year                                                  $42.4         $42.5
                                                                                     =====         =====
</TABLE>

         Real estate is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation of $21.5
         million as of December 31, 1998 ($45.1 million as of December 31, 1997)
         and valuation allowances of $5.4 million as of December 31, 1998 ($11.1
         million as of December 31, 1997).

         Investments that were non-income producing for the twelve month period
         preceding December 31, 1998 amounted to $42.4 million ($19.4 million
         for 1997) and consisted of $32.7 million ($3.0 million in 1997) in
         securities available-for-sale and $9.7 million ($16.4 million in 1997)
         in real estate.

         An analysis of investment income by investment type follows for the
         years ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                                      1998            1997           1996
                                                                           ----            ----           ----
             <S>                                                          <C>             <C>            <C>
             Gross investment income:
               Securities available-for-sale:
                 Fixed maturity securities                                $  982.5        $  911.6       $  917.1
                 Equity securities                                             0.8             0.8            1.3
               Mortgage loans on real estate                                 458.9           457.7          432.8
               Real estate                                                    40.4            42.9           44.3
               Short-term investments                                         17.8            22.7            4.2
               Other                                                          30.7            21.0            4.0
                                                                          --------        --------       --------
                   Total investment income                                 1,531.1         1,456.7        1,403.7
             Less investment expenses                                         49.5            47.5           45.9
                                                                          --------        --------       --------
                   Net investment income                                  $1,481.6        $1,409.2       $1,357.8
                                                                          ========        ========       ========
</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>
             (in millions of dollars)                                        1998            1997           1996
                                                                             ----            ----           ----
             <S>                                                            <C>             <C>            <C>
             Securities available-for-sale:
               Fixed maturity securities                                    $(0.7)          $ 3.6          $(3.5)
               Equity securities                                              2.1             2.7            3.2
             Mortgage loans on real estate                                    3.9             1.6           (4.1)
             Real estate and other                                           23.1             3.2            4.1
                                                                            -----           -----          -----
                                                                            $28.4           $11.1          $(0.3)
                                                                            =====           =====          =====
</TABLE>

         Fixed maturity securities with an amortized cost of $6.5 million and
         $6.2 million as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, were on
         deposit with various regulatory agencies as required by law.



<PAGE>   14

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



(4)      Federal Income Tax
         ------------------

         The Company's current federal income tax liability was $72.8 million
         and $60.1 million as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

         The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
         components of the net deferred tax liability as of December 31, 1998
         and 1997 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                                        1998            1997
                                                                             ----            ----
             <S>                                                            <C>             <C>
             Deferred tax assets:
               Future policy benefits                                       $207.7          $200.1
               Liabilities in Separate Accounts                              319.9           242.0
               Mortgage loans on real estate and real estate                  17.5            19.0
               Other assets and other liabilities                             58.9            59.2
                                                                            ------          ------
                 Total gross deferred tax assets                             604.0           520.3
                 Less valuation allowance                                     (7.0)           (7.0)
                                                                            ------          ------
                 Net deferred tax assets                                     597.0           513.3
                                                                            ------          ------

             Deferred tax liabilities:
               Deferred policy acquisition costs                             568.7           480.5
               Fixed maturity securities                                     212.2           193.3
               Deferred tax on realized investment gains                      34.8            40.1
               Equity securities and other long-term investments               9.6             7.5
               Other                                                          21.6            22.2
                                                                            ------          ------
                 Total gross deferred tax liabilities                        846.9           743.6
                                                                            ------          ------
                 Net deferred tax liability                                 $249.9          $230.3
                                                                            ======          ======
</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, 1998, 1997 and 1996.

         Federal income tax expense attributable to income from continuing
         operations for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           (in millions of dollars)                                   1998            1997            1996
                                                                      ----            ----            ----
           <S>                                                       <C>             <C>             <C>
           Currently payable                                         $186.1          $121.7          $116.5
           Deferred tax expense (benefit)                               4.3            28.5            (5.6)
                                                                     ------          ------          ------
                                                                     $190.4          $150.2          $110.9
                                                                     ======          ======          ======
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   15

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         Total federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1998,
         1997 and 1996 differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S.
         federal income tax rate to income before tax as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1998                     1997                     1996
                                                       -----------------        ----------------        -----------------
         (in millions of dollars)                      Amount        %          Amount        %          Amount        %
                                                       ------        -          ------        -          ------        -

         <S>                                           <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>         <C> 
         Computed (expected) tax expense               $195.0      35.0         $150.5      35.0         $110.4      35.0
         Tax exempt interest and dividends
           received deduction                            (4.9)     (0.9)           -         0.0           (0.2)     (0.1)
         Other, net                                       0.3       0.1           (0.3)     (0.1)           0.7       0.3
                                                       ------      ----         ------      ----         ------      ----
             Total (effective rate of each year)       $190.4      34.2         $150.2      34.9         $110.9      35.2
                                                       ======      ====         ======      ====         ======      ====
</TABLE>

         Total federal income tax paid was $173.4 million, $91.8 million and
         $115.8 million during the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
         respectively.

(5)      Comprehensive Income
         --------------------

         Pursuant to SFAS No. 130 - Reporting Comprehensive Income, which the
         Company adopted January 1, 1998, the Consolidated Statements of
         Shareholder's Equity include a new measure called "Comprehensive
         Income". Comprehensive Income includes net income as well as certain
         items that are reported directly within separate components of
         shareholders' equity that bypass net income. Currently, the Company's
         only component of Other Comprehensive Income is unrealized gains
         (losses) on securities available-for-sale. The related before and after
         federal tax amounts are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                                        1998           1997           1996
                                                                             ----           ----           ----
             <S>                                                            <C>            <C>            <C>
             Unrealized gains (losses) on securities 
                available-for-sale arising during the period:
                Gross                                                       $ 58.2        $141.1         $(272.4)
                Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs              (12.9)        (21.8)           57.0
                Related federal income tax (expense) benefit                 (15.9)        (41.7)           44.0
                                                                            ------        ------          ------
                   Net                                                        29.4          77.6          (171.4)
                                                                            ------        ------          ------

             Reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses 
                on securities available-for-sale realized 
                during the period:
                Gross                                                         (1.4)         (6.3)             0.7
                Related federal income tax expense (benefit)                   0.5           2.2             (0.2)
                                                                            ------        ------          -------
                   Net                                                        (0.9)         (4.1)             0.5
                                                                            ------        ------          -------
             Total Other Comprehensive Income                               $ 28.5        $ 73.5          $(170.9)
                                                                            ======        ======          =======
</TABLE>

(6)      Fair Value of Financial Instruments 
         -----------------------------------

         The following disclosures summarize the carrying amount and estimated
         fair value of the Company's financial instruments. Certain assets and
         liabilities are specifically excluded from the disclosure requirements
         of financial instruments. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts
         presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.




<PAGE>   16

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         The fair value of a financial instrument is defined 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 to be based on estimates using
         present value or other valuation techniques. Many of the Company's
         assets and liabilities subject to the disclosure requirements are not
         actively traded, requiring fair values to be estimated by management
         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.

         Although insurance contracts, other than policies such as annuities
         that are classified as investment contracts, are specifically exempted
         from the disclosure requirements, 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:

              Fixed maturity and equity securities: The 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. The carrying amount and fair value for
              equity securities exclude the fair value of futures contracts
              designated as hedges of equity securities.

              Mortgage loans on real estate, net: 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 mortgage loans in default is the estimated fair
              value of the underlying collateral.

              Policy loans, short-term investments and cash: The carrying amount
              reported in the consolidated balance sheets for these instruments
              approximates their fair value.

              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 is net of certain surrender
              charges.

              Investment contracts: The 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 analysis. Interest rates used are similar to currently
              offered contracts with maturities consistent with those remaining
              for the contracts being valued.



<PAGE>   17

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



              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.

              Commitments to extend credit: Commitments to extend credit have
              nominal fair value because of the short-term nature of such
              commitments. See note 7.

              Futures contracts: The fair value for futures contracts is based
              on quoted market prices.

           Carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instruments
           subject to disclosure requirements and policy reserves on life
           insurance contracts were as follows as of December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         1998                              1997
                                                               -------------------------        --------------------------
                                                                Carrying      Estimated          Carrying       Estimated
               (in millions of dollars)                          amount       fair value          amount        fair value
                                                               ---------      ----------        ---------       ----------
               <S>                                              <C>            <C>               <C>            <C>
               Assets:
                 Investments:
                   Securities available-for-sale:
                     Fixed maturity securities                  $14,245.1      $14,245.1         $13,204.1       $13,204.1
                     Equity securities                              128.5          128.5              80.4            80.4
                   Mortgage loans on real estate, net             5,328.4        5,527.6           5,181.6         5,509.7
                   Policy loans                                     464.3          464.3             415.3           415.3
                   Short-term investments                           289.1          289.1             358.4           358.4
                 Cash                                                 3.4            3.4             175.6           175.6
                 Assets held in separate accounts                50,935.8       50,935.8          37,724.4        37,724.4

               Liabilities:
                 Investment contracts                            15,468.7       15,158.6          14,708.2        14,322.1
                 Policy reserves on life insurance contracts      3,914.0        3,768.9           3,345.4         3,182.4
                 Liabilities related to separate accounts        50,935.8       49,926.5          37,724.4        36,747.0
                 Futures contracts                                    1.3            1.3                --              --
</TABLE>

(7)      Risk Disclosures
         ----------------

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

         Credit Risk: 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.

         Interest Rate Risk: 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.



<PAGE>   18

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         Legal/Regulatory Risk: The risk that changes in the legal or regulatory
         environment in which an insurer operates will result in increased
         competition, reduced demand for a company's products, or create
         additional expenses not anticipated by the insurer in pricing its
         products. 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.

         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.

         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 $156.0 million
         extending into 1999 were outstanding as of December 31, 1998. The
         Company also had $40.0 million of commitments to purchase fixed
         maturity securities outstanding as of December 31, 1998.

         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 22% (20% in 1997) in any geographic area and no more than 2% (2%
         in 1997) with any one borrower as of December 31, 1998. As of December
         31, 1998, 42% (46% in 1997) of the remaining principal balance of the
         Company's commercial mortgage loan portfolio financed retail
         properties.

         Reinsurance: 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 $187.9 million and $220.2 million as of December 31,
         1998 and 1997, 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.

(8)      Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
         ------------------------------------------------------------

         The Company is a participant, together with other affiliated companies,
         in a pension plan covering all employees who have completed at least
         one year 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. Assets of the
         Retirement Plan are invested in group annuity contracts of NLIC and
         Employers Life Insurance Company of Wausau (ELICW).

         Pension costs charged to operations by the Company during the years
         ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 were $2.0 million, $7.5 million
         and $7.4 million, respectively. The Company has recorded a prepaid
         pension asset of $5.0 million as of December 31, 1998 and no prepaid or
         accrued pension asset or expense as of December 31, 1997.



<PAGE>   19

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         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 (APBO), 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,
         1998 and 1997 was $40.1 million and $36.5 million, respectively, and
         the net periodic postretirement benefit cost (NPPBC) for 1998, 1997 and
         1996 was $4.1 million, $3.0 million and $3.3 million, respectively.

         Information regarding the funded status of the pension plan as a whole
         and the postretirement life and health care benefit plan as a whole as
         of December 31, 1998 and 1997 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Pension Benefits      Postretirement Benefits
                                                                           ---------------------   -----------------------
              (in millions of dollars)                                       1998         1997         1998       1997
              ---------------------------------------------------------    --------     --------     --------   -------
              <S>                                                          <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>
              Change in benefit obligation:
              Benefit obligation at beginning of year                      $2,033.8     $1,847.8      $237.9    $ 200.7
              Service cost                                                     87.6         77.3         9.8        7.0
              Interest cost                                                   123.4        118.6        15.4       14.0
              Actuarial loss                                                  123.2         60.0        15.6       24.4
              Plan curtailment in 1998/merger in 1997                        (107.2)         1.5         -          -
              Benefits paid                                                   (75.8)       (71.4)       (8.6)      (8.2)
                                                                           --------     --------     -------    -------
              Benefit obligation at end of year                             2,185.0      2,033.8       270.1      237.9
                                                                           --------     --------     -------    -------

              Change in plan assets:
              Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year                2,212.9      1,947.9        69.2       63.0
              Actual return on plan assets                                    300.7        328.1         5.0        3.6
              Employer contribution                                           104.1          7.2        12.1       10.6
              Plan merger                                                       -            1.1         -          -
              Benefits paid                                                   (75.8)       (71.4)       (8.4)      (8.0)
                                                                           --------     --------     -------    -------
              Fair value of plan assets at end of year                      2,541.9      2,212.9        77.9       69.2
                                                                           --------     --------     -------    -------

              Funded status                                                   356.9        179.1      (192.2)    (168.7)
              Unrecognized prior service cost                                  31.5         34.7         -          -
              Unrecognized net (gains) losses                                (345.7)      (330.7)       16.0        1.6
              Unrecognized net (asset) obligation at transition               (11.0)        33.3         1.3        1.5
                                                                           --------     --------     -------    -------
              Prepaid (accrued) benefit cost                               $   31.7     $  (83.6)    $(174.9)   $(165.6)
                                                                           ========     ========     =======    ======= 
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   20

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         Basis for measurements, funded status of the pension plan and
         postretirement life and health care benefit plan:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Pension Benefits          Postretirement Benefits
                                                                          --------------------         -----------------------
                                                                            1998         1997            1998           1997
                                                                          --------      ------         --------       --------
              <S>                                                         <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>
              Weighted average discount rate                               5.50%         6.00%           6.65%         6.70%
              Rate of increase in future compensation levels               3.75%         4.25%             --            --
              Assumed health care cost trend rate:
                    Initial rate                                             --            --           15.00%        12.13%
                    Ultimate rate                                            --            --            8.00%         6.12%
                    Uniform declining period                                 --            --           15 Years      12 Years
</TABLE>

         The net periodic pension cost for the pension plan as a whole for the
         years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              (in millions of dollars)                                                   1998         1997         1996
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------        ----         ----
              <S>                                                                      <C>          <C>
              Service cost (benefits earned during the period)                         $  87.6      $  77.3      $  75.5
              Interest cost on projected benefit obligation                              123.4        118.6        105.5
              Expected return on plan assets                                            (159.0)      (139.0)      (116.1)
              Recognized gains                                                            (3.8)         -            -
              Amortization of prior service cost                                           3.2          3.2          3.2
              Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation                           4.2          4.2          4.1
                                                                                       -------      -------      -------   
                                                                                       $  55.6      $  64.3      $  72.2
                                                                                       =======      =======      =======
</TABLE>

         Effective December 31, 1998, Wausau Service Corporation (WSC) ended its
         affiliation with the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and employees of
         WSC ended participation in the plan. A curtailment gain of $67.1
         million resulted (consisting of a $107.2 million reduction in the
         projected benefit obligation, net of the write-off of the $40.1 million
         remaining unamortized transition obligation related to WSC). The
         Company anticipates that the plan will settle the obligation related to
         WSC employees with a transfer of assets during 1999.

         Basis for measurements, net periodic pension cost for the pension plan:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       1998          1997          1996
                                                                                       ----          ----          ----
             <S>                                                                       <C>           <C>           <C>
             Weighted average discount rate                                            6.00%         6.50%         6.00%
             Rate of increase in future compensation levels                            4.25%         4.75%         4.25%
             Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets                          7.25%         7.25%         6.75%
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   21

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         The amount of NPPBC for the postretirement benefit plan as a whole for
         the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                                                    1998          1997          1996
                                                                                         ----          ----          ----
             <S>                                                                         <C>           <C>           <C>
             Service cost (benefits attributed to employee service during the year)      $ 9.8         $ 7.0         $ 6.5
             Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation               15.4          14.0          13.7
             Actual return on plan assets                                                 (5.0)         (3.6)         (4.3)
             Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates              0.2           0.2           0.2
             Net amortization and deferral                                                 1.2          (0.5)          1.8
                                                                                         -----         -----         -----
                                                                                         $21.6         $17.1         $17.9
                                                                                         =====         =====         =====
</TABLE>

         Actuarial assumptions used for the measurement of the accumulated
         postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) and the NPPBC for the
         postretirement benefit plan for 1998, 1997 and 1996 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      1998           1997         1996
                                                                                      -----          -----        ----
             <S>                                                                     <C>            <C>           <C>
             NPPBC:
               Discount rate                                                          6.70%         7.25%         6.65%
               Long term rate of return on plan
                   assets, net of tax                                                 5.83%         5.89%         4.80%
               Assumed health care cost trend rate:
                   Initial rate                                                      12.00%        11.00%        11.00%
                   Ultimate rate                                                      6.00%         6.00%         6.00%
                   Uniform declining period                                         12 Years      12 Years      12 Years
</TABLE>

         For the postretirement benefit plan as a whole, a one percentage point
         increase or decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rate would
         have no impact on the APBO as of December 31, 1998 and have no impact
         on the NPPBC for the year ended December 31, 1998.

(9)      Shareholder's Equity, Regulatory Risk-Based Capital, Retained Earnings
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
         and Dividend Restrictions
         -------------------------

         Ohio, NLIC's and NLAIC'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 NLAIC each exceed
         the minimum risk-based capital requirements.

         The statutory capital and surplus of NLIC as of December 31, 1998, 1997
         and 1996 was $1.32 billion, $1.13 billion and $1.00 billion,
         respectively. The statutory net income of NLIC for the years ended
         December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 was $171.0 million, $111.7 million and
         $73.2 million, respectively.

         The Company is limited in the amount of shareholder dividends it may
         pay without prior approval by the Department. As of December 31, 1998,
         the maximum amount available for dividend payment from the Company to
         its shareholder without prior approval of the Department was $71.0
         million.




<PAGE>   22

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         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 shareholder.

         The Company currently does not expect such regulatory requirements to
         impair its ability to pay operating expenses and shareholder dividends
         in the future.

(10)     Transactions With Affiliates
         ----------------------------

         As part of the restructuring described in note 1, NLIC paid a dividend
         valued at $485.7 million to Nationwide Corp. on January 1, 1997
         consisting of the outstanding shares of common stock of ELICW, National
         Casualty Company (NCC) and West Coast Life Insurance Company (WCLIC).
         Also, on February 24, 1997, NLIC paid a dividend to NFS, and NFS paid
         an equivalent dividend to Nationwide Corp., consisting of securities
         having an aggregate fair value of $850.0 million. The Company
         recognized a gain of $14.4 million on the transfer of securities.

         The Company leases office space from NMIC and certain of its
         subsidiaries. For the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, the
         Company made lease payments to NMIC and its subsidiaries of $8.0
         million, $8.4 million and $9.1 million, 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 $95.0 million, $85.8 million and $101.6
         million in 1998, 1997 and 1996, 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 inter-company 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 $31.9 million and $20.5 million as of
         December 31, 1998 and 1997, 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 1998 and
         1997 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
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         Intercompany reinsurance agreements 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 the Company'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 the Company's agreements, the investment
         risk associated with changes in interest rates is borne by ELICW or
         NMIC, as the case may be. Risk of asset default is retained by the
         Company, although a fee is paid by ELICW or NMIC, as the case may be,
         to the Company for the Company'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. The Company believes that the terms of
         the modified coinsurance agreements are consistent in all material
         respects with what the Company could have obtained with unaffiliated
         parties. Amounts ceded to NMIC and ELICW for the years ended December
         31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1998                       1997                          1996
                                            ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (in millions of dollars)               NMIC          ELICW        NMIC         ELICW            NMIC         ELICW
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         <S>                                    <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>   
         Premiums                               $90.1        $106.3       $ 91.4        $199.8          $ 97.3        $224.2
         Net investment income and other
            revenue                             $11.1        $  9.4       $ 10.7        $ 13.4          $ 10.9        $ 14.8
         Benefits, claims and expenses          $98.8        $160.5       $100.7        $225.9          $100.5        $246.6
</TABLE>

         The Company and various affiliates entered into agreements with
         Nationwide Cash Management Company (NCMC), an affiliate, under which
         NCMC acts as a common agent in handling the purchase and sale of
         short-term securities for the respective accounts of the participants.
         Amounts on deposit with NCMC were $248.4 million and $211.0 million as
         of December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, and are included in
         short-term investments on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

         Certain annuity products are sold through three affiliated companies,
         which are also subsidiaries of NFS. Total commissions and fees paid to
         these affiliates for the three years ended December 31, 1998 were $60.0
         million, $66.1 million and $76.9 million, respectively.

(11)     Bank Lines of Credit
         --------------------

         In August 1996, NLIC, along with NMIC, entered into a $600.0 million
         revolving credit facility which provides for a $600.0 million 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. In September 1997,
         the credit agreement was amended to include NFS as a party to and
         borrower under the agreement. As of December 31, 1998 the Company had
         no amounts outstanding under the agreement.




<PAGE>   24

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



(12)     Contingencies
         -------------

         On October 29, 1998, the Company and certain of its affiliates were
         named in a lawsuit filed in the Common Pleas Court of Franklin County,
         Ohio related to the sale of deferred annuity products for use as
         investments in tax-deferred contributory retirement plans (Mercedes
         Castillo v. Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., Nationwide Life
         Insurance Company and Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company).
         The plaintiff in such lawsuit seeks to represent a national class of
         the Company's customers and seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive
         damages. The Company is currently evaluating this lawsuit, which is in
         an early stage and has not been certified as a class. The Company
         intends to defend this lawsuit vigorously.

(13)     Segment Information
         -------------------

         The Company uses differences in products as the basis for defining its
         reportable segments. The Company reports three product 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 independent investment managers and the Company, with
         investment returns accumulating on a tax-deferred basis. The Company's
         variable annuity products consist almost entirely of flexible premium
         deferred variable annuity contracts.

         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.
         Such contracts consist of single premium deferred annuities, flexible
         premium deferred annuities and single premium immediate annuities. The
         Fixed Annuities segment includes the fixed option under variable
         annuity contracts.

         The Life Insurance segment consists of insurance products, including
         variable universal life insurance and corporate-owned life insurance
         products, that provide a death benefit and may also allow the customer
         to build cash value on a tax-deferred basis.

         In addition to the product segments, the Company reports corporate
         revenue and expenses, investments and related investment income
         supporting capital not specifically allocated to its product segments,
         revenues and expenses of its investment advisor subsidiary (other than
         the portion allocated to the Variable Annuities and Life Insurance
         segments), revenues and expenses related to group annuity contracts
         sold to Nationwide Insurance Enterprise employee and agent benefit
         plans and all realized gains and losses on investments in a Corporate
         and Other segment.





<PAGE>   25

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



The following table summarizes the financial results of the Company's business
segments for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Variable      Fixed       Life     Corporate
(in millions of dollars)               Annuities   Annuities   Insurance  and Other    Total
- ------------------------------------  ---------    ---------   ---------  ---------    -----
<S>                                   <C>          <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
1998:
Net investment income (1)             $   (31.3)   $ 1,116.6   $  231.6   $  164.7   $ 1,481.6
Other operating revenue                   560.8         35.7      319.6       49.6       965.7
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
   Total operating revenue (2)            529.5      1,152.3      551.2      214.3     2,447.3
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
Interest credited to policyholder
   account balances                          --        828.6      115.4      125.0     1,069.0
Amortization of deferred policy
   acquisition costs                      123.9         44.2       46.4         --       214.5
Other benefits and expenses               187.2        104.2      294.6       49.1       635.1
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
   Total expenses                         311.1        977.0      456.4      174.1     1,918.6
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
Operating income (loss) before
   federal income tax                     218.4        175.3       94.8       40.2       528.7
Realized gains on investments                --           --         --       28.4        28.4
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
Consolidated income before
   federal tax expense                $   218.4    $   175.3   $   94.8   $   68.6   $   557.1
                                      =========    =========   ========   ========   =========

Assets as of year end                 $47,668.7    $15,215.7   $5,187.6   $6,270.1   $74,342.1
                                      =========    =========   ========   ========   =========


1997:
Net investment income (1)             $   (26.9)   $ 1,098.2   $  189.1   $  148.8   $ 1,409.2
Other operating revenue                   430.9         43.2      284.0       39.0       797.1
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
   Total operating revenue (2)            404.0      1,141.4      473.1      187.8     2,206.3
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
Interest credited to policyholder
   account balances                          --        823.4       78.5      114.7     1,016.6
Amortization of deferred policy
   acquisition costs                       87.8         39.8       39.6         --       167.2
Other benefits and expenses               165.3        108.7      284.1       45.6       603.7
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
   Total expenses                         253.1        971.9      402.2      160.3     1,787.5
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
Operating income before federal
    income tax                            150.9        169.5       70.9       27.5       418.8
Realized gains on investments                --           --         --       11.1        11.1
                                      ---------    ---------   --------   --------   ---------
Consolidated income before
   federal tax expense                $   150.9    $   169.5   $   70.9   $   38.6   $   429.9
                                      =========    =========   ========   ========   =========

Assets as of year end                 $35,278.7    $14,436.3   $3,901.4   $6,174.3   $59,790.7
                                      =========    =========   ========   ========   =========
</TABLE>




<PAGE>   26

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 Variable         Fixed            Life         Corporate
         (in millions of dollars)               Annuities       Annuities       Insurance       and Other        Total
         ------------------------------------   ----------      ----------      ---------       ---------     ---------
         <S>                                    <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>
         1996:
         Net investment income (1)              $    (21.5)     $  1,050.6      $   174.0       $   154.7      $ 1,357.8
         Other operating revenue                     306.1            42.0          261.6            25.7          635.4
                                                ----------      ----------      ---------       ---------      ---------
            Total operating revenue (2)              284.6         1,092.6          435.6           180.4        1,993.2
                                                ----------      ----------      ---------       ---------      ---------
         Interest credited to policyholder
            account balances                            --           805.0           70.2           107.1          982.3
         Amortization of deferred policy
            acquisition costs                         57.4            38.6           37.4              --          133.4
         Benefits and expenses                       136.9           113.6          260.8            50.4          561.7
                                                ----------      ----------      ---------       ---------      ---------
            Total expenses                           194.3           957.2          368.4           157.5        1,677.4
                                                ----------      ----------      ---------       ---------      ---------
         Operating income before federal
             income tax                               90.3           135.4           67.2            22.9          315.8
         Realized losses on investments                 --              --             --            (0.3)          (0.3)
                                                ----------      ----------      ---------       ---------      ---------
         Consolidated income from
            continuing operations before
            federal tax expense                 $     90.3      $    135.4       $   67.2        $   22.6      $   315.5
                                                ==========      ==========       ========        ========      =========

         Assets as of year end                  $ 25,069.7      $ 13,994.7       $3,353.3        $5,348.5      $47,766.2
                                                ==========      ==========       ========        ========      =========
</TABLE>

         -----------
         (1)  The Company's method of allocating net investment income results
              in a charge (negative net investment income) to the Variable
              Annuities segment which is recognized in the Corporate and Other
              segment. The charge relates to non-invested assets which support
              this segment on a statutory basis.

         (2)  Excludes realized gains and losses on investments.

         The Company has no significant revenue from customers located outside
         of the United States nor does the Company have any significant
         long-lived assets located outside the United States.


 (14)    Discontinued Operations
         -----------------------

         As discussed in note 1, NFS is a holding company for NLIC and certain
         other companies within the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise that offer
         or distribute long-term savings and retirement products. Prior to the
         contribution by Nationwide Corp. of the outstanding common stock of
         NLIC to NFS, 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
         payable to Nationwide Corp. on January 1, 1997 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 with offices in Scottsdale, Arizona
         that serves as a fronting company for a property and casualty
         subsidiary of NMIC. 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 in the
         accompanying consolidated financial statements through December 31,
         1996. The Company did not recognize any gain or loss on the disposal of
         these subsidiaries.





<PAGE>   27

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         Also, 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 10 for a
         complete discussion of the reinsurance agreements. The Company 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. NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business
         is accounted for as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
         The Company 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 the Company.

         A summary of the results of operations of discontinued operations for
         the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                                                1998           1997          1996
                                                                                     ----           ----          ----     
             <S>                                                                    <C>            <C>
             Revenues                                                               $   --         $   --       $  668.9
             Net income                                                             $   --         $   --       $   11.3
</TABLE>

         A summary of the assets and liabilities of discontinued operations as
         of December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                                                1998           1997          1996
                                                                                     ----           ----          ----     
             <S>                                                                    <C>            <C>          <C>
             Assets, consisting primarily of investments                            $221.5         $247.3       $3,288.5
             Liabilities, consisting primarily of policy benefits and claims        $221.5         $247.3       $2,802.8
</TABLE>






<PAGE>   52



PART C.    OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24.      FINANCIAL INFORMATION
              (a)   Financial Statements:
                    (1)    Financial statements included                   PAGE
                           in Prospectus
                           (Part A):
                           Condensed Financial Information.
                    (2)    Financial statements included
                           in Part B:
                           Those financial statements
                           required by Item 23 to be included in Part B have
                           been incorporated therein by reference to the
                           Prospectus (Part A).

   
              Nationwide Variable Account-3:
                           Independent Auditors' Report.
                           Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Contract
                           Owners' Equity as of December 31, 1998.
                           Statements of Operations and Changes in
                           Contract Owners' Equity for the years ended
                           December 31, 1998 and 1997.
                           Notes to Financial Statements.

              Nationwide Life Insurance Company and Subsidiaries:
                           Independent Auditors' Report. Consolidated Balance
                           Sheets as of December 31, 1998 and 1997. Consolidated
                           Statements of Income for the years ended December 31,
                           1998, 1997 and 1996. Consolidated Statements of
                           Shareholder's Equity for the years ended December 31,
                           1998, 1997 and 1996. Consolidated Statements of Cash
                           Flows for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and
                           1996.
    

                           Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.





                                   85 of 112
<PAGE>   53



Item 24.      (b) Exhibits
                           (1)   Resolution of the Depositor's Board of
                                 Directors authorizing the establishment of the
                                 Registrant, adopted October 7, 1987- Filed
                                 previously with registration
                           (2)   Not Applicable
                           (3)   Underwriting or Distribution contract between
                                 the Registrant and Principal Underwriter -
                                 Filed previously with pre-effective amendment
                                 no. 1 to the registration statement, and hereby
                                 incorporated by reference.
                           (4)   The form of the variable annuity contract -
                                 Filed previously with registration
                                 statement, and hereby incorporated by
                                 reference.
                           (5)   Variable Annuity Application - Filed previously
                                 with registration statement, and hereby
                                 incorporated by reference.
                           (6)   Articles of Incorporation of Depositor -
                                 Filed previously with registration
                                 statement, and hereby incorporated by
                                 reference.
                           (7)   Not Applicable
                           (8)   Not Applicable
                           (9)   Opinion of Counsel - Filed previously with
                                 registration statement, and hereby incorporated
                                 by reference.
                           (10)  Not Applicable
                           (11)  Not Applicable
                           (12)  Not Applicable
                           (13)  Performance Advertising Calculation Schedule -
                                 Filed previously with registration statement
                                 and hereby incorporated by reference.



                                   86 of 112
<PAGE>   54


Item 25.      DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE DEPOSITOR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           NAME AND PRINCIPAL                             POSITIONS AND OFFICES
                            BUSINESS ADDRESS                                 WITH DEPOSITOR
<S>                                                                       <C>    

                          Lewis J. Alphin                                        Director
                          519 Bethel Church Road
                          Mount Olive, NC  28365

                          A. I. Bell                                             Director
                          4121 North River Road West
                          Zanesville, OH  43701

   
                          Kenneth D. Davis                                       Director
                          7229 Woodmansee Road
                          Leesburg, OH  45135
    

                          Keith W. Eckel                                         Director
                          1647 Falls Road
                          Clarks Summit, PA 18411

                          Willard J. Engel                                       Director
                          300 East Marshall Street
                          Marshall, MN  56258

                          Fred C. Finney                                         Director
                          1558 West Moreland Road
                          Wooster, OH  44691

                          Joseph J. Gasper                         President and Chief Operating Officer
                          One Nationwide Plaza                                 and Director
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Dimon R. McFerson                        Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                          One Nationwide Plaza                                 and Director
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          David O. Miller                           Chairman of the Board and Director
                          115 Sprague Drive
                          Hebron, OH  43025

                          Yvonne L. Montgomery                                   Director
                          2859 Paces Ferry Road
                          Atlanta, GA  30339

   
                          Ralph M. Paige, Executive Director                     Director
                          Federation of Southern
                          Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund
                          2769 Church Street
                          East Point, GA  30344
    

                          James F. Patterson                                     Director
                          8765 Mulberry Road
                          Chesterland, OH  44026
</TABLE>




                                   87 of 112
<PAGE>   55


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           NAME AND PRINCIPAL                             POSITIONS AND OFFICES
                            BUSINESS ADDRESS                                 WITH DEPOSITOR

<S>                                                                 <C>
                          Arden L. Shisler                                       Director
                          1356 North Wenger Road
                          Dalton, OH  44618

                          Robert L. Stewart                                      Director
                          88740 Fairview Road
                          Jewett, OH  43986

   
                          Nancy C. Thomas                                        Director
                          1733A Westwood Avenue
                          Alliance, OH  44601
    

                          Robert A. Oakley                               Executive Vice President-
                          One Nationwide Plaza                            Chief Financial Officer
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Robert J. Woodward Jr.                         Executive Vice President
                          One Nationwide Plaza                           Chief Investment Officer
                          Columbus, OH  43215

   
                          James E. Brock                            Senior Vice President - Corporate
                          One Nationwide Plaza                                  Development
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          John R. Cook, Jr.                              Senior Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                         Chief Communications Officer
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Phillip C. Gath                                Senior Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                                 Chief Actuary
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Richard D. Headley                           Senior Vice President - Chief
                          One Nationwide Plaza                        Information Technology Officer
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Donna A James                                Senior Vice President - Human
                          One Nationwide Plaza                                   Resources
                          Columbus, OH  43215
    

                          Richard A. Karas                            Senior Vice President - Sales -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                              Financial Services
                          Columbus, OH  43215
</TABLE>




                                   88 of 112
<PAGE>   56


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           NAME AND PRINCIPAL                             POSITIONS AND OFFICES
                            BUSINESS ADDRESS                                 WITH DEPOSITOR

<S>                                                                <C> 
   
                          Douglas C. Robinette                            Senior Vice President-
                          One Nationwide Plaza                             Marketing and Product
                          Columbus, OH  43215                              Management Nationwide
                                                                        Financial Services of the
                                                                      Nationwide Insurance Enterprise

                          Susan A. Wolken                              Senior Vice President - Life
                          One Nationwide Plaza                              Company Operations
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Bruce C. Barnes                               Vice President - Technology
                          One Nationwide Plaza                             Strategy and Planning
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Dennis W. Click                               Vice President - Secretary
                          One Nationwide Plaza
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          David A. Diamond                              Vice President - Enterprise
                          One Nationwide Plaza                                  Controller
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Matthew S. Easley                                  Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                           Investment Life Actuarial
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          R. Dennis Noice                                Vice President - Systems
                          One Nationwide Plaza
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Joseph P. Rath
                          One Nationwide Plaza                           Vice President - Product
                          Columbus, OH  43215                              and Market Compliance

                          Mark Thresher                                Vice President - Finance and
                          One Nationwide Plaza                                   Treasurer
                          Columbus, OH  43215
    
</TABLE>

Item 26.      PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE
              DEPOSITOR OR REGISTRANT.

                *     Subsidiaries for which separate financial statements are
                      filed
                **    Subsidiaries included in the respective consolidated
                      financial statements
                ***   Subsidiaries included in the respective group financial
                      statements filed for unconsolidated subsidiaries
                ****  other subsidiaries



                                   89 of 112
<PAGE>   57




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   
                   COMPANY                STATE/COUNTRY OF            NO. VOTING              PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                           ORGANIZATION               SECURITIES
                                                                     (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                     CHART UNLESS
                                                                       OTHERWISE
                                                                      INDICATED)
<S>                                             <C>                   <C>                    <C>         
         The 401K Companies, Inc.               Texas                                        Holding Company


         The 401(K) Company                     Texas                                        Third-party administrator for 401(k)
                                                                                             plans

         401K Investment Advisors, Inc.         Texas                                        Investment Advisor registered with the
                                                                                             SEC

         401K Investments Services, Inc.        Texas                                        NASD registered Broker-Dealer

         Affiliate Agency, Inc.                 Delaware                                     Life Insurance Agency

         Affiliate Agency of Ohio, Inc.         Ohio                                         Life Insurance Agency

         AID Finance Services, Inc.             Iowa                                         Holding Company

         ALLIED General Agency Company          Iowa                                         Managing General Agent and Surplus
                                                                                             Lines Broker (P&C)
         ALLIED Group, Inc.                     Iowa                                         Holding Company

         ALLIED Group Insurance Marketing       Iowa                                         Direct Marketer (P&C)
         Company

         ALLIED Group Merchant Banking          Iowa                                         Broker-Dealer
         Corporation

         ALLIED Group Mortgage Company          Iowa                                         Mortgage Lender

         ALLIED Life Brokerage Agency, Inc.     Iowa                                         Insurance Broker

         ALLIED Life Financial Corporation      Iowa                                         Holding Company

         ALLIED Life Insurance Company          Iowa                                         Insurance Company

         ALLIED Property and Casualty           Iowa                                         Underwrites General P&C Insurance
         Insurance Company

         Allnations, Inc.                       Ohio                                         Promotes international cooperative
                                                                                             insurance organizations

         AMCO Insurance Company                 Iowa                                         Underwrites General P&C Insurance

         American Marine Underwriters, Inc.     Florida                                      Underwriting Manager

         Auto Direkt Insurance Company          Germany                                      Insurance Company

         CalFarm Insurance Company              California                                   Stock Corporation

         Caliber Funding Corporation            Delaware                                     Stock Corporation

         Colonial County Mutual Insurance       Texas                                        Insurance Company
         Company

         Colonial Insurance Company of          Wisconsin                                    Insurance Company
         Wisconsin

         Columbus Insurance Brokerage and       Germany                                      Insurance Broker
         Service GmbH
    
</TABLE>



                                   90 of 112
<PAGE>   58




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                        COMPANY             STATE/COUNTRY OF         NO. VOTING                PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                              ORGANIZATION           SECURITIES
                                                                    (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                    CHART UNLESS
                                                                      OTHERWISE
                                                                     INDICATED)
<S>                                            <C>                  <C>                      <C> 
         Cooperative Service Company            Nebraska                                     Insurance Agency

         Depositors Insurance Company           Iowa                                         Underwrites P&C insurance

         *Employers Life Insurance Company      Wisconsin                                    Life Insurance Company
         of  Wausau

         Excaliber Funding Corporation          Delaware                                     Limited purpose corporation

         F&B, Inc.                              Iowa                                         Insurance Agency

         Farmland Mutual Insurance Company      Iowa                                         Mutual Insurance Company

         Financial Horizons Distributors        Alabama                                      Insurance Agency
         Agency of Alabama, Inc.

         Financial Horizons Distributors        Ohio                                         Insurance Agency
         Agency of Ohio, Inc.

         Financial Horizons Distributors        Oklahoma                                     Insurance Agency
         Agency of Oklahoma, Inc.

         Financial Horizons Distributors        Texas                                        Insurance Agency
         Agency of Texas, Inc.

         *Financial Horizons Investment Trust   Massachusetts                                Investment Company

         Financial Horizons Securities          Oklahoma                                     Broker-Dealer
         Corporation

         GatesMcDonald Health Plus, Inc.        Ohio                                         Managed Care Organization

         Gates, McDonald & Company              Ohio                                         Cost Control

         Gates, McDonald & Company of Nevada    Nevada                                       Self-insurance administration, claims
                                                                                             examinations and data processing
                                                                                             services
         Gates, McDonald & Company of New       New York                                     Workers' compensation claims
         York, Inc.                                                                          administration

         MedPro Solutions, Inc.                 Massachusetts                                Third-party administration services
                                                                                             for workers' compensation, automobile
                                                                                             injury and disability claims
         Insurance Intermediaries, Inc.         Ohio                                         Insurance Broker and Insurance Agency

         Irvin L. Schwartz and Associates,      Ohio                                         Insurance Agency
         Inc.

         Landmark Financial Services of New     New York                                     Life Insurance Agency
         York, Inc.

         Leben Direkt Insurance Company         Germany                                      Life Insurance Company
    
</TABLE>



                                   91 of 112
<PAGE>   59




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                        COMPANY          STATE/COUNTRY OF         NO. VOTING                PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                           ORGANIZATION           SECURITIES
                                                                 (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                 CHART UNLESS
                                                                   OTHERWISE
                                                                  INDICATED)
<S>                                             <C>               <C>                        <C> 
         Lone Star General Agency, Inc.         Texas                                        Insurance Agency

         Midwest Printing Services, Inc.        Iowa                                         General Printing Services

         Morley & Associates                    Oregon                                       Insurance Broker

         Morley Capital Management, Inc.        Oregon                                       Investment Adviser and stable value
                                                                                             money management

         Morley Financial Services, Inc.        Oregon                                       Holding Company

         Morley Research Associates, Ltd.       Delaware                                     Credit research consulting

         **MRM Investments, Inc.                Ohio                                         Owns and operates a recreational ski
                                                                                             facility

         **National Casualty Company            Wisconsin                                    Insurance Company

         National Casualty Company of America,  Great Britain                                Insurance Company
           Ltd.

         National Deferred Compensation, Inc.   Ohio                                         Administers deferred compensation
                                                                                             plans for public employees
         **National Premium and Benefit         Delaware                                     Insurance Administrative Services
         Administration Company

         Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc.     Ohio                                         Investment Management and
                                                                                             Administrative Services
         **Nationwide Agency, Inc.              Ohio                                         Insurance Agency

         Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance      Iowa                                         Insurance Company
         Company

         Nationwide Asset Allocation Trust      Massachusetts                                Investment Company

         Nationwide Cash Management Company     Ohio                                         Investment Securities Agent

         Nationwide Community Urban             Ohio                                         Special purpose real estate corporation
         Redevelopment Corporation

         Nationwide Corporation                 Ohio                                         Holding Company

         Nationwide Financial Institution       Delaware                                     Insurance Agency
         Distributors Agency, Inc.

         Nationwide Financial Services          Bermuda                                      Life Insurance Company
         (Bermuda) Ltd.

         Nationwide Financial Services          Delaware                                     Statutory Business Trust
         Capital Trust

         Nationwide Financial Services          Delaware                                     Statutory Business Trust
         Capital Trust II
    
</TABLE>



                                   92 of 112
<PAGE>   60




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   

                        COMPANY              STATE/COUNTRY OF         NO. VOTING                PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                               ORGANIZATION           SECURITIES
                                                                     (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                     CHART UNLESS
                                                                       OTHERWISE
                                                                      INDICATED)
<S>                                            <C>                   <C>                     <C> 
         Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.    Delaware                                     Holding Company

         Nationwide General Insurance Company   Ohio                                         Insurance Company

         Nationwide Global Holdings, Inc.       Ohio                                         Holding Company for International
                                                                                             Operations

         Nationwide Health Plans, Inc.          Ohio                                         Health Maintenance Organization

         *Nationwide Indemnity Company          Ohio                                         Reinsurance Company

         Nationwide Insurance Company of        California                                   Underwriter
         America

         Nationwide Insurance Company of        Ohio                                         Insurance Company
         Florida

         Nationwide Insurance Enterprise        Ohio                                         Membership Non-Profit Corporation
         Foundation

         Nationwide Services Company, LCC       Ohio                                         Shared services functions

         Nationwide Insurance Golf Charities,   Ohio                                         Membership Non-Profit Corporation
         Inc.

         Nationwide International Underwriters  California                                   Underwriting Manager

         Nationwide Investing Foundation        Michigan                                     Provide investors with continuous
                                                                                             source of investment
         *Nationwide Investing Foundation II    Massachusetts                                Common Law Trust

         Nationwide Investment Services         Oklahoma                                     Registered Broker-Dealer in deferred
         Corporation                                                                         compensation market

         Nationwide Investors Services, Inc.    Ohio                                         Stock Transfer Agent

         **Nationwide Life and Annuity          Ohio                                         Life Insurance Company
         Insurance Company

         **Nationwide Life Insurance Company    Ohio                                         Life Insurance Company

         Nationwide Lloyds                      Texas                                        Property Insurance

         Nationwide Management Systems, Inc.    Ohio                                         Preferred provider organization,
                                                                                             products and related services

         Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance       Ohio                                         Mutual Insurance Company
         Company

         Nationwide Mutual Funds                Ohio                                         Investment Company

         Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company    Ohio                                         Mutual Insurance Company
    
</TABLE>



                                   93 of 112
<PAGE>   61



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                        COMPANY            STATE/COUNTRY OF         NO. VOTING                PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                             ORGANIZATION           SECURITIES
                                                                   (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                   CHART UNLESS
                                                                     OTHERWISE
                                                                     INDICATED)
<S>                                             <C>                <C>                       <C> 
         Nationwide Properties, Ltd.            Ohio                                         Develop, own and operate real estate
                                                                                             and real estate investments
         Nationwide Property and Casualty       Ohio                                         Insurance Company
         Insurance Company

         Nationwide Realty Investors, Inc.      Ohio                                         Develop, own and operate real estate
                                                                                             and real estate investments

         Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc.  Delaware                                     Market and administer deferred
                                                                                             compensation plans for public employees

         Nationwide Retirement Solutions,       Alabama                                      Market and administer deferred
         Inc. of Alabama                                                                     compensation plans for public employees

         Nationwide Retirement Solutions,       Arizona                                      Market and administer deferred
         Inc. of Arizona                                                                     compensation plans for public employees

         Nationwide Retirement Solutions,       Arkansas                                     Market and administer deferred
         Inc. of Arkansas                                                                    compensation plans for public employees

         Nationwide Retirement Solutions,       Montana                                      Market and administer deferred
         Inc. of Montana                                                                     compensation plans for public employees

         Nationwide Retirement Solutions,       Nevada                                       Market and administer deferred
         Inc. of Nevada                                                                      compensation plans for public employees

         Nationwide Retirement Solutions,       New Mexico                                   Market and administer deferred
         Inc. of New Mexico                                                                  compensation plans for public employees

         Nationwide Retirement Solutions,       Ohio                                         Market variable annuity contracts to
         Inc. of Ohio                                                                        members of the National Education
                                                                                             Association in the state of Ohio

         Nationwide Retirement Solutions,       Oklahoma                                     Market variable annuity contracts to
         Inc. of Oklahoma                                                                    members of the National Education
                                                                                             Association in the state of Oklahoma

         Nationwide Retirement Solutions,       South Dakota                                 Market and administer deferred
         Inc. of South Dakota                                                                compensation plans for public employees

         Nationwide Retirement Solutions,       Texas                                        Market and administer deferred
         Inc. of Texas                                                                       compensation plans for public employees

         Nationwide Retirement Solutions,       Wyoming                                      Market variable annuity contracts to
         Inc. of Wyoming                                                                     members of the National Education
                                                                                             Association in the state of Wyoming
    
</TABLE>



                                   94 of 112
<PAGE>   62



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                        COMPANY              STATE/COUNTRY OF         NO. VOTING                PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                               ORGANIZATION           SECURITIES
                                                                     (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                     CHART UNLESS
                                                                       OTHERWISE
                                                                      INDICATED)
<S>                                             <C>                  <C>                     <C>
         Nationwide Retirement Solutions        Massachusetts                                Market and administer deferred
         Insurance Agency Inc.                                                               compensation plans for public employees

         *Nationwide Separate Account Trust     Massachusetts                                Investment Company

         Nationwide Trust Company, FSB          United States of America                     Federal Savings Bank

         Neckura Holding Company                Germany                                      Administrative services for Neckura
                                                                                             Insurance Group

         Neckura Insurance Company              Germany                                      Insurance Company

         Neckura Life Insurance Company         Germany                                      Life Insurance Company

         Nevada Independent                     Nevada                                       Workers' compensation administrative
         Companies-Construction                                                              services

         Nevada Independent Companies-Health    Nevada                                       Workers' compensation administrative
         and Nonprofit                                                                       services

         Nevada Independent Companies-          Nevada                                       Workers' compensation administrative
         Hospitality and Entertainment                                                       services

         Nevada Independent Companies-          Nevada                                       Workers' compensation administrative
         Manufacturing                                                                       services

         NFS Distributors, Inc.                 Delaware                                     Holding Company

         NWE, Inc.                              Ohio                                         Special Investments

         PanEuroLife                            Luxembourg                                   Life Insurance

         Pension Associates, Inc.               Wisconsin                                    Pension plan administration

         Portland Investment Services, Inc.     Oregon                                       NASD Registered Broker-Dealer

         Premier Agency, Inc.                   Iowa                                         Insurance Agency

         Riverview Agency, Inc.                 Texas                                        Stock Corporation

         Scottsdale Indemnity Company           Ohio                                         Insurance Company

         Scottsdale Insurance Company           Ohio                                         Insurance Company

         Scottsdale Surplus Lines Insurance     Arizona                                      Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance
         Company                                                                             Company

         SVM Sales GmbH, Neckura Insurance      Germany                                      Sales support for Neckura Insurance
         Group                                                                               Group

         Union Bond and Trust Company           Oregon                                       Oregon state bank with trust powers

         Villanova Capital, Inc.                Delaware                                     Holding Company
    
</TABLE>



                                   95 of 112
<PAGE>   63




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                        COMPANY              STATE/COUNTRY OF         NO. VOTING                PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                               ORGANIZATION           SECURITIES
                                                                     (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                     CHART UNLESS
                                                                       OTHERWISE
                                                                      INDICATED)
<S>                                            <C>                    <C>                    <C>
         Villanova Mutual Fund Capital Trust    Delaware                                     Business Trust

         Villanova SA Capital Trust             Delaware                                     Business Trust

         **Wausau Preferred Health Insurance    Wisconsin                                    Insurance and Reinsurance Company
         Company

         Western Heritage Insurance Company     Arizona                                      Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance
                                                                                             Company
    
</TABLE>



                                   96 of 112
<PAGE>   64




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                  COMPANY                          STATE/COUNTRY OF     NO. VOTING SECURITIES           PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                     ORGANIZATION       (SEE ATTACHED CHART)
                                                                      UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED

<S>                                                      <C>           <C>                           <C>    
      *  MFS Variable Account                            Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Account

      *  NACo Variable Account                           Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Account

      *  Nationwide DC Variable Account                  Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Account

         Nationwide DCVA-II                              Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Account

      *  Separate Account No. 1                          Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Account

      *  Nationwide Multi-Flex Variable Account          Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Account

      *  Nationwide VA Separate Account-A                Ohio          Nationwide Life and Annuity   Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Separate Account

      *  Nationwide VA Separate Account-B                Ohio          Nationwide Life and Annuity   Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Separate Account

      *  Nationwide VA Separate Account-C                Ohio          Nationwide Life and Annuity   Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Separate Account

         Nationwide VA Separate Account-Q                Ohio          Nationwide Life and Annuity   Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Separate Account

      *  Nationwide Variable Account                     Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Account

      *  Nationwide Variable Account-II                  Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Account

      *  Nationwide Variable Account-3                   Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Account

      *  Nationwide Variable Account-4                   Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Account

      *  Nationwide Variable Account-5                   Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Account

      *  Nationwide Variable Account-6                   Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Account

      *  Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable            Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
         Account                                                       Account

         Nationwide Variable Account-8                   Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Account

      *  Nationwide Variable Account-9                   Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Account

         Nationwide Variable Account-10                  Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                       Account

      *  Nationwide VL Separate Account-A                Ohio          Nationwide Life and Annuity   Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                       Separate Account              Policies
    
</TABLE>



                                   97 of 112
<PAGE>   65




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                        COMPANY                    STATE/COUNTRY OF      NO. VOTING SECURITIES           PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                     ORGANIZATION        (SEE ATTACHED CHART)
                                                                       UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED

<S>                                                      <C>           <C>                           <C> 
         Nationwide VL Separate Account-B                Ohio          Nationwide Life and Annuity   Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                       Separate Account              Policies

      *  Nationwide VL Separate Account-C                Ohio          Nationwide Life and Annuity   Issuer of Life Insurance
      -                                                                Separate Account              Policies

         Nationwide VL Separate Account -D               Ohio          Nationwide Life and Annuity   Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                       Separate Account              Policies

      *  Nationwide VLI Separate Account                 Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                       Account                       Policies

      *  Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2               Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                       Account                       Policies

      *  Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3               Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                       Account                       Policies

      *  Nationwide VLI Separate Account-4               Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                       Account                       Policies

         Nationwide VLI Separate Account-5               Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                       Account                       Policies
    
</TABLE>



                                   98 of 112
<PAGE>   66
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                         (left side)
<S>                               <C>                               <C>                                  <C>
- ------------------------
| NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |                                                                       
| GOLF CHARITIES, INC. |
|                      |
|      MEMBERSHIP      |
|      NONPROFIT       |
|     CORPORATION      |
- ------------------------
           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           |                                      |                                   |                
- ---------------------------           ---------------------------       ----------------------------  
|      ALLIED LIFE        |           |         ALLIED          |       |       AID FINANCE        |  
|       FINANCIAL         |           |       GROUP, INC.       |       |      SERVICES, INC.      |  
|      CORPORATION        |           |          (AGI)          |       |      (AID FINANCE)       |  
|        (ALFC)           |           |                         |       |                          |  
|Common Stock: 850        |           |Common Stock: 850 Shares |       |Common Stock: 10,000      |  
|------------  Shares     |           |------------             |       |------------  Shares      |  
|                         |---|       |                         |---|   |                          |  
|              Cost       |   |       |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  
|              ----       |   |       |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  
|Casualty-                |   |       |Casualty-                |   |   |Casualty-                 |  
|100%         $47,286,429 |   |       |100%       $1,049,237,226|   |   |100%          $19,545,634 |  
- ---------------------------   |       ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  
                              |                                     |                 |              
- ---------------------------   |       ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  
|    ALLIED GROUP         |   |       |           AMCO          |   |   |          ALLIED          |
|  MERCHANT BANKING       |   |       |    INSURANCE COMPANY    |   |   |      GROUP INSURANCE     |  
|    CORPORATION          |   |       |          (AMCO)         |   |   |     MARKETING COMPANY    |  
|Common Stock: 10,000     |   |       |Common Stock: 155,991    |   |   |Common Stock: 20,000      |  
|------------  Shares     |   |       |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |  
|                         |---|  |----|                         |---|   |                          |  
|              Cost       |   |  |    |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  
|              ----       |   |  |    |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  
|                         |   |  |    |                         |   |   |Aid Finance-              |
|AFLC-100%     $100,000   |   |  |    |AGI-100%      $95,925,450|   |   |100%          $16,059,469 |  
- ---------------------------   |  |    ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  
                              |  |                                  |                                 
- ---------------------------   |  |    ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  
|      ALLIED LIFE        |   |  |    |          WESTERN        |   |   |         DEPOSITORS       |
|       BROKERAGE         |   |  |    |    HERITAGE INSURANCE   |   |   |     INSURANCE COMPANY    |  
|      AGENCY, INC.       |   |  |    |         COMPANY         |   |   |       (DEPOSITORS)       |  
|Common Stock: 500,000    |   |  |    |Common Stock: 4,776,076  |   |   |Common Stock: 199,991     |  
|------------  Shares     |   |  |    |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |  
|                         |---|  |----|                         |   |---|                          |  
|              Cost       |   |  |    |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  
|              ----       |   |  |    |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  
|AFLC-100%     $442,695   |   |  |    |AMCO-100%     $11,686,037|   |   |AGI-100%      $15,251,842 |  
- ---------------------------   |  |    ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  
                              |  |                                  |                                 
- ---------------------------   |  |    ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  
|     ALLIED LIFE         |   |  |    |          ALLIED         |   |   |      ALLIED PROPERTY     |
|      INSURANCE          |   |  |    |      GENERAL AGENCY     |   |   |        AND CASUALTY      |  
|       COMPANY           |   |  |    |         COMPANY         |   |   |     INSURANCE COMPANY    |  
|Common Stock: 250,000    |   |  |    |Common Stock: 5,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 156,822     |  
|------------  Shares     |   |  |    |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |  
|                         |---|  |----|                         |   |---|                          |  
|              Cost       |           |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  
|              ----       |           |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  
|AFLC-100%     $41,732,343|           |AMCO-100%     $135,342   |   |   |AGI-100%      $33,018,634 |  
- ---------------------------           ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  
                                                                    |                                 
                                      ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  
                                      |          PREMIER        |   |   |          ALLIED          |  
                                      |          AGENCY,        |   |   |      GROUP MORTGAGE      |  
                                      |            INC.         |   |   |         COMPANY          |  
                                      |Common Stock: 100,000    |   |   |Common Stock: 9,500       |  
                                      |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |  
                                      |                         |---|---|                          |  
                                      |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  
                                      |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  
                                      |AGI-100%      $100,000   |   |   |AGI-100%      $213,976    |  
                                      ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  
                                                                    |                                
                                                                    |   ----------------------------  
                                                                    |   |          MIDWEST         |  
                                                                    |   |    PRINTING SERVICES     |  
                                                                    |   |            LTD.          |  
                                                                    |   |Common Stock: 10,000      |  
                                                                    |   |------------  Shares      |  
                                                                    |---|                          |  
                                                                        |              Cost        |  
                                                                        |              ----        |  
                                                                        |AFLC-100%    $610,000    |  
                                                                        ----------------------------  
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   67
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)                                                  (middle)
<S>                                               <C>                                               <C>         
  ------------------------------------------                            ------------------------------------------
  |                                        |                            |                                        |
  |           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL            |                            |          NATIONWIDE MUTUAL             |
  |           INSURANCE COMPANY            |============================|        FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY          |
  |              (CASUALTY)                |                            |               (FIRE)                   |
  |                                        |                            |                                        |
  ------------------------------------------                            ------------------------------------------
  |  ||               |                                                                               |
  |  ||               |--------------------------------------------------------------------|          |--------------------------
- --|  ||                                                                                    |
     ||                                          |--------------------------------------------------------------|----------------
     ||                                          |                                                              |
     ||  --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------            --------------------------------
     ||  |                              |        |   |     NATIONWIDE GENERAL       |            |       NECKURA HOLDING        |
     ||  |                              |        |   |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |            |      COMPANY (NECKURA)       |
     ||  |      NATIONWIDE LLOYDS       |        |   |                              |            |                              |
     ||  |                              |        |   |Common Stock:    20,000       |            |Common Stock:    10,000       |
     ||==|                              |        |---|------------     Shares       |         |--|------------     Shares       |
     ||  |       A TEXAS LLOYDS         |        |   |                              |         |  |                              |
     ||  |                              |        |   |                 Cost         |         |  |                 Cost         |
     ||  |                              |        |   |                 ----         |         |  |                 ----         |
     ||  |                              |        |   |Casualty-100%    $5,944,422   |         |  |Casualty-100%    $87,943,140  |
     ||  --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
     ||                                          |                                            |
     ||  --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
     ||  |       FARMLAND MUTUAL        |        |   |      NATIONWIDE PROPERTY     |         |  |           NECKURA            |
     ||  |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |        |   |         AND CASUALTY         |         |  |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
     ||  |Guaranty Fund                 |        |   |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |         |  |                              |
     ||  |------------                  |        |   |Common Stock:    60,000       |         |--|Common Stock:    6,000        |
     ||==|Certificate                   |---|    |---|------------     Shares       |         |  |------------     Shares       |
         |-----------      Cost         |   |    |   |                 Cost         |         |  |                 Cost         |
         |                 ----         |   |    |   |                 ----         |         |  |Neckura-         ----         |
         |Casualty         $500,000     |   |    |   |Casualty-100%    $6,000,000   |         |  |100%             DM 6,000,000 |
         --------------------------------   |    |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
                                            |    |                                            |
         --------------------------------   |    |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
         |        F & B, INC.           |   |    |   |      COLONIAL INSURANCE      |         |  |         NECKURA LIFE         |
         |                              |   |    |   |     COMPANY OF WISCONSIN     |         |  |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
         |Common Stock:    1 Share      |   |    |   |          (COLONIAL)          |         |  |                              |
         |------------                  |----    |---|Common Stock:    1,750        |         |--|Common Stock:   4,000         |
         |                 Cost         |   |    |   |------------     Shares       |         |  |------------    Shares        |
         |                 ----         |   |    |   |                 Cost         |         |  |                Cost          |
         |Farmland                      |   |    |   |                 ----         |         |  |                ----          |
         |Mutual-100%      $10          |   |    |   |Casualty-100%    $41,750,000  |         |  |Neckura-100%    DM 15,825,681 |
         --------------------------------   |    |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
                                            |    |                                            |
         --------------------------------   |    |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
         |    COOPERATIVE SERVICE       |   |    |   |         SCOTTSDALE           |         |  |        NECKURA GENERAL       |
         |          COMPANY             |   |    |   |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |         |  |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
         |Common Stock:    600 Shares   |   |    |   |            (SIC)             |         |  |                              |
         |------------                  |   |    |   |Common Stock:    30,136       |         |  |Common Stock:    1,500        |
         |                 Cost         |----    |---|------------     Shares       | ----    |--|------------     Shares       |
         |                 ----         |        |   |                 Cost         |    |    |  |                 Cost         |
         |Farmland         $3,506,173   |        |   |                 ----         |    |    |  |                 ----         |
         |Mutual-100%                   |        |   |Casualty-100%    $150,000,000 |    |    |  |Neckura-100%     DM 1,656,925 |
         --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------    |    |  --------------------------------
                                                 |                                       |    |
         --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------    |    |  --------------------------------
         | NATIONWIDE AGRIBUSINESS      |        |   |          SCOTTSDALE          |    |    |  |       COLUMBUS INSURANCE     |
         |    INSURANCE COMPANY         |        |   |        SURPLUS LINES         |    |    |  |      BROKERAGE AND SERVICE   |
         |Common Stock:    1,000,000    |        |   |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |    |    |  |              GmbH            |
         |------------     Shares       |        |   | Common Stock:    10,000      |    |    |  |Common Stock:    1 Share      |
         |                              |--------|   | ------------     Shares      | ---|    |--|------------                  |
         |                    Cost      |        |   |                              |    |    |  |                              |
         |Casualty-99.9%      ----      |        |   |                   Cost       |    |    |  |                 Cost         |
         |Other Capital:   $26,714,335  |        |   |                   ----       |    |    |  |                 ----         |
         |-------------                 |        |   | SIC-100%          $6,000,000 |    |    |  |Neckura-100%     DM 51,639    |
         |Casualty-Ptd.    $   713,576  |        |   |                              |    |    |  |                              |
         --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------    |    |  --------------------------------
                                                 |                                       |    |
         --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------    |    |  --------------------------------
         |    NATIONAL CASUALTY         |        |   |      NATIONAL PREMIUM &      |    |    |  |          LEBEN DIREKT        |
         |          COMPANY             |        |   |    BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION    |    |    |  |        INSURANCE COMPANY     |
         |           (NC)               |        |   |           COMPANY            |    |    |  |                              |
         |Common Stock:    100 Shares   |        |   |Common Stock:    10,000       |    |    |  |Common Stock:    4,000 Shares |
         |------------                  |--------|   |------------     Shares       |----|    |--|------------                  |
         |                 Cost         |            |                 Cost         |         |  |                 Cost         |
         |                 ----         |            |                 ----         |         |  |                 ----         |
         |Casualty-100%    $67,442,439  |            |Scottsdale-100%  $10,000      |         |  |Neckura-100%     DM 4,000,000 |
         --------------------------------            --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
                       |                                                                      |
         --------------------------------            --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
         |    NCC OF AMERICA, LTD.      |            |         SVM SALES            |         |  |          AUTO DIREKT         |
         |        (INACTIVE)            |            |            GmbH              |         |  |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
         |                              |            |                              |         |  |                              |
         |                              |            |Common Stock:    50 Shares    |         |  |Common Stock:    1500 Shares  |
         |                              |            |------------                  |------------|------------                  |
         |                              |            |                 Cost         |            |                 Cost         |
         |NC-100%                       |            |                 ----         |            |                 ----         |
         |                              |            |Neckura-100%     DM 50,000    |            |Neckura-100%     DM 1,643,149 |
         |                              |            |                              |            |                              |
         |                              |            |                              |            |                              |
         --------------------------------            --------------------------------            --------------------------------
                                
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   68
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                        (right side)
<S>     <C>                                       <C>                                              <C>         
                                                                                                            ------------------------
                                                                                                            | NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |
                                                                                                            | ENTERPRISE FOUNDATION|
                                                                                                            |                      |
                                                                                                            |      MEMBERSHIP      |
                                                                                                            |      NONPROFIT       |
                                                                                                            |     CORPORATION      |
                                                                                                            ------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------|
                                                                       |
- ---------------                                                        --------------------------------------------------
              |                                                                                                         |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------       |
  |                                          |                                           |                      |       |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |        ----------------------------------
  |     |         SCOTTSDALE           |     |    |         NATIONWIDE           |       |        |          NATIONWIDE            |
  |     |      INDEMNITY COMPANY       |     |    |      COMMUNITY URBAN         |       |        |          CORPORATION           |
  |     |                              |     |    |       REDEVELOPMENT          |       |        |                                |
  |     |                              |     |    |        CORPORATION           |       |        |Common Stock:    Control:       |
  |     |Common Stock:    50,000       |     |    |Common Stock:    10 Shares    |       |        |------------     -------        |
  |-----|------------     Shares       |     |----|------------                  |       |        |$13,642,432      100%           |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |       |        |         Shares     Cost        |
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |       |        |         ------     ----        |
  |     |Casualty-100%    $8,800,000   |     |    |Casualty-100%    $1,000       |       |        |Casualty 12,992,922 $751,352,485|
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |       |        |Fire        649,510   24,007,936|
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |       |        |          (See Page 2)          |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |        ----------------------------------
  |                                          |                                           |          
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |        ----------------------------------
  |     |         NATIONWIDE           |     |    |          INSURANCE           |       |        |         ALLNATIONS, INC.       |
  |     |      INDEMNITY COMPANY       |     |    |     INTERMEDIARIES, INC.     |       |        |Common Stock:    10,330 Shares  |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |       |        |-------------    Cost           |
  |-----|Common Stock:    28,000       |     |----|Common Stock:    1,615        |       |--------|                 ----           |
  |     |------------     Shares       |     |    |------------     Shares       |       |        |Casualty-18.6%   $88,320        |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |       |        |Fire-18.6%       $88,463        |
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |       |        |Preferred Stock  1466 Shares    |
  |     |Casualty-100%    $294,529,000 |     |    |Casualty-100%    $1,615,000   |       |        |---------------  Cost           |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |       |        |                 ----           |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |       |        |Casualty-6.8%    $100,000       |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |       |        |Fire-6.8%        $100,000       |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |        ----------------------------------
  |                                          |                                           |                                          
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |        ----------------------------------
  |     |          LONE STAR           |     |    |       NATIONWIDE CASH        |       |        |      PENSION ASSOCIATES        |
  |     |     GENERAL AGENCY, INC.     |     |    |      MANAGEMENT COMPANY      |       |        |        OF WAUSAU, INC.         |
  |     |                              |     |    |Common Stock:    100 Shares   |       |        |Common Stock:    1,000 Shares   |
  ------|Common Stock:    1,000        |     |----|------------                  |       |--------|-------------                   |
  |     |------------     Shares       |     |    |                 Cost         |       |        |                 Cost           |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 ----         |       |        |                 ----           |
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |Casualty-90%     $9,000       |       |        |                                |
  |     |Casualty-100%    $5,000,000   |     |    |NW Adv. Serv.     1,000       |       |        |Casualty-100%    $2,839,392     |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |        ----------------------------------
  |                   ||                     |                                           |                                          
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |        ----------------------------------
  |     |   COLONIAL COUNTY MUTUAL     |     |    |    NATIONWIDE INSURANCE      |       |        |       AMERCIAN MARINE          |
  |     |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |     |    |     COMPANY OF FLORIDA       |       |        |      UNDERWRITERS, INC.        |
  |     |                              |     |    |Common Stock:    10,000       |       |        |Common Stock:    20 Shares      |
  |     |Surplus Debentures            |     |    |-------------    Shares       |       |        |-------------                   |
  |     |------------------            |     |----|                              |       |--------|                 Cost           |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                |                 ----           |
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                |                                |
  |     |Colonial         $500,000     |     |    |Casualty-100%    $300,000,000 |                |Casualty-100%    $5,020         |
  |     |Lone Star         150,000     |     |    |                              |                |                                |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                ----------------------------------
  |                                          |                                                      
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |     |       TIG COUNTRYWIDE        |     |    |    WAUSAU INTERNATIONAL      |                                                  
  |     |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |     |    |        UNDERWRITERS          |                                                  
  |     |Common Stock     12,000       |     |    |                              |                                                  
  |     |------------     Shares       |     |    |Common Stock:    1,000 Shares |                                                  
  |-----|                              |     -----|------------                  |                                                  
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                                                  
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                                                  
  |     |Casualty-100%    $215,273,000 |     |    |Casualty-100%    $10,000      |                                                  
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                                                  
  |     --------------------------------     |    |                              |                                                  
  |                                          |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |                                          |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------
  |     |     NATIONWIDE INSURANCE     |     |    |         NATIONWIDE           |
  |     |   ENTERPRISE SERVICES, LTD.  |     |    |          ARENA LLC           |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |
  |     |Single Member Limited         |     |    |                              |
  |.....|Liability Company             |     |....|                              |
        |                              |          |                              |
        |                              |          |                              |
        |Casualty-100%                 |          |Casualty-90%                  |
        |                              |          |                              |
        --------------------------------          --------------------------------
                                                  

Subsidiary Companies      -- Solid Line
Contractual Association   -- Double Line
Limited Liability Company -- Dotted Line

December 31, 1998
</TABLE>

                                                                          Page 1
<PAGE>   69






















<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                         (Left Side)

<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                             |----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-------------------------------
                             |                                  |                                   |
               -----------------------------      -----------------------------      -----------------------------
               | NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE |      |        NATIONWIDE         |      |   NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL    |
               |     COMPANY (NW LIFE)     |      |    FINANCIAL SERVICES     |      | INSTITUTION DISTRIBUTORS  |
               |                           |      |      CAPITAL TRUST        |      |   AGENCY, INC. (NFIDAI)   |
               | Common Stock: 3,814,779   |      | Preferred Stock:          |      | Common Stock:     1,000   |
               | ------------  Shares      |      | ---------------           |      | ------------      Shares  |
               |                           |      |                           |      |                           |
               | NFS--100%                 |      | NFS--100%                 |      | NFS--100%                 |
               ----------------|------------      -----------------------------      ---------------||------------
                               |                                                                    ||  
- -----------------------------  |  -----------------------------      -----------------------------  ||  ----------------------------
|    NATIONWIDE LIFE AND    |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |      |     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |  ||  |                          |
| ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY |  |  |  ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.  |      |    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY    |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |      (NW ADV. SERV.)      |      |      OF ALABAMA, INC.     |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 66,000      |  |  | Common Stock: 7,676       |      | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|--| ------------  Shares      |==||  | ------------  Shares      |--||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |       OF OHIO, INC.      |
|               Cost        |  |  |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life -100% $58,070,003 |  |  | NW Life -100% $5,996,261  |  ||  | NFIDAI -100% $100         |  ||  |                          |
- -----------------------------  |  -----------------------------  ||  -----------------------------  ||  ----------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                 ||                              
- -----------------------------  |  -----------------------------  ||  -----------------------------  ||  ----------------------------
|         NWE, INC.         |  |  |        NATIONWIDE         |  ||  |    LANDMARK FINANCIAL     |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |  INVESTORS SERVICES, INC. |  ||  |        SERVICES OF        |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |       NEW YORK, INC.      |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 100         |  |  | Common Stock: 5 Shares    |  ||  | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|  | ------------              |--||  | ------------  Shares      |--||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |     OF OKLAHOMA, INC.    |
|               Cost        |  |  |                     Cost  |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |                     ----  |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life -100% $35,971,375 |  |  | NW Adv. Serv. -100% $5,000|  ||  | NFIDAI -100% $10,100      |  ||  |                          |
- -----------------------------  |  -----------------------------  ||  -----------------------------  ||  ----------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                 ||    
- -----------------------------  |  -----------------------------  ||  -----------------------------  ||  ----------------------------
|   NATIONWIDE INVESTMENT   |  |  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS     |  ||  |     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |  ||  |                          |
|   SERVICES CORPORATION    |  |  |     INVESTMENT TRUST      |  ||  |      SECURITIES CORP.     |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 5,000       |  |  |                           |  ||  | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|  |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |--||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |       OF TEXAS, INC.     |
|               Cost        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life -100% $529,728    |  |  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||  | NFIDAI -100% $153,000     |  ||  |                          |
- -----------------------------  |  -----------------------------  ||  -----------------------------  ||  ----------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                 ||                    
- -----------------------------  |  -----------------------------  ||  -----------------------------  ||  ----------------------------
|     NATIONWIDE REALTY     |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||  |   AFFILIATE AGENCY, INC.  |  ||  |                          |
|      INVESTORS, LTD.      |  |  |         INVESTING         |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |         FOUNDATION        |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
| Units:                    |  |  |                           |  ||  | Common Stock: 100         |  ||  |          AFFILIATE       |
| ------                    |..|  |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |--||==|          AGENCY OF       |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |      |          OHIO, INC.      |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |               Cost        |      |                          |
| NW Life -90%              |  |  |                           |  ||  |               ----        |      |                          |
| NW Mutual-10%             |  |  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||  | NFIDAI -100% $100         |      |                          |
- -----------------------------  |  -----------------------------  ||  -----------------------------      ----------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                                                
- -----------------------------  |  -----------------------------  ||  -----------------------------
|        NATIONWIDE         |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||  |        NATIONWIDE         | 
|       PROPERTIES, LTD.    |  |  |          INVESTING        |  ||  |         INVESTING         | 
|                           |  |  |        FOUNDATION II      |  ||  |       FOUNDATION III      | 
| Units:                    |..|  |                           |  ||  |                           | 
| ------                    |     |                           |==||==|                           | 
|                           |     |                           |  ||  |                           | 
|                           |     |                           |  ||  |                           |      ----------------------
| NW Life -97.6%            |     |                           |  ||  |                           |      |  MORLEY RESEARCH   |
| NW Mutual -2.4%           |     |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||  |    OHIO BUSINESS TRUST    |      |  ASSOCIATES, LTD.  |
- -----------------------------     -----------------------------  ||  -----------------------------      |                    |
                                                                 ||                                     |Common Stock: 1,000 |
                                  -----------------------------  ||  -----------------------------      |------------- Shares|------
                                  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||  |         NATIONWIDE        |      |              Cost  |
                                  |      SEPARATE ACCOUNT     |  ||  |  ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST   |      |              ----  |
                                  |            TRUST          |  ||  |                           |      |Morley-100%   $1,000|
                                  |                           |  ||  |                           |      ----------------------
                                  |                           |==||==|                           |      
                                  |                           |      |                           |      
                                  |                           |      |                           |      
                                  |                           |      |        MASSACHUSETTS      |      
                                  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |      |       BUSINESS TRUST      |      
                                  -----------------------------      -----------------------------
</TABLE>                           
<PAGE>   70
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                           (Center)
                                               NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE (R)
<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
- --------------------------------------------------                                --------------------------------------------------
|               NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                |                                |                NATIONWIDE MUTUAL               |
|               INSURANCE COMPANY                |================================|            FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY              |
|                  (CASUALTY)                    |                   |            |                    (FIRE)                      |
- --------------------------------------------------                   |            --------------------------------------------------
                                                                     |             
                                                  -----------------------------------------
                                                  |    NATIONWIDE CORPORATION (NW CORP)   |
                                                  |   Common Stock:           Control:    |
                                                  |   ------------            -------     |
                                                  |    13,642,432               100%      |
                                                  |              Shares      Cost         |
                                                  |             ------      ----          |
                                                  |Casualty     12,992,922   $751,352,485 |
                                                  |Fire            649,510     24,007,936 |
                                                  -------------------|---------------------
                                                                     |--------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      ---------------|-------------                      
                                                      |    NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL   |                      
                                                      |    SERVICES, INC. (NFS)   |                       
                                                      |                           |                      
                                                      |Common Stock:  Control:    |                      
                                                      |------------   -------     |                      
                                                      |                           |                      
                                                      |                           |                      
                                                      |Class A      Public--100%  |                      
                                                      |Class B      NW Corp--100% |                      
                                                      ---------------|-------------                      
                                                                     |                                        
- -----------------|-------------------------------|-------------------|--------------------------------|-----------------------------
                 |                               |                   |                                |                  
    -------------|---------------  --------------|--------------     |                 ---------------|-------------
    |     MORLEY FINANCIAL      |  | THE 401(k) COMPANIES, INC.|     |                 |   NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT   |
    |  SERVICES, INC. (MORLEY)  |  |        (401(k))           |     |                 |      SOLUTIONS, INC.      |
    |Common Stock:  82,343      |  |Common Stock:   Control:   |     |                 |Common Stock: 236,494      |
|---|-------------  Shares      |  |-------------   -------    |--|  |                 |------------- Shares       |
|   |                           |  |Class A         Other-100% |  |  |                 |                           |
|   |NFS-100%                   |  |Class B         NFS  -100% |  |  |                 |NRS-100%                   |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------  |  |                 ---------------|-------------
|                                                                 |  |                                |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------  |  | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|   |         MORLEY &          |  |    401(k) INVESTMENT      |  |  | |   NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT   |  |  |  NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT  |
|   |     ASSOCIATES, INC.      |  |      SERVICES, INC.       |  |  | |    SOLUTIONS, INC. OF     |  |  |  SOLUTIONS, INC. OF NEW |
|   |                           |  |                           |  |  | |        ALABAMA            |  |  |         MEXICO          |
|   |Common Stock: 3,500        |  | Common Stock: 1,000,000   |  |  | | Common Stock: 10,000      |  |  | Common Stock: 1,000     |
|---|------------- Shares       |  | ------------- Shares      |--|  | | ------------- Shares      |--|--| ------------- Shares    |
|   |              Cost         |  |               Cost        |  |  | |               Cost        |  |  |             Cost        |
|   |              ----         |  |               ----        |  |  | |               ----        |  |  |             ----        |
|   |Morley-100%   $1,000       |  |401(k)-100%    $7,800      |  |  | |NRS-100%       $1,000      |  |  |NRS-100%     $1,000      |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------  |  | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|                                                                 |  |                                |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------  |  | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|   |       MORLEY CAPITAL      |  |    401(k) INVESTMENT      |  |  | |   NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT   |  |  | NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT   |
|   |         MANAGEMENT        |  |      ADVISORS, INC.       |  |  | |    SOLUTIONS, INC. OF     |  |  |  SOLUTIONS, INC. OF     |
|   |                           |  |                           |  |  | |         ARIZONA           |  |  |       SO. DAKOTA        |
|   |Common Stock: 500          |  |Common Stock: 1,000        |  |  | |Common Stock: 1,000        |  |  |Common Stock: 1,000      |
|---|------------- Shares       |  |------------- Shares       |--|  | |------------- Shares       |--|--|------------- Shares     |
|   |              Cost         |  |               Cost        |  |  | |               Cost        |  |  |             Cost        |
|   |              ----         |  |               ----        |  |  | |               ----        |  |  |             ----        |
|   |Morley-100%   $5,000       |  |401(k)-100%    $1,000      |  |  | |NRS-100%       $1,000      |  |  |NRS-100%     $1,000      |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------  |  | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|                                                                 |  |                                |                             
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------  |  | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|   |        UNION BOND         |  |     401(k) ICOMPANY       |  |  | |  NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT    |  |  |  NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT  |
|   |      & TRUST COMPANY      |  |                           |  |  | |   SOLUTIONS, INC. OF      |  |  |   SOLUTIONS, INC. OF    |
|   |                           |  |                           |  |  | |         ARKANSAS          |  |  |         WYOMING         |
|   |Common Stock: 2,000        |  |Common Stock: 855,000      |  |  | |Common Stock: 50,000       |  |  |Common Stock: 500        |
|---|------------- Shares       |  |------------- Shares       |--|  | |------------- Shares       |--|--|------------- Shares     |
|   |              Cost         |  |              Cost         |     | |              Cost         |  |  |              Cost       |
|   |              ----         |  |              ----         |     | |              ----         |  |  |              ----       |
|   |Morley-100%   $50,000      |  |401(k)-100%   $1,000       |     | |NRS-100%      $500         |  |  |NRS-100%      $500       |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------     | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|                                                                    |                                | 
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------     | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|   |    PORTLAND INVESTMENT    |  |     NATIONWIDE TRUST      |     | |   NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT   |  |  |  NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT  |
|   |      SERVICES, INC.       |  |       COMPANY, FSB        |     | |  SOLUTIONS, INS. AGENCY,  |  |  |   SOLUTIONS, INC. OF    |
|   |                           |  |                           |     | |            INC.           |  |  |           OHIO          |
|   |Common Stock: 1,000        |  |Common Stock: 2,800,000    |     | |Common Stock: 1,000        |  |  |                         |
|---|------------- Shares       |  |------------- Shares       |-----| |------------- Shares       |--|==|                         |
|   |              Cost         |  |              Cost         |     | |              Cost         |  |  |                         |
|   |              ----         |  |              ----         |     | |              ----         |  |  |                         |
|   |Morley-100%   $25,000      |  |NFS-100%      $3,500,000   |     | |NRS -100%     $1,000       |  |  |                         |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------     | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|                                                                    |                                |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------     | ----------------------------   |  ---------------------------
|   |     EXCALIBER FUNDING     |  |   NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL    |     | |   NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT   |  |  |  NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT  |
|   |       CORPORATION         |  | SERVICES CAPITAL TRUST II |     | |    SOLUTIONS, INC. OF     |  |  |   SOLUTIONS, INC. OF    |
|   |                           |  |                           |     | |         MONTANA           |  |  |        OKLAHOMA         |
|   |Common Stock: 1,000        |  |                           |     | |Common Stock: 500          |  |  |                         |
|---|------------- Shares       |  |                           |-----| |------------- Shares       |--|==|                         |
|   |              Cost         |  |                           |     | |              Cost         |  |  |                         |
|   |              ----         |  |                           |     | |              ----         |  |  |                         |
|   |Morley-100%   $1,000       |  |NFS-100%                   |     | |NRS-100%      $500         |  |  |                         |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------     | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|                                                                    |                                |
|   -----------------------------  -----------------------------     | -----------------------------  |  ---------------------------
|   |     CALIBER FUNDING       |  |   NFS DISTRIBUTORS INC.   |     | |   NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT   |  |  |  NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT  |
|   |      CORPORATION          |  |                           |     | |    SOLUTIONS, INC. OF     |  |  |   SOLUTIONS, INC. OF    |
|   |                           |  |                           |     | |          NEVADA           |  |  |        TEXAS            |
|   |                           |  |                           |     | | Common Stock: 1,000       |  |  |                         |
|---|                           |  |                           |-----| | ------------- Shares      |--|==|                         |
    |                           |  |                           |       |               Cost        |     |                         |
    |                           |  |                           |       |               ----        |     |                         |
    |Morley-100%                |  |NFS-100%                   |       | NRS-100%      $1,000      |     |                         |
    -----------------------------  -----------------------------       -----------------------------     ---------------------------
                                   
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   71













<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                            (Right)
<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
- ------------------------------------------------|--------------------|---------------------------------------|
                                                |                    |                                       |
                                                |     ---------------|----------------         --------------|----------------
                                                |     | EMPLOYERS LIFE INSURANCE CO. |         |      GATES MCDONALD         |
                                                |     |       OF WAUSAU (ELIOW)      |         |     & COMPANY (GATES)       |
                                                |     |                              |         |                             |
                                                |     |Common Stock:    250,000      |         |Common Stock:    254         |
                                                |  |--|-------------    Shares       |      |--|-------------    Shares      |
                                                |  |  |                              |      |  |                             |
                                                |  |  |                 Cost         |      |  |                 Cost        |
                                                |  |  |                 ----         |      |  |                 ----        |
                                                |  |  |NW CORP. -100%   $126,509,480 |      |  |NW CORP. -100%   $25,683,532 |
                                                |  |  --------------------------------      |  -------------------------------
- ------------                                    |  |                                        |
           |  --------------------------------  |  |  --------------------------------      |  --------------------------------
           |  |       NATIONWIDE TRUST       |  |  |  |       WAUSAU PREFERRED       |      |  |          HEALTHCARE          |
           |  |           COMPANY            |  |  |  |      HEALTH INSURANCE CO.    |      |  |          FIRST, INC.         |
           |  |                              |  |  |  |                              |      |  |                              |
           |  |Common Stock:    2,800,000    |  |  |  |Common Stock:    200          |      |  |                              |
           |--|-------------    Shares       |  |  |--|-------------    Shares       |      |--|                              |
           |  |                              |  |     |                              |      |  |                              |
           |  |                 Cost         |  |     |                 Cost         |      |  |                 Cost         |
           |  |                 ----         |  |     |                 ----         |      |  |                 ----         |
           |  |NFS-100%         $3,500,000   |  |     |ELIOW -100%      $57,413,193  |      |  |Gates-100%       $6,700,000   |
           |  --------------------------------  |     --------------------------------      |  --------------------------------
           |                                    |                                           |
           |  --------------------------------  |     --------------------------------      |  -------------------------------
           |  |     NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL     |  |     |       NATIONWIDE GLOBAL      |      |  |  GATES MCDONALD & COMPANY  |
           |  |    SERVICES (BERMUDA) INC.   |  |     |      HOLDINGS, INC. (NGH)    |      |  |      OF NEW YORK, INC.      |
           |  |                              |  |     |                              |      |  |                             |
           |  |Common Stock:    250,000      |  |     |Common Stock:    1            |      |  |Common Stock:   3            |
           |--|-------------    Shares       |  |-----|-------------    Share        |      |--|-------------   Shares       |
           |  |                              |  |     |                              |      |  |                             |
           |  |                 Cost         |  |     |                 Cost         |      |  |                 Cost        |
           |  |                 ----         |  |     |                 ----         |      |  |                 ----        |
           |  |NFS-100%         $3,500,000   |  |     |NW CORP.-100%    $7,000,000   |      |  |Gates-100%       $106,947    |
           |  --------------------------------  |     --------------------------------      |  -------------------------------
           |                                    |                    |                      |
           |  --------------------------------  |     --------------------------------      |  -------------------------------
           |  |     NATIONWIDE DEFERRED      |  |     |  NATIONWIDE GLOBAL HOLDINGS  |      |  |   GATES MCDONALD & COMPANY  |
           |  |      COMPENSATION, INC.      |  |     |     -HONG KONG, LIMITED      |      |  |         OF NEVADA           |
           |  |                              |  |     |                              |      |  |                             |
           |  |                              |  |     |Common Stock:    2            |      |  |Common Stock:    40          |
           |--|                              |  |     |-------------    Shares       |      |--|-------------    Shares      |
           |  |                              |  |     |                              |      |  |                             |
           |  |                              |  |     |                              |      |  |                 Cost        |
           |  |                              |  |     |                              |      |  |                 ----        |
           |  |NFS-100%                      |  |     |NGH-100%                      |      |  |Gates-100%       $93,750     |
           |  --------------------------------  |     --------------------------------      |  -------------------------------
           |                                    |                                           |
           |  --------------------------------  |     --------------------------------      |  -------------------------------
           |  |       IRVIN L. SCHWARTZ      |  |     |          NATIONWIDE          |      |  |      GATES McDONALD         |
           |  |      AND ASSOCIATES, INC.    |  |     |    HEALTH PLANS, INC. (NHP)  |      |  |     HEALTH PLUS, INC.       |
           |  |                              |  |     |                              |      |  |                             |
           |  |Common Stock:    Control      |  |     |Common Stock:    100          |      |  |Common Stock:    200         |
           |--|-------------    -------      |  |-----|-------------    Shares       |--|   |--|-------------    Shares      |
              |                              |  |     |                              |  |      |                             |
              |                              |  |     |                 Cost         |  |      |                 Cost        |
              |Class A          Other-100%   |  |     |                 ----         |  |      |                 ----        |
              |Class B          NFS  -100%   |  |     |NW CORP.-100%    $14,603,732  |  |      |Gates-100%       $2,000,000  |
              --------------------------------  |     --------------------------------  |      -------------------------------
                                                |                                       |
              --------------------------------  |     --------------------------------  |
              |     MRM INVESTMENTS, INC.    |  |     |    NATIONWIDE MANAGEMENT     |  |
              |                              |  |     |         SYSTEMS, INC.        |  |
              |                              |  |     |                              |  |
              |Common Stock:    1            |  |     |Common Stock:    100          |  |
              |-------------    Share        |--|     |-------------    Shares       |--|
              |                              |        |                              |  |
              |                 Cost         |        |                 Cost         |  |
              |                 ----         |        |                 ----         |  |
              |NW CORP.-100%    $7,000,000   |        |NHP Inc.-100%    $25,149      |  |
              --------------------------------        --------------------------------  |
                                                                                        |
                                                      --------------------------------  |
                                                      |          NATIONWIDE          |  |
                                                      |         AGENCY, INC.         |  |
                                                      |                              |  |
                                                      |Common Stock:    100          |  |
                                                      |------------     Shares       |--|
                                                      |                              |   
                                                      |                 Cost         | 
                                                      |                 ----         |
                                                      |NHP Inc.-99%     $116,077     |
                                                      --------------------------------

                                                                                Subsidiary Companies    --   Solid Line

                                                                                Contractual Association  --  Double Line
                                                                                
                                                                                Limited Liability Company -- Dotted Line


     
                                                                                                         December 31, 1998

                                                                                                                    Page 2
</TABLE>
                                                
                                                                              
<PAGE>   72

   
Item 27.      NUMBER OF CONTRACT OWNERS
              The number of Contract Owners of Qualified and Non-Qualified
              Contracts as of January 31, 1999 was 794 and 929 respectively.
    

Item 28.      INDEMNIFICATION

   
              Provision is made in Nationwide's Amended and Restated Code of
              Regulations and expressly authorized by the General Corporation
              Law of the State of Ohio, for indemnification by Nationwide of any
              person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party
              to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
              proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
              investigative by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
              director, officer or employee of Nationwide, against expenses,
              including attorneys fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in
              settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
              connection with such action, suit or proceeding, to the extent and
              under the circumstances permitted by the General Corporation Law
              of the State of Ohio.

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

Item 29.      PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
   
              (a)   INVESTMENT COMPANIES FOR WHICH VAN KAMPEN FUNDS INC. ACTS AS
                    PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER OR DEPOSITOR AS OF APRIL 5, 1999

                    Van Kampen U.S. Government Trust
                          Van Kampen U.S. Government Fund
                    Van Kampen Tax Free Trust 
                          Van Kampen Insured Tax Free Income Fund
                          Van Kampen Tax Free High Income Fund
                          Van Kampen California Insured Tax Free Fund
                          Van Kampen Municipal Income Fund 
                          Van Kampen Intermediate Term Municipal Income Fund
                          Van Kampen Florida Insured Tax Free Income Fund 
                          Van Kampen New York Tax Free Income Fund
                          Van Kampen California Tax Free Income Fund*
                          Van Kampen Michigan Tax Free Income Fund*
                          Van Kampen Missouri Tax Free Income Fund*
                          Van Kampen Ohio Tax Free Income Fund*
                    Van Kampen Trust
                          Van Kampen High Yield Fund
                          Van Kampen Short-Term Global Income Fund
                          Van Kampen Strategic Income Fund
                    Van Kampen Equity Trust Van Kampen Aggressive Growth Fund
                          Van Kampen Great American Companies Fund* 
    


                                   101 of 112
<PAGE>   73

   
                          Van Kampen Growth Fund 
                          Van Kampen Mid Cap Value Fund*
                          Van Kampen Prospector Fund*
                          Van Kampen Small Cap Value Fund*
                          Van Kampen Utility Fund
                    Van Kampen Equity Trust II
                          Van Kampen Technology Fund* 
                    Van Kampen Pennsylvania Tax Free Income Fund 
                    Van Kampen Tax Free Money Fund
                    Van Kampen Prime Rate Income Trust
                    Van Kampen Senior Floating Rate Fund
                    Van Kampen Comstock Fund 
                    Van Kampen Corporate Bond Fund
                    Van Kampen Emerging Growth Fund
                    Van Kampen Enterprise Fund
                    Van Kampen Equity Income Fund
                    Van Kampen Exchange Fund
                    The Explorer Institutional Trust
                          Explorer Institutional Active Core Fund
                          Explorer Institutional Limited Duration Fund
                    Van Kampen Limited Maturity Government Fund 
                    Van Kampen Global Managed Assets Fund
                    Van Kampen Government Securities Fund
                    Van Kampen Growth and Income Fund
                    Van Kampen Harbor Fund
                    Van Kampen High Income Corporate Bond Fund
                    Van Kampen Life Investment Trust on behalf of its series
                           Asset Allocation Portfolio
                           Comstock Portfolio*
                           Domestic Income Portfolio
                           Emerging Growth Portfolio
                           Enterprise Portfolio
                           Global Equity Portfolio
                           Government Portfolio
                           Growth and Income Portfolio
                           Money Market Portfolio
                           Strategic Stock Portfolio
                           Morgan Stanley Real Estate Securities Portfolio
                    Van Kampen Pace Fund
                    Van Kampen Real Estate Securities Fund
                    Van Kampen Reserve Fund
                    Van Kampen Tax - Exempt Trust
                          Van Kampen High Yield Municipal Fund
                    Van Kampen U.S. Government Trust for Income
                    Van Kampen World Portfolio Series Trust
                          Van Kampen Global Government Securities Fund
                    Van Kampen Series Fund, Inc.
                          Van Kampen Aggressive Equity Fund
                          Van Kampen American Value Fund
                          Van Kampen Asian Growth Fund
                          Van Kampen Emerging Markets Debt Fund*
    



                                   102 of 112
<PAGE>   74

   
                       Van Kampen Emerging Markets Fund
                       Van Kampen Equity Growth Fund
                       Van Kampen European Equity Fund
                       Van Kampen Global Equity Allocation Fund
                       Van Kampen Global Equity Fund
                       Van Kampen Global Fixed Income Fund
                       Van Kampen Global Franchise Fund 
                       Morgan Stanley Government Obligations Money Market Fund
                       Van Kampen Growth and Income Fund II*
                       Van Kampen High Yield & Total Return Fund
                       Van Kampen International Magnum Fund
                       Van Kampen Japanese Equity Fund*
                       Van Kampen Latin American Fund
                       Van Kampen Mid Cap Growth Fund* 
                       Morgan Stanley Money Market Fund 
                       Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Money Market Fund*
                       Van Kampen Value Fund 
                       Van Kampen Worldwide High Income Fund
    

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                             <C>
   
              Insured Municipals Income Trust                                   Series 408
              California Insured Municipals Income Trust                        Series 179
              Colorado Insured Municipals Income Trust                          Series 88
              Connecticut Insured Municipals Income Trust                       Series 38
              Florida Insured Municipals Income Trust                           Series 125
              Georgia Insured Municipals Income Trust                           Series 88
              Maryland Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust                      Series 88
              Michigan Insured Municipals Income Trust                          Series 154
              Minnesota Insured Municipals Income Trust                         Series 62
              Missouri Insured Municipals Income Trust                          Series 110
              New Jersey Insured Municipals Income Trust                        Series 126
              New York Insured Municipals Income Trust                          Series 148
              North Carolina Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust                Series 96
              Ohio Insured Municipals Income Trust                              Series 111
              Pennsylvania Insured Municipals Income Trust                      Series 241
              South Carolina Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust                Series 86
              Tennessee Insured Municipals Income Trust                         Series 41
              Tennessee Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust                     Series 1
              Virginia Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust                      Series 84
              Van Kampen American Capital Insured Income Trust                  Series 73
              Internet Trust                                                    Series 13
              The Dow(SM) Strategic 10 Trust                                    March 1999 Series
              The Dow(SM) Strategic 10 Trust                                    March 1999 Traditional Series
              The Dow(SM) Strategic 5 Trust                                     March 1999 Series
              The Dow(SM) Strategic 5 Trust                                     March 1999 Traditional Series
              EAFE Strategic 20 Trust                                           March 1999 Series
              EURO Strategic 20 Trust                                           March 1999 Series
              Strategic Picks Opportunity Trust                                 March 1999 Series
              Great International Firms Trust                                   Series 8
              Dow 30 Index Trust                                                Series 6
              Dow 30 Index and Treasury Trust                                   Series 8
              Baby Boomer Opportunity Trust                                     Series 7
              Global Energy Trust                                               Series 8
    
</TABLE>



                                   103 of 112
<PAGE>   75

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                             <C>
   
              Brand Name Equity Trust                                           Series 9
              Edward Jones Select Growth Trust                                  January 1999 Series
              Banking Trust                                                     Series 5
              Morgan Stanley High-Technology 35 Index Trust                     Series 5
              Health Care Trust                                                 Series 5
              Telecommunications Trust                                          Series 5
              Utility Trust                                                     Series 5
              Financial Services Trust                                          Series 4
              Roaring 2000s Trust                                               Series 1
              Roaring 2000s Trust Traditional                                   Series 1
              Morgan Stanley Euro Tec Trust                                     Series 2
              Josepthal - Research Series Power Portfolio                       Series 1
              NatCity - Great American Equities Trust                           Series 2
              Wheat First Blue Chip Advantage Trust                             Series 1
              Baird - Preferred Income Portfolio                                Series 1
    
</TABLE>
                         * Funds that have not commenced investment operations.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         OFFICERS
                                                  VAN KAMPEN FUNDS INC.

NAME                                OFFICE                                            LOCATION

<S>                                 <C>                                               <C>
Richard F. Powers III               Chairman & Chief Executive Officer                Oakbrook Terrace, IL

John H. Zimmerman III               President                                         Oakbrook Terrace, IL

A. Thomas Smith III                 Executive Vice President, General                 Oakbrook Terrace, IL
                                    Counsel & Secretary; Vice President and Secretary of the Funds

William R. Rybak                    Executive Vice President, Chief
                                    Financial Officer & Treasurer                     Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Michael H. Santo                    Executive Vice President & Chief
                                    Administrative Officer                            Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Paul R. Wolkenberg                  Executive Vice President:                         Oakbrook Terrace, IL
                                    Vice President of the Funds

Laurence J. Althoff                 Sr. Vice President & Controller                   Oakbrook Terrace, IL

James J. Boyne                      Sr. Vice President, Associate General             Oakbrook Terrace, IL
                                    Counsel & Assistant Secretary

Gary R. DeMoss                      Sr. Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL

John E. Doyle                       Sr. Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Richard G. Golod,                   Sr. Vice President                                Annapolis, MD

Steven T. Johnson                   Sr. Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Scott E. Martin                     Sr. Vice President, Deputy General                Oakbrook Terrace, IL
                                    Counsel & Assistant Secretary;Assistant Secretary of the Funds

Walter E. Rein                      Sr. Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL

James J. Ryan                       Sr. Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Colette M. Saucedo                  Sr. Vice President                                Houston, TX

Frederick Shepherd                  Sr. Vice President                                Houston, TX

Steven P. Sorenson                  Sr. Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Michael L. Stallard                 Sr. Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Robert S. West                      Sr. Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Patrick J. Woelfel                  Sr. Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Edward G. Wood, III                 Sr. Vice President,Chief Operating Officer;       Oakbrook Terrace, IL
                                    Vice President of the Funds
</TABLE>


                                   104 of 112
<PAGE>   76

<TABLE>

<S>                                 <C>                                               <C>
   
Patricia A. Bettlach                1st Vice President                                Chesterfield, MO

Glenn M. Cackovic                   1st Vice President                                Laguna Niguel, CA

Eric J. Hargens                     1st Vice President                                Orlando, FL

Gregory Heffington                  1st Vice President                                Ft. Collins, CO

David S. Hogaboom                   1st Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Dominic C. Martellaro               1st Vice President                                Danville, CA

Carl Mayfield                       1st Vice President                                Lakewood, CO

Mark R. McClure                     1st Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Maura A. McGrath                    1st Vice President                                New York, NY

Thomas Rowley                       1st Vice President                                St. Louis, MO

Andrew J. Scherer                   1st Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL 

George J. Vogel                     1st Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL

James D. Stevens                    1st Vice President                                North Andover, MA

James R. Yount                      1st Vice President                                Mercer Island, WA

Robert J. Abreu                     Vice President                                    New York, NY

James K. Ambrosio                   Vice President                                    Massapequa, NY

Brian P. Arcara                     Vice President                                    Buffalo, NY

Scott C. Bemstiel                   Vice President                                    Plainsboro, NJ

Carol S. Biegel                     Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Christopher M. Bisaillon            Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Michael P. Boos                     Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Robert C. Brooks                    Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Elizabeth M. Brown                  Vice President                                    Houston, TX

William F. Burke, Jr.               Vice President                                    Mendham, NJ

Loren Burket                        Vice President                                    Plymouth, MN

Christine Cleary Byrum              Vice President                                    Tampa, FL

Daniel R. Chambers                  Vice President                                    Austin, TX

Richard J. Charlino                 Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Deanne Margaret Chiaro              Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Scott A. Chriske                    Vice President                                    Plano, TX

German Clavijo                      Vice President                                    Atlanta, GA

Eleanor M. Cloud                    Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Dominick Cogliandro                 Vice President & Asst. Treasurer                  New York, NY

Michael Colston                     Vice President                                    Louisville, KY

Suzanne Cummings                    Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Nicholas Dalmaso                    Vice President, Associate General                 Oakbrook Terrace, IL
                                    Counsel & Asst. Secretary;Assistant Secretary of the Funds

Michael E. Eccleston                Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Christopher J. Egan                 Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

William J. Fow                      Vice President                                    Redding, CT

Nicholas J. Foxhoven                Vice President                                    Englewood, CO

Charles Friday                      Vice President                                    Gibsonia, PA

Timothy D. Griffith                 Vice President                                    Kirkland, WA

Kyle D. Haas                        Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Daniel Hamilton                     Vice President                                    Austin, TX

John G. Hansen                      Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Joseph Hays                         Vice President                                    Cherry Hill, NJ

Susan J. Hill                       Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Thomas R. Hindelang                 Vice President                                    Gilbert, AZ

Bryn M. Hoggard                     Vice President                                    Houston, TX

Michael B. Hughes                   Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL
    
</TABLE>


                                   105 of 112
<PAGE>   77

<TABLE>

<S>                                 <C>                                               <C>
   
Robert S. Hunt                      Vice President                                    Phoenix, MD

Lowell Jackson                      Vice President                                    Norcross, GA

Kevin G. Jajuga                     Vice President                                    Baltimore, MD

Dana R. Klein                       Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Frederick Kohly                     Vice President                                    Miami, FL

David R. Kowalski                   Vice President & Director of Compliance           Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Richard D. Kozlowski                Vice President                                    Atlanta, GA

Patricia D. Lathrop                 Vice President                                    Tampa, FL

Brian Laux                          Vice President                                    Staten Island, NY

Tony E. Leal                        Vice President                                    Daphne, AL

S. William Lehew III                Vice President                                    Charlotte, NC

Eric Levinson                       Vice President                                    San Francisco, CA

Jonathan Linstra                    Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Richard M. Lundgren                 Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Walter Lynn                         Vice President                                    Flower Mound, TX

Linda S. MacAyeal                   Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Kevin S. Marsh                      Vice President                                    Bellevue, WA

Brooks D. McCartney                 Vice President                                    Puyallup, WA

Anne Therese McGrath                Vice President                                    Los Gatos, CA

John Mills                          Vice President                                    Kenner, LA

Stuart R. Moehlman                  Vice President                                    Houston, TX

Ted Morrow                          Vice President                                    Dallas, TX

Robert Muller, Jr.                  Vice President                                    Cypress, TX

Peter Nicholas                      Vice President                                    Beverly, MA

Steven R. Norvid                    Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL 

Todd W. Page                        Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Gregory S. Parker                   Vice President                                    Houston, TX

Christopher Petrungaro              Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Richard J. Poli                     Vice President                                    Philadelphia, PA

Ronald E. Pratt                     Vice President                                    Marietta, GA

Craig S. Prichard                   Vice President                                    Fairlawn, OH

Daniel D. Reams                     Vice President                                    Royal Oak, MI

Michael W. Rohr                     Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace. IL

Jeffrey L. Rose                     Vice President                                    Houston, TX

Suzette N. Rothberg                 Vice President                                    Plymouth, MN

Jeffrey Rourke                      Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Heather R. Sabo                     Vice President                                    Richmond, VA

Stephanie Scarlata                  Vice President                                    Bedford Corners, NY

Christina L. Schmieder              Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Ronald J. Schuster                  Vice President                                    Tampa, FL

Gwen L. Shaneyfalt                  Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Jeffrey C. Shirk                    Vice President                                    Swampscott, MA

Traci T. Sorenson                   Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Kimberly M. Spangler                Vice President                                    Fairfax, VA

Darren D. Stabler                   Vice President                                    Phoenix, AZ

Christopher J. Staniforth           Vice President                                    Leawood, KS

Richard Stefanec                    Vice President                                    Los Angles, CA

William C. Strafford                Vice President                                    Granger, IN

Mark A. Syswerda                    Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

John F. Tierney                     Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Curtis L. Ulvestad                  Vice President                                    Red Wing, MN
    
</TABLE>


                                   106 of 112
<PAGE>   78

<TABLE>

<S>                                 <C>                                               <C>
   
Todd A. Volkman                     Vice President                                    Austin, TX

Daniel B. Waldron                   Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Jeff Warland                        Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Weston B. Wetherell                 Vice President, Assoc. General                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL
                                    Counsel & Asst. Secretary;Assistant Secretary of the Funds

Frank L. Wheeler                    Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Harold Whitworth, III               Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Thomas M. Wilson                    Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Barbara A. Withers                  Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

David M. Wynn                       Vice President                                    Phoenix, AZ

Patrick M. Zacchea                  Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Scott F. Becker                     Asst. Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Brian E. Binder                     Asst. Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Joan E. Blackwood                   Asst. Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Billie J. Bronaugh                  Asst. Vice President                              Houston, TX

Gregory T. Brunk                    Asst. Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Gina Costello                       Asst. Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Sarah K. Geiser                     Asst. Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Walter C. Gray                      Asst. Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Laurie L. Jones                     Asst. Vice President                              Houston, TX

Robin R. Jordan                     Asst. Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Ivan R. Lowe                        Asst. Vice President                              Houston, TX

Christine K. Putong                 Asst. Vice President & Asst. Secretary            Oakbrook Terrace, IL

David P. Robbins                    Asst. Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Regina Rosen                        Asst. Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Pamela S. Salley                    Asst. Vice President                              Houston, TX

Vanessa M. Sanchez                  Asst. Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Thomas J. Sauerborn                 Asst. Vice President                              New York, NY

Bruce Saxon                         Asst. Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL

David T. Saylor                     Asst. Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Lauren B. Sinai                     Asst. Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Kristen L. Transier                 Asst. Vice President                              Houston, TX

David H. Villarreal                 Asst. Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Sharon M. C. Wells                  Asst. Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Cathy Napoli                        Assistant Secretary                               Oakbrook Terrace, IL

John Browning                       Officer                                           Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Leticia George                      Officer                                           Houston, TX

William D. McLaughlin               Officer                                           Houston, TX

Rebecca Newman                      Officer                                           Houston, TX

Theresa M. Renn                     Officer                                           Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Larry Vickrey                       Officer                                           Houston, TX

John Yovanovic                      Officer                                           Houston, TX
    
</TABLE>





                                   107 of 112
<PAGE>   79


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        DIRECTORS
                                                  VAN KAMPEN FUNDS INC.

         NAME                              OFFICE                         LOCATION

<S>                                        <C>                            <C>
   
         Richard F. Powers III             Chairman & Chief               1 Parkview Plaza
                                           Executive Officer              P.O. Box 5555
                                                                          Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555

         A. Thomas Smith III               Executive Vice President,      1 Parkview Plaza
                                           General Counsel &              P.O. Box 5555
                                           Secretary                      Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555

         William R. Rybak                  Executive Vice President,      1 Parkview Plaza
                                           Chief Financial Officer        P.O. Box 5555
                                           & Treasurer                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555

         John H. Zimmerman III             President                      1 Parkview Plaza
                                                                          P.O. Box 5555
                                                                          Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555
    
</TABLE>

Item 30.      LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

   
              John Davis
              Nationwide Life Insurance Company
              One Nationwide Plaza
              Columbus, OH  43216
    

Item 31.      MANAGEMENT SERVICES
              Not Applicable




                                   108 of 112
<PAGE>   80



Item 32.      UNDERTAKINGS

              The Registrant hereby undertakes to:

              (a)   file a post-effective amendment to this registration
                    statement as frequently as is necessary to ensure that the
                    audited financial statements in the registration statement
                    are never more than 16 months old for so long as payments
                    under the variable annuity contracts may be accepted;

              (b)   include either (1) as part of any application to purchase a
                    contract offered by the prospectus, a space that an
                    applicant can check to request a Statement of Additional
                    Information, or (2) a post card or similar written
                    communication affixed to or included in the prospectus that
                    the applicant can remove to send for a Statement of
                    Additional Information; and

              (c)   deliver any Statement of Additional Information and any
                    financial statements required to be made available under
                    this form promptly upon written or oral request.

   
              The Registrant represents that any of the contracts which are
              issued pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code are
              issued by Nationwide through the Registrant in reliance upon, and
              in compliance with, a no-action letter issued by the Staff of the
              SEC to the American Council of Life Insurance (publicly available
              November 28, 1988) permitting withdrawal restrictions to the
              extent necessary to comply with Section 403(b)(11) of the Internal
              Revenue Code.

              Nationwide represents that the fees and the charges deducted under
              the contract in the aggregate are reasonable in relation to the
              services rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred, and the
              risks assumed by Nationwide.
    




                                   109 of 112


<PAGE>   81







                                   Offered by
                        Nationwide Life Insurance Company







                                   NATIONWIDE
                             LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY






                                   NATIONWIDE
                              VARIABLE ACCOUNT - 3



                                    DEFERRED
                            VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT








   
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                   MAY 1, 1999
    





                                   110 of 112
<PAGE>   82


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance Company and Contract Owners
of the Nationwide Variable Account-3:

We consent to the use of our reports included herein and to the reference to our
firm under the heading "Services" in the Statement of Additional Information.



                                                                        KPMG LLP



   
Columbus, Ohio
April 29, 1999
    




                                   111 of 112
<PAGE>   83


                                   SIGNATURES

   
As required by the Securities Act of 1933, and the Investment Company Act of
1940, the Registrant, NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-3, certifies that it meets the
requirements of Securities Act Rule 485(b) for effectiveness of this
Post-Effective Amendment and has caused this Post-Effective Amendment to be
signed on its behalf in the City of Columbus, and State of Ohio, on this 29th
day of April, 1999.
    

                                       NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-3
                              -----------------------------------------
                                              (Registrant)

                                     NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                              -----------------------------------------
                                               (Depositor)


                                            By/s/JOSEPH P. RATH
                              -----------------------------------------
                                             Joseph P. Rath
                              Vice President- Product and Market Compliance

   
As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 29th day
of April, 1999.
    

              SIGNATURE                    TITLE
LEWIS J. ALPHIN                          Director
- -------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin

A. I. BELL                               Director
- -------------------------
A. I. Bell

KENNETH D. DAVIS                         Director
- -------------------------
Kenneth D. Davis

KEITH W. ECKEL                           Director
- -------------------------
Keith W. Eckel

WILLARD J. ENGEL                         Director
- -------------------------
Willard J. Engel

FRED C. FINNEY                           Director
- -------------------------
Fred C. Finney

JOSEPH J. GASPER               President and Chief Operating
- -------------------------          Officer and Director
Joseph J. Gasper                   

DIMON R. MCFERSON              Chairman and Chief Executive
- -------------------------          Officer and Director
Dimon R. McFerson                  

DAVID O. MILLER                  Chairman of the Board and
- -------------------------                Director
David O. Miller                          

YVONNE L. MONTGOMERY                     Director
- -------------------------
Yvonne L. Montgomery

ROBERT A. OAKLEY            Executive Vice President and Chief
- -------------------------            Financial Officer
Robert A. Oakley                     

RALPH M. PAIGE                           Director
- -------------------------
Ralph M. Paige

JAMES F. PATTERSON                       Director
- -------------------------
James F. Patterson

ARDEN L. SHISLER                         Director         By /s/ JOSEPH P. RATH
- -------------------------                              -------------------------
Arden L. Shisler                                             Joseph P. Rath   
                                                                              
ROBERT L. STEWART                        Director           Attorney-in-Fact  
- -------------------------                                   
Robert L. Stewart

NANCY C. THOMAS                          Director
- -------------------------
Nancy C. Thomas





© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission