NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT 4
485BPOS, 2000-10-24
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<PAGE>   1

                         As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                       '33 Act File No. 33-25734
                                                       '40 Act File No. 811-5701

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

                                  UNITED STATES
                       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-4
                           (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


    PATRICIA R. HATLER, 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, 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 November 1, 2000 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule (485)
[ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
    previously filed post-effective amendment.


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


<PAGE>   2

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


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

N-4 ITEM                                                                                                 CAPTION
<S>        <C>                                      <C>                         <C>    <C>            <C>
PART A     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS
Item 1.    Cover Page.................................................................................Cover Page
Item 2.    Definitions.................................................................Glossary of Special Terms
Item 3.    Synopsis or Highlights......................................................Synopsis of the Contracts
Item 4.    Condensed Financial Information.......................................Condensed Financial Information
Item 5.    General Description of Registrant, Depositor, and Portfolio
                Companies ..........................Nationwide Life Insurance Company; Investing in the Contract
Item 6.    Deductions and Expenses...............................................Standard Charges and Deductions
Item 7.    General Description of Variable
           Annuity Contracts.......................................Contract Ownership; Operation of the Contract
Item 8.    Annuity Period...............................................................Annuitizing the Contract
Item 9.    Death Benefit and Distributions........................................................Death Benefits
Item 10.   Purchases and Contract Value................................................Operation of the Contract
Item 11.   Redemptions....................................................................Surrender (Redemption)
Item 12.   Taxes  ....................................................................Federal Tax Considerations
Item 13.   Legal Proceedings...................................................................Legal Proceedings
Item 14.   Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional
                Information.........................Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information

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

PART C     OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.............................................................Item 24
Item 25.   Directors and Officers of the Depositor.......................................................Item 25
Item 26.   Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with
                the Depositor or Registrant..............................................................Item 26
Item 27.   Number of Contract Owners.....................................................................Item 27
Item 28.   Indemnification...............................................................................Item 28
Item 29.   Principal Underwriter.........................................................................Item 29
Item 30.   Location of Accounts and Records..............................................................Item 30
Item 31.   Management Services...........................................................................Item 31
Item 32.   Undertakings..................................................................................Item 32
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   3





                      SUPPLEMENT DATED NOVEMBER 1, 2000, TO
                        PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 2000, FOR
                       DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
                                    ISSUED BY
                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                   THROUGH ITS
                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT - 4

THIS SUPPLEMENT UPDATES CERTAIN INFORMATION CONTAINED IN YOUR PROSPECTUS. PLEASE
READ IT AND KEEP IT WITH YOUR PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

1.   AN APPLICATION HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
     ("SEC") FOR AN ORDER PERMITTING THE SUBSTITUTION OF SHARES OF THE
     UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS IN COLUMN A ("EXISTING FUNDS") OF THE FOLLOWING
     TABLE WITH SHARES OF THE UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS IN COLUMN B ("REPLACEMENT
     FUNDS"). UNTIL AN ORDER IS GRANTED BY THE SEC, BOTH INVESTMENT OPTIONS WILL
     BE AVAILABLE TO ALL CONTRACT OWNERS AS UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND OPTIONS. IF
     AN ORDER IS GRANTED, INFORMATION WILL BE SENT TO ALL CONTRACT OWNERS
     REGARDING THE "EXCHANGE DATE" ON WHICH THE EXISTING FUNDS WILL BE
     ELIMINATED AS INVESTMENT OPTIONS AND SUBSTITUTED WITH THE REPLACEMENT
     FUNDS.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------

                      Column A                                              Column B
                   Existing Funds                                       Replacement Funds
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>
Smith Barney Variable Account Funds - Income and       Travelers Series Fund, Inc. - Smith Barney Large
Growth Portfolio                                       Cap Value Portfolio

Smith Barney Variable Account Funds - Reserve          Travelers Series Fund, Inc. - Smith Barney Money
Account Portfolio                                      Market Portfolio

Smith Barney Variable Account Funds - U.S.             Federated Insurance Series - Federated Quality
Government/High Quality Securities Portfolio           Bond Fund II
</TABLE>

2.   THE "SURRENDER (REDEMPTION)" PROVISION OF YOUR PROSPECTUS IS AMENDED TO
     INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

     Nationwide is required by state law to reserve the right to postpone
     payment of assets in the fixed account for a period of up to six months
     from the date of the surrender request.

3.   THE FOLLOWING UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND IS ADDED AS AN INVESTMENT OPTION UNDER
     THE CONTRACT:

     FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES

     -      Federated Quality Bond Fund II

4.   THE "UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES" TABLE IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                 UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES

      (as a percentage of underlying mutual fund average net assets, after expense reimbursement)

                                                          Management       Other       12b-1    Total Underlying Mutual
                                                             Fees         Expenses      Fees         Fund Expenses
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>                                               <C>           <C>         <C>               <C>
           Federated Insurance Series - Federated            0.00%         0.68%       0.00%             0.68%
           Quality Bond Fund II
</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 in
     calculating 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




<PAGE>   4


     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>

                                 UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES

      (as a percentage of underlying mutual fund average net assets, before expense reimbursement)
                                                          Management       Other       12b-1    Total Underlying Mutual
                                                             Fees         Expenses      Fees         Fund Expenses
          ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         <S>                                                 <C>           <C>         <C>               <C>
          Federated Insurance Series - Federated             0.60%         0.89%       0.25%             1.74%
          Quality Bond Fund II
</TABLE>
5.   THE "EXAMPLE" CHART IN YOUR PROSPECTUS IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

     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 standard 7 year CDSC
     schedule and variable account charges of 1.30%. The example also reflects
     the $30 Contract Maintenance Charge expressed as a percentage of the
     average account size for existing contracts. Since the average contract
     account sized issued under this prospectus is greater than $1,000, the
     expense effect of the Contract Maintenance Charge is reduced accordingly.
     Deductions for premium taxes are not reflected but may apply.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                  If you surrender your      If you do not surrender your  If you annuitize your contract
                               contract at the end of the     contract at the end of the    at the end of the applicable
                                  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>
             Federated          91     111    140     244      21     66     113     244      *      66     113      244
             Insurance
             Series -
             Federated
             Quality Bond
             Fund II
             -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
     *The contracts sold under this prospectus do not permit annuitization
     during the first two contract years.

6.   "APPENDIX A: OBJECTIVES FOR UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS" OF YOUR PROSPECTUS IS
     AMENDED TO INCLUDE:

     FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES

     Federated Insurance Series (the "Trust"), an Open-End Management Investment
     Company, was established as a Massachusetts business trust, under a
     Declaration of Trust dated September 15, 1993. The Trust offers its shares
     only as investment vehicles for variable annuity and variable life
     insurance products of insurance companies. Federated Investment Management
     Company serves as the investment adviser.

         FEDERATED QUALITY BOND FUND II

         Investment Objective: Current income by investing in investment grade
         fixed income securities.




                                       2

<PAGE>   5



                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                       Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts

       Issued by Nationwide Life Insurance Company through its Nationwide
                               Variable Account-4

                   The date of this prospectus is May 1, 2000.

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


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable annuities are complex investment products with unique benefits and
advantages that may be particularly useful to many investors in meeting
long-term savings and retirement needs. There are, however, costs and charges
associated with some of these unique benefits - costs and charges that do not
exist or are not present with other investment products. With help from
financial consultants or advisers, investors are encouraged to compare and
contrast the costs and benefits of the variable annuity described in this
prospectus with those of other investment products, including other variable
annuity or variable life insurance products offered by Nationwide Life Insurance
Company and its affiliates. This process will aid in determining whether the
purchase of the contract described in this prospectus is consistent with an
individual's goals, risk tolerance, marital status, tax situation, and other
personal characteristics and needs.


THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS BASIC INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE CONTRACTS
BEFORE INVESTING. PLEASE READ THIS PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY AND KEEP IT FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


THE FOLLOWING UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACTS:

GREENWICH STREET SERIES FUND (FORMERLY, SMITH BARNEY SERIES FUND)

-        Intermediate High Grade Portfolio
-        Total Return Portfolio

SMITH BARNEY VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS*

-        Income and Growth Portfolio
-        Reserve Account Portfolio
-        U.S. Government/High Quality Securities Portfolio

TRAVELERS SERIES FUND, INC.

-        Smith Barney Large Cap Value Portfolio (Formerly, Smith Barney Income
         and Growth Portfolio)
-        Smith Barney International Equity Portfolio
-        Smith Barney Money Market Portfolio

*Please note that the investment portfolios in Smith Barney Variable Account
Funds may be consolidated into other substantially similar existing funds. In
this regard, an application may be filed for a Securities and Exchange
Commission Order of Substitution to consolidate these portfolios. Please further
note that the U.S. Government/High Quality Securities Portfolio and The Reserve
Account Portfolio both have insufficient assets to invest in accordance with
their stated investment objectives, and we suggest that you consider contacting
your financial consultant or Nationwide at the number listed to arrange a
transfer of your assets from these funds to other available funds.

Purchase payments not invested in the underlying mutual fund options of the
Nationwide Variable Account-4 ("variable account") may be allocated to the fixed
account.

The Statement of Additional Information (dated May 1, 2000) 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 32.

For general information or to obtain FREE copies of the:

-        Statement of Additional Information;
-        prospectus, annual report or semi-annual reports for any underlying
         mutual fund; or
-        required Nationwide forms,

call:           1-800-848-6331

        TDD   1-800-238-3035


                                       1
<PAGE>   6

or write:

       NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
       ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA, 1-05-P1
       COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215

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 GOVERNMENT AGENCY
-        AVAILABLE IN EVERY 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.








                                       2
<PAGE>   7


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 of measure used to calculate the value of
variable annuity payments.

CONTRACT VALUE- The total value of all accumulation units in a contract plus 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 (IRA)- An annuity contract that qualifies for
favorable tax treatment under Section 408(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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 or Tax Sheltered
Annuity.

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

SUB-ACCOUNT- Divisions of the variable account for which accumulation units and
annuity units are separately maintained - each sub-account corresponds to a
single underlying mutual fund.

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-4, 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.







                                       3

<PAGE>   8






TABLE OF CONTENTS

GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS..........................

SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES.......................

UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL
     EXPENSES......................................

EXAMPLE............................................

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

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS...............................

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

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

TYPES OF CONTRACTS.................................
     Non-Qualified Annuity Contracts
     Individual Retirement Annuities (IRAs)
     Tax Sheltered Annuities
     Qualified Plans

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

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

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

OPERATION OF THE CONTRACT..........................
     Minimum Initial and Subsequent Purchase Payments
     Pricing
     Allocation of Purchase Payments
     Determining the Contract Value
     Transfers Prior to Annuitization
     Transfers After Annuitization
     Transfer Requests

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

SURRENDER (REDEMPTION).............................
     Partial Surrenders (Partial Redemptions)
     Full Surrenders (Full Redemptions)

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

ASSIGNMENT.........................................

CONTRACT OWNER SERVICES............................
     Dollar Cost Averaging
     Systematic Withdrawals

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

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

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

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

FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS.........................
     Federal Income Taxes
     Withholding
     Non-Resident Aliens
     Federal Estate, Gift, and Generation
        Skipping Transfer Taxes
     Charge for Tax
     Diversification
     Tax Changes







                                       4
<PAGE>   9



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

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS..................................

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
  INFORMATION

APPENDIX A: OBJECTIVES FOR UNDERLYING
  MUTUAL FUNDS.

APPENDIX B: CONDENSED FINANCIAL
  INFORMATION......................................









                                       5
<PAGE>   10



SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES

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

CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES

Maximum Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge ("CDSC").............................7%(1)
(as a percentage of purchase payments surrendered)

Range of CDSC over time:

Number of Completed Years from         CDSC Percentage
   Date of Purchase Payment
---------------------------------------------------------------
               0                              7%
               1                              6%
               2                              5%
               3                              4%
               4                              3%
               5                              2%
               6                              1%
               7                              0%

(1)  During the first contract year, the contract owner may withdraw without a
     CDSC any amount in order for the contract 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)  an amount equal to 10% of that purchase payment; or

     (b)  any amount withdrawn in order for the contract to meet minimum
          distribution requirements under the Internal Revenue Code.

This CDSC-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 as Tax Sheltered Annuities or
other Qualified Plans due to Internal Revenue Code restrictions.

MAXIMUM ANNUAL CONTRACT MAINTENANCE
CHARGE(2).........................................$30

VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES(3)

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



(2)  The contract maintenance charge is deducted annually from all contracts on
     each contract anniversary and upon a 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 available only for contracts issued as Tax Sheltered
Annuities or Qualified Contracts. Loans are not available in all states. In
addition, some states may not permit Nationwide to assess a loan processing fee
(see "Loan Privilege").







                                       6
<PAGE>   11


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES(1)

          (as a percentage of Underlying Mutual Fund net assets, after expense reimbursement)

                                                                                                12b-1        Total Mutual Fund
                                                 Management Fees         Other Expenses          Fees             Expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                    <C>               <C>                 <C>
Greenwich Street Series Fund -Intermediate            0.60%                  0.62%             0.00%               1.22%
High Grade Portfolio

Greenwich Street Series Fund -Total Return            0.75%                  0.04%             0.00%               0.79%
Portfolio

Smith Barney Variable Account Funds - Income          0.60%                  0.40%             0.00%               1.00%
and Growth Portfolio

Smith Barney Variable Account Funds -                 0.45%                  0.55%             0.00%               1.00%
Reserve Account Portfolio

Smith Barney Variable Account Funds - U.S.            0.45%                  0.55%             0.00%               1.00%
Government/High Quality Securities Portfolio

Travelers  Series  Fund,  Inc. - Smith Barney         0.65%                  0.02%             0.00%               0.67%
Large Cap Value Portfolio

Travelers Series Fund, Inc. - Smith Barney            0.90%                  0.10%             0.00%               1.00%
International Equity Portfolio

Travelers Series Fund, Inc. - Smith Barney            0.50%                  0.04%             0.00%               0.54%
Money Market Portfolio

</TABLE>

(1) 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 in calculating 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>

                                                                                              Total Underlying
                                               Management Fees         Other Expenses       Mutual Fund Expenses
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>                    <C>                     <C>
Smith Barney Variable Account Funds -               0.45%                  63.18%                  63.63%
Reserve Account Portfolio*

Smith Barney Variable Account Funds - U.S.          0.45%                  2.92%                   3.37%
Government/High Quality Securities
Portfolio*
</TABLE>





                                       7

<PAGE>   12


EXAMPLE



The following chart shows the expenses (in dollars) that would be incurred under
this contract assuming a $1,000 investment and 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 lesser than those shown below.

The example reflects expenses of both the variable account and the underlying
mutual funds.

The example reflects the standard 7 year CDSC schedule and the variable account
charges of 1.30%. The example also reflects the $30 Contract Maintenance Charge
expressed as a percentage of the average contract account size for existing
contracts. Since the average contract account size issued under this prospectus
is greater than $1,000, the expense effect of the Contract Maintenance Charge is
reduced accordingly. Deductions for premium taxes are not reflected but may
apply.




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>












                                 If you surrender your     If you do not surrender    If you annuitize your
                                 Contract at the end of    your Contract at the end   Contract at the end of
                                 the applicable time       of the applicable time     the applicable time
                                 period                    period                     period
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   1     3     5     10     1      3     5     10      1    3      5     10
                                   Yr.  Yrs.  Yrs.  Yrs.    Yr.   Yrs.  Yrs.   Yrs.   Yr.  Yrs.   Yrs.   Yrs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>  <C>   <C>   <C>     <C>    <C>  <C>    <C>     <C>  <C>   <C>    <C>
Greenwich Street Series Fund -     97   128   169   301     27     83   142    301     *    83    142    301
Intermediate High Grade
Portfolio

Greenwich Street Series Fund -     93   115   146   256     23     70   119    256     *    70    119    256
Total Return Portfolio

Smith Barney Variable Account      95   121   157   278     25     76   130    278     *    76    130    278
Funds- Income and Growth
Portfolio

Smith Barney Variable Account      95   121   157   278     25     76   130    278     *    76    130    278
Funds- Reserve Account Portfolio

Smith Barney Variable Account      95   121   157   278     25     76   130    278     *    76    130    278
Funds - U.S. Government/High
Quality Securities Portfolio

Travelers Series Fund, Inc. -      91   111   140   243     21     66   113    243     *    66    113    243
Smith Barney Large Cap Value
Portfolio

Travelers Series Fund, Inc. -      95   121   157   278     25     76   130    278     *    76    130    278
Smith Barney International
Equity Portfolio

Travelers Series Fund, Inc. -      90   107   133   229     20     62   106    229     *    62    106    229
Smith Barney Money Market
Portfolio
</TABLE>

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





                                       8
<PAGE>   13


SYNOPSIS OF THE CONTRACTS

The contracts described in this prospectus are flexible purchase payment
contracts. The contracts may be issued as either individual or group contracts.
In those states where contracts are issued as group contracts, references
throughout this prospectus to "contract(s)" will also mean "certificate(s)." In
those states where contracts are issued as group contracts, references
throughout this prospectus to "contract owner" will also mean "participant"
unless the plan otherwise permits or requires the contract owner to exercise
contract rights under the plan terms.

The contracts can be categorized as:
-        Non-Qualified;
-        Individual Retirement Annuities;
-        Tax Sheltered Annuities; and
-        Qualified.

For more detailed information with regard to the differences in contract types,
please see "Types of Contracts" later in the prospectus.

MINIMUM INITIAL AND SUBSEQUENT PURCHASE PAYMENTS

                     MINIMUM INITIAL        MINIMUM
     CONTRACT        PURCHASE PAYMENT     SUBSEQUENT
       TYPE                                PAYMENTS
-------------------- ----------------- ------------------
Non-Qualified             $1,500              $10

IRA                         $0                $10

Tax Sheltered               $0                $10
Annuity

Qualified                   $0                $10

CHARGES AND EXPENSES

Nationwide deducts a Mortality and Expense Risk Charge equal to an annual rate
of 1.25% and an Administration Charge equal to 0.05% of the daily net assets of
the variable account. Nationwide assesses these charges in return for bearing
certain mortality and administrative risks.

A $30 Contract Maintenance Charge is assessed against each contract on the
contract anniversary date and on the surrender date 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 CDSC will not exceed 7% of purchase payments surrendered (see "Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge").

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 a contract is taxed depends on the type of contract issued and the purpose
for which the contract is purchased. 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 other amounts 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.

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The value of an accumulation unit is determined on the basis of changes in the
per share value of the underlying mutual funds and the assessment of a variable
account charge which may vary from contract to contract (for more information on
the calculation of accumulation unit values, see "Determining Variable Account
Value - Valuing an Accumulation Unit"). Please refer to Appendix B


                                       9
<PAGE>   14

for information regarding each class of accumulation units.

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 offers a complete line 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, Smith Barney, Inc.,
with offices located at 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013.

TYPES OF CONTRACTS

The contracts described in this prospectus are classified according to the tax
treatment they are subject to under the Internal Revenue Code. The following is
a general description of the various types of contracts. Eligibility
requirements, tax benefits (if any), limitations, and other features of the
contracts will differ depending on the type of contract.

Non-Qualified Annuity Contracts

A Non-Qualified Annuity Contract is a contract that does not qualify for certain
tax benefits under the Internal Revenue Code, and which is not an IRA or a Tax
Sheltered Annuity.

Upon the death of the owner of a Non-Qualified Annuity Contract, mandatory
distribution requirements are imposed to ensure distribution of the entire
balance in the contract within a required period.

Non-Qualified Annuity contracts that are owned by natural persons allow for the
deferral of taxation on the income earned in the contract until it is
distributed or deemed to be distributed.

Individual Retirement Annuities (IRAs)

Individual Retirement Annuities are contracts that are issued by insurance
companies and satisfy the following requirements:

-    the contract is not transferable by the owner;

-    the premiums are not fixed;

-    the annual premium cannot exceed $2,000 (although rollovers of greater
     amounts from qualified plans, tax-sheltered annuities and other IRAs can be
     received);

-    certain minimum distribution requirements must be satisfied after the owner
     attains the age of 70 1/2;

-    the entire interest of the owner in the contract is nonforfeitable; and

-    after the death of the owner, additional distribution requirements may be
     imposed to ensure distribution of the entire balance in the contract within
     the statutory period of time.

Depending on the circumstance of the owner, all or a portion of the
contributions made to the account may be deducted for federal income tax
purposes.

Failure to make the mandatory distributions can result in an additional penalty
tax of 50% of the excess of the amount required to be distributed over the
amount that was actually distributed.

IRAs may receive rollover contribution from other Individual Retirement Accounts
and Individual Retirement Annuities, from Tax Sheltered Annuities, and from
qualified retirement plans, including 401(k) plans.

For further details regarding IRAs, please refer to the disclosure statement
provided when the IRA was established.

Tax Sheltered Annuities

Certain tax-exempt organizations (described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code) and public school systems may establish a plan under which annuity
contracts can be purchased for their employees. These annuity contracts are
often referred to as Tax Sheltered Annuities.



                                       10
<PAGE>   15

Purchase payments made to Tax Sheltered Annuities are excludible from the income
of the employee, up to statutory maximum amounts. These amounts should be set
forth in the plan adopted by the employer.

The owner's interest in the contract is nonforfeitable (except for failure to
pay premiums) and cannot be transferred. Certain minimum distribution
requirements must be satisfied after the owner attains the age of 70 1/2 and
after the death of the owner. Additional distribution requirements may be
imposed to ensure distribution of the entire balance in the contract within the
statutory period of time.

Qualified Plans

Contracts that are owned by Qualified Plans are not intended to confer tax
benefits on the beneficiaries of the plan; they are used as investment vehicles
for the plan. The income tax consequences to the beneficiary of a Qualified Plan
are controlled by the operation of the plan, not by operation of the assets in
which the plan invests.

Beneficiaries of Qualified Plans should contact their employer and/or trustee of
the plan to obtain and review the plan, trust, summary plan description and
other documents for the tax and other consequences of being a participant in a
qualified plan.

INVESTING IN THE CONTRACT

THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT AND UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS

Nationwide Variable Account - 4 is a variable account that invests in the
underlying mutual funds listed in Appendix A. Nationwide established the
variable account on October 7, 1987, pursuant to Ohio law. Although the variable
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 the variable account or Nationwide.

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 other 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, each corresponding to a
single underlying mutual fund. 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
and the other contains shares attributable to accumulation units under
Individual Retirement Annuities, Tax Sheltered Annuities and Qualified
Contracts.

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

The underlying mutual fund options are NOT publicly traded mutual fund. 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.






                                       11
<PAGE>   16



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 the other separate accounts of
Nationwide. Nationwide does not anticipate 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 the 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.

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 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 rate(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.




                                       12
<PAGE>   17

-    Variable Account to Fixed Rate - Allocations transferred from any of the
     underlying investment options 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
     which 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 other underlying mutual fund options.

-    Dollar Cost Averaging Rate - 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% 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.

CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS

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 Charge is equal to an annual rate of 0.80% of the daily net
assets of the variable account. The Mortality Risk Charge compensates 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 Charge is equal to an annual rate of 0.45% of the daily net
assets of the variable account. The Expense Risk Charge compensates Nationwide
for guaranteeing that charges will not increase regardless of actual expenses.

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

CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE

On each contract anniversary (and upon a full surrender of the contract),
Nationwide deducts a Contract Maintenance Charge of $30 to reimburse it for
administrative expenses relating to the issuance and maintenance of the
contract.

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





                                       13
<PAGE>   18

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

ADMINISTRATION CHARGE

Nationwide deducts an Administration Charge from the variable account. The
amount is computed on a daily basis and is equal to an annual rate of to 0.05%
of the daily net assets of the variable account. The Administration Charge is
designed only to reimburse Nationwide for administrative expenses. 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 for these
contracts. However, if any part of the contract is surrendered, Nationwide will,
deduct a CDSC. The CDSC will not exceed 7% 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. Earnings are not subject to the CDSC, however, earnings may not be
distributed prior to the distribution of all purchase payments. (For tax
purposes, a surrender is usually treated as a withdrawal of earnings first.)

The CDSC is used to cover sales expenses, including commissions (maximum of
5.25% of purchase payments), production of sales material and other promotional
expenses. If the expenses all greater than the CDSC, the shortfall will be made
up from Nationwide's general account, which may indirectly include portions of
the variable account charges since Nationwide may generate a profit from these
charges.

The CDSC applies to purchase payments as follows:

     NUMBER OF COMPLETED                    CDSC
      YEARS FROM DATE OF                 PERCENTAGE
       PURCHASE PAYMENT
------------------------------- -----------------------------
              0                              7%

              1                              6%

              2                              5%

              3                              4%

              4                              3%

              5                              2%

              6                              1%

              7                              0%


All or a portion of any withdrawal may be subject to federal income taxes.
Contract owners taking withdrawals before age 59 1/2 may be subject to a 10%
penalty tax.

Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge

During the first contract year, the contract owner may withdraw without a CDSC
any amount 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)  an amount equal to 10% of that purchase payment; or

(b)  any amount withdrawn in order for the Contract to meet minimum distribution
     requirements under the Internal Revenue Code.

Withdrawals may be restricted for contracts issued pursuant to the terms of a
Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan or other Qualified Plan. This CDSC-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.

In addition, no CDSC will be deducted:

(1)  upon 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 in a contract for at least 7 years.





                                       14
<PAGE>   19

No CDSC applies upon the transfer of values among the sub-accounts or between
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 may be waived when a sale is made made to a trustee, employer or
similar entity pursuant to a retirement plan or when sales are made in a similar
arrangement where offering the contracts to a group of individuals under such a
program results in savings of sales expenses. Nationwide will consider one or
more of the following scenarios when determining if the program is entitled to a
waiver of CDSC:

1.   The size of the group to which sales are to be made. Generally, the sales
     expenses for larger groups are less than for a smaller groups because of
     the ability to implement a larger number of contracts with fewer sales
     contacts.

2.   The total amount of purchase payments to be received from a group and how
     the purchase payments are remitted. The contract sales expenses are likely
     to be less on larger purchase payments than on smaller ones. Likewise,
     sales expenses are usually lower when purchase payments are remitted on a
     payroll deduction plan.

3.   The purpose for which the contracts are being purchased. Certain types of
     Qualified Plans are more likely to be stable than others. Such stability
     reduces the number of sales contacts required, reduces sales
     administration, and results in fewer contract terminations. As a result,
     sales expenses are reduced.

4.   The nature of the group for which the contracts are being purchased.
     Certain types of employee and professional groups are more likely to
     continue contract participation for longer periods than are other groups
     with more mobile membership. If fewer contracts are surrendered in a given
     group, Nationwide's sales expenses are reduced.

5.   The cost to of distribution. Sales without commissions or other standard
     distribution expenses can result in the waiver of sales charges.

6.   Other circumstances of which Nationwide is not presently aware which could
     result in reduced sale expenses.

If, after consideration of these factors, Nationwide determines that a purchase
or series of purchases would result in reduced sales expenses, such a group
would be entitled to the waiver of CDSC.

The CDSC will not be waived or 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 any other governmental entity. Premium tax rates currently range from
0% to 5.0%. This range is subject to change. The method used to assess the
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 value
either at:

(1)  the time the contract is surrendered;

(2)  annuitization; or

(3)  such other dates 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, including the right to
designate and change any designations of the contract owner, annuitant,
contingent annuitant, beneficiary, contingent beneficiary, annuity payment
option and annuity commencement date. Purchasers naming 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


                                       15
<PAGE>   20

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, the contingent
annuitant, contingent owner, beneficiary, or contingent beneficiary. The 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.

If a contract owner who is NOT the annuitant dies before the annuitization date,
the joint owner becomes the contract owner.

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

-    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;

-    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.

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

CONTINGENT OWNERSHIP

The contingent owner is entitled to receive certain benefits under the contract
if a contract owner, who is NOT the annuitant, dies prior to the annuitization
date and there is no surviving joint owner. If more than one contingent owner
survives the contract owner, each will share equally unless otherwise specified
in the contingent owner designation.

If no contingent owner survives a contract owner, all rights and interest in the
contract will vest in the contract owner's estate. If a contract owner, who is
also the annuitant, dies before the annuitization date and there is no surviving
joint owner, then the contingent owner will not have any rights in the contract
unless the contingent owner is also the named beneficiary.

The contract owner may name or change a contingent owner prior to 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 signed, whether or not the contract owner was
living at the time it was recorded. The change will not effect any action taken
by Nationwide before the change was recorded.

ANNUITANT

The annuitant is the person designated to receive annuity payments during
annuitization of the contract and upon whose continuation of life any annuity
payment involving life contingencies depends. The annuitant may be changed prior
to the annuitization date with the consent of Nationwide.






                                       16
<PAGE>   21



BENEFICIARY

The beneficiary is the person who is entitled to the death benefit if the
annuitant dies before the annuitization date. If no beneficiary or contingent
beneficiary survives the annuitant, all rights will vest with the contract owner
or the estate of the last surviving contract owner.

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 CONTRACT

MINIMUM INITIAL AND SUBSEQUENT PURCHASE PAYMENTS

-------------------- ----------------- ------------------
                                            MINIMUM
     CONTRACT        MINIMUM INITIAL      SUBSEQUENT
       TYPE          PURCHASE PAYMENT      PAYMENTS
-------------------- ----------------- ------------------
Non-Qualified             $1,500              $10

IRA                         $0                $10

Tax Sheltered               $0                $10
Annuity

Qualified                   $0                $10

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 information are complete. If
the application is not complete, Nationwide may retain the purchase payment for
up to 5 business days while attempting to complete it. If the application cannot
be made complete within 5 business days, the prospective purchaser will be
informed of the reasons 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 issued by Nationwide 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
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.

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 will
not have access to their account.

The contract owner can name more than one beneficiary. Multiple beneficiaries
will share the death benefit equally, unless otherwise specified.

ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS

Nationwide allocates purchase payments to the sub-accounts and 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 or the fixed account. However, no change may be
made that would result in an amount less than 1% of the purchase payments being
allocated to any sub-account for any contract owner. Certain transactions may be



                                       17
<PAGE>   22

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:

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 whole 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; and

     (c)  is a factor representing the daily variable account charges, which may
          include charges for contract options chosen by the contract owner. 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.

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 PRIOR TO ANNUITIZATION

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


                                       18
<PAGE>   23

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 25% 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 from the variable 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.

Transfers Among the Sub-Accounts

Allocations may be transferred among the sub-accounts once per valuation date.

TRANSFERS AFTER ANNUITIZATION

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

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.

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.

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 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).




                                       19
<PAGE>   24

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

The 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 other amount
required by law. The refunded contract value will reflect the deduction of any
contract charges, unless otherwise required by law. All IRA refunds will be
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 amount 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 Redemption)

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
either from:

a)   the amount requested; or

b)   the contract value remaining after the contract owner has received the
     amount requested.

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 and the investment performance
of the underlying mutual funds. A CDSC may apply.

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.

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.



                                       20
<PAGE>   25

Loans are not available in all states. In addition, some states may not allow
Nationwide to assess a loan processing fee.

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. The interest rate is guaranteed
never to fall below 3.0%.

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

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

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


                                       21
<PAGE>   26

office, the assignment will become effective as of the date the written request
was signed.

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

CONTRACT OWNER SERVICES

DOLLAR COST AVERAGING - Dollar cost averaging is a long-term investment program
which provides for regular, level investments over time. It involves the
automatic transfer of a specified amount from the fixed account into the
sub-accounts. 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
form the fixed account to any other underlying mutual fund. Transfers from the
fixed account must be equal to or less than 1/30th of the fixed account value at
the time the 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 discontinue 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 dollar 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. A CDSC may apply.

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.

If the contract owner takes systematic withdrawals, the maximum amount that can
be withdrawn annually without a CDSC is the greater of:

1)   10% of all purchase payments made to the contract as of the withdrawal
     date; or

2)   an amount withdrawn to meet minimum distribution requirements under the
     Internal Revenue Code.

The CDSC-free withdrawal privilege for systematic withdrawals is non-cumulative.
Free amounts not taken during any contract year cannot be taken as free amounts
in a subsequent contract year.

Nationwide reserves the right to discontinue establishing new systematic
withdrawals 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").




                                       22
<PAGE>   27

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 requested in writing and approved by
Nationwide.

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, 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 approval 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


                                       23
<PAGE>   28

annuity. Nationwide uses the assumed investment rate of 3.5% to calculate the
first annuity payment. The assumed investment rate of 3.5% 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 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 $5,000, in which case Nationwide
     may make one lump sum payment of the contract value; or

-    an annuity payment would be less than $50, in which case Nationwide can
     change the frequency of payments to intervals that will result in payments
     of at least $50. 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.

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








                                       24
<PAGE>   29



DEATH BENEFITS

DEATH OF CONTRACT OWNER - NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

If the contract owner who is not the annuitant dies before to the annuitization
date, then 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 last surviving contract owner's estate 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 THE ANNUITANT - NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

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

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

DEATH OF THE 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.

HOW THE DEATH BENEFIT VALUE IS DETERMINED

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 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 forms(s).

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

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).

For contracts issued on or after the later of May 1, 1998 or the date on which
state insurance authorities approve applicable contract modifications, if the
annuitant dies before to his or her 75th birthday and before to the
annuitization date, 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 an adjustment for amounts
         surrendered.

The adjustment for amounts surrendered will reduce item (2) above in the same
proportion that the contract value was reduced on the date(s) of the partial
surrender(s).

For contracts issued before to May 1, 1998 or a date prior to approval of
applicable contract modifications by state insurance authorities, if the
annuitant dies before to his or her 75th birthday


                                       25
<PAGE>   30

and before to the annuitization date, 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 his or her 75th birthday and prior to the
annuitization date, the death benefit will equal the contract value.

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 AND 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 Tax Sheltered Annuity of the annuitant.





                                       26
<PAGE>   31

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:

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.

Distributions commencing on the required distribution date must satisfy MDIB
provisions set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. Those provisions require that
distribution cannot be less than the amount determined by dividing the
annuitant's interest in the Tax Sheltered Annuity 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
Contract 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 INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES

Distributions from an Individual Retirement Annuity or 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
Individual Retirement Annuity 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 Individual Retirement Annuity or
              established for his or her benefit; or




                                       27
<PAGE>   32


       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 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 Individual Retirement Annuity,or Individual
Retirement Account 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)(1) 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 Individual Retirement
Annuity or 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 Individual Retirement Annuities.

Individual Retirement Annuity and distributions will not receive the favorable
tax treatment of a lump sum distribution from a Qualified Plan. 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.

Simplified Employee Pensions (SEPs) and Salary Reduction Simplified Employee
Pensions (SAR SEPs), described in Internal Revenue Code Section 408(k) are taxed
similarly to Individual Retirement Annuities, and subject to similar
distribution requirements. SAR SEPs cannot be established after 1996.

FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

The tax consequences of purchasing a contract described in this prospectus will
depend on:

-      the type of contract purchased;

-      the purposes for which the contract is purchased; and

-      the personal circumstances of individual investors having interests in
       the contracts.

See "Synopsis of the Contracts" for a brief description of the various types of
contracts and the different purposes for which the contracts may be purchased.

Existing tax rules are subject to change, and may affect individuals differently
depending on their situation. Nationwide does not guarantee the tax status of
any contracts or any transactions involving the contracts.

If the contract is purchased as an investment of certain retirement plans (such
as qualified retirement plans, Individual Retirement Accounts, and custodial
accounts as described in Sections 401,408(a), and 403(b)(7) of the Internal
Revenue Code), tax advantages enjoyed by the contract owner and/or annuitant may
relate to participation in the plan rather than ownership of the annuity
contract. Such plans are permitted to


                                       28
<PAGE>   33

purchase investments other than annuities and retain tax deferred status.

The following is a brief summary of some of the federal income tax
considerations related to the contracts. In addition to the federal income tax,
distributions from annuity contracts may be subject to state and local income
taxes. The tax rules across all states and localities are not uniform and
therefore will not be discussed in this prospectus. Tax rules that may apply to
contracts issued in U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam are also not
discussed. Nothing in this prospectus should be considered to be tax advice.
Contract owners and prospective contract owners are encouraged to consult a
financial consultant, tax advisor or legal counsel to discuss the taxation and
use of the contracts.

The Internal Revenue Code sets forth different income tax rules for the
following types of annuity contracts:

-      Individual Retirement Annuities;

-      Tax Sheltered Annuities; and

-      "Non-Qualified Annuities."

Individual Retirement Annuities

Distributions from IRAs, are generally taxed when received. If any of the amount
contributed to the IRA was nondeductible for federal income tax purposes, then a
portion of each distribution is excludable from income.

If distributions of income from an IRA are made prior to the date that the owner
attains the age of 59 1/2 years, the income is subject to both the regular
income tax and an additional penalty tax of 10%. The penalty tax can be avoided
if the distribution is:

-      made to a beneficiary on or after the death of the owner;

-      attributable to the owner becoming disabled (as defined in the Internal
       Revenue Code);

-      part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments made not less
       frequently than annually made for the life (or life expectancy) of the
       owner, or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the owner and
       his or her designated beneficiary;

-      used for qualified higher education expenses; or

-      used for expenses attributable to the purchase of a home for a qualified
       first-time buyer.

Tax Sheltered Annuities

Distributions from Tax Sheltered Annuities are generally taxed when received. A
portion of each distribution is excludable from income based on a formula
established pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code. The formula excludes from
income the amount invested in the contract divided by the number of anticipated
payments until the full investment in the contract is recovered. Thereafter all
distributions are fully taxable.

If a distribution of income is made from a Tax Sheltered Annuity prior to the
date that the owner attains the age of 59 1/2 years, the income is subject to
both the regular income tax and an additional penalty tax of 10%. The penalty
tax can be avoided if the distribution is:

-      made to a beneficiary on or after the death of the owner;

-      attributable to the owner becoming disabled (as defined in the Internal
       Revenue Code);

-      part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments made not less
       frequently than annually made for the life (or life expectancy) of the
       owner, or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the owner and
       his or her designated beneficiary;

-      for qualified higher education expenses;

-      used for expenses attributable to the purchase of a home for a qualified
       first-time buyer; or

-      made to the owner after separation from service with his or her employer
       after age 55.

Non-Qualified Contracts - Natural Persons as Contract Owners

Generally, the income earned inside a Non-Qualified Annuity Contract that is
owned by a



                                       29
<PAGE>   34

natural person is not taxable until it is distributed from the contract.

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, any portion of the contract that is assigned or
pledged; or any portion of the contract that is 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.

With respect to annuity distributions on or after the annuitization date, a
portion of each annuity payment is excludable from taxable income. The amount
excludable is based on the ratio between the contract owner's investment in the
contract and the expected return on the contract. Once the entire investment in
the contract is recovered, all distributions are fully includable 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 as a result of the annuitant's death no more payments are due
under the contract, then the unrecovered investment in the contract may be
deducted on his or her final tax return.

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 the same calendar year will be treated as one annuity contract.

A special rule applies to distributions from contracts that have investments
that were made prior to August 14, 1982. For those contracts, distributions that
are made prior to the annuitization date 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 Internal Revenue Code imposes 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 is:

-      the result of a contract owner's death;

-      the result of a contract owner's disability, as defined in the Internal
       Revenue Code;

-      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 annuity
       payment option selected by the contract owner; or

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

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

The previous discussion related to the taxation of Non-Qualified Contracts owned
by individuals. Different rules (the so-called "non-natural persons" rules)
apply if the contract owner is not a natural person.

Generally, contracts owned by corporations, partnerships, trusts, and similar
entities are not treated as annuity contracts under the Internal Revenue Code.
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. The income is taxable as ordinary income, not capital gain.

The non-natural persons rules do not apply to all entity-owned contracts. A
contract that is owned by a non-natural person as an agent of an individual is
treated as owned by the individual. This would cause the contract to be treated
as an annuity under the Internal Revenue Code, 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.







                                       30
<PAGE>   35



The non-natural persons rules also do not apply to contracts that are:

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

-      issued in connection with certain qualified retirement plans and
       individual retirement plans;

-      purchased by an employer upon the termination of certain qualified
       retirement plans.

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. If the distribution is from a Tax Sheltered Annuity,
it will be subject to mandatory 20% withholding that cannot be waived, unless:

-      the distribution is made directly to another Tax Sheltered Annuity or an
       IRA; or

-      the distribution satisfies the minimum distribution requirements imposed
       by the Internal Revenue Code.

In addition, contract owners may not waive withholding if the distribution is
subject to mandatory back-up withholding (if no taxpayer identification number
is given or if the Internal Revenue Service notifies Nationwide that mandatory
back-up withholding is required). 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.

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 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




                                       31
<PAGE>   36

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.

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 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;

-      semi-annual reports as of June 30 containing financial statements for the
       variable account; and

-      annual reports as of December 31 containing financial statements 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.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Nationwide is a party to litigation and arbitration proceedings in the ordinary
course of its business,




                                       32
<PAGE>   37

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 November 1997, two plaintiffs, one who was the owner of a variable life
insurance contract 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.
Nationwide Life Insurance Company et al.). In this lawsuit, plaintiffs sought to
represent a class of variable life insurance contract 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, motions to
dismiss the complaint filed by Nationwide and American Century. The remaining
claims against Nationwide allege securities fraud, common law fraud, civil
conspiracy, and breach of contract. The District Court, on December 2, 1998,
issued an order denying plaintiffs' motion for class certification and the
appeals court declined to review the order denying class certification upon
interlocutory appeal. On June 11, 1999, the District Court denied the
plaintiffs' motion to amend their complaint and reconsider class certification.
In January 2000 Nationwide and American Century settled this lawsuit now limited
to the claims of the two named plaintiffs. On February 9, 2000 the court
dismissed this lawsuit with prejudice.

On October 29, 1998, Nationwide was 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). On May 3, 1999, the complaint was amended to,
among other things, add Marcus Shore as a second plaintiff. The amended
complaint is brought as a class action on behalf of all persons who purchased
individual deferred annuity contracts or participated in group annuity contracts
sold by Nationwide and the other named Nationwide affiliates which were used to
fund certain tax-deferred retirement plans. The amended complaint seeks
unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. No class has been certified. On
June 11, 1999, Nationwide and the other named defendants filed a motion to
dismiss the amended complaint. On March 8, 2000, the court denied the motion to
dismiss the amended complaint filed by Nationwide and other named defendants.
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.

Smith Barney Inc. ("Smith Barney") is a full service broker-dealer with more
than 400 offices nationwide and abroad and approximately 10,500 Financial
Consultants. Accordingly, this firm and its Financial Consultants are typically
named defendants or respondents in various matters incident to and typical of
the businesses in which Smith Barney is engaged. These include civil actions and
arbitration proceedings in which Smith Barney or its Financial Consultants have
been named, arising in the normal course of business activities as a broker and
dealer in securities, as an underwriter, as an investment banker or otherwise.







                                       33
<PAGE>   38





TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                                                        PAGE

General Information and History...........................................1
Services..................................................................1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered......................................1
Underwriters..............................................................2
Calculation of Performance................................................2
Annuity Payments..........................................................2
Financial Statements......................................................3







                                       34
<PAGE>   39




APPENDIX A: OBJECTIVES FOR UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS



Below are the investment objectives of each underlying mutual fund available
through the Variable Account. There can be no assurance that the investment
objectives will be achieved.

GREENWICH STREET SERIES FUND (FORMERLY, SMITH BARNEY SERIES FUND)

The Greenwich Street Series Fund is a diversified, open-end management
investment company organized on May 13, 1991 under the laws of The Commonwealth
of Massachusetts and is a business entity commonly known as a "Massachusetts
Business Trust." The Greenwich Street Series Fund is managed by Mutual
Management Corp. ("MMC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Salomon Smith Barney
Holdings Inc., which is in turn, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Travelers Group,
Inc.

         -INTERMEDIATE HIGH GRADE PORTFOLIO

         Investment Objective: To provide as high a level of current income as
         is consistent with the protection of capital. The Portfolio will invest
         in high quality intermediate-term U.S. government securities and
         corporate bonds of U.S. issuers.

         -TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO

         Investment Objective: To provide shareholders with total return,
         consisting of long-term capital appreciation and income. This Portfolio
         will invest primarily in a diversified portfolio of dividend-paying
         common stocks.

SMITH BARNEY VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS

Smith Barney Variable Account Funds was organized as a Massachusetts business
trust on December 18, 1986, and is an open-end, diversified, management
investment company. Smith Barney Variable Account Funds offers a choice of
shares in three separate Portfolios, each with its own investment objectives.
Currently, shares of the portfolios are offered only to insurance company
separate accounts which fund certain variable annuity and variable life
insurance contracts. Smith Barney Variable Account Funds is managed by Mutual
Management Corp. ("MMC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Salomon Smith Barney
Holdings Inc., which is in turn, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Travelers Group,
Inc.

         -THE INCOME AND GROWTH PORTFOLIO

         Investment Objective: To seek current income and long-term growth of
         income and capital. It invests primarily, but not exclusively, in
         common stocks.

         -THE RESERVE ACCOUNT PORTFOLIO

         Investment Objective: To seek current income from a portfolio of money
         market instruments and other high quality debt obligations with limited
         maturities and employs an immunization strategy to minimize the risk of
         loss of account value.

         -THE U.S. GOVERNMENT/HIGH QUALITY SECURITIES PORTFOLIO

         Investment Objective: To seek high current income and security of
         principal from a portfolio consisting primarily of U.S. Government
         Obligations and other high quality debt securities.

*Please note that the investment portfolios in Smith Barney Variable Account
Funds may be consolidated into other substantially similar existing funds. In
this regard, an application may be filed for a Securities and Exchange
Commission Order of Substitution to consolidate these portfolios. Please further
note that the U.S. Government/High Quality Securities Portfolio and The Reserve
Account Portfolio both have insufficient assets to invest in accordance with
their stated investment objectives, and we suggest that you consider contacting
your financial consultant or Nationwide at the number listed on page 1 to
arrange a transfer of your assets from these funds to other available funds.

TRAVELERS SERIES FUND INC.

Travelers Series Fund Inc. is an open-end, diversified, management investment
company incorporated in Maryland on February 22, 1994.





                                       35
<PAGE>   40

Currently, shares of the Travelers Series Fund, Inc. are offered only to
insurance company separate accounts which fund certain variable annuity and
variable life insurance contracts. The Travelers Series Fund, Inc. is managed by
Mutual Management Corp. ("MMC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Salomon Smith
Barney Holdings Inc., which is in turn, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Travelers
Group, Inc.

         -SMITH BARNEY LARGE CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO (FORMERLY, SMITH BARNEY GROWTH
         AND INCOME PORTFOLIO)
         Investment Objective: To obtain current income as well as long-term
         growth of income and capital by investing primarily, but not
         exclusively, in common stocks. Under normal market conditions at least
         65% of the Portfolio's assets will be invested in equity securities.
         The Portfolio may also purchase preferred stocks and convertible
         securities. Under unusual economic or market conditions as determined
         by MMC, for defensive purposes the Portfolio may temporarily invest all
         or a major portion of its assets in short-term U.S. Government
         securities.

         -SMITH BARNEY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
         Investment Objective: To seek total return on its assets from growth of
         capital and income. The Portfolio seeks to achieve its objective by
         investing at least 65% of its assets in a diversified portfolio of
         equity securities of established non-U.S. issuers.

         -SMITH BARNEY MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
         Investment Objective: To seek maximum current income and preservation
         of capital by investing in bank obligations and high quality commercial
         paper, corporate obligations and municipal obligations, in addition to
         U.S. government securities and related repurchase agreements.








                                       36

<PAGE>   41


APPENDIX B: CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Accumulation Unit values for an Accumulation Unit outstanding throughout the
period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            NUMBER OF ACCUMULATION
                             ACCUMULATION UNIT   ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE     UNITS OUTSTANDING AT
                            VALUE AT BEGINNING            AT END                 THE END OF
           FUND                  OF PERIOD              OF PERIOD                 THE PERIOD          YEAR
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>                   <C>                      <C>                   <C>
Greenwich Street Series           11.756940             11.175182                        0             1999
Fund- Intermediate High           11.154442             11.756940                        0             1998
Grade Portfolio-Q                 10.400005             11.154442                        0             1997
                                  10.352228             10.400005                        0             1996
                                  10.000000             10.352228                        0             1995*

Greenwich Street Series           11.756940             11.175182                    1,363             1999
Fund- Intermediate High           11.154442             11.756940                    2,790             1998
Grade Portfolio-NQ                10.400005             11.154442                   10,572             1997
                                  10.352228             10.400005                    6,337             1996
                                  10.000000             10.352228                        0             1995*

Greenwich Street Series           14.926907             17.965910                    3,632             1999
Fund- Total Return                14.408364             14.926907                    3,632             1998
Portfolio-Q                       12.493974             14.408364                    3,599             1997
                                  10.091170             12.493974                        0             1996
                                  10.000000             10.091170                        0             1995*

Greenwich Street Series           14.926907             17.965910                   12,558             1999
Fund- Total Return                14.408364             14.926907                   13,232             1998
Portfolio-NQ                      12.493974             14.408364                   14,191             1997
                                  10.091170             12.493974                    9,304             1996
                                  10.000000             10.091170                    8,749             1995*

Smith Barney Variable             31.283174             29.942972                   69,881             1999
Account Funds - Income            28.070505             31.283174                   82,210             1998
and Growth Portfolio-Q            22.203232             28.070505                  103,113             1997
                                  18.563463             22.203232                  150,416             1996
                                  14.755003             18.563463                  328,357             1995
                                  15.427358             14.755003                  391,641             1994
                                  13.204279             15.427358                  389,488             1993
                                  11.987667             13.204279                  394,373             1992
                                   9.224686             11.987667                  385,815             1991
                                  10.208954              9.224686                  411,723             1990

Smith Barney Variable             31.283174             29.942972                  287,325             1999
Account Funds - Income            28.070505             31.283174                  350,416             1998
and Growth Portfolio-NQ           22.203232             28.070505                  474,875             1997
                                  18.563463             22.203232                  787,824             1996
                                  14.755003             18.563463                1,274,983             1995
                                  15.427358             14.755003                1,468,610             1994
                                  13.204279             15.427358                1,593,796             1993
                                  11.987667             13.204279                1,607,342             1992
                                   9.224686             11.987667                1,591,826             1991
                                  10.208954              9.224686                1,521,753             1990
</TABLE>




                                       37


<PAGE>   42


CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            NUMBER OF ACCUMULATION
                             ACCUMULATION UNIT   ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE     UNITS OUTSTANDING AT
                            VALUE AT BEGINNING            AT END                 THE END OF
           FUND                  OF PERIOD              OF PERIOD                 THE PERIOD           YEAR
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>                   <C>                       <C>                  <C>
Smith Barney Variable             13.595516             13.874598                      224             1999
Account Funds - Reserve           13.898977             13.595516                    1,285             1998
Account Portfolio-Q               13.892407             13.898977                    1,140             1997
                                  13.842323             13.892407                    2,354             1996
                                  12.884883             13.842323                   12,028             1995
                                  12.798932             12.884883                   38,755             1994
                                  12.397510             12.798932                   45,115             1993
                                  11.984895             12.397510                   50,467             1992
                                  10.971326             11.984895                   58,254             1991
                                  10.264616             10.971326                   61,299             1990

Smith Barney Variable             13.595516             13.874598                    2,850             1999
Account Funds - Reserve           13.898977             13.595516                    2,866             1998
Account Portfolio-NQ              13.892407             13.898977                    5,835             1997
                                  13.842323             13.892407                   28,925             1996
                                  12.884883             13.842323                  155,064             1995
                                  12.798932             12.884883                  157,363             1994
                                  12.397510             12.798932                  159,188             1993
                                  11.984895             12.397510                  189,446             1992
                                  10.971326             11.984895                  203,304             1991
                                  10.264616             10.971326                  206,523             1990

Smith Barney Variable             16.008820             16.204257                    3,629             1999
Account Funds- U.S.               16.183499             16.008820                   11,550             1998
Government/High                   15.552677             16.183499                   23,030             1997
Quality Securities                15.237150             15.552677                   24,413             1996
Portfolio-Q                       13.168331             15.237150                   48,719             1995
                                  13.398138             13.168331                   55,926             1994
                                  12.815045             13.398138                   55,085             1993
                                  12.147363             12.815045                   70,238             1992
                                  10.926752             12.147363                   60,692             1991
                                  10.232806             10.926752                   52,872             1990

Smith Barney Variable             16.008820             16.204257                   42,827             1999
Account Funds - U.S.              16.183499             16.008820                   48,945             1998
Government/High                   15.552677             16.183499                   76,489             1997
Quality Securities                15.237150             15.552677                  160,543             1996
Portfolio-NQ                      13.168331             15.237150                  269,814             1995
                                  13.398138             13.168331                  311,366             1994
                                  12.815045             13.398138                  351,868             1993
                                  12.147363             12.815045                  360,174             1992
                                  10.926752             12.147363                  341,495             1991
                                  10.232806             10.926752                  297,896             1990

Travelers Series Fund,            15.325439             15.129147                    5,401             1999
Inc.- Smith Barney                14.137466             15.325439                    5,403             1998
Large Cap Value                   11.311556             14.137466                    5,405             1997
Portfolio-Q                       10.000000             11.311556                    5,407             1996**

Travelers Series Fund,            15.325439             15.129147                    6,282             1999
Inc.- Smith Barney                14.137466             15.325439                    9,683             1998
Large Cap Value                   11.311556             14.137466                   44,242             1997
Portfolio-NQ                      10.000000             11.311556                   39,842             1996**

</TABLE>




                                       38
<PAGE>   43


CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            NUMBER OF ACCUMULATION
                             ACCUMULATION UNIT   ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE     UNITS OUTSTANDING AT
                            VALUE AT BEGINNING            AT END                  THE END OF
           FUND                  OF PERIOD              OF PERIOD                  THE PERIOD          YEAR
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>                   <C>                         <C>               <C>
Travelers Series Fund,            12.456037             20.621439                        0             1999
Inc.- Smith Barney                11.848492             12.456037                    4,013             1998
International Equity              11.688162             11.848492                    7,492             1997
Portfolio Q                       10.059780             11.688162                    3,520             1996
                                  10.000000             10.059780                    3,623             1995*

Travelers Series Fund,            12.456037             20.621439                   11,801             1999
Inc.- Smith Barney                11.848492             12.456037                   13,773             1998
International Equity              11.688162             11.848492                   21,554             1997
Portfolio NQ                      10.059780             11.688162                   42,195             1996
                                  10.000000             10.059780                   22,196             1995*

Travelers Series Fund,            11.263994             11.642365                        0             1999
Inc.- Smith Barney                10.860417             11.263994                        0             1998
Money Market                      10.470929             10.860417                        0             1997
Portfolio -Q***                   10.111872             10.470929                        0             1996
                                  10.000000             10.111872                        0             1995*

Travelers Series Fund,            11.263994             11.642365                   11,647             1999
Inc.- Smith Barney                10.860417             11.263994                   10,146             1998
Money Market                      10.470929             10.860417                   56,760             1997
Portfolio -NQ***                  10.111872             10.470929                   37,736             1996
                                  10.000000             10.111872                        0             1995*
</TABLE>

*The Greenwich Street Series Fund-Intermediate High Grade Portfolio, Greenwich
  Street Series Fund-Total Return Portfolio, Travelers Series Fund, Inc.-Smith
  Barney International Equity Portfolio, and Travelers Series Fund, Inc.-Smith
  Barney Money Market Portfolio, were added effective September 18, 1995.
  Consequently, the condensed financial information reflects the accumulation
  unit outstanding for the period from September 18, 1995 to December 31, 1995.

**The Travelers Series Fund, Inc.-Smith Barney Large Cap Value Portfolio was
   added effective July 17, 1996. Consequently, the condensed financial
   information reflects the accumulation unit outstanding for the period from
   July 17, 1996 to December 31, 1996.

***The seven-day current unit value yield as of December 31, 1999 was 3.97%.







                                       39
<PAGE>   44



                      STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                  MAY 1, 2000

                      DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
                ISSUED BY THE NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                   THROUGH ITS NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-4

This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It contains
information in addition to and in some respects more detailed than set forth in
the prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated May
1, 2000. The prospectus may be obtained from Nationwide Life Insurance Company
by writing P. O. Box 16609, Columbus, Ohio 43216-6609, or calling
1-800-562-2969, TDD 1-800-238-3035.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                          PAGE

General Information and History.............................................1
Services....................................................................1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered........................................1
Underwriters................................................................2
Calculation of Performance..................................................2
Annuity Payments............................................................2
Financial Statements........................................................3

GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY

The Nationwide Variable Account-4 is a separate investment account of Nationwide
Life Insurance Company ("Nationwide"). Nationwide is a member of the Nationwide
group of companies and all of the Company'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 the Nationwide group of companies. The Nationwide group of companies
is one of America's largest insurance and financial services family of
companies, with combined assets of over $120 billion as of December 31, 1999.

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 such contract owner and
records with respect to the contract value of each contract.

Nationwide is the custodian of the assets of the variable account is. 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.







                                       1
<PAGE>   45


PURCHASE OF SECURITIES BEING OFFERED

The contracts will be sold by licensed insurance agents in the states where the
contracts may be lawfully sold. Such 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").

The contract owner may transfer up to 100% of the contract value from the
variable account to the fixed account. Nationwide reserves the right restrict
transfers to 25% of the contract value for any 12 month period. Contract owners
may at the maturity of an interest rate guarantee period transfer a portion of
the contract value of the fixed account to the variable account. Such portion
will be determined by Nationwide at its sole discretion (but will not be less
than 10% of the total value of the portion of the fixed account that is
maturing), and will be declared upon the expiration date of the then current
Interest Rate Guarantee Period. The Interest Rate Guarantee Period expires on
the final day of a calendar quarter. Transfers under this provision must be made
within 45 days after the expiration date of the guarantee period. Owners who
have entered into a dollar cost averaging agreement with Nationwide may transfer
from the fixed account to the variable account under the terms of that
agreement.

UNDERWRITERS

The contracts, which are offered continuously, are distributed by Smith Barney,
Inc. ("Smith Barney"), 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013. No
underwriting commissions have been paid by Nationwide to Smith Barney, only
sales commissions.

CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE

The yield of the Travelers Series Fund, Inc. - Smith Barney Money Market
Portfolio ("Money Market Portfolio") is its net income expressed in annualized
terms. The Securities and Exchange Commission requires by rule that a yield
quotation set forth in an advertisement for a "money market" fund be computed by
a standardized method based on a historical seven calendar day period. The
standardized yield is computed by determining the net change (exclusive of
realized gains and losses and unrealized appreciation and depreciation) in the
value of a hypothetical pre-existing account having a balance of one share at
the beginning of the period, dividing the net change in the account value by the
value of the account at the beginning of the base 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, 1999, the Money Market Portfolio's seven-day current unit value
yield was 3.97%. The determination of net change in account value reflects the
value of additional shares purchased with dividends from the original share,
dividends declared on both the original share and such additional shares, and
all fees that are charged to all shareholder accounts, in proportion to the
length of the base period and the Portfolio's Money Market average account size.
The Money Market Portfolio may also calculate its effective yield by compounding
the annualized base period return (calculated as described above) by adding 1 to
the base period return, raising the sum to a power equal to 365 divided by 7,
and subtracting one. At December 31, 1999, the Money Market Portfolio's
seven-day effective yield was 4.05%.

The yield quoted at any time represents the amount being earned on a current
basis for the indicated period and is a function of the types of instruments in
the Money Market Portfolio, their quality and length of maturity, and the Money
Market Portfolio's operating expenses. The length of maturity for the Money
Market Portfolio is the average dollar weighted maturity of the Money Market
Portfolio. This means that the Money Market Portfolio has an average maturity of
a stated number of days for all of its issues. The calculation is weighted by
the relative value of the investment.

The yield fluctuates daily as the income earned on the investments of the Money
Market Portfolio fluctuates. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the yield
quoted on any given occasion will remain in effect for any period of time. It
should also be emphasized that the Money Market Portfolio is an open-end





                                       2
<PAGE>   46

investment company and that there is no guarantee that the net asset value will
remain constant. A shareholder's investment in the Money Market Fund is not
insured. Investors comparing results of the Money Market Portfolio with
investment results and yields from other sources such as banks or savings and
loan associations should understand this distinction. The yield quotation may be
of limited use for comparative purposes because it does not reflect charges
imposed at the account level which, if included, would decrease the yield.

Other funds of the money market type as well as banks and savings and loan
associations may calculate their yield on a different basis, and the yield
quoted by the Money Market Portfolio could vary upwards or downwards if another
method of calculation or base period were used.

ANNUITY PAYMENTS

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















                                       3

<PAGE>   47

<PAGE>   1

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

The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance Company and
  Contract Owners of Nationwide Variable Account-4:


     We have audited the accompanying statement of assets, liabilities and
contract owners' equity of Nationwide Variable Account-4 (comprised of the
sub-accounts listed in note 1(b)) (collectively, "the Account") as of December
31, 1999, 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 Account'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, 1999, 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 the Account as of December
31, 1999, 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 18, 2000



________________________________________________________________________________
<PAGE>   2

                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-4

          STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

                                December 31, 1999


ASSETS:

  Investments at market value:

    Greenwich SSF - Intermediate High Grade Portfolio (GSSFIHiGr)
      1,573 shares (cost $16,742) .................................. $    15,241

    Greenwich SSF - Total Return Portfolio (GSSFTotRt)
      11,213 shares (cost $197,671) ................................     225,831

    Smith Barney VAF - The Income and Growth Portfolio (SBVAFIncGro)
      994,187 shares (cost $13,967,927) ............................  10,906,228

    Smith Barney VAF - The Reserve Account Portfolio (SBVAFResAcct)
      5,605 shares (cost $46,549) ..................................      42,656

    Smith Barney VAF - The U.S. Government/High Quality Securities
    Portfolio (SBVAFUSGovHQ)
      71,118 shares (cost $850,244) ................................     755,985

    Travelers Series Fund Inc. - Smith Barney International Equity
    Portfolio (TSFSBIntEq)
      10,594 shares (cost $151,451) ................................     243,349

    Travelers Series Fund Inc. - Smith Barney Large Cap Value
    Portfolio (TSFSBLgCapVal)
      9,064 shares (cost $183,337) .................................     176,837

    Travelers Series Fund Inc. - Smith Barney Money Market
    Portfolio (TSFSBMMkt)
      135,307 shares (cost $135,307) ...............................     135,307
                                                                     -----------
        Total investments ..........................................  12,501,434

  Accounts receivable ..............................................         548
                                                                     ----------
       Total assets ................................................  12,501,982

Accounts payable ...................................................      36,898
                                                                     -----------
Contract owners' equity                                              $12,465,084
                                                                     ===========
<PAGE>   3

                                                                         Annual
Contract owners' equity represented by:   Units   Unit Value             Return*
                                         -------  ----------             -------
  Contracts in accumulation phase:

    Greenwich SSF - Intermediate High
    Grade Portfolio:
      Non-tax qualified ................   1,363  $11.175182  $    15,232   (5)%

    Greenwich SSF - Total Return
    Portfolio:
      Non-tax qualified ................  12,558   17.965910      225,616    20%

    Smith Barney VAF - The Income and
    Growth Portfolio:
      Tax qualified ....................  69,881   29.942972    2,092,445   (4)%
      Non-tax qualified ................ 287,325   29.942972    8,603,364   (4)%

    Smith Barney VAF - The Reserve
    Account Portfolio:
      Tax qualified ....................     224   13.874598        3,108     2%
      Non-tax qualified ................   2,850   13.874598       39,543     2%

    Smith Barney VAF - The U.S.
    Government/High Quality Securities
    Portfolio:
      Tax qualified ....................   3,629   16.204257       58,805     1%
      Non-tax qualified ................  42,827   16.204257      693,980     1%

    Travelers Series Fund Inc. -
    Smith Barney International Equity
    Portfolio:
      Non-tax qualified ................  11,801   20.621439      243,354    66%

    Travelers Series Fund Inc. -
    Smith Barney Large Cap Value
    Portfolio:
      Tax qualified ....................   5,401   15.129147       81,713   (1)%
      Non-tax qualified ................   6,282   15.129147       95,041   (1)%

    Travelers Series Fund Inc. -
    Smith Barney Money Market Portfolio:
        Non-tax qualified ..............  11,647   11.642365      135,599     3%
                                         =======   =========
  Reserves for annuity contracts in
  payout phase:
        Tax qualified ..................                            6,198
        Non-tax qualified ..............                          171,086
                                                              -----------
                                                              $12,465,084
                                                              ===========

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


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

________________________________________________________________________________
<PAGE>   4

________________________________________________________________________________


NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-4

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Total               GSSFIHiGr           GSSFTotRt             SBVAFIncGro
                                            -----------------------   ----------------   -----------------   ---------------------
                                               1999         1998       1999     1998      1999      1998       1999        1998
                                            -----------  ----------   -------  -------   -------  --------   ----------  ----------

<S>                                          <C>         <C>          <C>      <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>         <C>
Investment activity:
  Reinvested dividends ...................  $   242,020     522,753     2,419    2,008     7,223     6,084      222,144     396,148
  Mortality, expense and administration
    charges (note 2) .....................     (190,062)   (230,174)     (307)    (616)   (3,318)   (3,321)    (168,124)   (194,599)
                                            -----------  ----------   -------  -------   -------  --------   ----------  ----------
    Net investment activity ..............       51,958     292,579     2,112    1,392     3,905     2,763       54,020     201,549
                                            -----------  ----------   -------  -------   -------  --------   ----------  ----------
  Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold ..    3,415,514   7,199,070    16,378   88,531   105,839    36,905    2,620,083   4,605,228
  Cost of mutual fund shares sold ........   (3,893,540) (6,677,696)  (18,093) (84,883)  (89,355)  (32,408)  (3,069,184) (4,221,818)
                                            -----------  ----------   -------  -------   -------  --------   ----------  ----------
    Realized gain (loss) on investments ..     (478,026)    521,374    (1,715)   3,648    16,484     4,497     (449,101)    383,410
  Change in unrealized gain (loss) on
    investments ..........................   (2,247,223) (3,366,100)   (1,892)  (2,274)   17,934    (6,123)  (2,427,983) (3,069,801)
                                            -----------  ----------   -------  -------   -------  --------   ----------  ----------
    Net gain (loss) on investments .......   (2,725,249) (2,844,726)   (3,607)   1,374    34,418    (1,626)  (2,877,084) (2,686,391)
                                            -----------  ----------   -------  -------   -------  --------   ----------  ----------
  Reinvested capital gains ...............    2,408,668   4,181,528         -        -    10,901     7,312    2,393,212   4,050,640
                                            -----------  ----------   -------  -------   -------  --------   ----------  ----------
      Net increase (decrease) in contract
        owners' equity resulting from
          operations .....................     (264,623)  1,629,381    (1,495)   2,766    49,224     8,449     (429,852)  1,565,798
                                            -----------  ----------   -------  -------   -------  --------   ----------  ----------

Equity transactions:
  Purchase payments received from
    contract owners ......................        1,326     282,588         -        -       330    16,490          330     258,292
  Transfers between funds ................            -           -   (16,062)       -   (12,156)    4,320     (205,631)     (4,561)
  Redemptions ............................   (2,820,553) (6,225,562)        -  (87,790)  (63,185)  (33,691)  (2,166,514) (4,268,099)
  Annuity benefits .......................      (30,860)    (23,894)        -        -         -         -      (29,377)    (22,349)
  Annual contract maintenance charge
    (note 2) .............................       (8,375)    (10,342)       (8)     (35)     (125)     (124)      (7,389)     (8,909)
  Contingent deferred sales charges
    (note 2) .............................       (1,434)     (4,773)        -      (61)        -       (15)        (728)     (3,363)
  Adjustments to maintain reserves .......      (36,483)     (6,113)       (5)      (2)     (200)      (26)     (35,943)     (6,136)
                                            -----------  ----------   -------  -------   -------  --------   ----------  ----------
      Net equity transactions ............   (2,896,379) (5,988,096)  (16,075) (87,888)  (75,336)  (13,046)  (2,445,252) (4,055,125)
                                            -----------  ----------   -------  -------   -------  --------   ----------  ----------
Net change in contract owners' equity ....   (3,161,002) (4,358,715)  (17,570) (85,122)  (26,112)   (4,597)  (2,875,104) (2,489,327)
Contract owners' equity beginning of
  period .................................   15,626,086  19,984,801    32,802  117,924   251,728   256,325   13,745,003  16,234,330
                                            -----------  ----------   -------  -------   -------  --------   ----------  ----------
Contract owners' equity end of period ....  $12,465,084  15,626,086    15,232   32,802   225,616   251,728   10,869,899  13,745,003
                                            ===========  ==========   =======  =======   =======  ========   =========== ==========+
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   5

NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-4

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY, CONTINUED

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS, CONTINUED

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                SBVAFResAcct         SBVAFUSGovHQ         TSFSBIntEq         TSFSBLgCapVal
                                              -----------------   -------------------   -----------------   -----------------
                                                1999     1998       1999       1998      1999      1998      1999      1998
                                              --------  -------   --------   --------   -------  --------   -------  --------
<S>                                           <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>
Investment activity:
  Reinvested dividends ...................... $      -    2,677      2,850     90,126       699         -     2,124     7,532
  Mortality, expense and administration
    charges (note 2) ........................     (629)  (1,049)   (11,053)   (15,411)   (2,722)   (3,656)   (2,720)   (6,774)
                                              --------  -------   --------  ---------   -------  --------   -------  --------
    Net investment activity .................     (629)   1,628     (8,203)    74,715    (2,023)   (3,656)     (596)      758
                                              --------  -------   --------  ---------   -------  --------   -------  --------
  Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold .....   15,182   41,763    266,312    878,250    82,943   225,762    59,715   630,495
  Cost of mutual fund shares sold ...........  (22,681) (65,936)  (334,704)  (947,448)  (68,499) (183,352)  (41,962) (449,715)
                                              --------  -------   --------  ---------   -------  --------   -------  --------
    Realized gain (loss) on investments .....   (7,499) (24,173)   (68,392)   (69,198)   14,444    42,410    17,753   180,780
  Change in unrealized gain (loss) on
    investments .............................    8,893   20,737     85,689   (122,990)   89,397   (23,713)  (19,261) (161,936)
                                              --------  -------   --------  ---------   -------  --------   -------  --------
    Net gain (loss) on investments ..........    1,394   (3,436)    17,297   (192,188)  103,841    18,697    (1,508)   18,844
                                              --------  -------   --------  ---------   -------  --------   -------  --------
  Reinvested capital gains ..................        -        -          -    104,744         -         -     4,555    18,832
                                              --------  -------   --------  ---------   -------  --------   -------  --------
      Net increase (decrease) in contract
        owners' equity resulting from
          operations ........................      765   (1,808)     9,094    (12,729)  101,818    15,041     2,451    38,434
                                              --------  -------   --------  ---------   -------  --------   -------  --------

Equity transactions:
  Purchase payments received from
     contract owners ........................        -    2,000        336        495       330       495         -     4,816
  Transfers between funds ...................        -  (18,538)   (32,232)   (75,949)        -    42,867         -   109,815
  Redemptions ...............................  (14,376) (22,036)  (191,994)  (552,423)  (80,268) (180,804)  (56,702) (623,289)
  Annuity benefits ..........................        -        -     (1,483)    (1,545)        -         -         -         -
  Annual contract maintenance charge
    (note 2) ................................      (70)    (124)      (443)      (697)      (75)      (91)     (115)     (148)
  Contingent deferred sales charges
    (note 2) ................................     (105)       -       (386)      (866)        -      (118)        -      (350)
  Adjustments to maintain reserves ..........        2       (5)        (5)         3         6         1       (79)       37
                                              --------  -------   --------  ---------   -------  --------   -------  --------
      Net equity transactions ...............  (14,549) (38,703)  (226,207)  (630,982)  (80,007) (137,650)  (56,896) (509,119)
                                              --------  -------   --------  ---------   -------  --------   -------  --------
Net change in contract owners' equity .......  (13,784) (40,511)  (217,113)  (643,711)   21,811  (122,609)  (54,445) (470,685)
Contract owners' equity beginning of
  period ....................................   56,435   96,946    973,092  1,616,803   221,543   344,152   231,199   701,884
                                              --------  -------   --------  ---------   -------  --------   -------  --------
Contract owners' equity end of period ....... $ 42,651   56,435    755,979    973,092   243,354   221,543   176,754   231,199
                                              ========  =======   ========  =========   =======  ========   =======  ========


                                                                                                                  (Continued)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   6


NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-4

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY, CONTINUED

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS, CONTINUED

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,1999 AND 1998


                                                           TSFSBMMkt
                                                    -----------------------
                                                       1999        1998
                                                    ---------    --------

Investment activity:
  Reinvested dividends ......................       $   4,561      18,178
  Mortality, expense and administration
    charges (note 2) ........................          (1,189)     (4,748)
                                                    ---------    --------
    Net investment activity .................           3,372      13,430
                                                    ---------    --------
  Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold .....         249,062     692,136
  Cost of mutual fund shares sold ...........        (249,062)   (692,136)
                                                    ---------    --------
    Realized gain (loss) on investments .....               -           -
  Change in unrealized gain (loss) on
    investments .............................               -           -
                                                    ---------    --------
    Net gain (loss) on investments ..........               -           -
                                                    ---------    --------
  Reinvested capital gains ..................               -           -
                                                    ---------    --------
      Net increase (decrease) in contract
        owners' equity resulting from
          operations ........................           3,372      13,430
                                                    ---------    --------

Equity transactions:
  Purchase payments received from
     contract owners ........................               -           -
  Transfers between funds ...................         266,081     (57,954)
  Redemptions ...............................        (247,514)   (457,430)
  Annuity benefits ..........................               -           -
  Annual contract maintenance charge
    (note 2) ................................            (150)       (214)
  Contingent deferred sales charges
    (note 2) ................................            (215)          -
  Adjustments to maintain reserves ..........            (259)         15
                                                    ---------    --------
      Net equity transactions ...............          17,943    (515,583)
                                                    ---------    --------
Net change in contract owners' equity .......          21,315    (502,153)
Contract owners' equity beginning of
  period ....................................         114,284     616,437
                                                    ---------    --------
Contract owners' equity end of period .......       $ 135,599     114,284
                                                    =========    ========


See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>   7

                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-4

                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                           December 31, 1999 and 1998

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

    (a) Organization and Nature of Operations

        Nationwide Variable Account-4 (the Account) was established pursuant to
        a resolution of the Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance
        Company (the Company) on October 7, 1987, and commenced operations on
        July 10, 1989. 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.
        Presently, the contracts are not actively marketed.

    (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:

          Portfolios of the Greenwich Street Series Fund (Greenwich SSF);
            Greenwich SSF - Intermediate High Grade Portfolio (GSSFIHiGr)
            Greenwich SSF - Total Return Portfolio (GSSFTotRt)

          Portfolios of the Smith Barney Variable Account Funds
          (Smith Barney VAF);
            Smith Barney VAF - The Income and Growth Portfolio (SBVAFIncGro)
            Smith Barney VAF - The Reserve Account Portfolio (SBVAFResAcct)
            Smith Barney VAF - The U.S. Government/High Quality Securities
              Portfolio (SBVAFUSGovHQ)

          Portfolios of the Travelers Series Fund Inc.;
            Travelers Series Fund Inc. - Smith Barney International Equity
              Portfolio (TSFSBIntEq)
            Travelers Series Fund Inc. - Smith Barney Large Cap Value Portfolio
              (TSFSBLgCapVal)
            Travelers Series Fund Inc. - Smith Barney Money Market Portfolio
              (TSFSBMMkt)

        At December 31, 1999, 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.

                                                                     (Continued)
<PAGE>   8

                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-4

                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED


    (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, 1999. 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.

    (f) Calculation of Annuity Reserves

        Annuity reserves are computed for contracts in the variable payout stage
        according to industry standard mortality tables. The assumed investment
        return is 3.5 percent unless the annuitant elects otherwise, in which
        case the rate may vary from 3.5 percent to 7 percent, as regulated by
        the laws of the respective states. The mortality risk is fully borne by
        the Company and may result in additional amounts being transferred into
        the Account by the Company to cover greater longevity of annuitants than
        expected. Conversely, if reserves exceed amounts required, transfers may
        be made to the Company.

(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 a contract owner's contract value a contingent
        deferred sales charge not to exceed 7% of the lesser of purchase
        payments or the amount surrendered, such charge declining 1% per year,
        to 0%, after the purchase payment has been held in the contract for 84
        months. 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 $30, dependent upon contract
        type and issue date, 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.



________________________________________________________________________________

<PAGE>   48

<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, 1999 and
1998, 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,
1999. 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, 1999 and 1998, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1999, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.






Columbus, Ohio
January 28, 2000
<PAGE>   2
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                           Consolidated Balance Sheets

                     (in millions, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  December 31,
                                                                         -----------------------------
                                     Assets                                1999                1998
                                     ------                              ---------           ---------
<S>                                                                      <C>                 <C>
Investments:
  Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
    Fixed maturity securities                                            $15,294.0           $14,245.1
    Equity securities                                                         92.9               127.2
  Mortgage loans on real estate, net                                       5,786.3             5,328.4
  Real estate, net                                                           254.8               243.6
  Policy loans                                                               519.6               464.3
  Other long-term investments                                                 73.8                44.0
  Short-term investments                                                     416.0               289.1
                                                                         ---------           ---------
                                                                          22,437.4            20,741.7
                                                                         ---------           ---------

Cash                                                                           4.8                 3.4
Accrued investment income                                                    238.6               218.7
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                          2,554.1             2,022.2
Other assets                                                                 305.9               420.3
Assets held in separate accounts                                          67,135.1            50,935.8
                                                                         ---------           ---------
                                                                         $92,675.9           $74,342.1
                                                                         =========           =========

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

Future policy benefits and claims                                        $21,861.6           $19,767.1
Other liabilities                                                            914.2               866.1
Liabilities related to separate accounts                                  67,135.1            50,935.8
                                                                         ---------           ---------
                                                                          89,910.9            71,569.0
                                                                         ---------           ---------

Commitments and contingencies (notes 8 and 13)

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                                                 766.1               914.7
  Retained earnings                                                        2,011.0             1,579.0
  Accumulated other comprehensive income                                     (15.9)              275.6
                                                                         ---------           ---------
                                                                           2,765.0             2,773.1
                                                                         ---------           ---------
                                                                         $92,675.9           $74,342.1
                                                                         =========           =========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   3
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                        Consolidated Statements of Income

                                  (in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Years ended December 31,
                                                                ---------------------------------------------
                                                                  1999               1998              1997
                                                                --------           --------          --------

<S>                                                             <C>                <C>               <C>
Revenues:
  Policy charges                                                $  895.5           $  698.9          $  545.2
  Life insurance premiums                                          220.8              200.0             205.4
  Net investment income                                          1,520.8            1,481.6           1,409.2
  Realized (losses) gains on investments                           (11.6)              28.4              11.1
  Other                                                             66.1               66.8              46.5
                                                                --------           --------          --------
                                                                 2,691.6            2,475.7           2,217.4
                                                                --------           --------          --------
Benefits and expenses:
  Interest credited to policyholder account balances             1,096.3            1,069.0           1,016.6
  Other benefits and claims                                        210.4              175.8             178.2
  Policyholder dividends on participating policies                  42.4               39.6              40.6
  Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                272.6              214.5             167.2
  Other operating expenses                                         463.4              419.7             384.9
                                                                --------           --------          --------
                                                                 2,085.1            1,918.6           1,787.5
                                                                --------           --------          --------

    Income before federal income tax expense                       606.5              557.1             429.9

Federal income tax expense                                         201.4              190.4             150.2
                                                                --------           --------          --------

    Net income                                                  $  405.1           $  366.7          $  279.7
                                                                ========           ========          ========

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   4
               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, 1999, 1998 and 1997
                                  (in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                  Accumulated
                                                                Additional                           other              Total
                                                  Common         paid-in           Retained       comprehensive      shareholder's
                                                  stock          capital           earnings          income             equity
                                                 --------        --------         ----------         --------         ----------
<S>                                              <C>             <C>              <C>                <C>              <C>
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

Comprehensive income:
    Net income                                         --              --              405.1               --              405.1
    Net unrealized losses on securities
      available-for-sale arising during
      the year                                         --              --                 --           (315.0)            (315.0)
                                                                                                                        --------
  Total comprehensive income                                                                                                90.1
                                                                                                                        --------
Capital contribution                                   --            26.4               87.9             23.5              137.8
                                                                                                                        --------
Dividends to shareholder                               --          (175.0)             (61.0)              --             (236.0)
                                                   ------        --------           --------           ------           --------
December 31, 1999                                  $  3.8        $  766.1           $2,011.0           $(15.9)          $2,765.0
                                                   ======        ========           ========           ======           ========

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   5
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                  (in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                              Years ended December 31,
                                                                                       -------------------------------------
                                                                                         1999          1998          1997
                                                                                       ---------     ---------     ---------
<S>                                                                                   <C>            <C>           <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                                                          $    405.1     $   366.7     $   279.7
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
    activities:
      Interest credited to policyholder account balances                                 1,096.3       1,069.0       1,016.6
      Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                 (637.0)       (584.2)       (487.9)
      Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                    272.6         214.5         167.2
      Amortization and depreciation                                                          2.4          (8.5)         (2.0)
      Realized (gains) losses on invested assets, net                                       11.6         (28.4)        (11.1)
      Increase in accrued investment income                                                 (7.9)         (8.2)         (0.3)
      Decrease (increase) in other assets                                                  122.9          16.4         (12.7)
      Decrease in policy liabilities                                                       (20.9)         (8.3)        (23.1)
      Increase (decrease) in other liabilities                                             149.7         (34.8)        230.6
      Other, net                                                                            (8.6)        (11.3)        (10.9)
                                                                                       ---------     ---------     ---------
        Net cash provided by operating activities                                        1,386.2         982.9       1,146.1
                                                                                       ---------     ---------     ---------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale                                2,307.9       1,557.0         993.4
  Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                                      513.1         610.5         574.5
  Proceeds from repayments of mortgage loans on real estate                                696.7         678.2         437.3
  Proceeds from sale of real estate                                                          5.7         103.8          34.8
  Proceeds from repayments of policy loans and sale of other invested assets                40.9          23.6          22.7
  Cost of securities available-for-sale acquired                                        (3,724.9)     (3,182.8)     (2,828.1)
  Cost of mortgage loans on real estate acquired                                          (971.4)       (829.1)       (752.2)
  Cost of real estate acquired                                                             (14.2)         (0.8)        (24.9)
  Short-term investments, net                                                              (27.5)         69.3        (354.8)
  Other, net                                                                              (110.9)        (88.4)        (62.5)
                                                                                       ---------     ---------     ---------
        Net cash used in investing activities                                           (1,284.6)     (1,058.7)     (1,959.8)
                                                                                       ---------     ---------     ---------

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from capital contributions                                                         --            --         836.8
  Cash dividends paid                                                                     (188.5)       (100.0)           --
  Increase in investment product and universal life insurance
    product account balances                                                             3,799.4       2,682.1       2,488.5
  Decrease in investment product and universal life insurance
    product account balances                                                            (3,711.1)     (2,678.5)     (2,379.8)
                                                                                       ---------     ---------     ---------
        Net cash used in financing activities                                             (100.2)        (96.4)        945.5
                                                                                       ---------     ---------     ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash                                                              1.4        (172.2)        131.8

Cash, beginning of year                                                                      3.4         175.6          43.8
                                                                                       ---------     ---------     ---------
Cash, end of year                                                                      $     4.8     $     3.4     $   175.6
                                                                                       =========     =========     =========

</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, 1999, 1998 and 1997


(1)      Organization and Description of Business

         Nationwide Life Insurance Company (NLIC) is a leading provider of
         long-term savings and retirement products in the United States and is a
         wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (NFS).
         The Company develops and sells a diverse range of products including
         variable annuities, fixed annuities and life insurance as well as
         investment management and administrative services. NLIC markets its
         products through a broad network of distribution channels, including
         independent broker/dealers, national and regional brokerage firms,
         financial institutions, pension plan administrators, life insurance
         specialists, Nationwide Retirement Solutions sales representatives, and
         Nationwide agents.

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


(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.

         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. All significant intercompany
              balances and transactions have been eliminated.
<PAGE>   7
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         (a wholly owned subsidiary of
                      Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         (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 accumulated other comprehensive income in
              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, 1999 or 1998.

              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.

         (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.
<PAGE>   8
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         (a wholly owned subsidiary of
                      Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         (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. 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). 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.

         (e)  Separate Accounts

              Separate account assets and liabilities represent contractholders'
              funds which have been segregated into accounts with specific
              investment objectives. For all but $915.4 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 5.6%, 6.0% and 6.1% for the years ended
              December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, 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 29% in 1999 (40%
              in 1998 and 50% in 1997) of the Company's life insurance in force,
              69% in 1999 (74% in 1998 and 77% in 1997) of the number of life
              insurance policies in force, and 13% in 1999 (14% in 1998 and 27%
              in 1997) 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.

         (j)  Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

              In March 1998, The American Institute of Certified Public
              Accountant's Accounting Standards Executive Committee issued
              Statement of Position (SOP) 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of
              Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." The
              SOP, which has been adopted prospectively as of January 1, 1999,
              requires the capitalization of certain costs incurred in
              connection with developing or obtaining internal use software.
              Prior to the adoption of SOP 98-1, the Company expensed internal
              use software related costs as incurred. The effect of adopting the
              SOP was to increase net income for 1999 by $8.3 million.

              In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
              issued Statement No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments
              and Hedging Activities" (FAS 133). FAS 133 establishes accounting
              and reporting standards for derivative instruments and for hedging
              activities. Contracts that contain embedded derivatives, such as
              certain investment and insurance contracts, are also addressed by
              the Statement. FAS 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. In
              July 1999 the FASB issued Statement No. 137 which delayed the
              effective date of FAS 133 to fiscal years beginning after June 15,
              2000. The Company plans to adopt this Statement in first quarter
              2001 and is currently evaluating the impact on results of
              operations and financial condition.

         (k)  Reclassification

              Certain items in the 1998 and 1997 consolidated financial
              statements have been reclassified to conform to the 1999
              presentation.
<PAGE>   10
               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, 1999 and
         1998 were:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     Gross        Gross
                                                                     Amortized    unrealized    unrealized      Estimated
             (in millions)                                             cost          gains        losses        fair value
                                                                     ---------       ------       -------        ---------
<S>                                                                  <C>             <C>          <C>            <C>
             December 31, 1999:
               Fixed maturity securities:
                 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.
                   government corporations and agencies              $   428.4       $ 23.4       $  (2.4)       $   449.4
                 Obligations of states and political subdivisions          0.8           --            --              0.8
                 Debt securities issued by foreign governments           110.6          0.6          (0.8)           110.4
                 Corporate securities                                 11,414.7        118.9        (218.6)        11,315.0
                 Mortgage-backed securities                            3,422.8         25.8         (30.2)         3,418.4
                                                                     ---------       ------       -------        ---------
                     Total fixed maturity securities                  15,377.3        168.7        (252.0)        15,294.0
               Equity securities                                          84.9         12.4          (4.4)            92.9
                                                                     ---------       ------       -------        ---------
                                                                     $15,462.2       $181.1       $(256.4)       $15,386.9
                                                                     =========       ======       =======        =========

             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
                                                                     =========       ======       =======        =========
</TABLE>

         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity
         securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 1999, 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)                                                            cost          fair value
                                                                                    ---------        ---------
<S>                                                                                 <C>              <C>
             Fixed maturity securities available for sale:
               Due in one year or less                                              $   847.0        $   847.0
               Due after one year through five years                                  5,240.5          5,205.7
               Due after five years through ten years                                 5,046.9          5,005.2
               Due after ten years                                                    4,242.9          4,236.1
                                                                                    ---------        ---------
                                                                                    $15,377.3        $15,294.0
                                                                                    =========        =========

</TABLE>
<PAGE>   11
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         (a wholly owned subsidiary of
                      Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             (in millions)                                                           1999         1998
                                                                                    ------       -------
<S>                                                                                 <C>          <C>
             Gross unrealized (losses) gains                                        $(75.3)      $ 540.6
             Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                          50.9        (116.6)
             Deferred federal income tax                                               8.5        (148.4)
                                                                                    ------       -------
                                                                                    $(15.9)      $ 275.6
                                                                                    ======       =======
</TABLE>

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

             (in millions)                                                   1999          1998          1997
                                                                            -------        -----        ------

<S>                                                                         <C>            <C>          <C>
             Securities available-for-sale:
               Fixed maturity securities                                    $(607.1)       $52.6        $137.5
               Equity securities                                               (8.8)         4.2          (2.7)
                                                                            -------        -----        ------
                                                                            $(615.9)       $56.8        $134.8
                                                                            =======        =====        ======
</TABLE>

         Proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale during 1999,
         1998 and 1997 were $513.1 million, $610.5 million and $574.5 million,
         respectively. During 1999, gross gains of $10.4 million ($9.0 million
         and $9.9 million in 1998 and 1997, respectively) and gross losses of
         $28.0 million ($7.6 million and $18.0 million in 1998 and 1997,
         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 Company had $15.6 million of real estate investments at December
         31, 1999 that were non-income producing the preceding twelve months.
         During 1998 the Company had investments of $42.4 million that were
         non-income producing, which consisted of $32.7 million of securities
         available-for-sale and $9.7 million of real estate.

         Real estate is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation of $24.8
         million as of December 31, 1999 ($21.5 million as of December 31, 1998)
         and valuation allowances of $5.5 million as of December 31, 1999 ($5.4
         million as of December 31, 1998).

         The recorded investment of mortgage loans on real estate considered to
         be impaired was $3.7 million as of both December 31, 1999 and 1998. No
         valuation allowance has been recorded for these loans as of December
         31, 1999 or 1998. During 1999, the average recorded investment in
         impaired mortgage loans on real estate was approximately $3.7 million
         ($9.1 million in 1998) and there was no interest income recognized on
         those loans. Interest income recognized on impaired loans was $0.3
         million in 1998 which is equal to interest income recognized using a
         cash-basis method of income recognition.
<PAGE>   12
               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)                                             1999     1998     1997
                                                                       -----    -----    -----

<S>                                                                    <C>      <C>      <C>
             Allowance, beginning of year                              $42.4    $42.5    $51.0
               Additions (reductions) charged to operations              0.7     (0.1)    (1.2)
               Direct write-downs charged against the allowance           --       --     (7.3)
               Allowance on acquired mortgage loans                      1.3       --       --
                                                                       -----    -----    -----
             Allowance, end of year                                    $44.4    $42.4    $42.5
                                                                       =====    =====    =====
</TABLE>

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

             (in millions)                                                  1999       1998       1997
                                                                          --------   --------   --------

<S>                                                                       <C>        <C>        <C>
             Gross investment income:
               Securities available-for-sale:
                 Fixed maturity securities                                $1,031.3   $  982.5   $  911.6
                 Equity securities                                             2.5        0.8        0.8
               Mortgage loans on real estate                                 460.4      458.9      457.7
               Real estate                                                    28.8       40.4       42.9
               Short-term investments                                         18.6       17.8       22.7
               Other                                                          26.5       30.7       21.0
                                                                          --------   --------   --------
                   Total investment income                                 1,568.1    1,531.1    1,456.7
             Less investment expenses                                         47.3       49.5       47.5
                                                                          --------   --------   --------
                   Net investment income                                  $1,520.8   $1,481.6   $1,409.2
                                                                          ========   ========   ========
</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)                                                 1999     1998    1997
                                                                          -------   -----   -----

<S>                                                                       <C>      <C>     <C>
             Securities available-for-sale:
               Fixed maturity securities                                  $(25.0)  $(0.7)  $ 3.6
               Equity securities                                             7.4     2.1     2.7
             Mortgage loans on real estate                                  (0.6)    3.9     1.6
             Real estate and other                                           6.6    23.1     3.2
                                                                          ------   -----   -----
                                                                          $(11.6)  $28.4   $11.1
                                                                          ======   =====   =====
</TABLE>

         Fixed maturity securities with an amortized cost of $9.1 million as of
         December 31, 1999 and $6.5 million as of December 31, 1998 were on
         deposit with various regulatory agencies as required by law.

(4)      Derivative Financial Instruments

         The Company uses derivative financial instruments, principally interest
         rate swaps, interest rate futures contracts and foreign currency swaps,
         to manage market risk exposures associated with changes in interest
         rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Provided they meet specific
         criteria, interest rate swaps and futures are considered hedges and are
         accounted for under the accrual method and deferral method,
         respectively. The Company has no significant derivative positions that
         are not considered hedges.
<PAGE>   13
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         (a wholly owned subsidiary of
                      Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         Interest rate swaps are primarily used to convert specific investment
         securities and interest bearing policy liabilities from a fixed-rate to
         a floating-rate basis. Amounts receivable or payable under these
         agreements are recognized as an adjustment to net investment income or
         interest credited to policyholder account balances consistent with the
         nature of the hedged item. The changes in fair value of the interest
         rate swap agreements are not recognized on the balance sheet, except
         for interest rate swaps designated as hedges of fixed maturity
         securities available-for-sale, for which changes in fair values are
         reported in accumulated other comprehensive income.

         Interest rate futures contracts are primarily used to hedge the risk of
         adverse interest rate changes related to the Company's mortgage loan
         commitments and anticipated purchases of fixed rate investments. Gains
         and losses are deferred and, at the time of closing, reflected as an
         adjustment to the carrying value of the related mortgage loans or
         investments. The carrying value adjustments are amortized into net
         investment income over the life of the related mortgage loans or
         investments.

         Foreign currency swaps are used to convert cash flows from specific
         policy liabilities and investments denominated in foreign currencies
         into U.S. dollars at specified exchange rates. Gains and losses on
         foreign currency swaps are recorded in earnings based on the related
         spot foreign exchange rate at the end of the reporting period. Gains
         and losses on these contracts offset those recorded as a result of
         translating the hedged foreign currency denominated liabilities and
         investments to U.S. dollars.

         The following table summarizes the notional amount of derivative
         financial instruments classified as hedges outstanding as of December
         31, 1999. Prior to 1999 the Company's activities in derivatives were
         not significant.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               (in millions)
                                                                               -------------
<S>                                                                               <C>
            Interest rate swaps
               Pay fixed/receive variable rate swaps hedging investments          $362.7
               Pay variable/receive fixed rate swaps hedging investments          $ 28.5
               Other contracts hedging investments                                $ 19.1
               Pay variable/receive fixed rate swaps hedging liabilities          $577.2

            Foreign currency swaps
               Hedging foreign currency denominated investments                   $ 14.8
               Hedging foreign currency denominated liabilities                   $577.2

            Interest rate futures contracts                                       $781.6

</TABLE>
<PAGE>   14
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         (a wholly owned subsidiary of
                      Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



(5)      Federal Income Tax

         The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
         components of the net deferred tax liability as of December 31, 1999
         and 1998 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions)                                                   1999            1998
                                                                             ----            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>             <C>
             Deferred tax assets:
               Fixed maturity securities                                    $  5.3          $   --
               Future policy benefits                                        149.5           207.7
               Liabilities in separate accounts                              373.6           319.9
               Mortgage loans on real estate and real estate                  18.5            17.5
               Other assets and other liabilities                             51.1            58.9
                                                                             -----          ------
                 Total gross deferred tax assets                             598.0           604.0
                 Less valuation allowance                                     (7.0)           (7.0)
                                                                             -----          ------
                 Net deferred tax assets                                     591.0           597.0
                                                                             -----          ------

             Deferred tax liabilities:
               Deferred policy acquisition costs                             724.4           568.7
               Fixed maturity securities                                        --           212.2
               Deferred tax on realized investment gains                      34.7            34.8
               Equity securities and other long-term investments              10.8             9.6
               Other                                                          26.5            21.6
                                                                            ------          ------
                 Total gross deferred tax liabilities                        796.4           846.9
                                                                            ------          ------
                 Net deferred tax liability                                 $205.4          $249.9
                                                                            ======          ======
</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, 1999, 1998 and 1997.

         The Company's current federal income tax liability was $104.7 million
         and $72.8 million as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.

         Federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31 was as
         follows:

           (in millions)                    1999      1998      1997
                                           ------    ------    ------

           Currently payable               $ 53.6    $186.1    $121.7
           Deferred tax expense             147.8       4.3      28.5
                                           ------    ------    ------
                                           $201.4    $190.4    $150.2
                                           ======    ======    ======
<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, 1999,
         1998 and 1997 differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S.
         federal income tax rate to income before tax as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1999                     1998                     1997
                                                       ----------------         ----------------         ----------------
         (in millions)                                 Amount       %           Amount        %          Amount        %
                                                       ------      ----         ------      ----         ------      ----

<S>                                                    <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>
         Computed (expected) tax expense               $212.3      35.0         $195.0      35.0         $150.5      35.0
         Tax exempt interest and dividends
           received deduction                            (7.3)     (1.2)          (4.9)     (0.9)            --        --
         Income tax credits                              (4.3)     (0.7)            --        --             --        --
         Other, net                                       0.7       0.1            0.3       0.1           (0.3)     (0.1)
                                                       ------      ----         ------      ----         ------      ----
             Total (effective rate of each year)       $201.4      33.2         $190.4      34.2         $150.2      34.9
                                                       ======      ====         ======      ====         ======      ====
</TABLE>

         Total federal income tax paid was $29.8 million, $173.4 million and
         $91.8 million during the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997,
         respectively.

(6)      Comprehensive Income

         Comprehensive Income includes net income as well as certain items that
         are reported directly within separate components of shareholder's
         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)                                                 1999       1998       1997
                                                                          -------    ------     ------
<S>                                                                       <C>        <C>        <C>
             Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale
                arising during the period:
                Gross                                                     $(665.3)   $ 58.2     $141.1
                Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs             167.5     (12.9)     (21.8)
                Related federal income tax (expense) benefit                171.4     (15.9)     (41.7)
                                                                          -------    ------     ------
                   Net                                                     (326.4)     29.4       77.6
                                                                          -------    ------     ------

             Reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses on
                securities available-for-sale realized during the
                period:
                Gross                                                        17.6      (1.4)      (6.3)
                Related federal income tax expense (benefit)                 (6.2)      0.5        2.2
                                                                          -------    ------     ------
                   Net                                                       11.4      (0.9)      (4.1)
                                                                          -------    ------     ------
             Total Other Comprehensive Income                             $(315.0)   $ 28.5     $ 73.5
                                                                          =======    ======     ======
</TABLE>

(7)      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 fixed
              maturity and equity securities exclude the fair value of
              derivatives contracts designated as hedges of fixed maturity and
              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 8.

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

              Interest rate and foreign currency swaps: The fair value for
              interest rate and foreign currency swaps are calculated with
              pricing models using current rate assumptions.

           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>
                                                                         1999                              1998
                                                                ------------------------         -------------------------
                                                                Carrying       Estimated         Carrying       Estimated
               (in millions)                                     amount        fair value         amount        fair value
                                                                ---------      ---------         ---------      ----------
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>               <C>             <C>
               Assets:
                 Investments:
                   Securities available-for-sale:
                     Fixed maturity securities                  $15,294.0      $15,294.0         $14,245.1       $14,245.1
                     Equity securities                               92.9           92.9             128.5           128.5
                   Mortgage loans on real estate, net             5,786.3        5,745.5           5,328.4         5,527.6
                   Policy loans                                     519.6          519.6             464.3           464.3
                   Short-term investments                           416.0          416.0             289.1           289.1
                 Cash                                                 4.8            4.8               3.4             3.4
                 Assets held in separate accounts                67,135.1       67,135.1          50,935.8        50,935.8

               Liabilities:
                 Investment contracts                           (16,977.7)     (16,428.6)        (15,468.7)      (15,158.6)
                 Policy reserves on life insurance contracts     (4,883.9)      (4,607.9)         (3,914.0)       (3,768.9)
                 Liabilities related to separate accounts       (67,135.1)     (66,318.7)        (50,935.8)      (49,926.5)

               Derivative financial instruments:
                 Interest rate swaps hedging assets                   4.3            4.3               -               -
                 Interest rate swaps hedging liabilities              -            (24.2)              -               -
                 Foreign currency swaps                             (11.8)         (11.8)              -               -
                 Futures contracts                                    1.3            1.3              (1.3)           (1.3)
</TABLE>

(8)      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.
<PAGE>   18
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         (a wholly owned subsidiary of
                      Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         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.

         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 and derivative financial instruments. 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 $216.2 million
         extending into 2000 were outstanding as of December 31, 1999. The
         Company also had $28.0 million of commitments to purchase fixed
         maturity securities outstanding as of December 31, 1999.

         Notional amounts of derivative financial instruments, primarily
         interest rate swaps, interest rate futures contracts and foreign
         currency swaps, significantly exceed the credit risk associated with
         these instruments and represent contractual balances on which
         calculations of amounts to be exchanged are based. Credit exposure is
         limited to the sum of the aggregate fair value of positions that have
         become favorable to NLIC, including accrued interest receivable due
         from counterparties. Potential credit losses are minimized through
         careful evaluation of counterparty credit standing, selection of
         counterparties from a limited group of high quality institutions,
         collateral agreements and other contract provisions. At December 31,
         1999, NLIC's credit risk from these derivative financial instruments
         was $6.1 million.

         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 23% (22% in 1998) in any geographic area and no more than 2% (2%
         in 1998) with any one borrower as of December 31, 1999. As of December
         31, 1999, 39% (42% in 1998) of the remaining principal balance of the
         Company's commercial mortgage loan portfolio financed retail
         properties.
<PAGE>   19
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         (a wholly owned subsidiary of
                      Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         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 $143.6 million and $187.9 million as of December 31,
         1999 and 1998, 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.

(9)      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.

         Pension cost (benefit) charged to operations by the Company during the
         years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 were $(8.3) million, $2.0
         million and $7.5 million, respectively. The Company has recorded a
         prepaid pension asset of $13.3 million and $5.0 million as of December
         31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.

         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,
         1999 and 1998 was $49.6 million and $40.1 million, respectively, and
         the net periodic postretirement benefit cost (NPPBC) for 1999, 1998 and
         1997 was $4.9 million, $4.1 million and $3.0 million, respectively.
<PAGE>   20
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         (a wholly owned subsidiary of
                      Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         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, 1999 and 1998 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Pension Benefits        Postretirement Benefits
                                                                        ------------------       -----------------------
              (in millions)                                               1999       1998         1999            1998
              --------------------------------------------------------- --------   --------      -------         -------
<S>                                                                     <C>        <C>           <C>             <C>
              Change in benefit obligation:
              Benefit obligation at beginning of year                   $2,185.0   $2,033.8      $ 270.1         $ 237.9
              Service cost                                                  80.0       87.6         14.2             9.8
              Interest cost                                                109.9      123.4         17.6            15.4
              Actuarial (gain) loss                                        (95.0)     123.2        (64.4)           15.6
              Plan settlement in 1999/curtailment in 1998                 (396.1)    (107.2)          --              --
              Benefits paid                                                (72.4)     (75.8)       (11.0)           (8.6)
              Acquired companies                                              --         --         13.3              --
                                                                        --------   --------      -------         -------
              Benefit obligation at end of year                          1,811.4    2,185.0        239.8           270.1
                                                                        --------   --------      -------         -------
              Change in plan assets:
              Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year             2,541.9    2,212.9         77.9            69.2
              Actual return on plan assets                                 161.8      300.7          3.5             5.0
              Employer contribution                                         12.4      104.1         20.9            12.1
              Plan settlement                                             (396.1)        --           --              --
              Benefits paid                                                (72.4)     (75.8)       (11.0)           (8.4)
                                                                        --------   --------      -------         -------
              Fair value of plan assets at end of year                   2,247.6    2,541.9         91.3            77.9
                                                                        --------   --------      -------         -------

              Funded status                                                436.2      356.9       (148.5)         (192.2)
              Unrecognized prior service cost                               28.2       31.5           --              --
              Unrecognized net (gains) losses                             (402.0)    (345.7)       (46.7)           16.0
              Unrecognized net (asset) obligation at transition             (7.7)     (11.0)         1.1             1.3
                                                                        --------   --------      -------         -------
              Prepaid (accrued) benefit cost                            $   54.7   $   31.7      $(194.1)        $(174.9)
                                                                        ========   ========      =======         =======
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   21
               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
                                                                    ----------------        -----------------------
                                                                    1999        1998         1999             1998
                                                                    ----        ----        -------          ------

<S>                                                                 <C>         <C>
              Weighted average discount rate                        7.00%       5.50%        7.80%            6.65%
              Rate of increase in future compensation levels        5.25%       3.75%          --               --
              Assumed health care cost trend rate:
                    Initial rate                                      --          --        15.00%           15.00%
                    Ultimate rate                                     --          --         5.50%            8.00%
                    Uniform declining period                          --          --        5 Years         15 Years
</TABLE>

         The net periodic pension cost for the pension plan as a whole for the
         years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

              (in millions)                                                              1999       1998          1997
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------   -----------   ------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>          <C>          <C>
              Service cost (benefits earned during the period)                         $  80.0      $  87.6      $   77.3
              Interest cost on projected benefit obligation                              109.9        123.4         118.6
              Expected return on plan assets                                            (160.3)      (159.0)       (139.0)
              Recognized gains                                                            (9.1)        (3.8)           --
              Amortization of prior service cost                                           3.2          3.2           3.2
              Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation (asset)                  (1.4)         4.2           4.2
                                                                                       -------      -------      --------
                                                                                       $  22.3      $  55.6      $   64.3
                                                                                       =======      =======      ========
</TABLE>

         Effective December 31, 1998, Wausau Service Corporation (WSC) ended its
         affiliation with Nationwide Insurance 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). During 1999, the
         plan transferred assets to settle its obligation related to WSC
         employees . A settlement gain of $32.9 million was recognized.

         Basis for measurements, net periodic pension cost for the pension plan:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           1999          1998          1997
                                                                          ------        -----         -----
<S>                                                                       <C>           <C>           <C>
             Weighted average discount rate                               6.08%         6.00%         6.50%
             Rate of increase in future compensation levels               4.33%         4.25%         4.75%
             Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets             7.33%         7.25%         7.25%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   22
               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, 1999, 1998 and 1997 was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions)                                                              1999          1998          1997
                                                                                         -------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                                                                      <C>           <C>          <C>
             Service cost (benefits attributed to employee service during the year)      $14.2         $ 9.8         $ 7.0
             Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation               17.6          15.4          14.0
             Actual return on plan assets                                                 (3.5)         (5.0)         (3.6)
             Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates              0.6           0.2           0.2
             Net amortization and deferral                                                (1.8)          1.2          (0.5)
                                                                                         -----         -----         -----
                                                                                         $27.1         $21.6         $17.1
                                                                                         =====         =====         =====
</TABLE>

         Actuarial assumptions used for the measurement of the NPPBC for the
         postretirement benefit plan for 1999, 1998 and 1997 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               1999      1998       1997
                                                             -------    ------     ------

<S>                                                          <C>        <C>       <C>
               Discount rate                                 6.65%      6.70%      7.25%
               Long term rate of return on plan
                   assets, net of tax                        7.15%      5.83%      5.89%
               Assumed health care cost trend rate:
                   Initial rate                             15.00%     12.00%     11.00%
                   Ultimate rate                             5.50%      6.00%      6.00%
                   Uniform declining period                 5 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, 1999 and have no impact
         on the NPPBC for the year ended December 31, 1999.

(10)     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, 1999, 1998
         and 1997 was $1.35 billion, $1.32 billion and $1.13 billion,
         respectively. The statutory net income of NLIC for the years ended
         December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 was $276.2 million, $171.0 million and
         $111.7 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, 1999
         $40.2 million of dividends could be paid by NLIC without prior
         approval.
<PAGE>   23
               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.

(11)     Transactions With Affiliates

         During second quarter 1999 the Company entered into a modified
         coinsurance arrangement to reinsure the 1999 operating results of an
         affiliated company, Employers Life Insurance Company of Wausau (ELOW)
         retroactive to January 1, 1999. In September 1999, NFS acquired ELOW
         for $120.8 million and immediately merged ELOW into NLIC terminating
         the modified coinsurance arrangement. Because ELOW was an affiliate,
         the Company accounted for the merger similar to poolings-of-interests;
         however, prior period financial statements were not restated due to
         immateriality. The reinsurance and merger combined contributed $1.46
         million to year to date net income.

         The Company has a reinsurance agreement with NMIC whereby all of the
         Company's accident and health business is ceded to NMIC on a modified
         coinsurance basis. The agreement covers individual accident and health
         business for all periods presented and group and franchise accident and
         health business since July 1, 1999. Either party may terminate the
         agreement on January 1 of any year with prior notice. Prior to July 1,
         1999 group and franchise accident and health business and a block of
         group life insurance policies were ceded to ELOW under a modified
         coinsurance agreement. Under a modified coinsurance agreement, 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
         the reinsurer. Risk of asset default is retained by the Company,
         although a fee is paid to the Company for the retention of such risk.
         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. Revenues ceded to NMIC and ELOW for the years
         ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 were $193.0 million, $216.9
         million, and $315.3 million, respectively, while benefits, claims and
         expenses ceded were $216.9 million, $259.3 million, and $326.6 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 such agreement are subject to
         allocation among NMIC and such subsidiaries. Measures used to allocate
         expenses among companies include individual employee estimates of time
         spent, special cost studies, salary expense, commission expense and
         other methods agreed to by the participating companies that are within
         industry guidelines and practices. In addition, beginning in 1999
         Nationwide Services Company, a subsidiary of NMIC, provides computer,
         telephone, mail, employee benefits administration, and other services
         to NMIC and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including
         the Company, based on specified rates for units of service consumed.
         For the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, the Company made
         payments to NMIC and Nationwide Services Company totaling $124.1
         million, $95.0 million, and $85.8 million, respectively. In addition,
         the Company does not believe that expenses recognized under these
         agreements are materially different than expenses that would have been
         recognized had the Company operated on a stand-alone basis.

         The Company leases office space from NMIC and certain of its
         subsidiaries. For the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, the
         Company made lease payments to NMIC and its subsidiaries of $9.9
         million, $8.0 million and $8.4 million, respectively.
<PAGE>   24
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         (a wholly owned subsidiary of
                      Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         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 1999 and
         1998 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.

         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 $411.7 million and $248.4 million as
         of December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively, and are included in
         short-term investments on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

         As part of certain restructuring activities that occurred prior to the
         March 1997 IPO, the Company paid a dividend valued at $485.7 million to
         Nationwide Corp. on January 1, 1997 consisting of the outstanding
         shares of common stock of ELOW, National Casualty Company (NCC) and
         West Coast Life Insurance Company (WCLIC). Also, on February 24, 1997,
         the Company 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.

         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, 1999 were $56.0
         million, $60.0 million and $66.1 million, respectively.

(12)     Bank Lines of Credit

         NFS, NLIC and NMIC are parties to 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 any party. NFS, NLIC and
         NMIC pay facility and usage fees to the financial institutions to
         maintain the revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 1999 the
         Company had no amounts outstanding under the agreement.

(13)     Contingencies

         On October 29, 1998, the Company was 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).
         On May 3, 1999, the complaint was amended to, among other things, add
         Marcus Shore as a second plaintiff. The amended complaint is brought as
         a class action on behalf of all persons who purchased individual
         deferred annuity contracts or participated in group annuity contracts
         sold by the Company and the other named Company affiliates which were
         used to fund certain tax-deferred retirement plans. The amended
         complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. No class
         has been certified. On June 11, 1999, the Company and the other named
         defendants filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. On March 8,
         2000, the court denied the motion to dismiss the amended complaint
         filed by the Company and other named defendants. The Company intends to
         defend this lawsuit vigorously.

(14)     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.
<PAGE>   25
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         (a wholly owned subsidiary of
                      Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



         The Variable Annuities segment consists of annuity contracts that
         provide the customer with access to a wide range of investment options,
         tax-deferred accumulation of savings, asset protection in the event of
         an untimely death, and flexible payout options including a lump sum,
         systematic withdrawal or a stream of payments for life. 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, tax-deferred accumulation of savings, and flexible
         payout options including a lump sum, systematic withdrawal or a stream
         of payments for life. 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, revenues
         and expenses related to group annuity contracts sold to Nationwide
         Insurance employee and agent benefit plans and all realized gains and
         losses on investments in a Corporate and Other segment.

         During 1999 the Company revised the allocation of net investment income
         among its Life Insurance and Corporate and Other segments. Also,
         certain amounts previously reported as other income were reclassified
         to operating expense. Amounts reported for prior periods have been
         restated to reflect these changes.

         The following table summarizes the financial results of the Company's
         business segments for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Variable      Fixed        Life      Corporate
         (in millions)                            Annuities    Annuities   Insurance   and Other      Total
         ------------------------------------     ---------    ---------   ---------   ---------    ---------
<S>                            <C>                <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
         1999:
         Net investment income (1)                $   (41.5)   $ 1,134.5    $  253.1    $  174.7    $ 1,520.8
         Other operating revenue                      668.2         43.4       393.0        77.8      1,182.4
                                                  ---------    ---------    --------    --------    ---------
            Total operating revenue (2)               626.7      1,177.9       646.1       252.5      2,703.2
                                                  ---------    ---------    --------    --------    ---------
         Interest credited to policyholder
            account balances                             --        837.5       130.5       128.3      1,096.3
         Amortization of deferred policy
            acquisition costs                         162.8         49.7        60.1          --        272.6
         Other benefits and expenses                  173.6        113.5       334.7        94.4        716.2
                                                  ---------    ---------    --------    --------    ---------
            Total expenses                            336.4      1,000.7       525.3       222.7      2,085.1
                                                  ---------    ---------    --------    --------    ---------
         Operating income before
            federal income tax                        290.3        177.2       120.8        29.8        618.1
         Realized losses on investments                  --           --          --       (11.6)       (11.6)
                                                  ---------    ---------    --------    --------    ---------
         Consolidated income before
            federal tax expense                   $   290.3    $   177.2    $  120.8    $   18.2    $   606.5
                                                  =========    =========    ========    ========    =========
         Assets as of year end                    $62,599.7    $17,134.8    $6,616.7    $6,324.7    $92,675.9
                                                  =========    =========    ========    ========    =========
</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)                              Annuities         Annuities       Insurance       and Other         Total
         ------------------------------------       ---------         ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------
<S>                                                 <C>               <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>
         1998:
         Net investment income (1)                  $   (31.3)        $ 1,116.6        $  225.6        $  170.7        $ 1,481.6
         Other operating revenue                        532.9              35.7           318.5            78.6            965.7
                                                    ---------         ---------        --------        --------        ---------
            Total operating revenue (2)                 501.6           1,152.3           544.1           249.3          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                    159.3             104.2           293.5            78.1            635.1
                                                    ---------         ---------        --------        --------        ---------
            Total expenses                              283.2             977.0           455.3           203.1          1,918.6
                                                    ---------         ---------        --------        --------        ---------
         Operating income before federal
             income tax                                 218.4             175.3            88.8            46.2            528.7
         Realized gains on investments                     --                --              --            28.4             28.4
                                                    ---------         ---------        --------        --------        ---------
         Consolidated income before
            federal tax expense                     $   218.4         $   175.3        $   88.8        $   74.6        $   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)                  $   (26.8)        $ 1,098.2        $  184.9        $  152.9        $ 1,409.2
         Other operating revenue                        413.9              43.2           283.4            56.6            797.1
                                                    ---------         ---------        --------        --------        ---------
            Total operating revenue (2)                 387.1           1,141.4           468.3           209.5          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
         Benefits and expenses                          148.4             108.7           283.5            63.1            603.7
                                                    ---------         ---------        --------        --------        ---------
            Total expenses                              236.2             971.9           401.6           177.8          1,787.5
                                                    ---------         ---------        --------        --------        ---------
         Operating income before federal
             income tax                                 150.9             169.5            66.7            31.7            418.8
         Realized gains on investments                     --              --                --            11.1             11.1
                                                    ---------         ---------        --------        --------        ---------
         Consolidated income before
            federal tax expense                     $   150.9         $   169.5        $   66.7        $   42.8        $   429.9
                                                    =========         =========        ========        ========        =========
         Assets as of year end                      $35,278.7         $14,436.3        $3,901.4        $6,174.3        $59,790.7
                                                    =========         =========        ========        ========        =========
</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.

<PAGE>   49



         PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

         Item 24.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

                      (a)  Financial Statements:

                           (1) Financial statements included in Prospectus.
                               (Part A):
                               Condensed Financial Information.
                               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-4:
                               Independent Auditors' Report.
                               Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Contract
                               Owners' Equity as of December 31, 1999.
                               Statement of Operations for the years
                               ended December 31, 1999 and 1998.
                               Statement of Changes in Contract
                               Owners' Equity for the years ended
                               December 31, 1999 and 1998.
                               Notes to Financial Statements.

                           Nationwide Life Insurance Company:

                               Independent Auditors' Report.
                               Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December
                               31, 1999 and 1998.
                               Consolidated Statements of Income for the years
                               ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997.
                               Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity
                               for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and
                               1997.
                               Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
                               years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997.
                               Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.







<PAGE>   50



                      (b)  Exhibits

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                               <C>
                           (1)  Resolution of the Depositor's Board of Directors
                                authorizing the establishment of the Registrant.        *
                           (2)  Not Applicable                                          *
                           (3)  Underwriting or Distribution of contracts
                                between the Registrant and Principal Underwriter.       *
                           (4)  The form of the variable annuity contract               *
                           (5)  Variable Annuity Application.                           *
                           (6)  Articles of Incorporation of Depositor.                 *
                           (7)  Not Applicable
                           (8)  Not Applicable
                           (9)  Opinion of Counsel                                      *
                           (10) Not Applicable
                           (11) Not Applicable
                           (12) Not Applicable
                           (13) Not Applicable
</TABLE>


                      *Filed previously in connection with this registration
                      statement (SEC File No. 33-25734) and hereby incorporated
                      by reference.


<PAGE>   51


        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  28365-6107

                          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
                          301 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
                          Xerox Corporation
                          Suite 200
                          1401 H Street NW
                          Washington, DC 20005-2110

                          Ralph M. Paige                                         Director
                          Federation of Southern
                          Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund
                          2769 Church Street
                          East Point, GA  30344
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   52


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           NAME AND PRINCIPAL                             POSITIONS AND OFFICES
                            BUSINESS ADDRESS                                 WITH DEPOSITOR

<S>                                                                <C>
                          James F. Patterson                                     Director
                          8765 Mulberry Road
                          Chesterland, OH  44026

                          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
                          1767D Westwood Avenue
                          Alliance, OH  44601

                          Richard D. Headley                         Executive Vice President - Chief
                          One Nationwide Plaza                        Information Technology Officer
                          Columbus, OH 43215

                          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

                          Charles A. Bryan                               Senior Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                     Chief Actuary - Property and Casualty
                          Columbus, OH 43215

                          John R. Cook, Jr.                              Senior Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                         Chief Communications Officer
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          David A. Diamond                               Senior Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                             Corporate Controller
                          Columbus, OH 43215

                          Philip C. Gath                                 Senior Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                     Chief Actuary - Nationwide Financial
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Patricia R. Hatler                              Senior Vice President,
                          One Nationwide Plaza                         General Counsel and Secretary
                          Columbus, OH 43215
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   53


<TABLE>

                           NAME AND PRINCIPAL                             POSITIONS AND OFFICES
                            BUSINESS ADDRESS                                 WITH DEPOSITOR

<S>                                                             <C>
                          David K. Hollingsworth                          Senior Vice President
                          One Nationwide Plaza
                          Columbus, OH 43215

                          David R. Jahn                                  Senior Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                             Commercial Insurance
                          Columbus, OH 43215

                          Donna A. James                            Senior Vice President - Chief Human
                          One Nationwide Plaza                               Resources Officer
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Richard A. Karas                            Senior Vice President - Sales -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                              Financial Services
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Gregory S. Lashutka                            Senior Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                              Corporate Relations
                          Columbus, OH 43215

                          Edwin P. McCausland, Jr.                       Senior Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                            Fixed Income Securities
                          Columbus, OH 43215

                          Mark D. Phelan                                 Senior Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                              Technology Services
                          Columbus, OH 43215

                          Douglas C. Robinette                            Senior Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                          Claims and Finance Services
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Mark R. Thresher                               Senior Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                        Finance - Nationwide Financial
                          Columbus, OH 43215

                          Richard M. Waggoner                            Senior Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                                  Operations
                          Columbus, OH 43215

                          Susan A. Wolken                             Senior Vice President - Product
                          One Nationwide Plaza                          Management and Nationwide
                          Columbus, OH  43215                               Financial Marketing
</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



<PAGE>   54

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                COMPANY                      STATE/COUNTRY OF         NO. VOTING                PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                               ORGANIZATION           SECURITIES
                                                                     (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                     CHART UNLESS
                                                                       OTHERWISE
                                                                      INDICATED)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>                          <C>             <C>
The 401(k) Companies, Inc.               Texas                                        Holding Company

The 401(k) Company                       Texas                                        Third-party administrator for 401(k)
                                                                                      plans

401(k) Investment Advisors, Inc.         Texas                                        Investment advisor registered with the
                                                                                      SEC

401(k) Investments Services, Inc.        Texas                                        NASD registered broker-dealer

Affiliate Agency, Inc.                   Delaware                                     Insurance agency marketing life
                                                                                      insurance & annuity products through
                                                                                      financial institutions

Affiliate Agency of Ohio, Inc.           Ohio                                         Insurance agency marketing life
                                                                                      insurance & annuity products through
                                                                                      financial institutions

AID Finance Services, Inc.               Iowa                                         Holding Company

ALLIED General Agency Company            Iowa                                         Managing general agent and surplus
                                                                                      lines broker for property & casualty
                                                                                      insurance products

ALLIED Group, Inc.                       Iowa                                         Property & casualty holding company

ALLIED Group Insurance Marketing         Iowa                                         Direct marketer for property and
Company                                                                               casualty insurance products

ALLIED Group Merchant Banking            Iowa                                         Broker-Dealer
Corporation

ALLIED Property and Casualty Insurance   Iowa                                         Underwrites general property &
Company                                                                               casualty insurance

Allnations, Inc.                         Ohio                                         Promotes international cooperative
                                                                                      insurance organizations

AMCO Insurance Company                   Iowa                                         Underwrites general property &
                                                                                      casualty insurance

American Marine Underwriters, Inc.       Florida                                      Underwriting manager for ocean cargo
                                                                                      and bulk insurance

Auto Direkt Insurance Company            Germany                                      Insurance Company

Cal-Ag Insurance services, Inc.          California                                   Captive insurance brokerage firm

CalFarm Insurance Agency                 California                                   Former marketing company for
                                                                                      traditional agent producers of CalFarm
                                                                                      Insurance Company

CalFarm Insurance Company                California                                   Multi-line insurance company

Caliber Funding                          Delaware                                     A limited purpose corporation

Colonial County Mutual Insurance         Texas                                        Insurance Company
Company

Columbus Insurance Brokerage and         Germany                                      General service insurance broker
Service GmbH
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   55

<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 that sells and
                                                                                      services commercial insurance

Depositors Insurance Company             Iowa                                         Underwrites property & casualty
                                                                                      insurance

eNationwide, LLC                         Ohio                                         A limited liability company to provide
                                                                                      administrative services to
                                                                                      Nationwide's direct operations

Excaliber Funding Corporation            Delaware                                     Limited purpose corporation

F&B, Inc.                                Iowa                                         Insurance Agency

Farmland Mutual Insurance Company        Iowa                                         Mutual Insurance Company

Financial Horizons Distributors Agency   Alabama                                      Insurance agency marketing life
of Alabama, Inc.                                                                      insurance and annuity products through
                                                                                      financial institutions

Financial Horizons Distributors Agency   Ohio                                         Insurance marketing life insurance and
of Ohio, Inc.                                                                         annuity products through financial
                                                                                      institutions

Financial Horizons Distributors Agency   Oklahoma                                     Insurance marketing life insurance and
of Oklahoma, Inc.                                                                     annuity products through financial
                                                                                      institutions

Financial Horizons Distributors Agency   Texas                                        Insurance marketing life insurance and
of Texas, Inc.                                                                        annuity products through financial
                                                                                      institutions

*Financial Horizons Investment Trust     Massachusetts                                Diversified, open-end investment
                                                                                      company

Financial Horizons Securities            Oklahoma                                     Limited broker-dealer doing business
Corporation                                                                           solely in the financial institution
                                                                                      market

GatesMcDonald Health Plus Inc.           Ohio                                         Managed Care Organization

Gates, McDonald & Company                Ohio                                         Services employers for managing
                                                                                      workers' and unemployment compensation
                                                                                      matters

Gates, McDonald & Company of Nevada      Nevada                                       Self-insurance administration, claims
                                                                                      examinations and data processing
                                                                                      services

Gates, McDonald & Company of New York,   New York                                     Workers' compensation/self-insured
Inc.                                                                                  claims administration services to
                                                                                      employers with exposure in New York

Insurance Intermediaries, Inc.           Ohio                                         Insurance agency providing commercial
                                                                                      property & casualty brokerage services

Irvin L. Schwartz and Associates, Inc.   Ohio                                         Insurance Agency

Landmark Financial Services of New       New York                                     Insurance agency marketing life
York, Inc.                                                                            insurance and annuity products through
                                                                                      financial institutions

Leben Direkt Insurance Company           Germany                                      Life insurance through direct mail
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   56

<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                                        General agent to market non-standard
                                                                                      automobile and motorcycle insurance
                                                                                      for Colonial Mutual Insurance Company

MedProSolutions, Inc.                    Massachusetts                                Provides third-party administration
                                                                                      services for workers compensation,
                                                                                      automobile injury and disability claims

Midwest Printing Services, Ltd.          Iowa                                         General printing services

Morley & Associates, Inc.                Oregon                                       Insurance brokerage

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,    England                                      Insurance Company
Ltd.

National Deferred Compensation, Inc.     Ohio                                         Administers deferred compensation
                                                                                      plans for public employees

**National Premium and Benefit           Delaware                                     Provides third-party administration
Administration Company                                                                services

Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc.       Ohio                                         Registered broker-dealer providing
                                                                                      investment management and
                                                                                      administrative services

**Nationwide Agency, Inc.                Ohio                                         Insurance Agency

Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance        Iowa                                         Provides property & casualty insurance
Company                                                                               primarily to agricultural business

Nationwide Arena, LLC                    Ohio                                         A limited liability company related to
                                                                                      arena development

*Nationwide Asset Allocation Trust       Ohio                                         Diversified open-end investment company

Nationwide Assurance Company             Wisconsin                                    Underwrites non-standard automobile
                                                                                      and motorcycle insurance

Nationwide Cash Management Company       Ohio                                         Investment Securities Agent
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   57

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                COMPANY                      STATE/COUNTRY OF         NO. VOTING                PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                               ORGANIZATION           SECURITIES
                                                                     (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                     CHART UNLESS
                                                                       OTHERWISE
                                                                      INDICATED)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>                          <C>             <C>
Nationwide Corporation                   Ohio                                         Holding company for entities
                                                                                      affiliated with Nationwide Mutual
                                                                                      Insurance Company

Nationwide Exclusive Distribution        Ohio                                         A limited liability company providing
Company, LLC                                                                          agency support services to Nationwide
                                                                                      exclusive agents

Nationwide Financial Assignment Company  Ohio                                         An assignment company to administer
                                                                                      structured settlement business

Nationwide Financial Institution         Delaware                                     Insurance Agency
Distributors Agency, Inc.

Nationwide Financial Institution         New Mexico                                   Insurance Agency
Distributors Agency, Inc. of New Mexico

Nationwide Financial Institution         Massachusetts                                Insurance Agency
Distributors Agency, Inc. of
Massachusetts

Nationwide Financial Services            Bermuda                                      Long-term insurer which issued
(Bermuda) Ltd.                                                                        variable annuity and variable life
                                                                                      products to persons outside the U.S. &
                                                                                      Bermuda

Nationwide Financial Services Capital    Delaware                                     Trust which issues and sells
Trust                                                                                 securities & uses proceeds to acquire
                                                                                      debentures

Nationwide Financial Services Capital    Delaware                                     Trust which issues and sells
Trust II                                                                              securities & uses proceeds to acquire
                                                                                      debentures

Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.      Delaware                                     Holding Company for entities
                                                                                      associated with Nationwide Mutual
                                                                                      Insurance Company

Nationwide Foundation                    Ohio                                         Not-for profit corporation

Nationwide General Insurance Company     Ohio                                         Primarily provides automobile and fire
                                                                                      insurance to select customers

Nationwide Global Finance, LLC           Ohio                                         Act as a support company for
                                                                                      Nationwide Global Holdings, Inc. & its
                                                                                      international capitalization efforts

Nationwide Global Funds                  Cayman Islands                               Exempted company with limited
                                                                                      liability for purpose of issuing
                                                                                      investment shares to segregated asset
                                                                                      accounts of Nationwide Financial
                                                                                      Services (Bermuda) Ltd. and to
                                                                                      non-U.S. resident investors

Nationwide Global Holdings, Inc.         Ohio                                         Holding Company for Nationwide
                                                                                      Insurance Enterprise international
                                                                                      operations

Nationwide Global Holdings, Inc.-NGH     Grand Duchy of                               Analyze European market of life
Luxembourg Branch                        Luxembourg                                   insurance
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   58

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                COMPANY                      STATE/COUNTRY OF         NO. VOTING                PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                               ORGANIZATION           SECURITIES
                                                                     (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                     CHART UNLESS
                                                                       OTHERWISE
                                                                      INDICATED)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>                          <C>             <C>
Nationwide Global Holdings-Hong Kong,    Hong Kong                                    Primarily a holding company for
Limited                                                                               Nationwide Global Holdings, Inc. Asian
                                                                                      operations

Nationwide Global Holdings-NGH Brasil    Brazil                                       Holding company
Participacoes LTDA

Nationwide Health Plans, Inc.            Ohio                                         Health insuring organization

Nationwide Home Mortgage Company         Iowa                                         Mortgage lendor

*Nationwide Indemnity Company            Ohio                                         Reinsurance company assuming business
                                                                                      from Nationwide Mutual Insurance
                                                                                      Company and other insurers within the
                                                                                      Nationwide Insurance Enterprise

Nationwide Insurance Company of America  Wisconsin                                    Independent agency personal lines
                                                                                      underwriter of property & casualty
                                                                                      insurance

Nationwide Insurance Company of Florida  Ohio                                         Transacts general insurance business
                                                                                      except life insurance

Nationwide Insurance Golf Charities,     Ohio                                         Not-for-profit corporation
Inc.

Nationwide International Underwriters    California                                   Special risks, excess & surplus lines
                                                                                      underwriting manager

Nationwide Investing Foundation          Michigan                                     Provide investors with continuous
                                                                                      source of investment under management
                                                                                      of trustees

*Nationwide Investing Foundation II      Massachusetts                                Diversified, open-end investment
                                                                                      company

Nationwide Investment Services           Oklahoma                                     Registered broker-dealer
Corporation

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                                        Commercial property insurance in Texas

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                                         Diversified, open-end investment
                                                                                      company

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company      Ohio                                         Mutual Insurance Company
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   59

<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, Inc.    Alabama                                      Market and administer deferred
of Alabama                                                                            compensation plans for public employees

Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc.    Arizona                                      Market and administer deferred
of Arizona                                                                            compensation plans for public employees

Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc.    Arkansas                                     Market and administer deferred
of Arkansas                                                                           compensation plans for public employees

Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc.    Montana                                      Market and administer deferred
of Montana                                                                            compensation plans for public employees

Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc.    Nevada                                       Market and administer deferred
of Nevada                                                                             compensation plans for public employees

Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc.    New Mexico                                   Market and administer deferred
of New Mexico                                                                         compensation plans for public employees

Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc.    Ohio                                         Market variable annuity contracts to
of Ohio                                                                               members of the National Education
                                                                                      Association in the state of Ohio

Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc.    Oklahoma                                     Market variable annuity contracts to
of Oklahoma                                                                           members of the National Education
                                                                                      Association in the state of Oklahoma

Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc.    South Dakota                                 Market and administer deferred
of South Dakota                                                                       compensation plans for public employees

Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc.    Texas                                        Market and administer deferred
of Texas                                                                              compensation plans for public employees

Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Inc.    Wyoming                                      Market variable annuity contracts to
of Wyoming                                                                            members of the National Education
                                                                                      Association in the state of Wyoming
</TABLE>

<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 Retirement Solutions          Massachusetts                                Market and administer deferred
Insurance Agency Inc.                                                                 compensation plans for public employees

Nationwide Seguradora S.A.               Brazil                                       Engage in elementary, health & life
                                                                                      insurance; private open pension and
                                                                                      wealth concession plans

*Nationwide Separate Account Trust       Massachusetts                                Diversified, open-end investment
                                                                                      company

Nationwide Services Company, LLC.        Ohio                                         Single member limited liability
                                                                                      company performing shared services
                                                                                      functions for the Nationwide Insurance
                                                                                      Enterprise

Nationwide Trust Company, FSB            United States                                Federal savings bank chartered by the
                                                                                      Office of Thrift Supervision in U.S.
                                                                                      Department of Treasury to exercise
                                                                                      custody & fiduciary powers

Neckura Holding Company                  Germany                                      Administrative services for Neckura
                                                                                      Insurance Group

Neckura Insurance Company                Germany                                      Insurance Company

Neckura Life Insurance Company           Germany                                      Life and health insurance company

Nevada Independent                       Nevada                                       Workers' compensation administrative
Companies-Construction                                                                services to Nevada employers in the
                                                                                      construction industry

Nevada Independent Companies-Health      Nevada                                       Workers' compensation administrative
and Nonprofit                                                                         services to Nevada employers in health
                                                                                      & nonprofit industries

Nevada Independent Companies-            Nevada                                       Workers' compensation administrative
Hospitality and Entertainment                                                         services to Nevada employers in the
                                                                                      hospitality & entertainment industries

Nevada Independent Companies-            Nevada                                       Workers' compensation administrative
Manufacturing, Transportation and                                                     services to Nevada employers in the
Distribution                                                                          manufacturing, transportation and
                                                                                      distribution industries

NFS Distributors, Inc.                   Delaware                                     Holding company for Nationwide
                                                                                      Financial Services, Inc. distribution
                                                                                      companies

NGH Luxembourg, S.A                      Luxembourg                                   Acts primarily as holding company for
                                                                                      Nationwide Global Holdings, Inc.
                                                                                      European operations

NGH Netherlands, B.V.                    The Netherlands                              Holding company for other overseas
                                                                                      companies
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   61

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                COMPANY                      STATE/COUNTRY OF         NO. VOTING                PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                               ORGANIZATION           SECURITIES
                                                                     (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                     CHART UNLESS
                                                                       OTHERWISE
                                                                      INDICATED)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>                          <C>             <C>
NGH UK, Ltd.                             United Kingdom                               Assist Nationwide Global Holdings,
                                                                                      Inc. with European operations and
                                                                                      marketing

Northpointe Capital LLC                  Delaware                                     Limited liability company for
                                                                                      investments

PanEuroLife                              Luxembourg                                   Life Insurance company providing
                                                                                      individual life insurance primarily in
                                                                                      the UK, Belgium and France

Pension Associates, Inc.                 Wisconsin                                    Pension plan administration and record
                                                                                      keeping services

Portland Investment Services, Inc.       Oregon                                       NASD registered broker-dealer

Premier Agency, Inc.                     Iowa                                         Insurance Agency

Riverview Agency, Inc.                   Texas                                        Has a pending application to become a
                                                                                      licensed insurance agency with the
                                                                                      Texas Department of Insurance

Scottsdale Indemnity Company             Ohio                                         Insurance Company

Scottsdale Insurance Company             Ohio                                         Insurance Company

Scottsdale Surplus Lines Insurance       Arizona                                      Provides excess and surplus lines
Company                                                                               insurance coverage on a non-admitted
                                                                                      basis

SVM Sales GmbH, Neckura Insurance Group  Germany                                      Recruits and supervises external sales
                                                                                      partners who obtain new business for
                                                                                      the Neckura Group as well as to offer
                                                                                      financial services

Union Bond & Trust Company               Oregon                                       Oregon state bank with trust powers

Villanova Capital, Inc.                  Delaware                                     Holding Company

Villanova Mutual Fund Capital Trust      Delaware                                     Trust designed to act as a registered
                                                                                      investment advisor

Villanova SA Capital Trust               Delaware                                     Trust designed to act as a registered
                                                                                      investment advisor

Western Heritage Insurance Company       Arizona                                      Underwrites excess and surplus lines
                                                                                      of property and casualty insurance
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   62




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    COMPANY                    STATE/COUNTRY OF        NO. VOTING SECURITIES           PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                 ORGANIZATION          (SEE ATTACHED CHART)
                                                                     UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>  <C>                                             <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 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 Variable Account-11                  Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                   Account
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   63
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                    COMPANY                    STATE/COUNTRY OF        NO. VOTING SECURITIES           PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                 ORGANIZATION          (SEE ATTACHED CHART)
                                                                     UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>  <C>                                             <C>           <C>                           <C>
 *   Nationwide VL Separate Account-A                Ohio          Nationwide Life and Annuity   Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                   Separate Account              Policies

     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>




<PAGE>   64
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                         (left side)
<S>                               <C>                               <C>                                  <C>
------------------------
| NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |
| GOLF CHARITIES, INC. |
|                      |
|      MEMBERSHIP      |
|      NONPROFIT       |
|     CORPORATION      |
------------------------
           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           |                                      |
---------------------------           ---------------------------       ----------------------------
|   CARIBBEAN ALLIANCE    |           |         ALLIED          |       |                          |
|   INSURANCE COMPANY     |           |       GROUP, INC.       |       |                          |
|                         |           |          (AGI)          |       |     NATIONWIDE LLOYDS    |
|                         |           |                         |       |                          |
|Common Stock: 1,900,000  |   |-------|Common Stock: 850 Shares |---|   |                          |
|------------  Shares     |   |       |------------             |   |   |      A TEXAS LLOYDS      |================================
|                         |   |       |                         |   |   |                          |
|              Cost       |   |       |              Cost       |   |   |                          |
|              ----       |   |       |              ----       |   |   |                          |
|Casualty-                |   |       |Casualty-                |   |   |                          |
|100%         $19,000,000 |   |       |100%       $1,243,344,521|   |   |                          |
---------------------------   |       ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------
                              |                                     |
---------------------------   |       ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------
|  NATIONWIDE INSURANCE   |   |       |           AMCO          |   |   |        DEPOSITORS        |
|   COMPANY OF AMERICA    |   |       |    INSURANCE COMPANY    |   |   |     INSURANCE COMPANY    |
|                         |   |       |          (AMCO)         |   |   |       (DEPOSITORS)       |
|Common Stock: 12,000     |   |       |Common Stock: 500,000    |   |   |Common Stock: 300,000     |
|------------  Shares     |   |       |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |
|                         |---|       |                         |---|---|                          |
|              Cost       |   |       |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |
|              ----       |   |       |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |
|                         |   |       |                         |   |   |                          |
|AGI-100%    $215,273,000 |   |       |AGI-100%     $147,425,540|   |   |AGI 100%      $22,251,842 |
---------------------------   |       ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------
                              |                    |                |
---------------------------   |       ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------
|      AID FINANCE        |   |       |           ALLIED        |   |   |     ALLIED PROPERTY      |
|     SERVICES, INC.      |   |       |      GENERAL AGENCY     |   |   |       AND CASUALTY       |
|     (AID FINANCE)       |   |       |          COMPANY        |   |   |    INSURANCE COMPANY     |
|Common Stock: 10,000     |   |       |Common Stock: 5,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 300,000     |
|------------  Shares     |   |       |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |
|                         |---|       |                         |   |---|                          |
|              Cost       |           |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |
|              ----       |           |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |
|AGI-100%      $19,545,634|           |AMCO-100%     $135,342   |   |   |AGI-100%      $47,018,643 |
---------------------------           ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------
            |                                                       |
---------------------------           ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------
|        ALLIED           |           |         ALLIED          |   |   |        NATIONWIDE        |
|   GROUP INSURANCE       |           |    DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS,  |   |   |      HOME MORTGAGE       |
|  MARKETING COMPANY      |           |           INC.          |   |   |      COMPANY (NHMC)      |
|                         |           |Common Stock: 10,000     |   |   |                          |
|Common Stock: 20,000     |           |------------  Shares     |   |   |Common Stock: 54,348      |
|------------  Shares     |           |                         |---|---|------------   Shares     |
|                         |           |                         |   |   |                          |
|                         |           |                         |   |   |                          |
|                         |           |                         |   |   |                          |
|              Cost       |           |              Cost       |   |   |                          |
|              ----       |           |              ----       |   |   |                          |
| Aid                     |           |AGI-100%      $610,000   |   |   |AGI-80%                   |
| Finance-100% $16,059,469|           ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------
--------------------------                                          |                 |
                                      ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------
                                      |          PREMIER        |   |   |           AGMC           |
                                      |          AGENCY,        |   |   |      REINSURANCE, LTD.   |
                                      |            INC.         |   |   |                          |
                                      |Common Stock: 100,000    |   |   |Common Stock: 11,000      |
                                      |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |
                                      |                         |---|   |                          |
                                      |              Cost       |       |              Cost        |
                                      |              ----       |       |              ----        |
                                      |AGI-100%      $100,000   |       |NHMC-100%     $11,000     |
                                      ---------------------------       ----------------------------

                                                                        ----------------------------
                                                                        |          WESTERN         |
                                                                        |    HERITAGE INSURANCE    |
                                                                        |          COMPANY         |
                                                                        |                          |
                                                                        |Common Stock: 4,776,076   |--------------------------------
                                                                        |------------- Shares      |
                                                                        |                          |
                                                                        |              Cost        |
                                                                        |              ----        |
                                                                        |SIC-100%      $57,000,000 |
                                                                        ----------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   65
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    NATIONWIDE(R)                                                  (middle)
<S>                                               <C>                                               <C>
  ------------------------------------------                                              ------------------------------------------
  |                                        |                                              |                                        |
  |           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL            |                                              |          NATIONWIDE MUTUAL             |
  |           INSURANCE COMPANY            |==============================================|        FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY          |
  |              (CASUALTY)                |                                              |               (FIRE)                   |
  |                                        |                                              |                                        |
  ------------------------------------------                                              ------------------------------------------
  |  ||               |                                                                                     |
--|  ||               |--------------------------------------------------------------------|                |-----------------------
     ||                                                                                    |
     ||                                          |--------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------
     ||                                          |                                                              |
     ||  --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------            -----------------------------------
     ||  |       FARMLAND MUTUAL        |        |   |     NATIONWIDE GENERAL       |            |       NECKURA HOLDING        |
     ||  |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |        |   |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |            |      COMPANY (NECKURA)       |
     ||  |Guaranty Fund                 |        |   |                              |            |                              |
=====||==|------------                  |---|    |   |Common Stock:    20,000       |            |Common Stock:    10,000       |
         |Certificate                   |   |    |---|------------     Shares       |         |--|------------     Shares       |
         |-----------                   |   |    |   |                              |         |  |                              |
         |                 Cost         |   |    |   |                 Cost         |         |  |                 Cost         |
         |                 ----         |   |    |   |                 ----         |         |  |                 ----         |
         |Casualty         $500,000     |   |    |   |Casualty-100%    $5,944,422   |         |  |Casualty-100%    $142,943,140 |
         --------------------------------   |    |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
                                            |    |                                            |
         --------------------------------   |    |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
         |          F & B, INC.         |   |    |   |      NATIONWIDE PROPERTY     |         |  |           NECKURA            |
         |                              |   |    |   |         AND CASUALTY         |         |  |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
         |Common Stock:    1 Share      |   |    |   |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |         |  |                              |
         |------------                  |   |    |   |Common Stock:    60,000       |         |--|Common Stock:    6,000        |
         |                              |---|    |---|------------     Shares       |         |  |------------     Shares       |
         |                 Cost         |   |    |   |                              |         |  |                              |
         |                 ----         |   |    |   |                 Cost         |         |  |                 Cost         |
         |Farmland                      |   |    |   |                 ----         |         |  |                 ----         |
         |Mutual-100%       $10         |   |    |   |Casualty-100%    $6,000,000   |         |  |Neckura-100%     DM 6,000,000 |
         --------------------------------   |    |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
                                            |    |                                            |
         --------------------------------   |    |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
         |     COOPERATIVE SERVICE      |   |    |   |     NATIONWIDE ASSURANCE     |         |  |         NECKURA LIFE         |
         |           COMPANY            |   |    |   |            COMPANY           |         |  |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
         |Common Stock:    600 Shares   |   |    |   |                              |         |  |                              |
         |------------                  |----    |---|Common Stock:    1,750        |         |--|Common Stock:    4,000        |
         |                              |        |   |------------     Shares       |         |  |------------     Shares       |
         |                 Cost         |            |                              |            |                              |
         |                 ----         |        |   |                 Cost         |         |  |                 Cost         |
         |Farmland                      |        |   |                 ----         |         |  |                 ----         |
         |Mutual-100%      $3,506,173   |        |   |Casualty-100%    $41,750,000  |         |  |Neckura-100%     DM 15,825,681|
         --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
                                                 |                                            |
         --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
         |          SCOTTSDALE          |        |   |    NATIONWIDE AGRIBUSINESS   |         |  |      COLUMBUS INSURANCE      |
         |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |        |   |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |         |  |    BROKERAGE AND SERVICE     |
         |             (SIC)            |        |   |                              |         |  |             GmbH             |
         |Common Stock:    30,136       |        |   |Common Stock:    1,000,000    |         |  |Common Stock:    1 Share      |
     |---|------------     Shares       |--------|---|------------     Shares       |         |--|------------                  |
     |   |                              |        |   |                              |         |  |                              |
     |   |                              |        |   |                 Cost         |         |  |                 Cost         |
     |   |                 Cost         |        |   |                 ----         |         |  |                 ----         |
     |   |                 ----         |        |   |Casualty-99.9%   $26,714,335  |         |  |Neckura-100%     DM 51,639    |
     |   |Casualty-100%    $150,000,500 |        |   |Other Capital                 |         |  |                              |
     |   |                              |        |   |-------------                 |         |  |                              |
     |   |                              |        |   |Casualty-Ptd.    $713,576     |         |  |                              |
     |   --------------------------------        |   -------------------------------          |  --------------------------------
     |                                           |                                            |
     |   --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
     |   |         SCOTTSDALE           |        |   |       NATIONAL CASUALTY      |         |  |         LEBEN DIREKT         |
     |   |        SURPLUS LINES         |        |   |            COMPANY           |         |  |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
     |   |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |        |   |              (NC)            |         |  |                              |
     |   |Common Stock:    10,000       |        |   |  Common Stock:  100 Shares   |         |  |Common Stock:    4,000 Shares |
     |---|------------     Shares       |        |---|  -------------               |         |--|------------                  |
     |   |                              |        |   |                              |         |  |                              |
     |   |                 Cost         |        |   |                 Cost         |         |  |                 Cost         |
     |   |                 ----         |        |   |                 ----         |         |  |                 ----         |
     |   |SIC-100%         $6,000,000   |        |   |Casualty-100%    $67,442,439  |         |  |Neckura-100%     DM 4,000,000 |
     |   |                              |        |   |                              |         |  |                              |
     |   --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
     |                                           |                   |                        |
     |   --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
     |   |      NATIONAL PREMIUM &      |        |   |     NCC OF AMERICAN, LTD.    |         |  |          AUTO DIREKT         |
     |   |    BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION    |        |   |           (INACTIVE)         |         |  |        INSURANCE COMPANY     |
     |   |           COMPANY            |        |   |                              |         |  |                              |
     |   |Common Stock:    10,000       |        |   |                              |         |  |Common Stock:    1500  Shares |
  ---|---|------------     Shares       |        |   |                              |         |--|------------                  |
         |                              |        |   |                              |         |  |                              |
         |                 Cost         |        |   |                              |         |  |                 Cost         |
         |                 ----         |        |   |                              |         |  |                 ----         |
         |SIC-100%         $10,000      |        |   |NC-100%                       |         |  |Neckura-100%     DM 1,643,149 |
         --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
                                                 |                                            |
         --------------------------------        |   --------------------------------         |  --------------------------------
         |             RP&C             |        |   |           SUN DIRECT         |         |  |           SVM SALES          |
         |         INTERNATIONAL        |        |   |        VERSICHERUNGS -       |         |  |             GmbH             |
         |                              |        |   |       AKTIENGESCLISCHAFT     |         |  |                              |
         |Common Stock:    1,000        |        |   |Common Stock:    1 Share      |         |  |Common Stock:    50 Shares    |
         |------------     Shares       |---------   |------------                  |------------|------------                  |
         |                              |            |                              |            |                              |
         |                 Cost         |            |                 Cost         |            |                 Cost         |
         |                 ----         |            |                 ----         |            |                 ----         |
         |Casualty-20.3%  $2,400,740    |            |Neckura-100%     $9,600,000   |            |Neckura-100%     DM 50,000    |
         |                              |            |                 EURO         |            |                              |
         --------------------------------            --------------------------------            --------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   66
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                        (right side)
<S>     <C>                                       <C>                                              <C>
                                                                                                            ------------------------
                                                                                                            |      NATIONWIDE      |
                                                                                                            |      FOUNDATION      |
                                                                                                            |                      |
                                                                                                            |      MEMBERSHIP      |
                                                                                                            |      NONPROFIT       |
                                                                                                            |     CORPORATION      |
                                                                                                            ------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
                                                                                                                     |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      |
  |                                          |                                           |                    |      |
  |                                          |                                           |                    |      |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |     -------------------------------------
  |     |         SCOTTSDALE           |     |    |       NATIONWIDE CASH        |       |     |          NATIONWIDE               |
  |     |      INDEMNITY COMPANY       |     |    |      MANAGEMENT COMPANY      |       |     |          CORPORATION              |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |       |     |                                   |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |       |     |Common Stock:    Control:          |
  |     |Common Stock:    50,000       |     |    |Common Stock:    100 Shares   |       |     |------------     -------           |
  |-----|------------     Shares       |     |----|------------                  |       |     |$13,642,432      100%              |
  |     |                              |     |    |                 Cost         |       |     |         Shares     Cost           |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 ----         |       |     |         ------     ----           |
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |Casualty-100%    $11,226      |       |     |Casualty 12,992,922 $1,182,959,447 |
  |     |Casualty-100%    $8,800,000   |     |    |                              |       |     |Fire        649,510    111,835,185 |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |       |     |          (See Page 2)             |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |     -------------------------------------
  |                                          |                                           |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |     -------------------------------------
  |     |         NATIONWIDE           |     |    |          NATIONWIDE          |       |     |         ALLNATIONS, INC.          |
  |     |      INDEMNITY COMPANY       |     |    |           ARENA LLC          |       |     |Common Stock:    12,167 Shares     |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |       |     |-------------    Cost              |
  |-----|Common Stock:    28,000       |     |....|                              |       |-----|                 ----              |
  |     |------------     Shares       |     |    |                              |       |     |Casualty-16%     $91,600           |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |       |     |Fire-16%         $91,742           |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                              |       |     |Preferred Stock  1,466 Shares      |
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |Casualty-90%                  |       |     |---------------  Cost              |
  |     |Casualty-100%    $594,529,000 |     |    |                              |       |     |                 ----              |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |       |     |Casualty-6.8%    $100,000          |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |       |     |Fire-6.8%        $100,000          |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |     -------------------------------------
  |                                          |                                           |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |     -------------------------------------
  |     |          LONE STAR           |     |    |          NATIONWIDE          |       |     |     NATIONWIDE INTERNATIONAL      |
  |     |     GENERAL AGENCY, INC.     |     |    |    EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION    |       |     |           UNDERWRITERS            |
  |     |                              |     |    |     COMPANY, LLC (NEDCO)     |       |     |                                   |
  ------|Common Stock:    1,000        |     |....|                              |       |-----|Common Stock:    1,000             |
  |     |------------     Shares       |     |    |    Single Member Limited     |       |     |-------------    Shares            |
  |     |                              |     |    |       Liability Company      |       |     |                                   |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                              |       |     |                 Cost              |
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |Casualty-100%                 |       |     |                 ----              |
  |     |Casualty-100%    $5,000,000   |     |    |                              |       |     |Casualty-100%    $10,000           |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |     -------------------------------------
  |                   ||                     |                   |                       |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------       |     -------------------------------------
  |     |        COLONIAL COUNTY       |     |    |          INSURANCE           |       |     |         CALFARM INSURANCE         |
  |     |        MUTUAL INSURANCE      |     |    |     INTERMEDIARIES, INC.     |       |     |              COMPANY              |
  |     |             COMPANY          |     |    |                              |       |     |                                   |
  |     |                              |     |    |Common Stock:   1,615 Shares  |       |     |Common Stock:   52,000             |
  |     |                              |     |    |-------------                 |       |-----|--------------   Shares            |
  |     |                              |     |    |                 Cost         |             |                                   |
  |     |Surplus Debentures:           |     |    |                 ----         |             |                 Cost              |
  |     |-------------------           |     |    |NEDCO-100%       $1,615,000   |             |                 ----              |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    --------------------------------             |Casualty-100%    $106,164,995      |
  |     |                 ----         |     |                                                 |                                   |
  |     |Colonial         $500,000     |     |    --------------------------------             -------------------------------------
  |     |Lone Star         150,000     |     |    |       eNATIONWIDE, LLC       |                               |
  |     --------------------------------     |    |            (eNat)            |             -------------------------------------
  |                                          |    |                              |             |       CALFARM INSURANCE           |
  |     --------------------------------     |    |                              |             |             AGENCY                |
  |     |      NATIONWIDE SERVICES     |     |....|     Single Member Limited    |             |                                   |
  |     |         COMPANY, LLC         |          |        Liability Company     |             |                                   |
  |     |                              |          |                              |             |                                   |
  |     |Single Member Limited         |     |----|                              |             |Common Stock:    1,000 shares      |
  |.....|Liability Company             |     |    |                              |             |-------------                      |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |             |                                   |
  |     |                              |     |    |Casualty-100%                 |             |                                   |
  |     |Casualty-100%                 |     |    |                              |             |                                   |
  |     |                              |     |    --------------------------------             |CalFarm Insurance                  |
  |     --------------------------------     |                                                 |Company - 100%                     |
  |                                          |    --------------------------------             -------------------------------------
  |                                          |    |      DISCOVER INSURANCE      |                               |
  |     --------------------------------     |    |         COMPANY, LLC         |             -------------------------------------
  |     |       AMERICAN MARINE        |     |    |                              |             |        CAL-AG INSURANCE           |
  |     |      UNDERWRITERS, INC.      |     |    |                              |             |            SERVICES               |
  |     |                              |     |    |   Single Member Limited      |             |                                   |
  |     |Common Stock:   20 Shares     |     |....|     Liability Company        |             |Common Stock:      100 Shares      |
  |-----|------------                  |     |    |                              |             |------------                       |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                              |             |                                   |
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |eNat-100%                     |             |CalFarm Insurance                  |
  |     |Casualty-100%    $5,020       |     |    |                              |             |Agency-100%                        |
  |     |                              |     |    --------------------------------             -------------------------------------
  |     --------------------------------     |
  |                                          |    --------------------------------
  |     ---------------------------------    |    |       DISCOVER COMPANY       |
  |     |     NATIONWIDE INSURANCE      |    |    |         OF TEXAS, LLC        |
  |     |      COMPANY OF FLORIDA       |    |    |                              |
  |     |                               |    |    |      Single Member Limited   |
  |     |      Liability Company        |    |....|        Liability Company     |
  |     |Common Stock:    10,000 Shares |         |                              |
  |-----|-------------                  |         |                              |
        |                 Cost          |         |eNat-100%                     |
        |                 ----          |         |                              |
        |Casualty-100%    $300,000,000  |         --------------------------------
        |                               |
        ---------------------------------
                                                                                            Subsidiary Companies      -- Solid Line
                                                                                            Contractual Association   -- Double Line
                                                                                            Limited Liability Company -- Dotted Line

                                                                                            June 30, 2000
</TABLE>
                                                                         Page 1
<PAGE>   67






















<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                       (Left Side)

<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                             |----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------
                             |                                  |                                   |
               -----------------------------      -----------------------------      -----------------------------
               | NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE |      |        NATIONWIDE         |      |     NATIONWIDE TRUST      |
               |     COMPANY (NW LIFE)     |      |    FINANCIAL SERVICES     |      |      COMPANY, FSB         |
               |                           |      |      CAPITAL TRUST        |      | Common Stock: 2,800,000   |
               | Common Stock: 3,814,779   |      | Preferred Stock:          |      | ------------  Shares      |
               | ------------  Shares      |      | ---------------           |      |               Cost        |
               |                           |      |                           |      |               ----        |
               | NFS--100%                 |      | NFS--100%                 |      | NFS--100%     $3,000,000  |
               ----------------|------------      -----------------------------      -----------------------------
                               |
                               |                                                                       |--------------------------
-----------------------------  |  -----------------------------                      -----------------------------
|    NATIONWIDE LIFE AND    |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |                      |    NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL   |
| ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY |  |  |  ADVISORY SERVICES, INC   |                      |  INSTITUTION DISTRIBUTORS |
|                           |  |  |      (NW ADV. SERV.)      |                      |    AGENCY, INC. (NFIDAI)  |
| Common Stock: 66,000      |  |  | Common Stock: 7,676       |                      |                           |
| ------------  Shares      |--|--| ------------  Shares      |====                  |                           |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||                  |                           |
|               Cost        |  |  |               Cost        |  ||                  | Common Stock: 1,000 Shares|
|               ----        |  |  |               ----        |  ||                  | ------------              |
| NW Life-100% $58,070,003  |  |  | NW Life-100% $5,996,261   |  ||                  | NFSDI-100%                |
-----------------------------  |  -----------------------------  ||                  --------------|--||----------
                               |                                 ||                                |  ||
-----------------------------  |  -----------------------------  ||  ----------------------------- |  ||  -----------------------
|   NATIONWIDE INVESTMENT   |  |  |     NATIONWIDE MUTUAL     |  ||  |     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    | |  ||  |                     |
|   SERVICES CORPORATION    |  |  |           FUNDS           |  ||  |    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY    | |  ||  |                     |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |      OF ALABAMA, INC.     | |  ||  |                     |
| Common Stock: 5,000       |  |  |    OHIO BUSINESS TRUST    |  ||  |                           | |  ||  |      FLORIDA        |
| ------------  Shares      |  |  |                           |  ||  | Common Stock: 10,000      | |  ||  |      RECORDS        |===
|                           |--|  |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |--  ||  |   ADMINISTRATOR,    |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           | |  ||  |        INC          |
|               Cost        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               Cost        | |  ||  |                     |
|               ----        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               ----        | |  ||  |                     |
| NW Life-100% $529,728     |  |  |                           |  ||  | NFIDAI-100%   $100        | |  ||  |                     |
-----------------------------  |  -----------------------------  ||  ----------------------------- |  ||  -----------------------
                               |                                 ||                                |  ||
-----------------------------  |  -----------------------------  ||  ----------------------------- |  ||  -----------------------
|   NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL    |  |  |        NATIONWIDE         |  ||  |    LANDMARK FINANCIAL     | |  ||  |                     |
|       ASSIGNMENT          |  |  |     SEPARATE ACCOUNT      |  ||  |        SERVICES OF        | |  ||  |                     |
|        COMPANY            |  |  |           TRUST           |  ||  |       NEW YORK, INC.      | |  ||  |                     |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           | |  ||  |                     |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  | Common Stock: 10,000      | |  ||  | FINANCIAL HORIZONS  |
|                           |--|  |       MASSACHUSETTS       |==||  | ------------  Shares      |--  ||==| DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY |
|                           |  |  |      BUSINESS TRUST       |  ||  |                           | |  ||  |      OF OHIO, INC   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |               Cost        | |  ||  |                     |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |               ----        | |  ||  |                     |
| NW Life-100%              |  |  |                           |  ||  | NFIDAI-100% $10,100       | |  ||  |                     |
-----------------------------  |  -----------------------------  ||  ----------------------------- |  ||  -----------------------
                               |                                 ||                                |  ||
-----------------------------  |  -----------------------------  ||  ----------------------------- |  ||  -----------------------
|     NATIONWIDE REALTY     |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||  |     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    | |  ||  |                     |
|      INVESTORS, LTD.      |  |  |  ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST   |  ||  |      SECURITIES CORP.     | |  ||  |                     |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           | |  ||  |                     |
| Units:                    |  |  |                           |  ||  | Common Stock: 10,000      | |  ||  | FINANCIAL HORIZONS  |
| ------                    |..|  |    OHIO BUSINESS TRUST    |==||  | ------------  Shares      |--  ||==| DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY |
|                           |  |  |                           |      |                           | |  ||  |   OF OKLAHOMA, INC  |
|                           |  |  |                           |      |               Cost        | |  ||  |                     |
| NW Life-70%               |  |  |                           |      |               ----        | |  ||  |                     |
| NW Mutual-30%             |  |  |                           |      | NFIDAI-100% $153,000      | |  ||  |                     |
-----------------------------  |  -----------------------------      ----------------------------- |  ||  -----------------------
                               |                                                                   |  ||
-----------------------------  |                                     ----------------------------- |  ||  -----------------------
|        NATIONWIDE         |  |                                     |   AFFILIATE AGENCY, INC.  | |  ||  |                     |
|       PROPERTIES, LTD.    |  |                                     |                           | |  ||  |                     |
|                           |  |                                     |                           | |  ||  |                     |
| Units:                    |..|                                     | Common Stock: 100         | |  ||  | FINANCIAL HORIZONS  |
| ------                    |                                        | ------------  Shares      |--  ||==| DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY |
|                           |                                        |                           | |  ||  |    OF TEXAS, INC    |
|                           |                                        |               Cost        | |  ||  |                     |
| NW Life-97.6%             |                                        |               ----        | |  ||  |                     |
| NW Mutual-2.4%            |                                        | NFIDAI-100%   $100        | |  ||  |                     |
-----------------------------                                        ----------------------------- |  ||  -----------------------
                                                                                                   |  ||
                                                                     ----------------------------- |  ||  -----------------------
                                                                     |   NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL    | |  ||  |                     |
                                                                     | INSTITUTION DISTRIBUTORS  | |  ||  |                     |
                                                                     |     INSURANCE AGENCY,     | |  ||  |                     |
                                                                     |       INC. OF MASS.       | |  ||  |      AFFILIATE      |
                                                                     |                           |--  ====|      AGENCY OF      |
                                                                     |Common Stock: 100 Shares   | |      |      OHIO, INC      |
                                                                     |------------               | |      |                     |
                                                                     |                           | |      |                     |
                                                                     |NFIDAI-100%                | |      |                     |
                                                                     ----------------------------- |      -----------------------
                                                                     ----------------------------- |
                                                                     |   NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL    | |
                                                                     | INSTITUTION DISTRIBUTORS  | |
                                                                     |  INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.   | |
                                                                     |       OF NEW MEXICO       |--
                                                                     |                           |
                                                                     |Common Stock: 100 Shares   |
                                                                     |------------               |
                                                                     |                           |
                                                                     |NFIDAI-100%                |
                                                                     -----------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   68
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                           (Center)
                                                           NATIONWIDE(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 $1,182,959,447 |
                                                  |FIRE            649,510    111,385,185 |
                                                  -------------------|---------------------
                                                                     |--------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      ---------------|-------------
                                                      |    NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL   |
                                                      |    SERVICES, INC. (NFS)   |
                                                      |                           |
                                                      |Common Stock:  Control:    |
                                                      |------------   -------     |
                                                      |                           |
                                                      |                           |
                                                      |Class A      Public-100%   |
                                                      |CLASS B      NW CORP-100%  |
                                                      ---------------|-------------
                                                                     |
-----------|-------------------------|-------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------|
           |                         |                         |                          |                         |
-----------|------------ ------------|------------ ------------|------------ -------------|------------ ------------|-------------
|NFS DISTRIBUTORS, INC.| |  NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL | | NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL  | |PENSION ASSOCIATES, INC.| |VILLANOVA CAPITAL, INC. |
|       (NFSDI)        | |    SERVICES CAPITAL   | |SERVICES (BERMUDA) INC.| |Common Stock: 1,000     | |Common Stock:  958,750  |
|                      | |        TRUST II       | |Common Stock: 250,000  | |------------  Shares    | |-------------    Shares |
|                      | |                       | |------------- Shares   | |                        | |NFS-96%                 |
|                      | |                       | |              Cost     | |              Cost      | |Preferred Stock: 500,000|
|NFS-100%              | |                       | |              ----     | |              ----      | |---------------  Shares |
|                      | | NFS-100%              | |NFS-100%   $3,500,000  | | NFS-100%     $2,839,392| |NFS-100%                |
-----------|------------ ------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------- ------------|-------------
           |
-----------|---------|----------------|--------------------------|                        |-------------------------|---------------
-----------|-------- | ---------------|------------ -------------|------------ -----------|------------- -----------|-------------
|NATIONAL DEFERRED | | |THE 401(k) COMPANIES, INC.| |  NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT | | VILLANOVA S.A. CAPITAL| |    MORLEY FINANCIAL   |
|COMPENSATION, INC.| | |         (401(k))         | |   SOLUTIONS, INC. (NRS)| |     TRUST (VSA)       | |SERVICES, INC. (MORLEY)|
|                  | | |                          | |Common Stock:  236,494  | |                       | |Common Stock:  82,343  |
|                  | | |Common Stock:   Control   | |-------------  Shares   | |                       | |------------   Shares  |
|                  | | |-------------   -------   | |                        | |                       | |                       |
|NFSDI-100%        | | |Class A        Other-100% | |                        | |                       | |VILLANOVA CAPITAL, INC.|
|                  | | |Class B        NFS-100%   | |NFSDI-100%              | |DELAWARE BUSINESS TRUST| |-100%                  |
---||--------------- | ---------------------------- -------------|------------ -----------------|------- -----------|-------------
   ||                |            |                              |                              |                   |
   ||                |            |                              |                              |                   |------------|
   ||                |            |                              |                              |                                |
   ||  --------------|------------|----------------------------  |  --------------------------  |  ----------------------------  |
   ||  |    IRVIN L. SCHWARTZ    |||   NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT  |  |  |NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT   |  |  |         NATIONWIDE       |  |
   ||  |   AND ASSOCIATES, INC.  |||SOLUTIONS, INC. OF ALABAMA|  |  |  SOLUTIONS, INC. OF    |  |  | INVESTORS SERVICES, INC. |  |
   ||  |                         |||                          |  |  |      NEW MEXICO        |  |  |                          |  |
   ||  |Common Stock:  Control:  |||Common Stock: 10,000      |  |  | Common Stock: 1,000    |  |  |Common Stock: 5           |  |
=====  |-------------  --------  |||------------- Shares      |--|--| ------------- Shares   |  |--|------------- Shares      |  |
       |Class A        Other-100%|||              Cost        |  |  |               Cost     |  |  |              Cost        |  |
       |Class B        NFSDI-100%|||              ----        |  |  |               ----     |  |  |              ----        |  |
       |                         |||NRS-100%      $1,000      |  |  |NRS-100%       $1,000   |  |  |VSA-100%      $5,000      |  |
       ---------------------------|----------------------------  |  --------------------------  |  ----------------------------  |
                                  |                              |                              |                                |
       ---------------------------|----------------------------  |  --------------------------  |  ----------------------------  |
       |    401(k) INVESTMENT    |||  NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT   |  |  | NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT  |  |  |  NATIONWIDE GLOBAL FUNDS |  |
       |      SERVICES, INC.     |||SOLUTIONS, INC. OF ARIZONA|  |  |  SOLUTIONS, INC. OF    |  |  |                          |  |
       |                         |||                          |  |  |      SO. DAKOTA        |  |  |                          |  |
       |Common Stock: 1,000,000  |||Common Stock: 1,000       |  |  |Common Stock: 1,000     |  |  |                          |  |
       |------------  Shares     |-|------------- Shares      |--|--|------------- Shares    |  |==|     LUXEMBOURG SICAV     |  |--
       |                         |||              Cost        |  |  |               Cost     |  |  |                          |  |
       |               Cost      |||              ----        |  |  |               ----     |  |  |                          |  |
       |               ----      |||NRS-100%      $1,000      |  |  |NRS-100%      $1,000    |  |  |                          |  |
       |401(k)-100%    $7,800    ||----------------------------  |  --------------------------  |  ----------------------------  |
       ---------------------------|                              |                              |                                |
                                  |----------------------------  |  --------------------------  |  ----------------------------  |
       ---------------------------||   NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT  |  |  | NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT  |  |  |   ALLIED GROUP MERCHANT  |  |
       |    401(k) INVESTMENT    |||    SOLUTIONS, INC. OF    |  |  |    SOLUTIONS, INC.     |  |  |    BANKING CORPORATION   |  |
       |      ADVISORS, INC.     |||         ARKANSAS         |  |  |       OF WYOMING       |  |  |                          |  |
       |                         |||Common Stock: 50,000      |-----|Common Stock: 500 Shares|  |--|Common Stock: 10,000      |  |--
       |Common Stock:  1,000     |||------------- Shares      |  |  |-------------           |     |------------- Shares      |  |
       |------------   Shares    |-|              Cost        |  |  |              Cost      |     |              Cost        |  |
       |                         |||              ----        |  |  |              ----      |     |              ----        |  |
       |               Cost      |||NRS-100%      $500        |  |  |NRS-100%      $500      |     |VSA-100%      $146,653    |  |
       |               ----      ||----------------------------  |  --------------------------     ----------------------------  |
       |401(k)-100%    $1,000    ||                              |                                                               |
       ---------------------------|----------------------------  |  --------------------------     ----------------------------  |
                                  ||   NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT  |  |  |  NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT |     |       UNION BOND         |  |
       ---------------------------||      SOLUTIONS, INS.     |  |  |   SOLUTIONS, INC.      |     |     & TRUST COMPANY      |  |
       |      401(k) COMPANY     |||       AGENCY, INC.       |  |  |     OF OHIO            |     |                          |  |
       |                         |||Common Stock: 1,000       |  |  |                        |     |Common Stock: 2,000       |  |
       |Common Stock: 855,000    |||------------- Shares      |--|==|                        |     |------------- Shares      |--|--
       |------------  Shares     |||                          |  |  |                        |     |                          |  |
       |                         |||              Cost        |  |  |                        |     |              Cost        |  |
       |              Cost       |||              ----        |  |  |                        |     |              ----        |  |
       |              ----       |-|NRS-100%      $1,000      |  |  |                        |     |Morley-100%   $50,000     |  |
       |401(k)-100%   $1,000     ||----------------------------  |  --------------------------     ----------------------------  |
       ---------------------------|                              |                                                               |
                                  |----------------------------  |  --------------------------     ----------------------------  |
       ---------------------------||  NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT   |  |  | NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT  |     |    PORTLAND INVESTMENT   |  |
       |                         |||SOLUTIONS, INC. OF MONTANA|  |  |  SOLUTIONS, INC. OF    |     |       SERVICES, INC.     |  |
       |                         |||                          |  |  |      OKLAHOMA          |     |                          |  |
       |  RIVERVIEW AGENCY, INC. |||Common Stock: 500         |  |  |                        |     |Common Stock: 1,000       |  |
       |                         |||------------- Shares      |--|==|                        |     |------------- Shares      |--|--
       |                         |||              Cost        |  |  |                        |     |              Cost        |  |
       |                         |=|              ----        |  |  |                        |     |              ----        |  |
       |                         | |NRS-100%      $500        |  |  |                        |     |Morley-100%   $25,000     |  |
       --------------------------- ----------------------------  |  --------------------------     ----------------------------  |
                                                                 |                                                               |
                                   ----------------------------  |  --------------------------     ----------------------------  |
                                   |   NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT  |  |  |   NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT|     |         MORLEY &         |  |
                                   | SOLUTIONS, INC. OF NEVADA|  |  |    SOLUTIONS, INC.     |     |     ASSOCIATES, INC.     |  |
                                   |                          |  |  |      OF TEXAS          |     |                          |  |
                                   |Common Stock: 1,000       |-- ==|                        |     |Common Stock: 3,500       |--|
                                   |------------- Shares      |     |                        |     |------------- Shares      |
                                   |              Cost        |     |                        |     |              Cost        |
                                   |              ----        |     |                        |     |              ----        |
                                   |NRS-100%      $1,000      |     |                        |     |Morley-100%   $1,000      |
                                   ----------------------------     --------------------------     ----------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   69

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                            (Right)
<S>            <C>        <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>                 <C>        <C>
















-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        |                              |                  |                   |
                        |                              |                  |                   |
                        |                              |                  |                   |
                        |                              |                  |                   |
                        |                              |                  |                   |
                        |                              |                  |                   |
                        |                              |                  |                   |
                        |                              |                  |                   |
         ---------------|--------------   ------------------------------- |      ----------------------------
         |     NATIONWIDE GLOBAL      |   |       GATES MCDONALD        | |      |        NATIONWIDE        |
         |    HOLDINGS, INC. (NGH)    |   |      & COMPANY (GATES)      | |      |HEALTH PLANS, INC. (NHP)  |
         |                            |   |                             | |      |                          |
         |Common Stock:   1 Share     | --|Common Stock:  254 Shares    | |  |---|Common Stock:  100 Shares |
         |------------                | | |------------                 | |  |   |------------              |
         |               Cost         | | |               Cost          | |  |   |               Cost       |
         |               ----         | | |               ----          | |  |   |               ----       |
         |NW Corp.-100%  $257,000,000 | | |NW Corp.-100%  $25,683,532   | |  |   |                          |
         |                            | | |------------------------------ |  |   |NW Corp.-100%  $14,603,732|
         ------------------------------ |                                 |  |   ----------------------------
                                        | |------------------------------ |  |   ----------------------------
                                        | |  MEDPROSOLUTIONS, INC.      | |  |   |    NATIONWIDE MANAGEMENT |
         ------------------------------ --|                             | |  |   |        SYSTEMS, INC.     |
         |    VILLANOVA MUTUAL FUND   | | |               Cost          | |  |   |                          |
         |     CAPITAL TRUST (VMF)    | | |               ----          | |  |---|Common Stock:  100 Shares |
----|----|                            | | |Gates-100%     $6,700,000    | |  |   |-------------             |
    |    |                            | | |                             | |  |   |               Cost       |
    |    |                            | | |                             | |  |   |               ----       |
    |    |                            | | ------------------------------- |  |   |NHP Inc.-100%  $25,149    |
    |    |                            | |                                 |  |   ----------------------------
    |    |                            | | |------------------------------ |  |   ----------------------------
    |    |   DELAWARE BUSINESS TRUST  | | |     GATES MCDONALD &        | |  |   |         NATIONWIDE       |
    |    ------------------------------ | | COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.   | |  |   |        AGENCY, INC.      |
    |                                   --|                             | |  |   |                          |
    |    ------------------------------ | |Common Stock:  3 Shares      | |  |---|Common Stock:  100 Shares |
    |    |        NORTHPOINTE         | | |------------                 | |      |------------              |
    |    |        CAPITAL LLC         | | |               Cost          | |      |               Cost       |
    |    |                            | | |               ----          | |      |               ----       |
    |----|                            | | |Gates-100%     $106,947      | |      |NHP Inc.-99%   $116,077   |
         |                            | | ------------------------------- |      ----------------------------
         |                            | |                                 |
         |                            | | ------------------------------- |      ----------------------------
         |VILLANOVA CAPITAL, INC.-100%| | |      GATES MCDONALD &       | |      |   MRM INVESTMENTS, INC.  |
         ------------------------------ | |     COMPANY OF NEVADA       | |      |                          |
                                        --|                             | -------|Common Stock:  1 Shares   |
         ------------------------------ | |Common Stock:  40 Shares     |        |------------              |
         |     EXCALIBER FUNDING      | | |------------                 |        |               Cost       |
         |        CORPORATION         | | |               Cost          |        |               ----       |
---------|Common Stock: 1,000 Shares  | | |               ----          |        |NW Corp.-100%  $7,000,000 |
         |-------------               | | |Gates-100%     $93,750       |        ----------------------------
         |              Cost          | | -------------------------------
         |              ----          | |
         |Morley-100%   $1,000        | | -------------------------------
         ------------------------------ | |       GATES MCDONALD        |
                                        | |      HEALTH PLUS, INC.      |
         ------------------------------ --|                             |
         |      CALIBER FUNDING       | | |Common Stock:  200 Shares    |
         |        CORPORATION         | | |------------                 |
         |                            | | |               Cost          |
---------|                            | | |               ----          |
         |                            | | |Gates-100%     $2,000,000    |
         | Morley-100%                | | -------------------------------
         |                            | |
         ------------------------------ | -------------------------------
                                        | |NEVADA INDEPENDENT COMPANIES-|
                                        | |MANUFACTURING TRANSPORTATION |
                                        | |       AND DISTRIBUTION      |
                                        --|                             |
                                        | |Common Stock:  1,000 Shares  |
                                        | |------------                 |
                                        | |Gates-100%                   |
                                        | -------------------------------
                                        |
         ------------------------------ | -------------------------------
         |      MORLEY RESEARCH       | | |      NEVADA INDEPENDENT     |
         |      ASSOCIATES, LTD.      | | |     COMPANIES-HEALTH AND    |
---------|                            | --|           NONPROFIT         |
         |Common Stock:  1,000 Shares | | |Common Stock:  1,000 Shares  |
         |-------------               | | |------------                 |
         |               Cost         | | |                             |
         |               ----         | | |Gates-100%                   |
         |Morley-100%    $1,000       | | -------------------------------
         ------------------------------ |
                                        | -------------------------------
         ------------------------------ | |     NEVADA INDEPENDENT      |
         |       MORLEY CAPITAL       | | |   COMPANIES-CONSTRUCTION    |
         |         MANAGEMENT         | --|                             |
         |                            | | |Common Stock:  1,000 Shares  |
---------|Common Stock:  500 Shares   | | |------------                 |
         |-------------               | | |                             |
         |                Cost        | | |Gates-100%                   |
         |                ----        | | -------------------------------
         |Morley-100%     $5,000      | |
         ------------------------------ | -------------------------------
                                        | |     NEVADA INDEPENDENT      |
                                        | | COMPANIES-HOSPITALITY AND   |       Subsidiary Companies      - Solid Line
                                        --|         ENTERTAINMENT       |       Contractual Association   - Double Line
                                          |                             |       Limited Liability Company - Dotted Line
                                          |Common Stock:  1,000 Shares  |
                                          |------------                 |
                                          |                             |
                                          |Gates-100%                   |       June 30, 2000
                                          -------------------------------
                                                                                                                    Page 2
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   70







Item 27.      NUMBER OF CONTRACT OWNERS

              The number of contract Owners of Qualified and Non-Qualified
              Contracts as of January 31, 2000 was 39 and 157, respectively.

Item 28.      INDEMNIFICATION

              Provision is made in Nationwide's Amended 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 the Company 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) Smith Barney Inc. ("Smith Barney") acts as principal
                   underwriter for Smith Barney Money Funds, Inc.; Smith Barney
                   Muni Funds; Smith Barney Funds, Inc.; Smith Barney Variable
                   Account Funds; Smith Barney Intermediate Municipal Fund,
                   Inc., Smith Barney Municipal Fund, Inc., High Income
                   Opportunity Fund Inc., Travelers Series Fund Inc., Greenwich
                   Street California Municipal Fund Inc., The Inefficient-Market
                   Fund, Inc., Smith Barney World Funds, Inc., Smith Barney
                   Adjustable Rate Government Income Fund, Smith Barney Equity
                   Funds, Smith Barney Income Funds, Smith Barney Massachusetts
                   Municipals Fund, Zenix Income Fund Inc., Smith Barney Arizona
                   Municipals Fund Inc., Smith Barney Principal Return Fund,
                   Municipal High Income Fund Inc., The Trust for TRAK
                   Investments, Smith Barney Series Fund, Smith Barney
                   Investment Trust, Smith Barney Oregon Municipals Fund Inc.,
                   Smith Barney Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc., Smith Barney
                   Aggressive Growth Fund Inc., Smith Barney Appreciation Fund
                   Inc., Smith Barney California Municipals Fund Inc., Smith
                   Barney Fundamental Value Fund, Inc., Smith Barney Managed
                   Governments Fund Inc., Smith Barney Managed Municipals Fund
                   Inc., Smith Barney New Jersey Municipals Fund Inc., Smith
                   Barney Natural Resources Fund, Inc., Smith Barney Investment
                   Funds Inc., Smith Barney Institutional Cash Management Fund
                   Inc., The Italy Fund Inc., Smith Barney Telecommunications
                   Trust, Managed Municipals Portfolio Inc., Managed Municipals
                   Portfolio II Inc., Smith Barney Concert Series Inc., Managed
                   High Income Portfolio Inc. and Greenwich Street Municipal
                   Fund Inc..

<PAGE>   71

                   (b) The information required by this Item 29 with respect to
                   each director and officer of Smith Barney is incorporated by
                   reference to Schedule A of Form BD filed by Smith Barney
                   pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (SEC File No.
                   8-8177). All of the officers and directors are located at 388
                   Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013.

        (c)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             NAME OF PRINCIPAL       NET UNDERWRITING       COMPENSATION ON          BROKERAGE            COMPENSATION
                UNDERWRITER           DISCOUNTS AND           REDEMPTION            COMMISSIONS
                                       COMMISSIONS
<S>                                       <C>                    <C>                    <C>                    <C>
             Smith Barney, Inc             N/A                    N/A                   N/A                    N/A
</TABLE>

Item 30.      LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

              John Davis
              Nationwide Life Insurance Company
              One Nationwide Plaza
              Columbus, OH  43215

Item 31.      MANAGEMENT SERVICES

              Not Applicable

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 Code is issued by the
              Company through the Registrant in reliance upon, and in compliance
              with, a no-action letter issued by the Staff of the Securities and
              Exchange Commission 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 Code.

              The Company 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 the Company.


<PAGE>   72


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance Company and Contract Owners
of Nationwide Variable Account-4:

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 28, 2000


<PAGE>   73


                                   SIGNATURES


As required by the Securities Act of 1933, and the Investment Company Act of
1940, the Registrant, NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-4, certifies that it meets the
requirements of Securities Act Rule 485(b) for effectiveness of this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 and has caused this Post-Effective Amendment to
be signed on its behalf in the City of Columbus, and State of Ohio, on this 24th
day of October, 2000.


                                            NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-4
                                         --------------------------------------
                                                   (Registrant)

                                          NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                         --------------------------------------
                                                    (Depositor)

                                                By/s/STEVEN R. SAVINI
                                         --------------------------------------
                                                 Steven R. Savini


As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 13
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 24th
day of October, 2000.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               SIGNATURE                                 TITLE

<S>                                                    <C>                     <C>
LEWIS J. ALPHIN                                        Director
----------------------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin

A. I. BELL                                             Director
----------------------------------------
A. I. Bell

NANCY C. BREIT                                         Director
----------------------------------------
Nancy C. Breit

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

W.G. JURGENSEN                               Chief Executive Officer Elect
----------------------------------------             and Director
W.G. Jurgensen

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/ STEVEN SAVINI
----------------------------------------                                        --------------------------------------
Arden L. Shisler                                                                            Steven Savini
                                                                                           Attorney-in-Fact
ROBERT L. STEWART                                      Director
----------------------------------------
Robert L. Stewart
</TABLE>


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