NATIONWIDE VL SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
S-6EL24, 1997-05-14
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<PAGE>   1

                                                                Registration No.

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

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                   TO FORM S-6

              FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OF
         SECURITIES OF UNIT INVESTMENT TRUSTS REGISTERED ON FORM N-8B-2

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

                        NATIONWIDE VL SEPARATE ACCOUNT-A
                        --------------------------------
                              (Exact Name of Trust)

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

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

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

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

         Title and amount of securities being registered: Corporate flexible
premium variable universal life insurance policies. Such policies are not issued
in predetermined amounts or units.

         The Registrant elects to register an indefinite number of securities by
this registration statement in accordance with Rule 24f-2 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940.

         Approximate date of proposed public offering: (As soon as practicable
after the effective date of this Registration Statement).

[ ]      Check box if it is proposed  that this filing will become  effective on
(date) at (time) pursuant to Rule 487.

         The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date
or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall therefore become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such dates as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.

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


                                    1 of 89
<PAGE>   2

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

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

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


                                    2 of 89
<PAGE>   3

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

38.........................................Distribution of The Policies
39.........................................Distribution of The Policies
40.........................................Not Applicable
41(a)......................................Distribution of The Policies
42.........................................Not Applicable
43.........................................Not Applicable
44.........................................How The Cash Value Varies
45.........................................Not Applicable
46.........................................How The Cash Value Varies
47.........................................Not Applicable
48.........................................Custodian of Assets
49.........................................Not Applicable
50.........................................Not Applicable
51.........................................Summary of The Policies;
                                           Information About The Policies
52.........................................Substitution of Securities
53.........................................Taxation of The Company
54.........................................Not Applicable
55.........................................Not Applicable
56.........................................Not Applicable
57.........................................Not Applicable
58.........................................Not Applicable
59.........................................Financial Statements


                                    3 of 89
<PAGE>   4

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

      CORPORATE FLEXIBLE PREMIUM VARIABLE UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES
            ISSUED BY NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
                  THROUGH ITS NATIONWIDE VL SEPARATE ACCOUNT-A

The Life Insurance Policies offered by this prospectus are variable universal
life insurance policies (collectively referred to as the "Policies"). The
Policies are designed for use by corporations and employers, to provide life
insurance coverage and the flexibility to vary the amount and frequency of
premium payments. The Policies also may provide a Cash Surrender Value if the
Policy is terminated during the lifetime of the Insured. The death benefit and
Cash Value of the Policies may vary to reflect the experience of Nationwide VL
Separate Account-A (the "Variable Account") or the Fixed Account to which Cash
Values are allocated. 
    

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

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

<TABLE>
<S>                                                          <C>
AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC.:                  NEUBERGER & BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST:
     -American Century VP Balanced                                -Growth Portfolio
     -American Century VP Capital Appreciation                    -Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio
     -American Century VP International                           -Partners Portfolio
     -American Century VP Value                              OPPENHEIMER VARIABLE ACCOUNTS FUNDS:
DREYFUS:                                                          -Bond Fund
     -Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund                    -Global Securities Fund
     -Dreyfus Stock Index Fund                                    -Multiple Strategies Fund
DREYFUS VARIABLE INVESTMENT FUND                             STRONG SPECIAL FUND II, INC.:
     -Growth & Income Portfolio**                                 -Special Fund II
FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND:                   STRONG VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.:
     -Equity-Income Portfolio                                     -Discovery Fund II, Inc.
     -Growth Portfolio                                            -International Stock Fund II
     -High Income Portfolio**                                VAN ECK WORLDWIDE INSURANCE TRUST:
     -Overseas Portfolio                                          -Gold and Natural Resources Fund
FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II:                     -Worldwide Bond Fund
      -Asset Manager Portfolio                                    -Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund
      -Contrafund Portfolio                                  VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL LIFE INVESTMENT
NATIONWIDE SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST:                           TRUST:
     -Capital Appreciation Fund                                   -American Capital Real Estate Securities Fund
     -Government Bond Fund                                   WARBURG PINCUS TRUST:
     -Money Market Fund                                           -International Equity Portfolio
     -Small Company Fund                                          -Post-Venture Capital Portfolio
     -Total Return Fund                                           -Small Company Growth Portfolio

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

   
NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY (THE "COMPANY") GUARANTEES THAT
THE DEATH BENEFIT FOR A POLICY WILL NEVER BE LESS THAN THE SPECIFIED AMOUNT
STATED ON THE POLICY DATA PAGES AS LONG AS THE POLICY IS IN FORCE. THERE IS NO
GUARANTEED CASH SURRENDER VALUE. IF THE CASH SURRENDER VALUE IS INSUFFICIENT TO
COVER THE CHARGES UNDER THE POLICY, THE POLICY WILL LAPSE WITHOUT VALUE. THIS
PROSPECTUS GENERALLY DESCRIBES ONLY THAT PORTION OF THE CASH VALUE ALLOCATED TO
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT. FOR A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE FIXED ACCOUNT OPTION, SEE "THE
FIXED ACCOUNT OPTION."
    


                                       1
<PAGE>   5
INVESTMENTS IN THESE CONTRACTS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, AND ARE NOT
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, THE ADVISER OF ANY OF THE UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS
IDENTIFIED ABOVE, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, OR ANY BANK OR BANK AFFILIATE,
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY. ANY
INVESTMENT IN THE CONTRACT INVOLVES CERTAIN INVESTMENT RISK WHICH MAY INCLUDE
THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.

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

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

               THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS _________________.









                                       2
<PAGE>   6
                               GLOSSARY OF TERMS

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

ACCUMULATION UNIT-An accounting unit of measure used to calculate the Cash
Value of the Variable Account.

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

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

CASH SURRENDER VALUE-The Policy's Cash Value, less any indebtedness under the
Policy. 

CODE-The Internal Revenue code of 1986, as amended.

   
COMPANY-Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company.

DEATH PROCEEDS-Amount of money payable to the Beneficiary if the Insured dies
while the Policy is in force prior to the Maturity Date.
    

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

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

   
GUIDELINE LEVEL PREMIUM-The amount of level annual premium calculated in
accordance with the provisions of the Code. It represents the level annual
premiums required to mature the Policy under guaranteed mortality and current
expense charges, and an interest rate of 4%.
    

HOME OFFICE-The main office of the Company located in Columbus, Ohio.

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

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

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

   
MATURITY DATE-The Policy Anniversary on or following the Insured's 100th
birthday. 
    
MONTHLY ANNIVERSARY DAY-The same day as the Policy Date for each succeeding
month. 
   
NET AMOUNT AT RISK-For any Policy month, the Net Amount at Risk is the death
benefit at the beginning of the Policy month minus the Cash Value calculated at
the beginning of the Policy month prior to deduction of the base Policy cost of
insurance charge.
    

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

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

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

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

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

POLICY LOAN ACCOUNT-The Portion of the Cash Value which results from Policy
Indebtedness.

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

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

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

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

                                       3
<PAGE>   7

   
SUB-ACCOUNT-A part of the Variable Account, the assets of which are invested
exclusively in a corresponding Underlying Mutual Fund.

SURRENDER CHARGE - An amount deducted from the Cash Value if the Policy is
surrendered. This amount is zero.

TARGET PREMIUM - The level annual premium at which the sales load is reduced on
a current basis.
    

UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS-The underlying mutual funds which correspond to the
Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account.

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

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

   
VARIABLE ACCOUNT-A separate investment account of the Company, Nationwide VL
Separate Account-A.
    


                                       4
<PAGE>   8

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
GLOSSARY OF TERMS..............................................................3
SUMMARY OF THE POLICIES
         Variable Life Insurance...............................................8
         The Variable Account and its Sub-Accounts.............................8
         The Fixed Account.....................................................8
         Deductions and Charges................................................8
         Premiums.............................................................11
NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE  COMPANY................................11
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT..........................................................12
         Investments of the Variable Account..................................12
         American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc., a member of American
          CenturySM Investments...............................................13
         Dreyfus..............................................................14
         Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund.....................................14
         Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund............................14
         Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund II.........................15
         Nationwide Separate Account Trust....................................15
         Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust.........................16
         Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds...................................17
         Strong Special Fund II, Inc..........................................17
         Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.................................17
         Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust....................................18
         Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust....................18
         Warburg Pincus Trust.................................................18
         Reinvestment.........................................................19
         Transfers............................................................19
         Dollar Cost Averaging................................................20
         Substitution of Securities...........................................20
         Voting Rights........................................................20
INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLICIES................................................21
         Underwriting and Issuance............................................21
         -Minimum Requirements for Issuance of a Policy.......................21
         -Premium Payments....................................................21
         Allocation of Net Premium and Cash Value.............................22
         Short-Term Right to Cancel Policy....................................22
POLICY CHARGES................................................................22
         Deductions from Premiums.............................................22
         Deductions from Cash Value...........................................22
         -Monthly Cost of Insurance...........................................23
         -Monthly Administrative Charge.......................................23
         Deductions from the Sub-Accounts.....................................23
         Reduction of Charges (Policy and Sub-Accounts).......................24
HOW THE CASH VALUE VARIES.....................................................24
         How the Investment Experience is Determined..........................24
         Net Investment Factor................................................24
         Valuation of Assets..................................................25
         Determining the Cash Value...........................................25
         Valuation Periods and Valuation Dates................................25
SURRENDERING THE POLICY FOR CASH..............................................25
         Right to Surrender...................................................25
         Cash Surrender Value.................................................25
         Partial Surrenders...................................................25
         -Preferred Partial Surrenders........................................26
         -Reduction of the Specified Amount...................................26
         Maturity Proceeds....................................................26
         Income Tax Withholding...............................................26
POLICY LOANS..................................................................26
         Taking a Policy Loan.................................................26
    


                                       5
<PAGE>   9

   
         Effect on Investment Performance.....................................27
         Interest.............................................................27
         Effect on Death Benefit and Cash Value...............................27
         Repayment............................................................27
HOW THE DEATH BENEFIT VARIES..................................................28
         Calculation of the Death Benefit.....................................28
         Proceeds Payable on Death............................................29
RIGHT OF CONVERSION...........................................................29
CHANGES OF INVESTMENT POLICY..................................................29
GRACE PERIOD..................................................................30
REINSTATEMENT.................................................................30
THE FIXED ACCOUNT OPTION......................................................30
CHANGES IN EXISTING INSURANCE COVERAGE........................................31
         Specified Amount Increases...........................................31
         Specified Amount Decreases...........................................31
         Changes in the Death Benefit Option..................................31
OTHER POLICY PROVISIONS.......................................................31
         Policy Owner.........................................................31
         Beneficiary..........................................................32
         Assignment...........................................................32
         Incontestability.....................................................32
         Error in Age ........................................................32
         Suicide..............................................................32
         Nonparticipating Policies............................................32
         Riders...............................................................33
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS..........................................................33
DISTRIBUTION OF THE POLICIES..................................................33
CUSTODIAN OF ASSETS...........................................................33
TAX MATTERS...................................................................34
         Policy Proceeds......................................................34
         -Non-Resident Aliens.................................................34
         Taxation of the Company..............................................35
         Tax Changes..........................................................35
THE COMPANY...................................................................36
COMPANY MANAGEMENT............................................................36
         Directors of the Company.............................................36
         Executive Officers of the Company....................................37
OTHER CONTRACTS ISSUED BY THE COMPANY.........................................38
STATE REGULATION..............................................................38
REPORTS TO POLICY OWNERS......................................................38
ADVERTISING...................................................................38
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.............................................................38
EXPERTS.......................................................................38
REGISTRATION STATEMENT........................................................39
LEGAL OPINIONS................................................................39
APPENDIX 1....................................................................40
PERFORMANCE TABLES............................................................49
    


                                       6
<PAGE>   10

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

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


                                       7
<PAGE>   11

                             SUMMARY OF THE POLICIES

VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE

   
The variable life insurance Policies offered by Nationwide Life and Annuity
Insurance Company (the "Company") provide for life insurance coverage on the
Insured. The Policies may provide for a Cash Surrender Value which is payable if
the Policy is terminated during the Insured's lifetime.
    

The death benefit and Cash Value of the Policies may increase or decrease to
reflect the investment performance of the Variable Account Sub-Accounts or the
Fixed Account to which Cash Values are allocated (see "How the Death Benefit
Varies"). There is no guaranteed Cash Surrender Value (see "How the Cash Value
Varies"). If the Cash Surrender Value is insufficient to pay the Policy Charges,
the Policy will lapse without value.

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

THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT AND ITS SUB-ACCOUNTS

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

THE FIXED ACCOUNT

   
The Fixed Account is funded by the assets of the Company's General Account. Cash
Values allocated to the Fixed Account are credited with interest daily at a rate
declared by the Company. The interest rate declared is at the Company's sole
discretion, but may never be less than an effective annual rate of 3%.
    

DEDUCTIONS AND CHARGES

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

   
The Company deducts a sales load from each premium payment received which is
guaranteed never to exceed 5.5% of such premium payment during the first seven
Policy Years and 2% thereafter. On a current basis, the sales load is 5.5% of
the Target Premium plus 3% of premiums in excess of the Target Premium during
the first seven Policy Years, and 0% on all premiums thereafter.

The Company also deducts from premium payments a tax expense charge of 3.5%, on
both a current and guaranteed basis, of all premium payments. This charge
reimburses the Company for premium taxes imposed by various state and local
jurisdictions and for federal taxes imposed under Section 848 of the Code. The
3.5 tax expense rate consists of the following components: (1) a state premium
tax rate of 2.25%; and (2) a federal tax rate of 1.25%.
    


                                       8
<PAGE>   12

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

       1.     monthly cost of insurance; plus

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

   
       3.     an administrative expense charge. This charge is currently $5.00
              per month. The charge may be increased at the sole discretion of
              the Company but is guaranteed not to exceed $10.00 per month.

The Company also deducts on a daily basis from the assets of the Variable
Account a charge to provide for mortality and expense risks. This charge is
guaranteed not to exceed an annual effective rate of 0.75% of the daily net
assets of the Variable Account. On a current basis this annual effective rate
will be 0.60% in the first through fourth Policy Years, 0.40% in fifth through
twentieth Policy Years and 0.25% thereafter. 

There are no Surrender Charges.
    

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

                     Underlying Mutual Fund Annual Expenses
                          (After Expense Reimbursement)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             ------------------------------------
                                                                             Management      Other        Total
                                                                                Fees        Expenses     Expenses
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                             <C>           <C>          <C>  
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc.-American Century VP Balanced         1.00%         0.00%        1.00%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc.-American Century VP Capital
Appreciation                                                                    1.00%         0.00%        1.00%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc.-American Century VP                  1.50%         0.00%        1.50%
International
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc.-American Century VP Value            1.00%         0.00%        1.00%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund                                        0.72%         0.24%        0.96%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund                                                        0.25%         0.05%        0.30%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund- Growth & Income Portfolio.                    0.75%         0.08%        0.83%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Equity-Income Portfolio                                       0.51%         0.07%        0.58%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Growth Portfolio                                              0.61%         0.08%        0.69%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-High Income Portfolio                                         0.59%         0.12%        0.71%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Overseas Portfolio                                            0.76%         0.17%        0.93%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II-Asset Manager Portfolio                                    0.64%         0.10%        0.74%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II-Contrafund Portfolio                                       0.61%         0.13%        0.74%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management                                          0.83%         0.09%        0.92%
Trust-Growth Portfolio
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management                                          0.65%         0.13%        0.78%
Trust-Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management                                          0.84%         0.11%        0.95%
Trust-Partners Portfolio
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Capital Appreciation Fund                                                  0.50%         0.02%        0.52%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Government Bond Fund                                                       0.50%         0.01%        0.51%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Money Market Fund                                                          0.50%         0.03%        0.53%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Small Company Fund                                                         1.00%         0.10%        1.10%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Total Return Fund                                                          0.50%         0.02%        0.52%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund-Bond Fund                                     0.74%         0.04%        0.78%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund-Global Securities Fund                        0.73%         0.08%        0.81%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund-Multiple Strategies                           0.73%         0.04%        0.77%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Special Fund II, Inc.                                                    1.00%         0.17%        1.17%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                       9
<PAGE>   13

                     Underlying Mutual Fund Annual Expenses
                          (After Expense Reimbursement)
                                   (Continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             ------------------------------------
                                                                             Management      Other        Total
                                                                                Fees        Expenses     Expenses
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                             <C>           <C>          <C>  
Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc. - Discovery Fund II, Inc.                 1.00%         0.22%        1.22%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc. - International Stock Fund II             1.00%         0.59%        1.59%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust-Gold and Natural Resources Fund               1.00%         0.08%        1.08%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust-Worldwide Bond Fund                           1.00%         0.08%        1.08%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust-Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund               1.00%         0.00%        1.00%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust -                             0.83%         0.27%        1.10%
American Capital Real Estate Securities Fund
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-International Equity Portfolio                             0.62%         0.78%        1.40%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-Post-Venture Capital Portfolio                             0.96%         0.40%        1.36%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-Small Company Growth Portfolio                             0.90%         0.26%        1.16%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                FUND                                  EXPENSES WITHOUT REIMBURSEMENT OR WAIVER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>    
American Century Variable              Absent a waiver  of fees by the  Portfolio's  investment  adviser  and
Portfolios, Inc. - American Century    co-administrator,  Management  Fees  for  the  Portfolio  would  equal
VP Value                               1.25%;  Other Expenses  would equal .81%;  Total  Portfolio  Operating
                                       Expenses would have been 2.06%.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund               In the event that  aggregate  expenses of the Fund exceed .40 of 1% of
                                       the value of the Fund's  average net assets for the fiscal  year,  the
                                       Fund may deduct  from the  payment to be made to  Dreyfus,  or Dreyfus
                                       will  bear,  such  excess  expense.  In  addition,  the Fund may waive
                                       receipt of its fees and/or  voluntarily assume certain expenses of the
                                       Fund,  which  would have the effect of lowering  the  overall  expense
                                       ratio of the Fund.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth    In the event that  aggregate  expenses of the Fund exceed .40 of 1% of
Fund                                   the value of the Fund's  average net assets for the fiscal  year,  the
                                       Fund may deduct  from the  payment to be made to  Dreyfus,  or Dreyfus
                                       will  bear,  such  excess  expense.  In  addition,  the Fund may waive
                                       receipt of its fees and/or  voluntarily assume certain expenses of the
                                       Fund,  which  would have the effect of lowering  the  overall  expense
                                       ratio of the Fund.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - Equity-Income      The Adviser has voluntarily  agreed subject to revision or termination
Portfolio                              to  reimburse  a fund  if,  and  to the  extent  that,  its  aggregate
                                       operating  expenses,  including  management  fees,  exceed a specified
                                       annual  rate for the  fund.  The  expense  cap is:  1.50%  imposed  on
                                       October 9, 1986.  Since the expense ratio is  significantly  below the
                                       expense cap there is no reimbursement and none anticipated  during the
                                       current year. Since there is no reimbursement  the  discontinuance  of
                                       the arrangement has no effect on total fund operating expenses.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - Growth Portfolio   The Fund  may,  from  time to  time,  agree  to  reimburse  a fund for
                                       management fees and other expenses above a specified  limit.  The Fund
                                       retains the ability to be repaid if expenses  fall below the specified
                                       limit   prior   to  the  end  of  the   fiscal   year.   Reimbursement
                                       arrangements,  which may be terminated  at any time,  can decrease the
                                       Fund's expense and boost its performance.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - High-Income        The Fund  may,  from  time to  time,  agree  to  reimburse  a fund for
Portfolio                              management fees and other expenses above a specified  limit.  The Fund
                                       retains the ability to be repaid if expenses  fall below the specified
                                       limit   prior   to  the  end  of  the   fiscal   year.   Reimbursement
                                       arrangements,  which may be terminated  at any time,  can decrease the
                                       Fund's expense and boost its performance.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Variable Insurance Products   The Adviser has voluntarily  agreed subject to revision or termination
Fund - Overseas Portfolio              to  reimburse  a fund  if,  and  to the  extent  that,  its  aggregate
                                       operating  expenses,  including  management  fees,  exceed a specified
                                       annual  rate for the  fund.  The  expense  cap is:  1.50%  imposed  on
                                       January 28, 1986. Since the expense ratio is  significantly  below the
                                       expense cap there is no reimbursement and none anticipated  during the
                                       current year. Since there is no reimbursement  the  discontinuance  of
                                       the arrangement has no effect on total fund operating expenses.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                       10
<PAGE>   14

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                FUND                                  EXPENSES WITHOUT REIMBURSEMENT OR WAIVER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>    
Fidelity VIP Fund II - Asset Manager   The Fund  may,  from  time to  time,  agree  to  reimburse  a fund for
Portfolio                              management fees and other expenses above a specified  limit.  The Fund
                                       retains the ability to be repaid if expenses  fall below the specified
                                       limit   prior   to  the  end  of  the   fiscal   year.   Reimbursement
                                       arrangements,  which may be terminated  at any time,  can decrease the
                                       Fund's expense and boost its performance.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II - Contrafund      The Fund  may,  from  time to  time,  agree  to  reimburse  a fund for
Portfolio                              management fees and other expenses above a specified  limit.  The Fund
                                       retains the ability to be repaid if expenses  fall below the specified
                                       limit   prior   to  the  end  of  the   fiscal   year.   Reimbursement
                                       arrangements,  which may be terminated  at any time,  can decrease the
                                       Fund's expense and boost its performance.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger&Berman  Advisers             The Fund manager will limit expenses by reimbursing  the Portfolio for
Management Trust - Growth Portfolio    its operating  expenses and its pro rata share of operating  expenses,
                                       that exceed 1% of the Fund's average daily net asset value.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger&Berman Advisers Management   The Fund manager will limit expenses by reimbursing  the Portfolio for
Trust - Limited Maturity Bond          its operating  expenses and its pro rata share of operating  expenses,
Portfolio                              that exceed 1% of the Fund's average daily net asset value.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger&Berman Advisers Management   The Fund manager will limit expenses by reimbursing  the Portfolio for
Trust - Partners Portfolio             its operating  expenses and its pro rata share of operating  expenses,
                                       that exceed 1% of the Fund's average daily net asset value.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen American Capital Life       The  Trust   reimburses  the  Adviser  for  the  cost  of  the  Fund's
Investment Trust - Real Estate         accounting  services.  Further,  the Adviser and the  Subadviser  may,
Securities Fund                        from  time  to  time,  agree  to  waive  their  respective  investment
                                       advisory  fees or any portion  thereof or elect to reimburse  the Fund
                                       for ordinary business expenses in excess of an agreed upon amount.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - International   The  Management  Fees,  Other Expenses and Total  Portfolio  Operating
Equity Portfolio                       Expenses  are  net of  any  fee  waivers  or  expense  reimbursements.
                                       Without such  waivers or  reimbursements,  Management  Fees would have
                                       equaled  1.00%,  Other  Expenses  would have  equaled  1.21% and total
                                       Portfolio  Operating  Expenses  would have equaled  2.21%.  The Fund's
                                       investment  adviser had undertaken to reduce or otherwise  limit Total
                                       Portfolio  Operating  Expenses;  there  is  no  assurance  that  these
                                       undertakings will continue.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - Small Company   The Management Fees, Other Expenses and Total Portfolio Operating
Growth Portfolio                       Expenses are net of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements.
                                       Without such waivers or reimbursements, Management Fees would have
                                       equaled .90%, Other Expenses would have equaled .60% and total
                                       Portfolio Operating Expenses would have equaled 1.50%.  The Fund's
                                       investment adviser had undertaken to reduce or otherwise limit Total
                                       Portfolio Operating Expenses; there is no assurance that these
                                       undertakings will continue.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

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

PREMIUMS

   
The minimum Initial Premium for which a Policy may be issued is equal to three
monthly deductions. A policy may be issued to an Insured up to age 80. For a
limited time, the Policy Owner has the right to cancel the Policy and receive a
full refund of premiums paid (see "Short-Term Right to Cancel Policy"). The
Initial Premium is due on the Policy Date. It will be credited on the Policy
Date. Any due and unpaid monthly deductions will be subtracted from the Cash
Value at this time. Insurance will not be effective until the Initial Premium is
paid. The Initial Premium is shown on the Policy data page. Premiums, other than
the Initial Premium may be made at any time while the Policy is in force.
    

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

   
Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company (the "Company"), is a stock life
insurance company organized under the laws of the State of Ohio in February,
1981. The Company is a member of Nationwide Insurance Enterprise which includes
Nationwide Life Insurance Company, Nationwide Indemnity Company, Nationwide
Mutual Insurance Company, Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Nationwide
Property and Casualty Insurance Company, National Casualty Company, West Coast
Life Insurance Company, Scottsdale Indemnity Company and Nationwide General
Insurance Company and their affiliated companies. The Company's Home Office is
at One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43216.

The Company offers a multiple line of products, including annuities. It is
admitted to do business in 46 states and the District of Columbia (for
additional information, see "The Company").
    


                                       11
<PAGE>   15

                              THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT

   
The Variable Account was established by the Company on August 8, 1984. The
Company has caused the Variable Account to be registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as a unit investment trust pursuant to the provisions of the
Investment Company Act of 1940. Such registration does not involve supervision
of the management of the Variable Account or the Company by the Securities and
Exchange Commission. 

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

Premium payments and Cash Value are allocated within the Variable Account among
one or more Sub-Accounts. The assets of each Sub-Account are used to purchase
shares of the Underlying Mutual Funds designated by the Policy Owner. Thus, the
investment performance of a Policy depends upon the investment performance of
the Underlying Mutual Fund options designated by the Policy Owner.
    

Investments of the Variable Account

   
At the time of application, the Policy Owner elects to have the Net Premiums
allocated among one or more of the Variable Account Sub-Accounts and the Fixed
Account (see "Allocation of Net Premium and Cash Value"). In such states which
require a return of premiums to those Policy Owners exercising their short term
right to cancel (see "Short Term Right to Cancel Policy"), Net Premiums will be
allocated to the Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund sub-account
(for any Net Premiums allocated to a sub-account on the application) or the
Fixed Account until the expiration of the period in which the Policy Owner may
exercise his or her short-term right to cancel the Policy. Any subsequent Net
Premiums received after this period will be allocated based on the Fund
allocation factors.

No less than 1% of Net Premiums may be allocated to any one Sub-Account or the
Fixed Account. The Policy Owner may change the allocation of Net Premiums or
may transfer Cash Value from one Sub-Account to another, subject to such terms
and conditions as may be imposed by each Underlying Mutual Fund option and as
set forth in this prospectus (see "Transfers", "Allocation of Cash Value" and
"Short-Term Right to Cancel Policy").
    

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


                                       12
<PAGE>   16

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

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

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

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

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

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

AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC., A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN CENTURYSM
INVESTMENTS

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

- -      AMERICAN CENTURY VP BALANCED

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

- -      AMERICAN CENTURY VP CAPITAL APPRECIATION

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

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

- -      AMERICAN CENTURY VP INTERNATIONAL

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

- -      AMERICAN CENTURY VP VALUE

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


                                       13
<PAGE>   17

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

DREYFUS

- -      DREYFUS SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE GROWTH FUND, INC.

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

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

- -      DREYFUS STOCK INDEX FUND

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

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

DREYFUS VARIABLE INVESTMENT FUND

Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund (the "Fund") is an open-end, management
investment company. It was organized as an unincorporated business trust under
the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on October 29,1986 and commenced
operations August 31, 1990. The Dreyfus Corporation ("Dreyfus") serves as the
Fund's manager. Dreyfus is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Bank, N.A., which
is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Bank Corporation.

- -        GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO

         Investment Objective: To provide long-term capital growth, current
         income and growth of income, consistent with reasonable investment
         risk. The Portfolio invests in equity securities, debt securities and
         money market instruments of domestic and foreign issuers. The
         proportion of the Portfolio's assets invested in each type of security
         will vary from time to time in accordance with Dreyfus' assessment of
         economic conditions and investment opportunities. In purchasing equity
         securities, Dreyfus will invest in common stocks, preferred stocks and
         securities convertible into common stocks, particularly those which
         offer opportunities for capital appreciation and growth of earnings,
         while paying current dividends. The Portfolio will generally invest in
         investment-grade debt obligations, except that it may invest up to 35%
         of the value of its net assets in convertible debt securities rated not
         lower than Caa by Moody's Investor Service, Inc. or CCC by Standard &
         Poor's Ratings Group, Fitch Investors Service, L.P. or Duff & Phelps
         Credit Rating Co., or if unrated, deemed to be of comparable quality by
         Dreyfus. These securities are considered to have predominantly
         speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest
         and repay principal and are considered to be of poor standing. See
         "Investment Considerations and Risks-Lower Rated Securities" in the
         Portfolio's prospectuses.

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND

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


                                       14
<PAGE>   18

- -      EQUITY-INCOME PORTFOLIO

       Investment Objective: To seek reasonable income by investing primarily in
       income-producing equity securities. In choosing these securities FMR also
       will consider the potential for capital appreciation. The Portfolio's
       goal is to achieve a yield which exceeds the composite yield on the
       securities comprising the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price
       Index.

- -      GROWTH PORTFOLIO

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

- -      HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO

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

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

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

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

- -      OVERSEAS PORTFOLIO

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

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II

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

- -      ASSET MANAGER PORTFOLIO

       Investment Objective: To seek to obtain high total return with reduced
       risk over the long-term by allocating its assets among domestic and
       foreign stocks, bonds and short-term fixed income instruments.

- -      CONTRAFUND PORTFOLIO

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

NATIONWIDE SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST

Nationwide Separate Account Trust (the "Trust") is a diversified open-end
management investment company created under the laws of Massachusetts. The Trust
offers shares in the five separate Mutual Funds listed


                                       15
<PAGE>   19

below, each with its own investment objectives. Currently, shares of the Trust
will be sold only to life insurance company separate accounts to fund the
benefits under variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts
issued by life insurance companies. The assets of the Trust are managed by
Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc., One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43216.

- -      CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND

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

- -      GOVERNMENT BOND FUND

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

- -      MONEY MARKET FUND

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

- -      SMALL COMPANY FUND

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

- -      TOTAL RETURN FUND

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

NEUBERGER & BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST

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

- - GROWTH PORTFOLIO

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

- -      LIMITED MATURITY BOND PORTFOLIO

       Investment Objective: To provide the high level of current income,
       consistent with low risk to principal and liquidity. As a secondary
       objective, it also seeks to enhance its total return through capital
       appreciation when market factors, such as falling interest rates and
       rising bond prices, indicate that capital appreciation may be available
       without significant risk to principal. It seeks to achieve its objectives
       through investments in a diversified portfolio of limited maturity debt
       securities. The Portfolio invests in securities which are at least
       investment grade and does not invest in junk bonds.


                                       16
<PAGE>   20

- -      PARTNERS PORTFOLIO

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

OPPENHEIMER VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS

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

- -      OPPENHEIMER BOND FUND

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

- -      OPPENHEIMER GLOBAL SECURITIES FUND

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

- -      OPPENHEIMER MULTIPLE STRATEGIES FUND

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

STRONG SPECIAL FUND II, INC.

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

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

STRONG VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.

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

- -      DISCOVERY FUND II, INC.

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

- -      INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND II

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


                                       17
<PAGE>   21

VAN ECK WORLDWIDE INSURANCE TRUST

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

- -      GOLD AND NATURAL RESOURCES FUND

       Investment Objective: To seek long-term capital appreciation by investing
       in equity and debt securities of companies engaged in the exploration,
       development, production and distribution of gold and other natural
       resources, such as strategic and other metals, minerals, forest products,
       oil, natural gas and coal. Current income is not an objective.

- -      WORLDWIDE BOND FUND

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

- -      WORLDWIDE EMERGING MARKETS FUND

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

VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST

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

- -      AMERICAN CAPITAL REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND

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

WARBURG PINCUS TRUST

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

- -      INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO

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


                                       18
<PAGE>   22

- -      POST-VENTURE CAPITAL PORTFOLIO

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

- -      SMALL COMPANY GROWTH PORTFOLIO

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

REINVESTMENT

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

TRANSFERS

   
The Policy Owner may transfer amounts between the Fixed Account and the
Sub-Accounts, without penalty or adjustment, subject to the following
requirements. During any Policy Year, the Company reserves the right to restrict
such transfers between the Fixed Account and the Sub-Accounts to one transfer
per Policy Year.

Transfers made from the Fixed Account must be made within 45 days after the end
of an interest rate guarantee period (the period of time for which the current
interest crediting rate is guaranteed by the Company). The Company reserves the
right to restrict the amount transferred from the Fixed Account to 20% of that
portion of the Cash Value attributable to the Fixed Account as of the end of the
previous Policy Year.

Transfers made to the Fixed Account may not be made either: (a) prior to the
first Policy Anniversary; or (b) within 12 months subsequent to a prior
transfer. The Company reserves the right to restrict the amount transferred to
the Fixed Account to 20% of that portion of the Cash Value attributable to the
Sub-Accounts as of the close of business of the prior Valuation Period. The
Company further reserves the right to refuse a transfer to the Fixed Account, in
the event the Cash Value attributable to the Fixed Account should be greater
than or equal to 30% of the Cash Value.
    

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

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


                                       19
<PAGE>   23

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

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

DOLLAR COST AVERAGING

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

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

SUBSTITUTION OF SECURITIES

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

VOTING RIGHTS

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


                                       20
<PAGE>   24

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

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

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

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

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

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

                         INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLICIES

Underwriting and Issuance

- -Minimum Requirements for Issuance of a Policy

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

- -Premium Payments

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

Premiums, other than the Initial Premium, may be made at any time while the
Policy is in force. Each premium payment must be at least $50. The Company
reserves the right to require satisfactory evidence of insurability before
accepting any premium payment which results in an increase in the Net Amount at
Risk. The Company will refund any portion of any premium payment which is
determined to be in excess of the premium limit established by law to qualify
the Policy as a contract for life insurance. The Company may also require that
any existing Policy Indebtedness is repaid prior to accepting any additional
premium payments. Additional premium payments or other changes to the contract,
may jeopardize the Policy's non-modified endowment status. The Company will
monitor premiums paid and other policy transactions and will notify the Policy
Owner when non-modified endowment contract status is in jeopardy (see "Tax
Matters").
    


                                       21
<PAGE>   25

   
Allocation of Net Premium and Cash Value

The designation of investment allocations will be made by the prospective Policy
Owner at the time of application for a Policy. The Policy Owner may change the
way in which future Net Premiums are allocated by giving written notice to the
Company. All percentage allocations must be in whole numbers, and must be at
least 1%. The sum of allocations must equal 100%. At the time a Policy is
issued, its Cash Value will be determined as if the Policy had been issued and
the Initial Net Premium is invested on the date such premium was received in
good order by the Company.

In such states which require a return of premiums to those Policy Owners
exercising their short term right to cancel (see "Short Term Right to Cancel
Policy"), Net Premiums will be allocated to the Nationwide Separate Account
Trust Money Market Fund sub-account (for any Net Premiums allocated to a
sub-account on the application) or the Fixed Account until the expiration of the
period in which the Policy Owner may exercise his or her short-term right to
cancel the Policy. Net Premiums not designated for the Fixed Account will be
placed in the Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money Market Sub-Account. At the
expiration of the period in which the Policy Owner may exercise his or her short
term right to cancel the Policy, shares of the Underlying Mutual Funds specified
by the Policy Owner are purchased at net asset value for the respective
sub-account(s). The Policy Owner may change the allocation of Net Premiums or
may transfer Cash Value from one sub-account to another, subject to such terms
and conditions as may be imposed by each Underlying Mutual Fund and as set forth
in this prospectus.
    

Short-Term Right to Cancel Policy

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

                                 POLICY CHARGES

Deductions from Premiums

   
The Company deducts a sales load from each premium payment received which is
guaranteed never to exceed 5.5% of such premium payment during the first seven
Policy Years and 2% thereafter. On a current basis, the sales load is 5.5% of
the Target Premium plus 3% of premiums in excess of the Target Premium during
the first seven Policy Years, and 0% on all premiums thereafter.

The Company also deducts from premium payments a tax expense charge of 3.5%, on
both a current and guaranteed basis, of all premium payments. This charge
reimburses the Company for premium taxes imposed by various state and local
jurisdictions and for federal taxes imposed under Section 848 of the Code. The
3.5% tax expense rate consists of the following components: (1) a state premium
tax rate of 2.25%; and (2) a federal tax rate of 1.25%.

The Company expects to pay an average state premium tax rate of approximately
2.25% of premiums for all states, although such tax rates range by state from
0% to 4%. To reimburse the Company for the payment of state premium taxes
associated with the Policies, the Company deducts a charge for state premium
taxes equal to 2.25% of all premium payments received. This charge may be more
or less than the amount actually assessed by the state in which a particular
Policy Owner lives. The 1.25% federal tax component is designed to reimburse the
Company for expenses incurred from federal taxes imposed under Section 848 of
the Code (enacted by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990). The Company
does not expect to make a profit from this charge.
    

Deductions from Cash Value

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

       1.     monthly cost of insurance charges; plus

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

                                       22
<PAGE>   26

       3.     monthly administrative expense charge.

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

- -Monthly Cost of Insurance

The monthly cost of insurance charge for each policy month is determined by
multiplying the monthly cost of insurance rate by the Net Amount at Risk. If
death benefit Option 1 is in effect and there have been increases in the
Specified Amount, then the Cash Value shall first be considered a part of the
initial Specified Amount. If the Cash Value exceeds the initial Specified
Amount, it shall then be considered a part of the additional increases in
Specified Amount resulting from the increases in the order of the increases.

   
Monthly cost of insurance rates will be unisex and will not exceed those
guaranteed in the Policy. Guaranteed cost of insurance rates are based on the
1980 Commissioners Standard Ordinary Male Mortality Table, Age Last Birthday,
aggregate as to tobacco status (1980 CSO). Guaranteed cost of insurance rates
for Policies issued on a substandard basis are based on appropriate percentage
multiples of the 1980 CSO.
    

The rate class of an Insured may affect the cost of insurance rate. The Company
currently places Insured's into both standard rate classes and substandard
classes that involve a higher mortality risk. In an otherwise identical Policy,
an Insured in the standard rate class will have a lower cost of insurance than
an Insured in a rate class with higher mortality risks. The Company may also
issue certain Policies on a "Non Medical", guaranteed issue or simplified issue
basis to certain categories of individuals. Due to the underwriting criteria
established for Policies issued on a Non Medical basis, actual rates will be
higher than the current cost of insurance rates being charged under Policies
that are medically underwritten.

- -Monthly Administrative Charge

   
The Company deducts a monthly Administrative Expense Charge to reimburse it for
certain expenses related to maintenance of the Policies, accounting and record
keeping and periodic reporting to Policy Owners. This charge is designed only to
reimburse the Company for certain actual administrative expenses. The Company
does not expect to recover from this charge any amount in excess of aggregate
maintenance expenses. On a current basis this charge is $5.00 per month in all
Policy Years. On a guaranteed basis this charge is $10.00 per month in all
Policy Years.
    

Deductions from the Sub-Accounts

The Company assumes certain risks for guaranteeing the mortality and expense
charges. The mortality risks assumed under the Policies is that the Insured may
not live as long as expected. The expense risk assumed is that the actual
expenses incurred in issuing and administering the Policies may be greater than
expected. In addition, the Company assumes risks associated with the
non-recovery of policy issue, underwriting and other administrative expenses due
to Policies which lapse or are surrendered in the early Policy Years.

   
To compensate the Company for assuming these risks associated with the Policies,
the Company deducts on a daily basis from the assets of the Variable Account a
charge to provide for mortality and expense risks. This charge is guaranteed not
to exceed an annual effective rate of 0.75% of the daily net assets of the
Variable Account. On a current basis this rate will be 0.60% during the first
through fourth Policy Years, 0.40% during the fifth through twentieth Policy
Years, and 0.25% thereafter. To the extent that future levels of mortality and
expenses are less than or equal to those expected, the Company may realize a
profit from this charge. Unrecovered expenses are born by the Company's general
assets which may include profits, if any, from mortality and expense risk
charges.
    


                                       23
<PAGE>   27

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

   
Reduction of Charges (Policy and Sub-Accounts)

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

Eligibility for and the amount of these reductions will be determined by a
number of factors, including the number of Insured's, the total premium expected
to be paid, total assets under management for the Policy Owner, the nature of
the relationship among individual Insured's, the purpose for which the Policies
are being purchased, the expected persistency of individual Policies, and any
other circumstances which, in the opinion of the Company is rationally related
to the expected reduction in expenses. The extent and nature of reductions may
change from time to time. Any variations in the charge structure will be
determined in a uniform manner reflecting differences in costs of services and
not unfairly discriminatory to Policy Owners.

                            HOW THE CASH VALUE VARIES

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

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

How the Investment Experience is Determined

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

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

Net Investment Factor

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

(a)    is the net of:

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

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

(b)    is the net of:

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

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


                                       24
<PAGE>   28

   
(c)    is a factor representing the daily Mortality and Expense Risk Charge
       deducted from the Variable Account. Such factor is guaranteed not to
       exceed an annual effective rate of 0.75% of the daily net assets of the
       Variable Account. On a current basis this annual effective rate will be
       0.60% during the first through fourth Policy Years, 0.40% during the
       fifth through twentieth Policy Years, and 0.25% thereafter.
    

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

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

Valuation of Assets

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

Determining the Cash Value

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

The Cash Value in the Fixed Account and the Policy Loan Account is credited with
interest daily at an effective annual rate which the Company periodically
declares. The annual effective rate will never be less than 3%. Upon request,
the Company will inform the Policy Owner of the then applicable rates for each
account.
    

Valuation Periods and Valuation Dates

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

                        SURRENDERING THE POLICY FOR CASH

Right to Surrender

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

Cash Surrender Value

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

Partial Surrenders

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

       1.     The minimum partial surrender is $500;


                                       25
<PAGE>   29

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

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

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

   
When a partial surrender is made, the Cash Value will be reduced by the amount
of the partial surrender. Further, the Specified Amount will be reduced by the
amount necessary to prevent any increase to the Net Amount at Risk, unless the
Policy Owner elects that the partial surrender be treated as a preferred partial
surrender. (Any such reduction to the Specified Amount will be done in the
manner as set forth below).

- -Preferred Partial Surrenders

A partial surrender may be considered a preferred partial surrender if the
following conditions are met: (1) such surrender occurs before the 15th Policy
Anniversary; and (2) the surrender amount plus the amount of any previous
preferred policy surrenders in that same Policy Year does not exceed 10% of the
Cash Surrender Value as of the beginning of the Policy Year.

- -Reduction of the Specified Amount

When a partial surrender is made, in addition to the Cash Value being reduced by
the amount of the partial surrender, the Specified Amount also is reduced,
except for a preferred partial surrender. The reduction to the Specified Amount
will be made in the following order: (1) against the most recent increase in the
Specified Amount; (2) against the next most recent increases in the Specified
Amount in succession; and (3) against the Specified Amount under the original
application.
    

Maturity Proceeds

   
The Maturity Date is the Policy Anniversary on or next following the Insured's
100th birthday. The maturity proceeds will be payable to the Policy Owner on
the Maturity Date provided the Policy is still in force. The Maturity Proceeds
will be equal to the amount of the Policy's Cash Value, less any Indebtedness.
    

Income Tax Withholding

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

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

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

                                  POLICY LOANS

Taking a Policy Loan

   
After the first Policy Year, the Policy Owner may take a Policy loan using the
Policy as security. Maximum Policy Indebtedness is limited to 90% of the Cash
Value in the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account plus 100% of the Cash Value
in the Fixed Account plus 100% of the Cash Value in the Policy Loan Account. The
Company will not grant a loan for an amount less than $500 (unless otherwise
required by state law). Should the Death Proceeds become payable, the Policy be
surrendered, or the Policy mature while a loan is outstanding, the amount of
Policy Indebtedness will be deducted from the death benefit, Cash Surrender
Value or the maturity value, respectively.

Any request for a Policy loan must be in written form satisfactory to the
Company. The request must be signed. Where permitted, the Company will require
the signature to be guaranteed by a member firm of the New York, American,
Boston, Midwest, Philadelphia or Pacific Stock Exchange; or by a Commercial Bank
or a
    


                                       26
<PAGE>   30

Savings and Loan which is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Certain policy loans may result in currently taxable income and tax penalties
(see "Tax Matters").

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

Effect on Investment Performance

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

Interest

   
On a current and guaranteed basis, any Cash Value allocated to the Policy Loan
Account will be credited with an annual effective rate of 3.0% in Policy Years
2 and thereafter. The loan interest rate is guaranteed to not exceed 3.75% per
year for all Policy loans. On a current basis, the loan interest rate is 3.6% in
Policy Years one through four, 3.4% in Policy Years five through twenty, and
3.25% thereafter. In the event that it is determined that such loans will be
treated, as a result of the differential between the interest crediting rate and
the loan interest rate, as taxable distributions under any applicable ruling,
regulation, or court decision, the Company retains the right to increase the net
cost (by decreasing the interest crediting rate) on all subsequent policy loans
to an amount that would result in the transaction being treated as a loan under
Federal tax law. If this amount is not prescribed by such ruling, regulation, or
court decision, the amount will be that which the Company considers to be more
likely to result in the transaction being treated as a loan under Federal tax
law.
    

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

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

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

Effect on Death Benefit and Cash Value

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

Repayment

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


                                       27
<PAGE>   31

                          HOW THE DEATH BENEFIT VARIES

Calculation of the Death Benefit

   
At issue, the Policy Owner selects the Specified Amount, death benefit option,
and definition of life insurance (Guideline Premium/Cash Value Corridor Test or
the Cash Value Accumulation Test) pursuant to Section 7702 of the Code.
    

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

   
The Policy Owner may choose one of three death benefit options. 
    

Under Option 1, the death benefit will be the greater of the Specified Amount or
the applicable percentage of cash value. Under Option 1, the amount of the death
benefit will ordinarily not change for several years to reflect the investment
performance and may not change at all. If investment performance is favorable
the amount of death benefit may increase. To see how and when investment
performance will begin to affect death benefits, please see the illustrations.

   
Under Option 2, the death benefit will be the greater of the Specified Amount
plus the Cash Value as of the date of death, or the applicable percentage of
cash value and will vary directly with the investment performance.

Under Option 3, the death benefit is the greater of: the applicable percentage
of the Cash Value (see Table below) as of the date of death; or the Specified
Amount plus the lesser of either: (i) the maximum increase amount shown on the
Policy, or (ii) the amount of all premium payments and interest accrued at the
Option 3 interest rate as shown in the Policy, accumulated up to the date of
death, less any partial surrenders and applicable interest accrued at the Option
3 interest rate as shown in the Policy. Once elected, Option 3 is irrevocable.
    

The "Applicable Percentage" for the Guideline Premium/Cash Value Corridor Test
is in the Tables below:

                    APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE OF CASH VALUE TABLE

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

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

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

       55               150%               75              105%               95              101%
       56               146%               76              105%               96              101%
       57               142%               77              105%               97              101%
       58               138%               78              105%               98              101%
       59               134%               79              105%               99              101%
</TABLE>


                                       28
<PAGE>   32

The "Applicable Percentage" for the Cash Value Accumulation Test is the Table
below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Attained         Percentage         Attained        Percentage         Attained        Percentage
       Age          of Cash Value         Age          of Cash Value         Age          of Cash Value
       ---          -------------         ---          -------------         ---          -------------
<S>                    <C>                 <C>            <C>                 <C>            <C>    
       16              708.43%             44             292.29%             72             141.69%
       17              687.69%             45             283.37%             73             139.10%
       18              667.85%             46             274.79%             74             136.66%
       19              648.73%             47             266.55%             75             134.38%
       20              630.14%             48             258.61%             76             132.24%

       21              611.94%             49             250.98%             77             130.23%
       22              594.06%             50             243.65%             78             128.33%
       23              576.45%             51             236.59%             79             126.52%
       24              559.07%             52             229.82%             80             124.80%
       25              541.95%             53             223.34%             81             123.16%

       26              525.08%             54             217.13%             82             121.61%
       27              508.52%             55             211.19%             83             120.16%
       28              492.32%             56             205.51%             84             118.81%
       29              476.49%             57             200.06%             85             117.56%
       30              461.08%             58             194.84%             86             116.40%

       31              446.10%             59             189.84%             87             115.32%
       32              431.57%             60             185.03%             88             114.30%
       33              417.50%             61             180.43%             89             113.31%
       34              403.89%             62             176.02%             90             112.35%
       35              390.73%             63             171.81%             91             111.38%

       36              378.03%             64             167.80%             92             110.38%
       37              365.79%             65             163.98%             93             109.32%
       38              354.01%             66             160.34%             94             108.18%
       39              342.67%             67             156.86%             95             106.94%
       40              331.77%             68             153.54%             96             105.62%

       41              321.30%             69             150.37%             97             104.27%
       42              311.24%             70             147.33%             98             102.99%
       43              301.57%             71             144.44%             99             101.98%
</TABLE>

   
In the event the Policy Owner has a substandard rating, the above percentages
will differ.
    

Proceeds Payable on Death

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

                               RIGHT OF CONVERSION

   
The Policy Owner may at any time, upon written request to the Company within 24
hours of the Policy Date, make an irrevocable, one-time election to transfer all
Sub-Account Cash Values to the Fixed Account. The Right of Conversion provision
is subject to state availability.
    

                          CHANGES OF INVESTMENT POLICY

   
The Company may materially change the investment policy of the Variable Account.
The Company must inform the Policy Owners and obtain all necessary regulatory
approvals. Any change must be submitted to the various state insurance
departments which may disapprove it if deemed detrimental to the interests of
the Policy Owners or if it renders the Company's operations hazardous to the
public. If a Policy Owner objects, the Policy Owner may elect to transfer all
Sub-Account Cash Value to the Fixed Account. No transfer charges will be
assessed. The Policy Owner has the later of 60 days (6 months in Pennsylvania)
from the date of the 
    


                                       29
<PAGE>   33

investment policy change or 60 days (6 months in Pennsylvania) from being
informed of such change to make this conversion. The Company will not require
evidence of insurability for this conversion.

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

                                  GRACE PERIOD

   
If the Cash Surrender Value on a Monthly Anniversary Day is not sufficient to
cover the current Policy Charges, a Grace Period of 61 days from the Monthly
Anniversary Day will be allowed for the payment of a premium equal to three
times the current monthly deduction. The Company will send a notice at the start
of the Grace Period to the Policy Owner's address as indicated on the
application or the last address specified. If the required premium is not paid
by the end of the Grace Period, the Policy will terminate without value. If the
Insured dies during the Grace Period, the Company will pay the Death Proceeds.
    

                                  REINSTATEMENT

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

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

       2.     providing evidence of insurability satisfactory to the Company;

       3.     paying sufficient premium to cover all policy charges that were
              due and unpaid during the Grace Period;

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

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

   
The effective date of a reinstated Policy will be the Monthly Anniversary Day on
or next following the date the application for reinstatement is approved by the
Company. If the Policy is reinstated, the Cash Value on the date of
reinstatement, but prior to applying any premiums or loan repayments received,
will be set equal to the Cash Value at the end of the Grace Period.
    

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

                            THE FIXED ACCOUNT OPTION

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

   
As explained earlier, a Policy Owner may elect to allocate or transfer all or
part of the Cash Value to the Fixed Account and the amount allocated or
transferred becomes part of the Company's General Account. The Company's General
Account consists of all assets of the Company other than those in the Variable
Account and in other separate accounts that have been or may be established by
the Company. Subject to applicable law, the Company has sole discretion over the
investment of the assets of the General Account, and Policy Owners do not share
in the investment experience of those assets. The Company guarantees that the
part of the Cash Value invested under the Fixed Account option will accrue
interest daily at an effective annual rate that the Company declares
periodically. The Fixed Account crediting rate will not be less than an
effective annual rate of 3%. Upon request the Company will inform a Policy Owner
of the then applicable rate. The Company is not obligated to credit interest at
a higher rate.
    


                                       30
<PAGE>   34

                     CHANGES IN EXISTING INSURANCE COVERAGE

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

Specified Amount Increases

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

       1.     the request must be applied for in writing;

       2.     satisfactory evidence of insurability must be provided;

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

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

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

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

Specified Amount Decreases

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

       1.     against insurance provided by the most recent increase;

       2.     against the next most recent increases successively; and

       3.     against insurance provided under the original application.

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

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

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

Changes in the Death Benefit Option

   
After the first Policy Year, the Policy Owner may elect to change the death
benefit option under the Policy from either Option 1 to Option 2, or from Option
2 to Option 1. Initial elections to Option 3 are irrevocable. Accordingly, such
changes to or from Option 3 are not permitted. Only one change of death benefit
option is permitted per Policy Year. The effective date of such change will be
the Monthly Anniversary Day following the date such change is approved by the
Company.  

In order for any such change in the death benefit option to become effective,
the Cash Surrender Value, after such change, must be sufficient to keep the
Policy in force for at least three months subsequent to said change.

The Company will adjust the Specified Amount such that the Net Amount at Risk
remains constant. Any such change which would result in the Specified Amount
being reduced to an amount in which the total premiums paid exceed the premium
limit required by applicable state law to qualify the Policy as a contract for
life insurance will not be permitted.
    

                             OTHER POLICY PROVISIONS

Policy Owner

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

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


                                       31
<PAGE>   35

action taken by the Company before it was recorded. The Company may require that
the Policy be submitted for endorsement before making a change.

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

Beneficiary

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

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

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

Assignment

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

Incontestability

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

Error in Age

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

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

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

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

Suicide

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

Nonparticipating Policies

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


                                       32
<PAGE>   36

Riders

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

   
       1.     Base Insured Term Rider;
       2.     Change of Insured Rider; and
       3.     Additional Protection Rider.
    

Rider availability varies by state.

                              LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS

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

                          DISTRIBUTION OF THE POLICIES

   
The Policies will be sold by licensed insurance agents in those states where the
Policies may lawfully be sold. Such agents will be registered representatives of
broker dealers registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 who are
members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"). The
Policies will be distributed by the General Distributor, Nationwide Advisory
Services, Inc. ("NAS"), One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43216.

NAS is a corporation which was organized under the laws of the State of Ohio on
April 8, 1965. NAS is both a broker-dealer and registered investment adviser. As
such, it is the principal underwriter for several open-end investment companies
and for a number of separate accounts issued of the Company and Nationwide Life
Insurance Company (" NLIC") to fund the benefits of variable insurance and
annuity polices. NAS also currently acts as the investment adviser and/or
administrator for the mutual fund portfolios sold through NAS's registered
representatives and for some of the mutual fund portfolios which act as
underlying investment options for the variable insurance and annuity policies
issued by the Company or NLIC.
    

NAS acts as general distributor for the Nationwide Multi-Flex Variable Account,
Nationwide DC Variable Account, Nationwide Variable Account-II, Nationwide
Variable Account-5, Nationwide Variable Account-6, Nationwide Variable
Account-8, Nationwide VA Separate Account-A, Nationwide VA Separate Account-B,
Nationwide VA Separate Account-C, Nationwide VL Separate Account-A, Nationwide
VL Separate Account-B, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2, Nationwide VLI
Separate Account-3, NACo Variable Account and the Nationwide Variable Account,
all of which are separate investment accounts of the Company or its affiliates.
NAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

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

   
Gross first year commissions plus any expense allowance payments made by the
Company on the sale of these Policies distributed by the General Distributor
will not exceed 40% of the Target Premium plus 5% of any excess premium payments
in year one and 25% of the Target Premium plus 5% on the excess premium in years
two through four. Gross renewal commissions paid at the beginning of Policy Year
five and beyond by the Company will not exceed 2.5% of actual premium payments
plus an annual effective rate of 0.20%, paid quarterly, of the Cash Value as of
the end the prior quarter.
    

                               CUSTODIAN OF ASSETS

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


                                       33
<PAGE>   37

                                   TAX MATTERS

Policy Proceeds

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- - Non-Resident Aliens

   
Distributions of income to nonresident aliens ("NRAs") are generally subject to
federal income tax and tax withholding, at a statutory rate of 30% of the
amount of income that is distributed. The Company is required to withhold such
amount from the Distribution and remit it to the Internal Revenue Service.
Distributions to certain
    


                                       34
<PAGE>   38

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

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

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

Taxation of the Company

   
The Company is taxed as a life insurance company under the Code. The Variable
Account will not be taxed separately from the Company as a "regulated investment
company" under Sub-chapter M of the Code. Investment income and realized
capital gains on the assets of the Variable Account are reinvested and taken
into account in determining the value of Accumulation Units. As a result, such
investment income and realized capital gains are automatically applied to
increase reserves under the Policies. Under Ohio law, in general, variable
account assets are immune from the claims of the general creditors of the
Company to the extent of the reserves and other policy liabilities.
    

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

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

Tax Changes

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

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

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

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


                                       35
<PAGE>   39

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

                                   THE COMPANY

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

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

   
The Company serves as depositor for the Nationwide VL Separate Account-B,
Nationwide VA Separate Account-C, Nationwide VA Separate Account-B, Nationwide
VA Separate Account-A, and the Nationwide VL Separate Account-A, each of which
is a registered investment company.
    

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

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

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

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

   
                               COMPANY MANAGEMENT

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

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

Directors of the Company

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Director
        Name                       Since    Principal Occupation
        ----                       -----    --------------------
<S>                                 <C>     <C>
Lewis J. Alphin                     1993    Farm Owner and Operator (1)
Keith W. Eckel                      1996    Partner, Fred W. Eckel Sons; President, Eckel Farms, Inc. (1)
Willard J. Engel                    1994    General Manager Lyon County Co-Operative Oil Company (1)
Fred C. Finney                      1992    Owner and Operator, Moreland Fruit Farm; Operator, Melrose Orchard
                                            (1)
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr. * +       1969    Chief Executive Officer, Fuellgraf Electric Company. (1)
Joseph J. Gasper*+                  1996    President and Chief Operating Officer, Nationwide Life and Annuity
                                            Insurance  Company and Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance
                                            Company. (2)
Henry S. Holloway *+                1986    Farm Owner and Operator (1)
</TABLE>


                                       36
<PAGE>   40

<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>     <C>
Dimon Richard McFerson *+           1988    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Nationwide Insurance
                                            Enterprise (2)
David O. Miller *+                  1985    President, Owen Potato Farm, Inc.; Partner, M&M Enterprises (1)
C. Ray Noecker                      1994    Owner and Operator, Noecker Farms (1)
James F. Patterson +                1989    Vice President, Pattersons, Inc. ;  President, Patterson Farms,
                                            Inc. (1)
Arden L. Shisler *+                 1984    President and Chief Executive Officer, K&B Transport, Inc. (1)
Robert L. Stewart                   1989    Owner and Operator, Sunnydale Farms and Mining (1)
Nancy C. Thomas *                   1986    Farm Owner and Operator. (1)
Harold W. Weihl                     1990    Farm Owner and Operator, Weihl Farms (1)
</TABLE>

*Member, Executive Committee                +Member, Investment Committee

1)     Principal occupation for last five years.

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

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

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

Executive Officers of the Company

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                            OFFICE HELD
- ----                            -----------
<S>                             <C>    
Dimon Richard McFerson          Chairman and Chief Executive Officer-Nationwide Insurance Enterprise

Joseph J. Gasper                President and Chief Operating Officer

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

Robert A. Oakley                Executive Vice President-Chief Financial Officer

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

James E. Brock                  Senior Vice President - Life Company Operations

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

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

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

Mark R. Thresher                Vice President - Controller

Duane M. Campbell               Vice President - Treasurer
</TABLE>

Mr. Gasper is also President and Chief Operating Officer of Nationwide Life
Insurance Company. Mr. Galloway is also an officer of Nationwide Mutual
Insurance Company and Nationwide Life Insurance Company. Each of the other
officers listed above is also an officer of each of the companies comprising the
Nationwide Insurance Enterprise. Each of the executive officers listed above has
been associated with the registrant in an executive capacity for more than the
past five years, except Mr. Thresher, who joined the Registrant in 1996. From
1988-


                                       37
<PAGE>   41

   
1996, Mr. Thresher served as a partner in the accounting firm KPMG Peat Marwick
LLP and lead partner for Nationwide Insurance Enterprise from 1993 to March,
1996.
    

                      OTHER CONTRACTS ISSUED BY THE COMPANY

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

                                STATE REGULATION

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

                            REPORTS TO POLICY OWNERS

   
The Company will mail to the Policy Owner, at the address specified on the
application or any address provided subsequent to the application, an annual
statement showing the amount of the current death benefit, the Cash Value, and
Cash Surrender Value, premiums paid and monthly charges deducted since the last
report, the amounts invested in the Fixed Account and in the Variable Account
and in each Sub-Account of the Variable Account, and any Policy Indebtedness.
    

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

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

                                   ADVERTISING

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

                                LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

   
There are no material legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation
incidental to the business to which the Company and the Variable Account are
parties or to which any of their property is the subject.  

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

                                     EXPERTS

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


                                       38
<PAGE>   42

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT

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

                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

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


                                       39
<PAGE>   43

                                   APPENDIX 1

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

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

   
The amounts shown for the Cash Value, Cash Surrender Value and death benefit as
of each Policy Anniversary reflect the fact that the net investment return on
the assets held in the Sub-Accounts is lower than the gross return. This is due
to the daily charges made against the assets of the Sub-Accounts for assuming
mortality and expense risks. The guaranteed mortality and expense risk charges
for Policy Years one through four are equivalent to an annual effective rate of
0.75% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account. The current
mortality and expense risk charges for Policy Years one through four are
equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.60% of the daily net asset value of
the Variable Account. The current mortality and expense risk charges for Policy
Years five through twenty are equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.40% of
the daily net asset value of the Variable Account. The current mortality and
expense risk charges for Policy Years twenty-one and beyond are equivalent to an
annual effective rate of 0.25% of the daily net asset value of the Variable
Account. In addition, the net investment returns also reflect the deduction of
Underlying Mutual Fund investment advisory fees and other expenses which are
equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.90% of the daily net asset value of
the Variable Account. This effective rate is based on the average of the fund
expenses for the preceding year for all mutual fund options available under the
policy as of April 30, 1997.

Considering current charges for mortality and expense risks and Underlying
Mutual Fund expenses, gross annual rates of return of 0%, 6% and 12% correspond
to net investment experience at constant annual rates of -1.50%, 4.50% and
10.50%, for Policy Years one through four, and rates of -1.30%, 4.70% and
10.70%, for Policy Years five through twenty, and rates of -1.15%, 4.85% and
10.85%, for Policy Years twenty-one and beyond. Considering guaranteed charges
for mortality and expense risks and Underlying Mutual Fund expenses, gross
annual rates of return of 0%, 6% and 12% correspond to net investment experience
at constant annual rates of -1.65%, 4.35% and 10.35%, for all Policy Years.
    

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

   
The illustrations also reflect the fact that the Company deducts a sales load
from each premium payment received guaranteed not to exceed 5.5% of each premium
payment for the first seven Policy Years and 2% thereafter. On a current basis,
the sales load is 5.5% of the Target Premium plus 3% of premiums in excess of
the Target Premium in the first seven Policy Years, and 0% on all premiums
thereafter. The Company also deducts a tax expense charge of 3.5%, both current
and guaranteed, from all premium payments. The illustrations also reflect the
fact that the Company deducts a charge for state premium taxes at a rate of
2.25% and for federal tax at a rate of 1.25% (imposed under Section 848 of the
Code) of all premium payments. 

In addition, the illustrations reflect the fact that the Company deducts a
monthly administrative charge at the beginning of each Policy Month. This
monthly administrative expense charge is currently $5.00 per month and
guaranteed not to exceed $10.00. The illustrations also reflect the fact that no
charges for federal or state income taxes are currently made against the
Variable Account. If such a charge is made in the future, it will require a
higher gross investment return than illustrated in order to produce the net
after-tax returns shown in the illustrations.
    

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


                                       40
<PAGE>   44
   

                    $100,000 ANNUAL PREMIUM FOR FIRST 7 YEARS
                           $1,703,050 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                          CASH VALUE ACCUMULATION TEST
               UNISEX: REGULAR ISSUE/NONTOBACCO PREFERRED, AGE 45
                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                                 CURRENT VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               0% Hypothetical                    6% Hypothetical                   12% Hypothetical
                            Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return           Gross Investment Return
                            -----------------------            -----------------------           -----------------------
           Premiums
           Paid Plus                Cash                               Cash                                Cash
  Policy   Interest     Cash      Surrender    Death       Cash      Surrender     Death       Cash      Surrender     Death
   Year      at 5%      Value       Value     Benefit      Value       Value      Benefit      Value       Value      Benefit
   ----      -----      -----       -----     -------      -----       -----      -------      -----       -----      -------
<S>       <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>      
     1      105,000     87,786      89,929   1,703,050      93,212      95,354   1,703,050      98,639     100,782   1,703,050
     2      215,250    173,990     176,133   1,703,050     190,334     192,477   1,703,050     207,332     209,475   1,703,050
     3      331,013    258,969     258,969   1,703,050     291,904     291,904   1,703,050     327,522     327,522   1,703,050
     4      452,563    342,694     342,694   1,703,050     398,092     398,092   1,703,050     460,407     460,407   1,703,050
     5      580,191    425,967     425,967   1,703,050     510,080     510,080   1,703,050     608,516     608,516   1,703,050
     6      714,201    508,108     508,108   1,703,050     627,380     627,380   1,703,050     772,363     772,363   1,881,786
     7      854,911    589,184     589,184   1,703,050     750,216     750,216   1,774,935     952,732     952,732   2,254,069
     8      897,656    577,278     577,278   1,703,050     781,428     781,428   1,795,878   1,049,061   1,049,061   2,410,953
     9      942,539    565,129     565,129   1,703,050     813,828     813,828   1,817,521   1,154,975   1,154,975   2,579,406
    10      989,666    552,688     552,688   1,703,050     847,440     847,440   1,839,962   1,271,389   1,271,389   2,760,439
    11    1,039,150    539,943     539,943   1,703,050     882,327     882,327   1,863,298   1,399,358   1,399,358   2,955,163
    12    1,091,107    526,847     526,847   1,703,050     918,524     918,524   1,887,568   1,539,999   1,539,999   3,164,698
    13    1,145,662    513,383     513,383   1,703,050     956,098     956,098   1,912,769   1,694,584   1,694,584   3,390,184
    14    1,202,945    499,505     499,505   1,703,050     995,094     995,094   1,938,841   1,864,473   1,864,473   3,632,740
    15    1,263,093    485,021     485,021   1,703,050   1,035,455   1,035,455   1,965,603   2,050,949   2,050,949   3,893,316
    16    1,326,247    469,833     469,833   1,703,050   1,077,198   1,077,198   1,993,140   2,255,544   2,255,544   4,173,433
    17    1,392,560    453,822     453,822   1,703,050   1,120,339   1,120,339   2,021,316   2,479,917   2,479,917   4,474,266
    18    1,462,188    436,818     436,818   1,703,050   1,164,863   1,164,863   2,050,275   2,725,803   2,725,803   4,797,686
    19    1,535,297    418,637     418,637   1,703,050   1,210,755   1,210,755   2,080,198   2,995,078   2,995,078   5,145,844
    20    1,612,062    399,103     399,103   1,703,050   1,258,023   1,258,023   2,110,837   3,289,824   3,289,824   5,519,995
    21    1,692,665    380,192     380,192   1,703,050   1,309,635   1,309,635   2,147,409   3,620,457   3,620,457   5,936,464
    22    1,777,298    361,292     361,292   1,703,050   1,363,911   1,363,911   2,186,758   3,985,915   3,985,915   6,390,617
    23    1,866,163    341,267     341,267   1,703,050   1,420,297   1,420,297   2,227,878   4,387,832   4,387,832   6,882,754
    24    1,959,471    319,592     319,592   1,703,050   1,478,645   1,478,645   2,270,311   4,829,068   4,829,068   7,414,551
    25    2,057,445    296,056     296,056   1,703,050   1,539,010   1,539,010   2,314,055   5,313,360   5,313,360   7,989,169
    26    2,160,317    270,400     270,400   1,703,050   1,601,437   1,601,437   2,359,397   5,844,752   5,844,752   8,611,073
    27    2,268,333    242,377     242,377   1,703,050   1,666,004   1,666,004   2,406,210   6,427,770   6,427,770   9,283,628
    28    2,381,750    211,669     211,669   1,703,050   1,732,764   1,732,764   2,455,153   7,067,266   7,067,266  10,013,609
    29    2,500,837    177,875     177,875   1,703,050   1,801,760   1,801,760   2,506,068   7,768,491   7,768,491  10,805,194
    30    2,625,879    140,522     140,522   1,703,050   1,873,019   1,873,019   2,559,668   8,537,076   8,537,076  11,666,768
</TABLE>

(1)    NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
       $5.00 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE ALL THE TIME. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT
       A PREMIUM CHARGE OF 9% OF TARGET PREMIUM AND 6.5% OF EXCESS-OF-TARGET
       PREMIUM FOR THE FIRST 7 YEARS AND 3.5% OF ALL PREMIUM FROM EIGHTH YEAR
       AND ON.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE OR
LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE
INVESTMENT ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER, PREVAILING RATES AND RATES OF
INFLATION. THE DEATH BENEFIT AND CASH VALUE FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM
THOSE SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 6%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.

    

                                       41
<PAGE>   45
   
                    $100,000 ANNUAL PREMIUM FOR FIRST 7 YEARS
                           $1,703,050 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                          CASH VALUE ACCUMULATION TEST
                           UNISEX: NONTOBACCO, AGE 45
                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                                GUARANTEED VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               0% Hypothetical                    6% Hypothetical                   12% Hypothetical
                            Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return           Gross Investment Return
                            -----------------------            -----------------------           -----------------------
           Premiums
           Paid Plus                Cash                               Cash                                Cash
  Policy   Interest     Cash      Surrender    Death       Cash      Surrender     Death       Cash      Surrender     Death
   Year      at 5%      Value       Value     Benefit      Value       Value      Benefit      Value       Value      Benefit
   ----      -----      -----       -----     -------      -----       -----      -------      -----       -----      -------
<S>       <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>      
     1     105,000      83,858      86,000   1,703,050      89,106      91,248   1,703,050      94,357      96,500   1,703,050
     2     215,250     166,199     168,342   1,703,050     181,945     184,087   1,703,050     198,326     200,468   1,703,050
     3     331,013     247,061     247,061   1,703,050     278,717     278,717   1,703,050     312,964     312,964   1,703,050
     4     452,563     326,469     326,469   1,703,050     379,626     379,626   1,703,050     439,449     439,449   1,703,050
     5     580,191     404,454     404,454   1,703,050     484,902     484,902   1,703,050     579,107     579,107   1,703,050
     6     714,201     481,028     481,028   1,703,050     594,775     594,775   1,703,050     733,316     733,316   1,786,652
     7     854,911     556,200     556,200   1,703,050     709,497     709,497   1,703,050     901,980     901,980   2,133,995
     8     897,656     539,922     539,922   1,703,050     733,836     733,836   1,703,050     986,652     986,652   2,267,525
     9     942,539     523,086     523,086   1,703,050     758,771     758,771   1,703,050   1,078,886   1,078,886   2,409,476
    10     989,666     505,593     505,593   1,703,050     784,294     784,294   1,703,050   1,179,290   1,179,290   2,560,475
    11   1,039,150     487,328     487,328   1,703,050     810,395     810,395   1,711,393   1,288,511   1,288,511   2,721,077
    12   1,091,107     468,181     468,181   1,703,050     837,069     837,069   1,720,176   1,407,260   1,407,260   2,891,919
    13   1,145,662     448,065     448,065   1,703,050     864,327     864,327   1,729,172   1,536,345   1,536,345   3,073,611
    14   1,202,945     426,821     426,821   1,703,050     892,141     892,141   1,738,248   1,676,566   1,676,566   3,266,621
    15   1,263,093     404,256     404,256   1,703,050     920,467     920,467   1,747,323   1,828,760   1,828,760   3,471,536
    16   1,326,247     380,153     380,153   1,703,050     949,252     949,252   1,756,400   1,993,813   1,993,813   3,689,153
    17   1,392,560     354,265     354,265   1,703,050     978,442     978,442   1,765,306   2,172,670   2,172,670   3,919,931
    18   1,462,188     326,231     326,231   1,703,050   1,007,955   1,007,955   1,774,101   2,366,221   2,366,221   4,164,785
    19   1,535,297     295,662     295,662   1,703,050   1,037,711   1,037,711   1,782,892   2,575,413   2,575,413   4,424,817
    20   1,612,062     262,148     262,148   1,703,050   1,067,657   1,067,657   1,791,422   2,801,292   2,801,292   4,700,289
    21   1,692,665     225,251     225,251   1,703,050   1,097,750   1,097,750   1,799,981   3,044,996   3,044,996   4,992,880
    22   1,777,298     184,506     184,506   1,703,050   1,127,968   1,127,968   1,808,472   3,307,782   3,307,782   5,303,367
    23   1,866,163     139,405     139,405   1,703,050   1,158,308   1,158,308   1,816,922   3,591,044   3,591,044   5,632,912
    24   1,959,471      89,294      89,294   1,703,050   1,188,748   1,188,748   1,825,203   3,896,216   3,896,216   5,982,250
    25   2,057,445      33,297      33,297   1,703,050   1,219,230   1,219,230   1,833,235   4,224,700   4,224,700   6,352,259
    26   2,160,317         (*)         (*)         (*)   1,249,651   1,249,651   1,841,110   4,577,785   4,577,785   6,744,450
    27   2,268,333         (*)         (*)         (*)   1,279,878   1,279,878   1,848,528   4,956,693   4,956,693   7,158,952
    28   2,381,750         (*)         (*)         (*)   1,309,724   1,309,724   1,855,748   5,362,403   5,362,403   7,597,989
    29   2,500,837         (*)         (*)         (*)   1,339,039   1,339,039   1,862,469   5,796,012   5,796,012   8,061,673
    30   2,625,879         (*)         (*)         (*)   1,367,727   1,367,727   1,869,136   6,258,808   6,258,808   8,553,287
</TABLE>

(1)    NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
       MONTHLY $10.00 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE ALL THE TIME. GUARANTEED
       VALUES REFLECT A PREMIUM CHARGE OF 9% OF PREMIUM FOR THE FIRST 7 YEARS
       AND 5.5% OF PREMIUM FROM EIGHTH YEAR AND ON.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.
(*)    UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE OR
LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE
INVESTMENT ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER, PREVAILING RATES AND RATES OF
INFLATION. THE DEATH BENEFIT AND CASH VALUE FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM
THOSE SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 6%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.

    

                                       42
<PAGE>   46
   

                    $100,000 ANNUAL PREMIUM FOR FIRST 7 YEARS
                           $1,703,050 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                          CASH VALUE ACCUMULATION TEST
               UNISEX: REGULAR ISSUE/NONTOBACCO PREFERRED, AGE 45
                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 2
                                 CURRENT VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               0% Hypothetical                    6% Hypothetical                   12% Hypothetical
                            Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return           Gross Investment Return
                            -----------------------            -----------------------           -----------------------
           Premiums
           Paid Plus                Cash                               Cash                                Cash
  Policy   Interest     Cash      Surrender    Death       Cash      Surrender     Death       Cash      Surrender     Death
   Year      at 5%      Value       Value     Benefit      Value       Value      Benefit      Value       Value      Benefit
   ----      -----      -----       -----     -------      -----       -----      -------      -----       -----      -------
<S>       <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>      
     1     105,000      87,587      89,730   1,790,637      93,000      95,143   1,796,050      98,415     100,558   1,801,465
     2     215,250     173,348     175,491   1,876,398     189,626     191,769   1,892,676     206,555     208,698   1,909,605
     3     331,013     257,648     257,648   1,960,698     290,389     290,389   1,993,439     325,795     325,795   2,028,845
     4     452,563     340,430     340,430   2,043,480     395,392     395,392   2,098,442     457,208     457,208   2,160,258
     5     580,191     422,441     422,441   2,125,491     505,707     505,707   2,208,757     603,133     603,133   2,306,183
     6     714,201     502,957     502,957   2,206,007     620,742     620,742   2,323,792     764,156     764,156   2,467,206
     7     854,911     582,021     582,021   2,285,071     740,741     740,741   2,443,791     941,909     941,909   2,644,959
     8     897,656     568,009     568,009   2,271,059     768,746     768,746   2,471,796   1,035,437   1,035,437   2,738,487
     9     942,539     553,650     553,650   2,256,700     797,516     797,516   2,500,566   1,138,373   1,138,373   2,841,423
    10     989,666     538,882     538,882   2,241,932     827,019     827,019   2,530,069   1,251,650   1,251,650   2,954,700
    11   1,039,150     523,701     523,701   2,226,751     857,281     857,281   2,560,331   1,376,362   1,376,362   3,079,412
    12   1,091,107     508,057     508,057   2,211,107     888,277     888,277   2,591,327   1,513,665   1,513,665   3,216,715
    13   1,145,662     491,938     491,938   2,194,988     920,027     920,027   2,623,077   1,664,887   1,664,887   3,367,937
    14   1,202,945     475,298     475,298   2,178,348     952,509     952,509   2,655,559   1,831,439   1,831,439   3,568,376
    15   1,263,093     457,889     457,889   2,160,939     985,495     985,495   2,688,545   2,014,515   2,014,515   3,824,154
    16   1,326,247     439,600     439,600   2,142,650   1,018,886   1,018,886   2,721,936   2,215,474   2,215,474   4,099,292
    17   1,392,560     420,303     420,303   2,123,353   1,052,554   1,052,554   2,755,604   2,435,861   2,435,861   4,394,780
    18   1,462,188     399,807     399,807   2,102,857   1,086,303   1,086,303   2,789,353   2,677,377   2,677,377   4,712,452
    19   1,535,297     377,915     377,915   2,080,965   1,119,918   1,119,918   2,822,968   2,941,868   2,941,868   5,054,423
    20   1,612,062     354,459     354,459   2,057,509   1,153,198   1,153,198   2,856,248   3,231,375   3,231,375   5,421,925
    21   1,692,665     331,815     331,815   2,034,865   1,189,821   1,189,821   2,892,871   3,556,134   3,556,134   5,830,993
    22   1,777,298     309,431     309,431   2,012,481   1,228,216   1,228,216   2,931,266   3,915,097   3,915,097   6,277,075
    23   1,866,163     285,878     285,878   1,988,928   1,266,997   1,266,997   2,970,047   4,309,873   4,309,873   6,760,466
    24   1,959,471     260,563     260,563   1,963,613   1,305,557   1,305,557   3,008,607   4,743,268   4,743,268   7,282,813
    25   2,057,445     233,317     233,317   1,936,367   1,343,688   1,343,688   3,046,738   5,218,954   5,218,954   7,847,220
    26   2,160,317     203,933     203,933   1,906,983   1,381,135   1,381,135   3,084,185   5,740,903   5,740,903   8,458,073
    27   2,268,333     172,244     172,244   1,875,294   1,417,665   1,417,665   3,120,715   6,313,561   6,313,561   9,118,676
    28   2,381,750     138,026     138,026   1,841,076   1,452,977   1,452,977   3,156,027   6,941,693   6,941,693   9,835,685
    29   2,500,837     101,002     101,002   1,804,052   1,486,695   1,486,695   3,189,745   7,630,457   7,630,457  10,613,203
    30   2,625,879      60,857      60,857   1,763,907   1,518,384   1,518,384   3,221,434   8,385,385   8,385,385  11,459,468
</TABLE>

(1)    NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
       $5.00 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE ALL THE TIME. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT
       A PREMIUM CHARGE OF 9% OF TARGET PREMIUM AND 6.5% OF EXCESS-OF-TARGET
       PREMIUM FOR THE FIRST 7 YEARS AND 3.5% OF ALL PREMIUM FROM EIGHTH YEAR
       AND ON.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE OR
LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE
INVESTMENT ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER, PREVAILING RATES AND RATES OF
INFLATION. THE DEATH BENEFIT AND CASH VALUE FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM
THOSE SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 6%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.

    

                                       43
<PAGE>   47
   

                    $100,000 ANNUAL PREMIUM FOR FIRST 7 YEARS
                           $1,703,050 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                          CASH VALUE ACCUMULATION TEST
                           UNISEX: NONTOBACCO, AGE 45
                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 2
                                GUARANTEED VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               0% Hypothetical                    6% Hypothetical                   12% Hypothetical
                            Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return           Gross Investment Return
                            -----------------------            -----------------------           -----------------------
           Premiums
           Paid Plus                Cash                               Cash                                Cash
  Policy   Interest     Cash      Surrender    Death       Cash      Surrender     Death       Cash      Surrender     Death
   Year      at 5%      Value       Value     Benefit      Value       Value      Benefit      Value       Value      Benefit
   ----      -----      -----       -----     -------      -----       -----      -------      -----       -----      -------
<S>       <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>      
     1     105,000      83,557      85,700   1,786,607      88,787      90,930   1,791,837      94,020      96,163   1,797,070
     2     215,250     165,271     167,414   1,868,321     180,921     183,063   1,883,971     197,201     199,344   1,900,251
     3     331,013     245,138     245,138   1,948,188     276,510     276,510   1,979,560     310,447     310,447   2,013,497
     4     452,563     323,137     323,137   2,026,187     375,652     375,652   2,078,702     434,740     434,740   2,137,790
     5     580,191     399,247     399,247   2,102,297     478,447     478,447   2,181,497     571,159     571,159   2,274,209
     6     714,201     473,415     473,415   2,176,465     584,965     584,965   2,288,015     720,863     720,863   2,423,913
     7     854,911     545,570     545,570   2,248,620     695,263     695,263   2,398,313     885,107     885,107   2,588,157
     8     897,656     526,118     526,118   2,229,168     714,448     714,448   2,417,498     964,905     964,905   2,667,955
     9     942,539     505,932     505,932   2,208,982     733,374     733,374   2,436,424   1,051,785   1,051,785   2,754,835
    10     989,666     484,904     484,904   2,187,954     751,909     751,909   2,454,959   1,146,349   1,146,349   2,849,399
    11   1,039,150     462,912     462,912   2,165,962     769,892     769,892   2,472,942   1,249,240   1,249,240   2,952,290
    12   1,091,107     439,851     439,851   2,142,901     787,177     787,177   2,490,227   1,361,187   1,361,187   3,064,237
    13   1,145,662     415,652     415,652   2,118,702     803,645     803,645   2,506,695   1,483,028   1,483,028   3,186,078
    14   1,202,945     390,163     390,163   2,093,213     819,081     819,081   2,522,131   1,615,599   1,615,599   3,318,649
    15   1,263,093     363,198     363,198   2,066,248     833,230     833,230   2,536,280   1,759,783   1,759,783   3,462,833
    16   1,326,247     334,557     334,557   2,037,607     845,804     845,804   2,548,854   1,916,534   1,916,534   3,619,584
    17   1,392,560     304,026     304,026   2,007,076     856,484     856,484   2,559,534   2,086,887   2,086,887   3,789,937
    18   1,462,188     271,273     271,273   1,974,323     864,816     864,816   2,567,866   2,271,839   2,271,839   3,998,663
    19   1,535,297     235,970     235,970   1,939,020     870,321     870,321   2,573,371   2,472,261   2,472,261   4,247,592
    20   1,612,062     197,810     197,810   1,900,860     872,516     872,516   2,575,566   2,689,005   2,689,005   4,511,881
    21   1,692,665     156,505     156,505   1,859,555     870,914     870,914   2,573,964   2,922,935   2,922,935   4,792,736
    22   1,777,298     111,789     111,789   1,814,839     865,022     865,022   2,568,072   3,175,182   3,175,182   5,090,769
    23   1,866,163      63,414      63,414   1,766,464     854,341     854,341   2,557,391   3,447,084   3,447,084   5,407,096
    24   1,959,471      11,048      11,048   1,714,098     838,260     838,260   2,541,310   3,740,017   3,740,017   5,742,422
    25   2,057,445         (*)         (*)         (*)     815,993     815,993   2,519,043   4,055,327   4,055,327   6,097,589
    26   2,160,317         (*)         (*)         (*)     786,536     786,536   2,489,586   4,394,251   4,394,251   6,474,050
    27   2,268,333         (*)         (*)         (*)     748,671     748,671   2,451,721   4,757,963   4,757,963   6,871,926
    28   2,381,750         (*)         (*)         (*)     700,900     700,900   2,403,950   5,147,401   5,147,401   7,293,353
    29   2,500,837         (*)         (*)         (*)     641,662     641,662   2,344,712   5,563,620   5,563,620   7,738,439
    30   2,625,879         (*)         (*)         (*)     569,479     569,479   2,272,529   6,007,855   6,007,855   8,210,335
</TABLE>

(1)    NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
       MONTHLY $10.00 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE ALL THE TIME. GUARANTEED
       VALUES REFLECT A PREMIUM CHARGE OF 9% OF PREMIUM FOR THE FIRST 7 YEARS
       AND 5.5% OF PREMIUM FROM EIGHTH YEAR AND ON.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.
(*)    UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE OR
LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE
INVESTMENT ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER, PREVAILING RATES AND RATES OF
INFLATION. THE DEATH BENEFIT AND CASH VALUE FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM
THOSE SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 6%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.

    

                                       44
<PAGE>   48
   

                     $38,872.05 ANNUAL PREMIUM FOR 20 YEARS
                           $1,703,050 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                       GUIDELINE PREMIUM AND CORRIDOR TEST
                   UNISEX: GUARANTEED ISSUE/NONTOBACCO, AGE 45
                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                                 CURRENT VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               0% Hypothetical                    6% Hypothetical                   12% Hypothetical
                            Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return           Gross Investment Return
                            -----------------------            -----------------------           -----------------------
           Premiums
           Paid Plus                Cash                               Cash                                Cash
  Policy   Interest     Cash      Surrender    Death       Cash      Surrender     Death       Cash      Surrender     Death
   Year      at 5%      Value       Value     Benefit      Value       Value      Benefit      Value       Value      Benefit
   ----      -----      -----       -----     -------      -----       -----      -------      -----       -----      -------
<S>       <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>      
     1      40,816      31,065      31,374   1,703,050      33,063      33,372   1,703,050      35,063      35,372   1,703,050
     2      83,672      60,300      60,609   1,703,050      66,205      66,514   1,703,050      72,355      72,663   1,703,050
     3     128,671      87,990      87,990   1,703,050      99,708      99,708   1,703,050     112,409     112,409   1,703,050
     4     175,921     114,855     114,855   1,703,050     134,318     134,318   1,703,050     156,280     156,280   1,703,050
     5     225,532     141,515     141,515   1,703,050     170,769     170,769   1,703,050     205,142     205,142   1,703,050
     6     277,625     167,891     167,891   1,703,050     209,040     209,040   1,703,050     259,399     259,399   1,703,050
     7     332,321     193,822     193,822   1,703,050     249,065     249,065   1,703,050     319,495     319,495   1,703,050
     8     389,753     220,728     220,728   1,703,050     292,471     292,471   1,703,050     387,752     387,752   1,703,050
     9     450,056     246,871     246,871   1,703,050     337,607     337,607   1,703,050     463,166     463,166   1,703,050
    10     513,375     272,461     272,461   1,703,050     384,776     384,776   1,703,050     546,767     546,767   1,703,050
    11     579,859     297,401     297,401   1,703,050     434,002     434,002   1,703,050     639,430     639,430   1,703,050
    12     649,668     321,318     321,318   1,703,050     485,066     485,066   1,703,050     741,944     741,944   1,703,050
    13     722,967     344,184     344,184   1,703,050     538,075     538,075   1,703,050     855,521     855,521   1,703,050
    14     799,931     365,931     365,931   1,703,050     593,117     593,117   1,703,050     981,530     981,530   1,703,050
    15     880,743     386,483     386,483   1,703,050     650,293     650,293   1,703,050   1,121,547   1,121,547   1,703,050
    16     965,596     405,708     405,708   1,703,050     709,684     709,684   1,703,050   1,277,385   1,277,385   1,703,050
    17   1,054,691     423,596     423,596   1,703,050     771,496     771,496   1,703,050   1,450,526   1,450,526   1,856,673
    18   1,148,242     439,981     439,981   1,703,050     835,849     835,849   1,703,050   1,641,423   1,641,423   2,068,193
    19   1,246,469     454,691     454,691   1,703,050     902,907     902,907   1,703,050   1,851,857   1,851,857   2,296,303
    20   1,349,608     467,579     467,579   1,703,050     972,901     972,901   1,703,050   2,083,849   2,083,849   2,542,296
    21   1,417,089     443,589     443,589   1,703,050   1,008,939   1,008,939   1,703,050   2,302,456   2,302,456   2,762,947
    22   1,487,943     419,516     419,516   1,703,050   1,047,290   1,047,290   1,703,050   2,544,383   2,544,383   3,027,816
    23   1,562,341     395,360     395,360   1,703,050   1,088,104   1,088,104   1,703,050   2,812,159   2,812,159   3,318,348
    24   1,640,458     371,121     371,121   1,703,050   1,131,538   1,131,538   1,703,050   3,108,589   3,108,589   3,637,049
    25   1,722,480     346,116     346,116   1,703,050   1,177,473   1,177,473   1,703,050   3,436,508   3,436,508   3,986,349
    26   1,808,604     318,911     318,911   1,703,050   1,225,583   1,225,583   1,703,050   3,798,740   3,798,740   4,368,551
    27   1,899,035     289,234     289,234   1,703,050   1,276,107   1,276,107   1,703,050   4,199,685   4,199,685   4,745,645
    28   1,993,986     256,754     256,754   1,703,050   1,329,318   1,329,318   1,703,050   4,643,768   4,643,768   5,154,582
    29   2,093,686     221,055     221,055   1,703,050   1,385,539   1,385,539   1,703,050   5,135,998   5,135,998   5,598,238
    30   2,198,370     181,622     181,622   1,703,050   1,445,151   1,445,151   1,703,050   5,682,084   5,682,084   6,079,830
</TABLE>

(1)    NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
       $5.00 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE ALL THE TIME. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT
       A PREMIUM CHARGE OF 9% OF TARGET PREMIUM AND 6.5% OF EXCESS-OF-TARGET
       PREMIUM FOR THE FIRST 7 YEARS AND 3.5% OF ALL PREMIUM FROM EIGHTH YEAR
       AND ON.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE OR
LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE
INVESTMENT ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER, PREVAILING RATES AND RATES OF
INFLATION. THE DEATH BENEFIT AND CASH VALUE FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM
THOSE SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 6%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
    


                                       45
<PAGE>   49
   

                     $38,872.05 ANNUAL PREMIUM FOR 20 YEARS
                           $1,703,050 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                       GUIDELINE PREMIUM AND CORRIDOR TEST
                           UNISEX: NONTOBACCO, AGE 45
                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                                GUARANTEED VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               0% Hypothetical                    6% Hypothetical                   12% Hypothetical
                            Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return           Gross Investment Return
                            -----------------------            -----------------------           -----------------------
           Premiums
           Paid Plus                Cash                               Cash                                Cash
  Policy   Interest     Cash      Surrender    Death       Cash      Surrender     Death       Cash      Surrender     Death
   Year      at 5%      Value       Value     Benefit      Value       Value      Benefit      Value       Value      Benefit
   ----      -----      -----       -----     -------      -----       -----      -------      -----       -----      -------
<S>       <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>      
     1      40,816      28,953      29,262   1,703,050      30,875      31,184   1,703,050      32,800      33,109   1,703,050
     2      83,672      57,073      57,382   1,703,050      62,724      63,033   1,703,050      68,613      68,921   1,703,050
     3     128,671      84,353      84,353   1,703,050      95,578      95,578   1,703,050     107,746     107,746   1,703,050
     4     175,921     110,772     110,772   1,703,050     129,455     129,455   1,703,050     150,531     150,531   1,703,050
     5     225,532     136,312     136,312   1,703,050     164,381     164,381   1,703,050     197,344     197,344   1,703,050
     6     277,625     160,923     160,923   1,703,050     200,353     200,353   1,703,050     248,576     248,576   1,703,050
     7     332,321     184,546     184,546   1,703,050     237,363     237,363   1,703,050     304,661     304,661   1,703,050
     8     389,753     208,457     208,457   1,703,050     276,821     276,821   1,703,050     367,594     367,594   1,703,050
     9     450,056     231,213     231,213   1,703,050     317,349     317,349   1,703,050     436,577     436,577   1,703,050
    10     513,375     252,752     252,752   1,703,050     358,956     358,956   1,703,050     512,278     512,278   1,703,050
    11     579,859     273,002     273,002   1,703,050     401,647     401,647   1,703,050     595,456     595,456   1,703,050
    12     649,668     291,904     291,904   1,703,050     445,454     445,454   1,703,050     687,005     687,005   1,703,050
    13     722,967     309,430     309,430   1,703,050     490,449     490,449   1,703,050     787,984     787,984   1,703,050
    14     799,931     325,482     325,482   1,703,050     536,655     536,655   1,703,050     899,565     899,565   1,703,050
    15     880,743     339,936     339,936   1,703,050     584,092     584,092   1,703,050   1,023,110   1,023,110   1,703,050
    16     965,596     352,654     352,654   1,703,050     632,791     632,791   1,703,050   1,160,217   1,160,217   1,703,050
    17   1,054,691     363,484     363,484   1,703,050     682,799     682,799   1,703,050   1,312,778   1,312,778   1,703,050
    18   1,148,242     372,177     372,177   1,703,050     734,119     734,119   1,703,050   1,481,780   1,481,780   1,867,043
    19   1,246,469     378,481     378,481   1,703,050     786,796     786,796   1,703,050   1,667,181   1,667,181   2,067,304
    20   1,349,608     382,144     382,144   1,703,050     840,927     840,927   1,703,050   1,870,592   1,870,592   2,282,123
    21   1,417,089     345,962     345,962   1,703,050     857,475     857,475   1,703,050   2,053,501   2,053,501   2,464,201
    22   1,487,943     306,230     306,230   1,703,050     873,030     873,030   1,703,050   2,253,775   2,253,775   2,681,993
    23   1,562,341     262,469     262,469   1,703,050     887,447     887,447   1,703,050   2,473,052   2,473,052   2,918,201
    24   1,640,458     214,065     214,065   1,703,050     900,528     900,528   1,703,050   2,713,114   2,713,114   3,174,343
    25   1,722,480     160,197     160,197   1,703,050     911,986     911,986   1,703,050   2,975,894   2,975,894   3,452,036
    26   1,808,604      99,762      99,762   1,703,050     921,424     921,424   1,703,050   3,263,480   3,263,480   3,753,002
    27   1,899,035      31,330      31,330   1,703,050     928,322     928,322   1,703,050   3,579,619   3,579,619   4,044,969
    28   1,993,986         (*)         (*)         (*)     931,993     931,993   1,703,050   3,927,578   3,927,578   4,359,611
    29   2,093,686         (*)         (*)         (*)     931,653     931,653   1,703,050   4,311,237   4,311,237   4,699,248
    30   2,198,370         (*)         (*)         (*)     926,448     926,448   1,703,050   4,735,269   4,735,269   5,066,738
</TABLE>

(1)    NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
       MONTHLY $10.00 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE ALL THE TIME. GUARANTEED
       VALUES REFLECT A PREMIUM CHARGE OF 9% OF PREMIUM FOR THE FIRST 7 YEARS
       AND 5.5% OF PREMIUM FROM EIGHTH YEAR AND ON.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.
(*)    UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE OR
LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE
INVESTMENT ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER, PREVAILING RATES AND RATES OF
INFLATION. THE DEATH BENEFIT AND CASH VALUE FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM
THOSE SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 6%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.

    

                                       46
<PAGE>   50
   

                     $38,872.05 ANNUAL PREMIUM FOR 20 YEARS
                           $1,703,050 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                       GUIDELINE PREMIUM AND CORRIDOR TEST
                   UNISEX: GUARANTEED ISSUE/NONTOBACCO, AGE 45
                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 2
                                 CURRENT VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               0% Hypothetical                    6% Hypothetical                   12% Hypothetical
                            Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return           Gross Investment Return
                            -----------------------            -----------------------           -----------------------
           Premiums
           Paid Plus                Cash                               Cash                                Cash
  Policy   Interest     Cash      Surrender    Death       Cash      Surrender     Death       Cash      Surrender     Death
   Year      at 5%      Value       Value     Benefit      Value       Value      Benefit      Value       Value      Benefit
   ----      -----      -----       -----     -------      -----       -----      -------      -----       -----      -------
<S>       <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>      
     1      40,816      30,986      31,295   1,734,036      32,978      33,287   1,736,028      34,973      35,282   1,738,023
     2      83,672      60,014      60,323   1,763,064      65,889      66,198   1,768,939      72,008      72,317   1,775,058
     3     128,671      87,338      87,338   1,790,388      98,961      98,961   1,802,011     111,557     111,557   1,814,607
     4     175,921     113,695     113,695   1,816,745     132,934     132,934   1,835,984     154,641     154,641   1,857,691
     5     225,532     139,716     139,716   1,842,766     168,533     168,533   1,871,583     202,386     202,386   1,905,436
     6     277,625     165,335     165,335   1,868,385     205,733     205,733   1,908,783     255,154     255,154   1,958,204
     7     332,321     190,373     190,373   1,893,423     244,418     244,418   1,947,468     313,281     313,281   2,016,331
     8     389,753     216,165     216,165   1,919,215     286,080     286,080   1,989,130     378,860     378,860   2,081,910
     9     450,056     240,978     240,978   1,944,028     329,026     329,026   2,032,076     450,742     450,742   2,153,792
    10     513,375     265,043     265,043   1,968,093     373,543     373,543   2,076,593     529,834     529,834   2,232,884
    11     579,859     288,231     288,231   1,991,281     419,562     419,562   2,122,612     616,757     616,757   2,319,807
    12     649,668     310,068     310,068   2,013,118     466,650     466,650   2,169,700     711,828     711,828   2,414,878
    13     722,967     330,488     330,488   2,033,538     514,774     514,774   2,217,824     815,829     815,829   2,518,879
    14     799,931     349,381     349,381   2,052,431     563,846     563,846   2,266,896     929,572     929,572   2,632,622
    15     880,743     366,614     366,614   2,069,664     613,756     613,756   2,316,806   1,053,936   1,053,936   2,756,986
    16     965,596     381,985     381,985   2,085,035     664,310     664,310   2,367,360   1,189,813   1,189,813   2,892,863
    17   1,054,691     395,450     395,450   2,098,500     715,471     715,471   2,418,521   1,338,361   1,338,361   3,041,411
    18   1,148,242     406,756     406,756   2,109,806     766,977     766,977   2,470,027   1,500,632   1,500,632   3,203,682
    19   1,246,469     415,641     415,641   2,118,691     818,548     818,548   2,521,598   1,677,783   1,677,783   3,380,833
    20   1,349,608     421,878     421,878   2,124,928     869,918     869,918   2,572,968   1,871,123   1,871,123   3,574,173
    21   1,417,089     391,612     391,612   2,094,662     885,762     885,762   2,588,812   2,046,617   2,046,617   3,749,667
    22   1,487,943     361,693     361,693   2,064,743     902,373     902,373   2,605,423   2,241,108   2,241,108   3,944,158
    23   1,562,341     332,117     332,117   2,035,167     919,787     919,787   2,622,837   2,456,653   2,456,653   4,159,703
    24   1,640,458     302,881     302,881   2,005,931     938,044     938,044   2,641,094   2,695,531   2,695,531   4,398,581
    25   1,722,480     273,121     273,121   1,976,171     956,298     956,298   2,659,348   2,959,354   2,959,354   4,662,404
    26   1,808,604     241,108     241,108   1,944,158     972,756     972,756   2,675,806   3,248,976   3,248,976   4,952,026
    27   1,899,035     206,654     206,654   1,909,704     987,111     987,111   2,690,161   3,566,960   3,566,960   5,270,010
    28   1,993,986     169,532     169,532   1,872,582     998,999     998,999   2,702,049   3,916,109   3,916,109   5,619,159
    29   2,093,686     129,462     129,462   1,832,512   1,007,977   1,007,977   2,711,027   4,299,461   4,299,461   6,002,511
    30   2,198,370      86,095      86,095   1,789,145   1,013,512   1,013,512   2,716,562   4,720,314   4,720,314   6,423,364
</TABLE>

(1)    NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
       $5.00 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE ALL THE TIME. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT
       A PREMIUM CHARGE OF 9% OF TARGET PREMIUM AND 6.5% OF EXCESS-OF-TARGET
       PREMIUM FOR THE FIRST 7 YEARS AND 3.5% OF ALL PREMIUM FROM EIGHTH YEAR
       AND ON.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE OR
LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE
INVESTMENT ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER, PREVAILING RATES AND RATES OF
INFLATION. THE DEATH BENEFIT AND CASH VALUE FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM
THOSE SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 6%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.

    

                                       47
<PAGE>   51
   

                     $38,872.05 ANNUAL PREMIUM FOR 20 YEARS
                           $1,703,050 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                       GUIDELINE PREMIUM AND CORRIDOR TEST
                           UNISEX: NONTOBACCO, AGE 45
                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 2
                                GUARANTEED VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               0% Hypothetical                    6% Hypothetical                   12% Hypothetical
                            Gross Investment Return            Gross Investment Return           Gross Investment Return
                            -----------------------            -----------------------           -----------------------
           Premiums
           Paid Plus                Cash                               Cash                                Cash
  Policy   Interest     Cash      Surrender    Death       Cash      Surrender     Death       Cash      Surrender     Death
   Year      at 5%      Value       Value     Benefit      Value       Value      Benefit      Value       Value      Benefit
   ----      -----      -----       -----     -------      -----       -----      -------      -----       -----      -------
<S>       <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>      
     1      40,816      28,842      29,151   1,731,892      30,757      31,066   1,733,807      32,676      32,984   1,735,726
     2      83,672      56,738      57,047   1,759,788      62,354      62,663   1,765,404      68,206      68,514   1,771,256
     3     128,671      83,669      83,669   1,786,719      94,791      94,791   1,797,841     106,847     106,847   1,809,897
     4     175,921     109,598     109,598   1,812,648     128,052     128,052   1,831,102     148,865     148,865   1,851,915
     5     225,532     134,493     134,493   1,837,543     162,121     162,121   1,865,171     194,554     194,554   1,897,604
     6     277,625     158,285     158,285   1,861,335     196,943     196,943   1,899,993     244,199     244,199   1,947,249
     7     332,321     180,889     180,889   1,883,939     232,447     232,447   1,935,497     298,099     298,099   2,001,149
     8     389,753     203,545     203,545   1,906,595     269,957     269,957   1,973,007     358,065     358,065   2,061,115
     9     450,056     224,777     224,777   1,927,827     308,002     308,002   2,011,052     423,074     423,074   2,126,124
    10     513,375     244,489     244,489   1,947,539     346,480     346,480   2,049,530     493,519     493,519   2,196,569
    11     579,859     262,569     262,569   1,965,619     385,268     385,268   2,088,318     569,812     569,812   2,272,862
    12     649,668     278,923     278,923   1,981,973     424,257     424,257   2,127,307     652,426     652,426   2,355,476
    13     722,967     293,494     293,494   1,996,544     463,366     463,366   2,166,416     741,920     741,920   2,444,970
    14     799,931     306,138     306,138   2,009,188     502,423     502,423   2,205,473     838,817     838,817   2,541,867
    15     880,743     316,682     316,682   2,019,732     541,212     541,212   2,244,262     943,661     943,661   2,646,711
    16     965,596     324,936     324,936   2,027,986     579,491     579,491   2,282,541   1,057,028   1,057,028   2,760,078
    17   1,054,691     330,695     330,695   2,033,745     616,987     616,987   2,320,037   1,179,537   1,179,537   2,882,587
    18   1,148,242     333,637     333,637   2,036,687     653,292     653,292   2,356,342   1,311,742   1,311,742   3,014,792
    19   1,246,469     333,444     333,444   2,036,494     687,980     687,980   2,391,030   1,454,253   1,454,253   3,157,303
    20   1,349,608     329,819     329,819   2,032,869     720,618     720,618   2,423,668   1,607,756   1,607,756   3,310,806
    21   1,417,089     286,351     286,351   1,989,401     712,454     712,454   2,415,504   1,732,516   1,732,516   3,435,566
    22   1,487,943     239,507     239,507   1,942,557     699,715     699,715   2,402,765   1,865,750   1,865,750   3,568,800
    23   1,562,341     189,039     189,039   1,892,089     681,893     681,893   2,384,943   2,008,006   2,008,006   3,711,056
    24   1,640,458     134,614     134,614   1,837,664     658,361     658,361   2,361,411   2,159,793   2,159,793   3,862,843
    25   1,722,480      75,763      75,763   1,778,813     628,322     628,322   2,331,372   2,321,523   2,321,523   4,024,573
    26   1,808,604      11,844      11,844   1,714,894     590,757     590,757   2,293,807   2,493,459   2,493,459   4,196,509
    27   1,899,035         (*)         (*)         (*)     544,434     544,434   2,247,484   2,675,713   2,675,713   4,378,763
    28   1,993,986         (*)         (*)         (*)     487,839     487,839   2,190,889   2,868,176   2,868,176   4,571,226
    29   2,093,686         (*)         (*)         (*)     419,396     419,396   2,122,446   3,070,731   3,070,731   4,773,781
    30   2,198,370         (*)         (*)         (*)     337,611     337,611   2,040,661   3,283,401   3,283,401   4,986,451
</TABLE>

(1)    NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
       MONTHLY $10.00 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE ALL THE TIME. GUARANTEED
       VALUES REFLECT A PREMIUM CHARGE OF 9% OF PREMIUM FOR THE FIRST 7 YEARS
       AND 5.5% OF PREMIUM FROM EIGHTH YEAR AND ON.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.
(*)    UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.

THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE OR
LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE
INVESTMENT ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER, PREVAILING RATES AND RATES OF
INFLATION. THE DEATH BENEFIT AND CASH VALUE FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM
THOSE SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 6%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD
OF YEARS BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY
YEARS. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE BY THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.

    

                                       48
<PAGE>   52

                             FUND PERFORMANCE TABLES

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


                                       49
<PAGE>   53

                             FUND PERFORMANCE TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Annual Percentage             Non annualized Percentage Change
                                                              Change
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Fund       Unit                        1 mo      1 Yr     2 Yrs    3 Yrs.   5 yrs.   Inception
      Underlying Mutual Fund        Inception   Values   1994  1995  1996     to        to       to        to       to        to    
                                     Date**    12/31/96                    12/31/96  12/31/96 12/31/96  12/31/96 12/31/96  12/31/96 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>        <C>       <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>
American Century VP Balanced        05/01/91                                                                              
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP Capital         11/20/87
Appreciation
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP International   05/01/94
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP Value           05/01/96
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund    05/02/94
Growth & Income Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Socially Responsible        10/06/93
Growth Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund            09/29/89
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II -Asset         09/06/89
Manager Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II -Contrafund    01/03/95
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - Equity-Income   10/09/86
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - Growth          10/09/86
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - High Income     09/19/85
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - Overseas        01/28/87
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Capital Appreciation Fund      04/15/92
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Government Bond Fund           11/08/82
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Money Market Fund              11/10/81
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Small Company Fund             10/23/95
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Total Return Fund              11/08/82
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers         09/10/84
Management Trust -Growth Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers         09/10/84
Management Trust -Bond Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers         03/22/94
Management Trust -Partners
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund   04/30/85
- - Bond Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund   11/12/90
- - Global Securities
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund   02/09/87
- - Multiple  Strategies
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance Funds,    05/08/92
Inc. -Discovery Fund II, Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance Funds,    10/20/95
Inc. -International Stock Fund II
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Special Fund II, Inc.        05/08/92
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust   12/27/95
- -Worldwide  Emerging Markets Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust   09/01/89
- -Worldwide Bond Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust   09/01/87
- -Worldwide Hard Assets Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-International  06/30/95
Equity Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-Post Venture   11/18/96
Capital Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-Small Company  06/30/95
Growth Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<CAPTION>
                                    -------------------------------------- 
                                         Annualized Percentage Change
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                       3 Yrs.      5 yrs.      Inception 
      Underlying Mutual Fund             to          to           to     
                                      12/31/96    12/31/96     12/31/96  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                                   <C>         <C>          <C>
American Century VP Balanced                                               
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
American Century VP Capital                                                
Appreciation                                                               
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
American Century VP International                                          
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
American Century VP Value                                                  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund                                           
Growth & Income Fund                                                       
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Dreyfus Socially Responsible                                               
Growth Fund                                                                
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund                                                   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund II -Asset                                                
Manager Portfolio                                                          
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund II -Contrafund                                           
Portfolio                                                                  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund - Equity-Income                                          
Portfolio                                                                  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund - Growth                                                 
Portfolio                                                                  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund - High Income                                            
Portfolio                                                                  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity VIP Fund - Overseas                                               
Portfolio                                                                  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
NSAT Capital Appreciation Fund                                             
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
NSAT Government Bond Fund                                                  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
NSAT Money Market Fund                                                     
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
NSAT Small Company Fund                                                    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
NSAT Total Return Fund                                                     
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Neuberger & Berman Advisers                                                
Management Trust -Growth Portfolio                                         
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Neuberger & Berman Advisers                                                
Management Trust -Bond Portfolio                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Neuberger & Berman Advisers                                                
Management Trust -Partners                                                 
Portfolio                                                                  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund                                          
- - Bond Fund                                                                
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund                                          
- - Global Securities                                                        
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Oppenheimer Variable Account Fund                                          
- - Multiple  Strategies                                                     
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Strong Variable Insurance Funds,                                           
Inc. -Discovery Fund II, Inc.                                              
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Strong Variable Insurance Funds,                                           
Inc. -International Stock Fund II                                          
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Strong Special Fund II, Inc.                                               
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust                                          
- -Worldwide  Emerging Markets Fund                                          
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust                                          
- -Worldwide Bond Fund                                                       
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust                                          
- -Worldwide Hard Assets Fund                                                
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Van Kampen American Capital Life                                           
Investment Trust - American                                                
Capital Real Estate Securities Fund                                        
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Warburg Pincus Trust-International                                         
Equity Portfolio                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Warburg Pincus Trust-Post Venture                                          
Capital Portfolio                                                          
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Warburg Pincus Trust-Small Company                                         
Growth Portfolio                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
</TABLE>


                                       50
<PAGE>   54
   

The preceding table displays three types of total return. Simply stated, total
return shows the percent change in unit values, with dividends and capital gains
reinvested, after the deduction of a 0.75% asset charge (and the deduction of
applicable investment advisory fees and other expenses of the Underlying Mutual
Funds). The total return figures shown in the Annual Percentage Change and
Annualized Percentage Change columns represent annualized figures, i.e., they
show the rate of growth that would have produced the corresponding cumulative
return had performance been constant over the entire period quoted. The
Non-Annualized Percentage Change total return figures are not annual return
figures but instead represent the total percentage change in unit value over the
stated periods without annualization. THE TOTAL RETURN FIGURES DO NOT TAKE INTO
ACCOUNT THE SEVERAL OTHER POLICY CHARGES WHICH ARE DESCRIBED IN THE "POLICY
CHARGES" SECTION. THESE OTHER CHARGES INCLUDE DEDUCTIONS FROM PREMIUMS, COST OF
INSURANCE CHARGES, SURRENDER CHARGES AND A MONTHLY ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE.

The Underlying Mutual Fund Inception Date is the date the Underlying Mutual Fund
first became effective, which is not necessarily the same date the Underlying
Mutual Fund was first made available through the Variable Account. For those
Underlying Mutual Funds which have not been offered as sub-accounts through the
Variable Account for one of the quoted periods, the total return figures will
show the investment performance such Underlying Mutual Funds would have achieved
(reduced by the 0.75% asset charge and Fund investment advisory fees and
expenses) had they been offered as sub-accounts through the Variable Account for
the period quoted. Certain Underlying Mutual Funds are not as old as some of the
periods quoted, therefore, total return figures may not be available for all of
the periods shown.

    

                                       51
<PAGE>   55

                          CASH VALUE PERFORMANCE TABLE

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Fund
  Underlying Mutual Fund    Inception
                            Date**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP         05/01/91
Balanced
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP         11/20/87
Capital Appreciation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP         05/01/94
International
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP Value   05/01/94
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable            05/02/94
Investment Fund
Growth & Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Socially            10/06/93
Responsible Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund    09/29/89
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II        09/06/89
- -Asset Manager Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II        01/03/95
- -Contrafund Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund -         10/09/86
Equity-Income Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund -         10/09/86
Growth Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund - High    09/19/85
Income Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund -         01/28/87
Overseas Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Capital Appreciation   04/15/92
Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Government Bond Fund   11/08/82
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Money Market Fund      11/10/81
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Small Company Fund     10/23/95
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Total Return Fund      11/08/82
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman          09/10/84
Advisers Management Trust
- -Growth Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman          09/10/84
Advisers Management Trust
- -Bond Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman          03/22/94
Advisers Management Trust
- -Partners Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable        04/30/85
Account Fund - Bond Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable        11/12/90
Account Fund - Global
Securities
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable        02/09/87
Account Fund - Multiple
Strategies
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance   05/08/92
Funds, Inc. -Discovery
Fund II, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance   10/20/95
Funds, Inc.
- -International Stock Fund
II
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Special Fund II,     05/08/92
Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide           12/27/95
Insurance Trust
- -Worldwide  Emerging
Markets Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide           09/01/89
Insurance Trust
- -Worldwide Bond Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide           09/01/89
Insurance Trust
- -Worldwide Hard Assets
Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus              06/30/95
Trust-International
Equity Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-Post   11/18/96
Venture Capital Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                       52
<PAGE>   56

   
The preceding Cash-Value performance table shows the effect of the performance
quoted on accumulated values and cash surrender values, based on a hypothetical
annual premium of $10,000 for a 45 year-old male, non-tobacco preferred, with a
level death benefit and an initial specified amount of $496,386 (based on a
guideline-level premium of $10,000 issued on a preferred basis). The cash
surrender value figures reflect the deduction of all applicable Policy Charges,
including a deduction from each premium payment, a 0.75% asset charge,
applicable cost of insurance charges, surrender charges, and a monthly
administrative charge (and the deduction of applicable investment advisory fees
and other expenses of the Underlying Mutual Funds). See the "Policy Charges"
section for more information about these charges. The cost of insurance charges
may be higher or lower for purchasers who do not meet the profile of the
hypothetical purchaser. Illustrations reflecting a potential purchaser's
specific characteristics are available from the Company upon request.
    

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


                                       53
<PAGE>   57

<PAGE>   1

                          Independent Auditors' Report


The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company
   (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company) and 
   Contract Owners of Nationwide VL Separate Account-A 
   (formerly Financial Horizons VL Separate Account-1):

      We have audited the accompanying statement of assets, liabilities and
contract owners' equity of Nationwide VL Separate Account-A (formerly Financial
Horizons VL Separate Account-1) as of December 31, 1996, and the related
statements of operations and changes in contract owners' equity and schedules
of changes in unit value for each of the years in the three year period then
ended.  These financial statements and schedules of changes in unit value are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements and schedules of changes in
unit value based on our audits.

      We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and schedules of
changes in unit value are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities
owned as of December 31, 1996, by correspondence with the transfer agents of
the underlying mutual funds. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

      In our opinion, the financial statements and schedules of changes in unit
value referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Nationwide VL Separate Account-A (formerly Financial Horizons VL
Separate Account-1) as of December 31, 1996, and the results of its operations
and its changes in contract owners' equity and the schedules of changes in unit
value for each of the years in the three year period then ended in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.

                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
February 7, 1997

<PAGE>   2

                        NATIONWIDE VL SEPARATE ACCOUNT-A
              (Formerly Financial Horizons VL Separate Account-1)
          STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

                               December 31, 1996

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
ASSETS:

   Investments at market value:

      Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio (FidVIPGr)
         1,295 shares (cost $30,834) .............................   $ 40,328

      Nationwide SAT - Capital Appreciation Fund (NSATCapAp)
         96 shares (cost $1,141) .................................      1,561

      Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund (NSATGvtBd)
         1,578 shares (cost $16,876) .............................     17,425

      Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund (NSATMyMkt)
         10,224 shares (cost $10,224) ............................     10,224

      Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund (NSATTotRe)
         863 shares (cost $9,232) ................................     11,458

      Neuberger & Berman - Balanced Portfolio (NBAMTBal)
         724 shares (cost $11,022) ...............................     11,523

      TCI Portfolios - TCI Advantage (TCIAdv)
         60,866 shares (cost $312,528) ...........................    382,850
                                                                     --------
            Total assets                                              475,369
Accounts Payable                                                           34
                                                                     --------
Contract Owners' Equity                                              $475,335
                                                                     ========


Contract owners' equity represented by:                       UNITS       UNIT VALUE
                                                              -----       ----------
Multiple Payment Contracts and Flexible Premium Contracts:

    Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio .......................   2,016       $20.008196    $ 40,337

    Nationwide SAT - Capital Appreciation Fund ............      83        18.410667       1,528

    Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund .................   1,132        15.383251      17,414

    Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund ....................     835        12.214743      10,199

    Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund ....................     523        21.988773      11,500

    Neuberger & Berman - Balanced Portfolio ...............     729        15.775523      11,500

    TCI Portfolios - TCI Advantage ........................     413        14.210999       5,869

    TCI Portfolios - TCI Advantage Initial Funding by
     Depositor (note 1a) ..................................  25,000        15.079515     376,988
                                                             ======        =========    ========
                                                                                        $475,335
                                                                                        ========
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

<PAGE>   3

                        NATIONWIDE VL SEPARATE ACCOUNT-A
              (Formerly Financial Horizons VL Separate Account-1)
        STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

                  Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              1996          1995        1994
                                              ----          ----        ----
<S>                                        <C>           <C>         <C>
Investment Activity:
   Reinvested capital gains and
    dividends............................   $ 31,785     $ 13,451    $ 12,249
   Mortality and expense charges    
    (note 3).............................       (722)        (621)     (1,049)
                                            --------       ------    --------  
      Net investment activity............     31,063       12,830      11,200
                                            --------       ------    --------

   Proceeds from mutual fund shares
    sold.................................     16,003       36,212     134,821
   Cost of mutual fund shares sold.......    (14,209)     (35,326)   (138,965)
                                            --------       ------    --------  
      Realized gain (loss) on
       investments.......................      1,794          886      (4,144)
   Change in unrealized gain (loss)
    on investments.......................      8,266       53,488      (7,482)
                                            --------      -------    --------  
      Net gain (loss) on investments.....     10,060       54,374     (11,626)
                                            --------      -------    --------  
         Net increase (decrease) in
           contract owners' equity
             resulting from operations...     41,123       67,204        (426)
                                            --------      -------    --------  

Equity Transactions:
   Purchase payments received from
     contract owners.....................     24,097       36,589         --
   Surrenders (note 2d)..................     (6,042)        (164)     (9,107)
   Policy loans (net of repayments)
     (note 4)............................      3,498      (23,321)        --
   Deductions for surrender charges
     (note 2d)...........................         --            --        --
   Redemptions to pay cost of insurance
     charges and administrative charges
     (notes 2b and 2c)...................    (12,114)     (12,670)    (20,999)
                                            --------       ------    --------  
         Net equity transactions.........      9,439          434     (30,106)
                                            --------       ------    --------  

Net change in contract owners' equity         50,562       67,638     (30,532)
Contract owners' equity beginning
   of period.............................    424,773      357,135      387,667
                                            --------       ------    --------  
Contract owners' equity end of
   period................................  $ 475,335     $424,773     $357,135
                                           =========      =======      =======
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

<PAGE>   4

                        NATIONWIDE VL SEPARATE ACCOUNT-A
              (Formerly Financial Horizons VL Separate Account-1)
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                        December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994

(1)  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     (a) Organization and Nature of Operations

         Nationwide VL Separate Account-A (formerly Financial Horizons VL
         Separate Account-1) (the Account) was established pursuant to a
         resolution of the Board of Directors of Nationwide Life and Annuity
         Insurance Company (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)
         (the Company) on August 8, 1984. The Account has been registered as a
         unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940. On
         August 21, 1991, the Company (Depositor) transferred to the Account,
         50,000 shares of the TCI Portfolios, Inc. - TCI Advantage fund for
         which the Account was credited with 25,000 accumulation units. The
         value of the accumulation units purchased by the Company on August 21,
         1991 was $250,000.

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

     (b) The Contracts

         Only contracts with a front-end sales charge, a contingent deferred
         sales charge and certain other fees, have been purchased.
         Additionally, contracts without a front-end sales charge, but with a
         contingent deferred sales charge and certain other fees, have been
         purchased. See note 2 for a discussion of policy charges and note 3
         for asset charges.

         Contract owners may invest in the following:

              Portfolio of the Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund
              (Fidelity VIP);
                Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio (FidVIPGr)

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

              Portfolio of the Neuberger &Berman Advisers Management Trust
              (Neuberger & Berman);
                Neuberger & Berman - Balanced Portfolio (NBAMTBal)

              Portfolio of the TCI Portfolios, Inc. (TCIPortfolios); TCI
                Portfolios - TCI Advantage (TCIAdv)

         At December 31, 1996, 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 policy charges (see notes 2 and 3). The accompanying financial
         statements include only contract owners' purchase payments pertaining
         to the variable portions of their contracts and exclude any purchase
         payments for fixed dollar investment options, the latter being
         included in the accounts of the Company.

     (c) Security Valuation, Transactions and Related Investment Income

         The market value of the underlying mutual funds is based on the
         closing net asset value per share at December 31, 1996. The cost of
         investments sold is determined on the 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.

<PAGE>   5

     (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) Reclassifications

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

(2)  POLICY CHARGES

     (a) Deductions from Premiums

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

     (b) Cost of Insurance

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

     (c) Administrative Charges

         For multiple payment contracts, the Company currently deducts a
         monthly administrative charge of $5 (may deduct up to $7.50, maximum)
         to recover policy maintenance, accounting, record keeping and other
         administrative expenses.

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

         For single premium contracts, the Company deducts an annual
         administrative charge which is determined as follows:
           Purchase payments totaling less than $25,000 - $90/year 

         Purchase payments totaling $25,000 or more - $50/year 

         The above charges are assessed against each contract by liquidating
         units.  

         No charges were deducted from the initial funding, or from the earnings
         thereon.

     (d) Surrender Charges

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

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

         For single premium contracts, the charge is determined based upon a
         specified percentage of the original purchase payment. The charge is
         8.5% in the first year, and declines to 0% after the ninth year.

<PAGE>   6

(3) ASSET CHARGES

     For multiple payment contracts and flexible premium contracts, the Company
     deducts charges from the contract to cover mortality and expense risk
     charges related to operations, and to recover policy maintenance charges.
     The charge is equal to an annual rate of .80%, with certain exceptions.

     For single premium contracts, the Company deducts a charge from the
     contract to cover mortality and expense risk charges related to
     operations, and to recover policy maintenance and premium tax charges. The
     charge is equal to an annual rate of 1.30% during the first ten policy
     years, and 1.00% thereafter.

     The above charges are assessed through the daily unit value calculation.
     No charges are deducted from the initial funding, or from earnings
     thereon.

(4)  POLICY LOANS (NET OF REPAYMENTS)

     Contract provisions allow contract owners to borrow up to 90% of a
     policy's cash surrender value. On each policy anniversary following the
     initial loan, 6% interest is due and payable to the Company.

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

(5)  SCHEDULE I

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

         o    Beginning unit value - Jan. 1

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

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

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

         o    Ending unit value - Dec. 31

         o    Percentage increase (decrease) in unit value.


<PAGE>   7

                                                                      SCHEDULE I

                        NATIONWIDE VL SEPARATE ACCOUNT-A
              (FORMERLY FINANCIAL HORIZONS VL SEPARATE ACCOUNT-1)
           MULTIPLE PAYMENT CONTRACTS AND FLEXIBLE PREMIUM CONTRACTS
                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

<TABLE>
                           <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>        <C> 
                           FIDVIPGR      NSATCAPAP      NSATGVTBD      NSATMYMKT     NSATTOTRE     NBAMTBAL      TCIADV     TCIADV+
                           --------      ---------      ---------      ---------     ---------     --------      ------     -------
1996
 Beginning unit value - 
  Jan. 1                 $17.583952      14.713230      14.984933      11.714295     18.192762     14.878481  13.112917   13.802855
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Reinvested capital gains
  and dividends            1.263661        .766553        .930103        .596995      1.217547      2.281380    .945920     .998314
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Unrealized gain (loss)    1.312893       3.061949       (.412550)       .000000      2.737018     (1.262381)   .260998     .278346
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Asset charges             (.152310)      (.131065)      (.119235)      (.096547)     (.158554)     (.121957)  (.108836)    .000000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Ending unit value - 
  Dec. 31                $20.008196      18.410667      15.383251      12.214743     21.988773     15.775523  14.210999   15.079515
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Percentage increase (decrease)
  in unit value*                 14%            25%             3%             4%           21%            6%         8%          9%
===================================================================================================================================

1995
 Beginning unit value - 
  Jan. 1                 $13.094007       11.465403      12.720514      11.176411    14.205723     12.118394  11.321934   11.822996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Reinvested capital gains
  and dividends             .072389         .653781        .903001        .629782     1.413734       .308616    .411556     .431938
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Unrealized gain (loss)    4.544905        2.696528       1.472503        .000000     2.703396      2.562255   1.477165    1.547921
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Asset charges             (.127349)       (.102482)      (.111085)      (.091898)    (.130091)     (.110784)  (.097738)    .000000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Ending unit value - 
  Dec. 31                $17.583952       14.713230      14.984933      11.714295    18.192762     14.878481  13.112917   13.802855
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Percentage increase (decrease)
  in unit value*                 34%             28%            18%             5%          28%           23%        16%         17%
===================================================================================================================================

1994
 Beginning unit value - 
  Jan. 1                 $13.201441       11.662121      13.250482      10.845265    14.167308     12.640011  11.295721   11.701906
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Reinvested capital gains
  and dividends             .794469         .184927        .833925        .419275      .717782       .493181    .297670     .309969
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Unrealized gain (loss)    (.799798)       (.289863)     (1.261429)       .000000     (.565055)     (.916591)  (.181209)   (.188879)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Asset charges             (.102105)       (.091782)      (.102464)      (.088129)    (.114312)     (.098207)  (.090248)    .000000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Ending unit value - 
  Dec. 31                $13.094007       11.465403      12.720514      11.176411    14.205723     12.118394  11.321934   11.822996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Percentage increase (decrease)
  in unit value*                 (1)%            (2)%           (4)%            3%           0%           (4)%        0%          1%
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

  *An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as asset charges do not
   include the policy charges discussed in note 2.

  +For Depositor, see note 1a.

See note 5.


<PAGE>   58

<PAGE>   1

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

The Board of Directors
Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company:

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

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Nationwide Life and Annuity
Insurance Company as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

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

                                                KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
January 31, 1997


<PAGE>   2
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                                 Balance Sheets

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


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Assets                                                         1996         1995
                           ------                                                      ----------    -------
<S>                                                                                    <C>           <C>
Investments (notes 4, 7 and 8):
   Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
      Fixed maturity securities (cost $640,303 in 1996; $539,214 in 1995)              $  648,076    555,751
      Equity securities (cost $10,854 in 1996; $10,256 in 1995)                            12,254     11,407
   Mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                     150,997    104,736
   Real estate, net                                                                         1,090      1,117
   Policy loans                                                                               126         94
   Short-term investments (note 12)                                                           492      4,844
                                                                                       ----------    -------
                                                                                          813,035    677,949
                                                                                       ----------    -------
Cash                                                                                        4,296         --
Accrued investment income                                                                   9,189      8,464
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                          16,168     23,405
Deferred federal income tax (note 6)                                                        4,735         --
Other assets                                                                               32,747        208
Assets held in Separate Accounts (note 7)                                                 486,251    257,556
                                                                                       ----------    -------
                                                                                       $1,366,421    967,582
                                                                                       ==========    =======
            Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity
            ------------------------------------
Future policy benefits and claims (notes 5 and 7)                                      $   80,720    621,280
Funds withheld under coinsurance agreement with affiliate (note 12)                       679,571         --
Accrued federal income tax (note 6):
   Current                                                                                  7,914        708
   Deferred                                                                                    --      2,830
                                                                                       ----------    -------
                                                                                            7,914      3,538
                                                                                       ----------    -------
Other liabilities                                                                          27,928      5,031
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts (note 7)                                         486,251    257,556
                                                                                       ----------    -------
                                                                                        1,282,384    887,405
                                                                                       ----------    -------
Commitments (notes 7 and 8)

Shareholder's equity (notes 3, 4 and 11):
   Capital shares, $40 par value.  Authorized, issued and outstanding 66,000 shares         2,640      2,640
   Additional paid-in capital                                                              52,960     52,960
   Retained earnings                                                                       25,209     20,123
   Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net                                   3,228      4,454
                                                                                       ----------    -------
                                                                                           84,037     80,177
                                                                                       ----------    -------
                                                                                       $1,366,421    967,582
                                                                                       ==========    =======
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>   3
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                              Statements of Income

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


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1996        1995        1994
                                                                             --------     -------     -------
<S>                                                                          <C>            <C>         <C>  
Revenues (note 13):
   Investment product and universal life insurance product policy charges    $  6,656       4,322       3,601
   Traditional life insurance premiums                                            246         674         311
   Net investment income (note 4)                                              51,045      49,108      45,030
   Realized losses on investments (note 4)                                         (3)       (702)       (625)
                                                                             --------     -------     -------
                                                                               57,944      53,402      48,317
                                                                             --------     -------     -------
Benefits and expenses:
   Benefits and claims                                                         35,524      34,180      29,870
   Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                            7,380       5,508       6,940
   Other operating expenses (note 12)                                           7,247       6,567       6,320
                                                                             --------     -------     -------
                                                                               50,151      46,255      43,130
                                                                             --------     -------     -------
      Income before federal income tax expense                                  7,793       7,147       5,187
                                                                             --------     -------     -------
Federal income tax expense (benefit) (note 6):
   Current                                                                      9,612       2,012       2,103
   Deferred                                                                    (6,905)        361        (244)
                                                                             --------     -------     -------
                                                                                2,707       2,373       1,859
                                                                             --------     -------     -------
      Net income                                                             $  5,086       4,774       3,328
                                                                             ========     =======     =======
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>   4
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                       Statements of Shareholder's Equity

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


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    Unrealized
                                                                                                   gains (losses)
                                                                     Additional                    on securities        Total
                                                       Capital        paid-in         Retained     available-for-    shareholder's
                                                       shares         capital         earnings       sale, net          equity
                                                       -------       ----------       --------     --------------    -------------
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>              <C>          <C>               <C>   
1994:
   Balance, beginning of year                          $2,640          43,960          12,021              38            58,659
   Capital contribution                                    --           9,000              --              --             9,000
   Net income                                              --              --           3,328              --             3,328
   Adjustment for change in accounting for
      certain investments in debt and equity
      securities, net (note 3)                             --              --              --           4,698             4,698
   Unrealized losses on securities available-
      for-sale, net                                        --              --              --          (8,439)           (8,439)
                                                       ------          ------          ------          ------           -------
   Balance, end of year                                $2,640          52,960          15,349          (3,703)           67,246
                                                       ======          ======          ======          ======           =======
1995:
   Balance, beginning of year                           2,640          52,960          15,349          (3,703)           67,246
   Net income                                              --              --           4,774              --             4,774
   Unrealized gains on securities available-
      for-sale, net                                        --              --              --           8,157             8,157
                                                       ------          ------          ------          ------           -------
   Balance, end of year                                $2,640          52,960          20,123           4,454            80,177
                                                       ======          ======          ======          ======           =======
1996:
   Balance, beginning of year                           2,640          52,960          20,123           4,454            80,177
   Net income                                              --              --           5,086              --             5,086
   Unrealized losses on securities available-
      for-sale, net                                        --              --              --          (1,226)           (1,226)
                                                       ------          ------          ------          ------           -------
   Balance, end of year                                $2,640          52,960          25,209           3,228            84,037
                                                       ======          ======          ======          ======           =======
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>   5
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                            Statements of Cash Flows

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1996         1995        1994
                                                                            ---------     -------     -------
<S>                                                                         <C>           <C>         <C>  
 Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net income                                                              $   5,086       4,774       3,328
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
       operating activities:
          Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs                 (19,987)     (6,754)     (7,283)
          Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                     7,380       5,508       6,940
          Commission and expense allowances under coinsurance
              agreement with affiliate (note 12)                               26,473          --          --
          Amortization and depreciation                                         1,721         878         473
          Realized losses on invested assets, net                                   3         702         625
          Deferred federal income tax (benefit) expense                        (6,905)        361        (244)
          Increase in accrued investment income                                  (725)       (423)       (750)
          (Increase) decrease in other assets                                 (32,539)         62        (126)
          (Decrease) increase in policy liabilities and funds withheld
              on coinsurance agreement with affiliate                          (7,101)        627         926
          Increase (decrease) in accrued federal income tax payable             7,206         698        (254)
          Increase (decrease) in other liabilities                             22,897         368        (505)
                                                                            ---------     -------     -------
             Net cash provided by operating activities                          3,509       6,801       3,130
                                                                            ---------     -------     -------
 Cash flows from investing activities:
    Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale                    73,966      41,729      24,850
    Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                         2,480       3,070      13,170
    Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity           --      11,251       8,483
    Proceeds from repayments of mortgage loans on real estate                  10,975       8,673       5,733
    Proceeds from sale of real estate                                              --         655          --
    Proceeds from repayments of policy loans                                       23          50           2
    Cost of securities available-for-sale acquired                           (179,671)    (79,140)    (94,130)
    Cost of fixed maturity securities held-to maturity acquired                    --      (8,000)    (15,544)
    Cost of mortgage loans on real estate acquired                            (57,395)    (18,000)    (11,000)
    Cost of real estate acquired                                                   --         (10)        (52)
    Policy loans issued                                                           (55)        (66)        (80)
    Short-term investments, net                                                 4,352      (4,479)      1,407
                                                                            ---------     -------     -------
             Net cash used in investing activities                           (145,325)    (44,267)    (67,161)
                                                                            ---------     -------     -------
 Cash flows from financing activities:
    Proceeds from capital contribution                                             --          --       9,000
    Increase in investment product and universal life insurance
       product account balances                                               235,286      79,523      95,254
    Decrease in investment product and universal life insurance
       product account balances                                               (89,174)    (42,057)    (40,223)
                                                                            ---------     -------     -------
             Net cash provided by financing activities                        146,112      37,466      64,031
                                                                            ---------     -------     -------
 Net increase in cash                                                           4,296          --          --

 Cash, beginning of year                                                           --          --          --
                                                                            ---------     -------     -------
 Cash, end of year                                                          $   4,296          --          --
                                                                            =========     =======     =======
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>   6
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                          Notes to Financial Statements

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

(1)   Organization and Description of Business

      Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company (the Company) is a wholly
      owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company (NLIC).

      The Company sells primarily fixed and variable rate annuities through
      banks and other financial institutions. In addition, the Company sells
      universal life and other interest-sensitive life insurance products and is
      subject to competition from other financial services providers throughout
      the United States. The Company is subject to regulation by the Insurance
      Departments of states in which it is licensed, and undergoes periodic
      examinations by those departments.

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

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

         Credit Risk is the risk that issuers of securities owned by the Company
         or mortgagors on mortgage loans on real estate owned by the Company
         will default. The Company minimizes this risk by adhering to a
         conservative investment strategy, by maintaining credit and collection
         policies and by providing for any amounts deemed uncollectible.

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

(2)   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

      The significant accounting policies followed by the Company that
      materially affect financial reporting are summarized below. The
      accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
      generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) which differ from
      statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by regulatory
      authorities. An Annual Statement, filed with the Department of Insurance
      of the State of Ohio (the Department), is 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 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues
      and expenses for the reporting period. Actual results could differ
      significantly from those estimates.
<PAGE>   7
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued



      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)   Valuation of Investments and Related Gains and Losses

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

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

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

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

      (b)   Revenues and Benefits

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

         Traditional Life Insurance Products: Traditional life insurance
         products include those products with fixed and guaranteed premiums and
         benefits and consist primarily of 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 AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


      (c)   Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

         The costs of acquiring new business, principally commissions, certain
         expenses of the policy issue and underwriting department and certain
         variable agency expenses have been deferred. For investment products
         and universal life insurance products, deferred policy acquisition
         costs are being amortized with interest over the lives of the policies
         in relation to the present value of estimated future gross profits from
         projected interest margins, asset fees, cost of insurance, policy
         administration and surrender charges. For years in which gross profits
         are negative, deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized based on
         the present value of gross revenues. 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(a).

      (d)   Separate Accounts

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

      (e)   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.

      (f)   Federal Income Tax

         The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with
         Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (NMIC). The members of the
         consolidated tax return group have a tax sharing agreement 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.

      (g)   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.

      (h)   Statements of Cash Flows

         The Company routinely invests its available cash balances in highly
         liquid, short-term investments with affiliated companies. See note 12.
         As such, the Company had no cash balance as of December 31, 1995 and
         1994.
<PAGE>   9
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


      (i)   Reclassification

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


(3)   Change in Accounting Principle

      Effective January 1, 1994, the Company changed its method of accounting
      for certain investments in debt and equity securities in connection with
      the issuance of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115
      Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. As of
      January 1, 1994, the Company classified fixed maturity securities with
      amortized cost and fair value of $380,974 and $399,556, respectively, as
      available-for-sale and recorded the securities at fair value. Previously,
      these securities were recorded at amortized cost. The effect as of January
      1, 1994, has been recorded as a direct credit to shareholder's equity as
      follows:

<TABLE>
         <S>                                                                      <C>     
         Excess of fair value over amortized cost of fixed maturity 
            securities available-for-sale                                         $ 18,582
         Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                           (11,355)
         Deferred federal income tax                                                (2,529)
                                                                                  --------
                                                                                  $  4,698
                                                                                  ========
</TABLE>

(4)   Investments

      The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities
      available-for-sale were as follows as of December 31, 1996 and 1995:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Gross         Gross
                                                                       Amortized    unrealized    unrealized     Estimated
         1996:                                                           cost         gains         losses      fair value
                                                                       ---------    ----------    ----------    ----------
         <S>                                                           <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>  
           Fixed maturity securities:
             U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. 
               government corporations and agencies                    $  3,695            7            (78)        3,624
             Obligations of states and political subdivisions               269           --             (2)          267
             Debt securities issued by foreign governments                6,129          133             (8)        6,254
             Corporate securities                                       393,371        5,916         (1,824)      397,463
             Mortgage-backed securities                                 236,839        4,621           (992)      240,468
                                                                       --------      -------       --------       -------
                 Total fixed maturity securities                        640,303       10,677         (2,904)      648,076
           Equity securities                                             10,854        1,540           (140)       12,254
                                                                       --------      -------       --------       -------
                                                                       $651,157       12,217         (3,044)      660,330
                                                                       ========      =======       ========       =======
         1995:
           Fixed maturity securities:
             U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. 
               government corporations and agencies                    $  3,492           18             --         3,510
             Obligations of states and political subdivisions               271           --             (1)          270
             Debt securities issued by foreign governments                6,177          301             --         6,478
             Corporate securities                                       332,425       10,116           (925)      341,616
             Mortgage-backed securities                                 196,849        7,649           (621)      203,877
                                                                       --------      -------       --------       -------
                 Total fixed maturity securities                        539,214       18,084         (1,547)      555,751
           Equity securities                                             10,256        1,151             --        11,407
                                                                       --------      -------       --------       -------
                                                                       $549,470       19,235         (1,547)      567,158
                                                                       ========      =======       ========       =======
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   10
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


      The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities
      available-for-sale as of December 31, 1996, by contractual maturity, are
      shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities
      because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or
      without call or prepayment penalties.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Amortized        Estimated
                                                                  cost          fair value
                                                               ---------        ----------
         <S>                                                   <C>              <C>   
         Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
            Due in one year or less                             $ 43,219           43,441
            Due after one year through five years                198,045          200,453
            Due after five years through ten years               121,820          122,595
            Due after ten years                                   40,380           41,119
                                                                --------          -------
                                                                 403,464          407,608
         Mortgage-backed securities                              236,839          240,468
                                                                --------          -------
                                                                $640,303          648,076
                                                                ========          =======
</TABLE>

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1996              1995
                                                            -------           -------
         <S>                                                <C>               <C>   
         Gross unrealized gains                             $ 9,173            17,688
         Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition                                    
            costs                                            (4,207)          (10,836)
         Deferred federal income tax                         (1,738)           (2,398)
                                                            -------           -------
                                                            $ 3,228             4,454
                                                            =======           =======
</TABLE>

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              1996        1995       1994
                                            --------     ------    -------
         <S>                                <C>          <C>       <C>     
         Securities available-for-sale:
            Fixed maturity securities       $ (8,764)    30,647    (32,692)
            Equity securities                    249      1,283       (190)
         Fixed maturity securities                                         
            held-to-maturity                      --      3,941     (8,407)
                                            --------     ------    -------
                                            $ (8,515)    35,871    (41,289)
                                            ========     ======    =======
</TABLE>

      Proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale during 1996, 1995
      and 1994 were $2,480, $3,070 and $13,170, respectively. During 1996, gross
      gains of $181 ($64 and $373 in 1995 and 1994, respectively) and no gross
      losses ($6 and $73 in 1995 and 1994, respectively) were realized on those
      sales.

      During 1995, the Company transferred fixed maturity securities classified
      as held-to-maturity with amortized cost of $2,000 to available-for-sale
      securities due to evidence of a significant deterioration in the issuer's
      creditworthiness. The transfer of those fixed maturity securities resulted
      in a gross unrealized loss of $600.

      As permitted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Special Report,
      A Guide to Implementation of Statement 115 on Accounting for Certain
      Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, issued in November 1995, the
      Company transferred all of its fixed maturity securities previously
      classified as held-to-maturity to available-for-sale. As of December 14,
      1995, the date of transfer, the fixed maturity securities had amortized
      cost of $77,405, resulting in a gross unrealized gain of $1,709.

      The Company has no investments which were non-income producing for the
      twelve month period preceding December 31, 1996 ($996 of fixed maturity
      securities in 1995).
<PAGE>   11
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


      Real estate is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation of $108 as
      of December 31, 1996 ($81 as of December 31, 1995) and valuation
      allowances of $229 as of December 31, 1996 ($229 as of December 31, 1995).

      The recorded investment of mortgage loans on real estate considered to be
      impaired (under SFAS No. 114 - Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a
      Loan as amended by SFAS No. 118 - Accounting by Creditors for Impairment
      of a Loan Income Recognition and Disclosure) as of December 31, 1996 was
      $955 ($966 as of December 31, 1995), which includes $955 (none as of
      December 31, 1995) of impaired mortgage loans on real estate for which the
      related valuation allowance was $184 (none as of December 31, 1995) and
      none ($966 as of December 31, 1995) of impaired mortgage loans on real
      estate for which there was no valuation allowance. During 1996, the
      average recorded investment in impaired mortgage loans on real estate was
      approximately $964 ($242 in 1995) and interest income recognized on those
      loans was $16 (none in 1995), which is equal to interest income recognized
      using a cash-basis method of income recognition.

      Activity in the valuation allowance account for mortgage loans on real
      estate is summarized for the year ended December 31, 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1996    1995
                                                     ----    ----
         <S>                                         <C>     <C>
         Allowance, beginning of year                $750     860
              Additional charged to operations        184      --
              Reduction of the allowance credited                 
                to operations                          --    (110)
                                                     ----    ----
         Allowance, end of year                      $934     750
                                                     ====    ====
</TABLE>

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1996      1995      1994
                                              -------    ------    ------
         <S>                                  <C>        <C>       <C>   
         Gross investment income:
            Securities available-for-sale:
               Fixed maturity securities      $40,552    35,093    36,720
               Equity securities                  598       713        16
            Fixed maturity securities                                    
               held-to-maturity                    --     4,530       540
            Mortgage loans on real estate       9,991     9,106     8,437
            Real estate                           214       273       175
            Short-term investments                507       348       207
            Other                                  57        41        19
                                              -------    ------    ------
                   Total investment income     51,919    50,104    46,114
         Less: investment expenses                874       996     1,084
                                              -------    ------    ------
                   Net investment income      $51,045    49,108    45,030
                                              =======    ======    ======
</TABLE>

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1996     1995     1994
                                                           -----     ----     ----
           <S>                                             <C>       <C>       <C>
           Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale    $ 181     (822)     260
           Mortgage loans on real estate                    (184)     110     (832)
           Real estate and other                              --       10      (53)
                                                           -----     ----     ----
                                                           $  (3)    (702)    (625)
                                                           =====     ====     ====
</TABLE>

      Fixed maturity securities with an amortized cost of $3,403 and $2,806 as
      of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, were on deposit with various
      regulatory agencies as required by law.
<PAGE>   12
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


(5)   Future Policy Benefits

      The liability for future policy benefits for investment contracts has been
      established based on policy terms, interest rates and various contract
      provisions. The average interest rate credited on investment product
      policies was approximately 5.6%, 5.6% and 5.3% for the years ended
      December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.


(6)   Federal Income Tax

      The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
      components of the net deferred tax asset (liability) as of December 31,
      1996 and 1995 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1996         1995
                                                             --------     -------
         <S>                                                 <C>          <C>  
         Deferred tax assets:
            Liabilities in Separate Accounts                 $  5,311       3,445
            Future policy benefits                              1,070       5,249
            Mortgage loans on real estate and real estate         407         338
            Other assets and other liabilities                  3,836         708
                                                             --------     -------
              Total gross deferred tax assets                  10,624       9,740
                                                             --------     -------
         Deferred tax liabilities:
            Fixed maturity securities                           3,268       6,308
            Deferred policy acquisition costs                   2,131       6,262
            Equity securities                                     490          --
                                                             --------     -------
              Total gross deferred tax liabilities              5,889      12,570
                                                             --------     -------
                                                             $  4,735      (2,830)
                                                             ========     =======
</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. All future
      deductible amounts can be offset by future taxable amounts or recovery of
      federal income tax paid within the statutory carryback period. The Company
      has determined that valuation allowances are not necessary as of December
      31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 based on its analysis of future deductible
      amounts.

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1996                 1995                 1994
                                                      ----------------     ----------------     ----------------
                                                       Amount       %       Amount       %       Amount       %
                                                      -------     ----     -------     ----     -------     ----
         <S>                                          <C>         <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>         <C> 
         Computed (expected) tax expense              $ 2,728     35.0     $ 2,501     35.0     $ 1,815     35.0
         Tax exempt interest and dividends
            received deduction                           (175)    (2.3)       (150)    (2.1)        (50)    (1.0)
         Other, net                                       154      2.0          22      0.3          94      1.8
                                                      -------     ----     -------     ----     -------     ----
               Total (effective rate of each year)    $ 2,707     34.7     $ 2,373     33.2     $ 1,859     35.8
                                                      =======     ====     =======     ====     =======     ====
</TABLE>

      Total federal income tax paid was $2,335, $1,314 and $2,357 during the
      years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
<PAGE>   13
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


(7)   Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

         Separate Account assets and liabilities: The fair value of assets held
         in Separate Accounts is based on quoted market prices. The fair value
         of liabilities related to Separate Accounts is the amount payable on
         demand, which includes certain surrender charges.

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

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

         Policy reserves on life insurance contracts: 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.
<PAGE>   14
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


         Commitments to extend credit: Commitments to extend credit have nominal
         value because of the short-term nature of such commitments. See note 8.

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1996                       1995
                                                           -----------------------    -----------------------
                                                           Carrying     Estimated     Carrying     Estimated
                                                            amount      fair value     amount      fair value
                                                           --------     ----------    --------     ----------
         <S>                                               <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>    
         Assets
         Investments:
            Securities available-for-sale:
               Fixed maturity securities                   $648,076       648,076       555,751       555,751
               Equity securities                             12,254        12,254        11,407        11,407
            Mortgage loans on real estate, net              150,997       152,496       104,736       111,501
            Policy loans                                        126           126            94            94
            Short-term investments                              492           492         4,844         4,844
            Cash                                              4,296         4,296            --            --
         Assets held in Separate Accounts                   486,251       486,251       257,556       257,556

         Liabilities
         Investment contracts                                75,417        72,262       616,984       601,582
         Policy reserves on life insurance contracts          5,303         5,390         4,296         4,520
         Liabilities related to Separate Accounts           486,251       471,125       257,556       246,996
</TABLE>

(8)   Additional Financial Instruments Disclosures

      Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk: The Company is a party
      to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course
      of business through management of its investment portfolio. These
      financial instruments include commitments to extend credit in the form of
      loans. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit
      risk in excess of amounts recognized on the 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 $19,500
      extending into 1997 were outstanding as of December 31, 1996.

      Significant Concentrations of Credit Risk: The Company grants mainly
      commercial mortgage loans on real estate to customers throughout the
      United States. The Company has a diversified portfolio with no more than
      31% (28% in 1995) in any geographic area and no more than 5% (15% in 1995)
      with any one borrower.
<PAGE>   15
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


      The summary below depicts loans by remaining principal balance as of
      December 31, 1996 and 1995:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Apartment
                                   Office      Warehouse      Retail       & other        Total
                                  --------     ---------      ------      ---------     --------
          <S>                     <C>          <C>            <C>         <C>           <C>   
          1996:
            East North Central    $  1,968        2,324        8,203         7,867        20,362
            East South Central          --           --        1,828        11,591        13,419
            Mountain                    --        1,394           --         1,986         3,380
            Middle Atlantic          2,817           --          883         1,990         5,690
            New England              1,993          868        1,944            --         4,805
            Pacific                  3,883       15,779       10,093         9,273        39,028
            South Atlantic           9,926           --       16,209        20,520        46,655
            West North Central       2,000           --           --            --         2,000
            West South Central       3,824           --        1,995        10,847        16,666
                                  --------       ------       ------       -------      --------
                                  $ 26,411       20,365       41,155        64,074       152,005
                                  ========       ======       ======       =======
               Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                          1,008
                                                                                        --------
                    Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                            $150,997
                                                                                        ========
          1995:
            East North Central    $  1,854          878        8,263         3,940        14,935
            East South Central          --           --        1,877        11,753        13,630
            Mountain                    --           --           --         1,964         1,964
            Middle Atlantic            882        1,820          901            --         3,603
            New England                 --          895        1,963            --         2,858
            Pacific                  1,923        8,600        8,211         8,838        27,572
            South Atlantic           3,953           --        9,928        15,797        29,678
            West North Central          --        1,500           --            --         1,500
            West South Central       3,881          969           --         4,932         9,782
                                  --------       ------       ------       -------      --------
                                  $ 12,493       14,662       31,143        47,224       105,522
                                  ========       ======       ======       =======
               Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                            786
                                                                                        --------
                    Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                            $104,736
                                                                                        ========
</TABLE>

(9)   Pension Plan

      The Company is a participant, together with other affiliated companies, in
      a pension plan covering all employees who have completed at least one
      thousand hours of service within a twelve-month period and who have met
      certain age requirements. Benefits are based upon the highest average
      annual salary of a specified number of consecutive years of the last ten
      years of service. The Company funds an allocation of pension costs accrued
      for employees of affiliates whose work efforts benefit the Company.

      Effective January 1, 1995, the plan was amended to provide enhanced
      benefits for participants who met certain eligibility requirements and
      elected early retirement no later than March 15, 1995. The entire cost of
      the enhanced benefit was borne by NMIC and certain of its property and
      casualty insurance company affiliates.

      Effective December 31, 1995, the Nationwide Insurance Companies and
      Affiliates Retirement Plan was merged with the Farmland Mutual Insurance
      Company Employees' Retirement Plan and the Wausau Insurance Companies
      Pension Plan to form the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise Retirement Plan.
      Immediately prior to the merger, the plans were amended to provide
      consistent benefits for service after January 1, 1996. These amendments
      had no significant impact on the accumulated benefit obligation or
      projected benefit obligation as of December 31, 1995.
<PAGE>   16
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


      Pension costs charged to operations by the Company during the years ended
      December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $189, $214 and $265, respectively.

      The net periodic pension cost for the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
      Retirement Plan as a whole for the year ended December 31, 1996 and for
      the Nationwide Insurance Companies and Affiliates Retirement Plan as a
      whole for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1996            1995           1994
                                                                 ---------        --------        -------
          <S>                                                    <C>              <C>             <C>   
          Service cost (benefits earned during the period)       $  75,466          64,524         64,740
          Interest cost on projected benefit obligation            105,511          95,283         73,951
          Actual return on plan assets                            (210,583)       (249,294)       (21,495)
          Net amortization and deferral                            101,795         143,353        (62,150)
                                                                 ---------        --------        -------
                                                                 $  72,189          53,866         55,046
                                                                 =========        ========        =======
</TABLE>

      Basis for measurements, net periodic pension cost:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996        1995        1994
                                                              -------     -------     -------
          <S>                                                 <C>         <C>         <C>  
          Weighted average discount rate                         6.00%       7.50%       5.75%
          Rate of increase in future compensation levels         4.25%       6.25%       4.50%
          Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets       6.75%       8.75%       7.00%
</TABLE>

      Information regarding the funded status of the Nationwide Insurance
      Enterprise Retirement Plan as a whole as of December 31, 1996 and 1995
      follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1996           1995
                                                                           -----------     ----------
          <S>                                                              <C>             <C>      
          Accumulated benefit obligation:
             Vested                                                        $ 1,338,554      1,236,730
             Nonvested                                                          11,149         26,503
                                                                           -----------     ----------
                                                                           $ 1,349,703      1,263,233
                                                                           ===========     ==========
          Net accrued pension expense:
             Projected benefit obligation for services rendered to date    $ 1,847,828      1,780,616
             Plan assets at fair value                                       1,947,933      1,738,004
                                                                           -----------     ----------
                Plan assets in excess of (less than) projected benefit
                   obligation                                                  100,105        (42,612)
             Unrecognized prior service cost                                    37,870         42,845
             Unrecognized net gains                                           (201,952)       (63,130)
             Unrecognized net asset at transition                               37,158         41,305
                                                                           -----------     ----------
                                                                           $   (26,819)       (21,592)
                                                                           ===========     ==========
</TABLE>

      Basis for measurements, funded status of plan:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1996           1995
                                                                           -----------     ---------- 
          <S>                                                                 <C>            <C>  
          Weighted average discount rate                                       6.50%          6.00%
          Rate of increase in future compensation levels                       4.75%          4.25%
</TABLE>

      Assets of the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise Retirement Plan are invested
      in group annuity contracts of NLIC and Employers Life Insurance Company of
      Wausau, a wholly owned subsidiary of NLIC.
<PAGE>   17
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


(10)  Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

      In addition to the defined benefit pension plan, the Company, together
      with other affiliated companies, participates in life and health care
      defined benefit plans for qualifying retirees. Postretirement life and
      health care benefits are contributory and generally available to full time
      employees who have attained age 55 and have accumulated 15 years of
      service with the Company after reaching age 40. Postretirement health care
      benefit contributions are adjusted annually and contain cost-sharing
      features such as deductibles and coinsurance. In addition, there are caps
      on the Company's portion of the per-participant cost of the postretirement
      health care benefits. These caps can increase annually, but not more than
      three percent. The Company's policy is to fund the cost of health care
      benefits in amounts determined at the discretion of management. Plan
      assets are invested primarily in group annuity contracts of NLIC.

      The Company elected to immediately recognize its estimated accumulated
      postretirement benefit obligation, however, certain affiliated companies
      elected to amortize their initial transition obligation over periods
      ranging from 10 to 20 years.

      The Company's accrued postretirement benefit expense as of December 31,
      1996 and 1995 was $840 and $808, respectively, and the net periodic
      postretirement benefit cost (NPPBC) for 1996, 1995 and 1994 was $78, $66
      and $119, respectively.

      The amount of NPPBC for the plan as a whole for the years ended December
      31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1996         1995        1994
                                                                                   --------     -------     -------
         <S>                                                                       <C>          <C>         <C>  
         Service cost (benefits attributed to employee service during the year)    $  6,541       6,235       8,586
         Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation              13,679      14,151      14,011
         Actual return on plan assets                                                (4,348)     (2,657)     (1,622)
         Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates               173       2,966         568
         Net amortization and deferral                                                1,830      (1,619)      1,622
                                                                                   --------     -------     -------
                                                                                   $ 17,875      19,076      23,165
                                                                                   ========     =======     =======
</TABLE>

      Information regarding the funded status of the plan as a whole as of
      December 31, 1996 and 1995 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         1996         1995
                                                                                      ---------     --------
         <S>                                                                          <C>           <C>   
         Accrued postretirement benefit expense:
            Retirees                                                                  $  92,954       88,680
            Fully eligible, active plan participants                                     23,749       28,793
            Other active plan participants                                               83,986       90,375
                                                                                      ---------     --------
               Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)                     200,689      207,848
            Plan assets at fair value                                                    63,044       54,325
                                                                                      ---------     --------
               Plan assets less than accumulated postretirement benefit obligation     (137,645)    (153,523)
            Unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates                              1,654        1,827
            Unrecognized net gains                                                      (23,225)      (1,038)
                                                                                      ---------     --------
                                                                                      $(159,216)    (152,734)
                                                                                      =========     ========
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   18
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


      Actuarial assumptions used for the measurement of the APBO as of December
      31, 1996 and 1995 and the NPPBC for 1996, 1995 and 1994 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1996        1996        1995       1995         1994
                                                   APBO        NPPBC       APBO       NPPBC        NPPBC
                                                 --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
         <S>                                     <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>     
         Discount rate                               7.25%       6.65%       6.75%       8.00%       7.00%
         Long-term rate of return on plan
             assets, net of tax                        --        4.80%         --        8.00%        N/A
         Assumed health care cost trend rate:
             Initial rate                           11.00%      11.00%      11.00%      10.00%      12.00%
             Ultimate rate                           6.00%       6.00%       6.00%       6.00%       6.00%
             Uniform declining period            12 Years    12 Years    12 Years    12 Years    12 Years
</TABLE>

      The health care cost trend rate assumption has an effect on the amounts
      reported. For the plan as a whole, a one percentage point increase in the
      assumed health care cost trend rate would increase the APBO as of December
      31, 1996 by $701 and the NPPBC for the year ended December 31, 1996 by
      $83.

(11)  Regulatory Risk-Based Capital and Dividend Restriction

      Ohio, the Company's state of domicile, imposes minimum risk-based capital
      requirements that were developed by the NAIC. The formulas for determining
      the amount of risk-based capital specify various weighting factors that
      are applied to financial balances or various levels of activity based on
      the perceived degree of risk. Regulatory compliance is determined by a
      ratio of the company's regulatory total adjusted capital, as defined by
      the NAIC, to its authorized control level risk-based capital, as defined
      by the NAIC. Companies below specific trigger points or ratios are
      classified within certain levels, each of which requires specified
      corrective action. The Company exceeds the minimum risk-based capital
      requirements.

      The statutory capital shares and surplus of the Company as reported to
      regulatory authorities as of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was $71,390,
      $54,978 and $48,947, respectively. The statutory net income of the Company
      as reported to regulatory authorities for the years ended December 31,
      1996, 1995 and 1994 was $670, $8,023 and $6,173, respectively.

      The Company is limited in the amount of shareholder dividends it may pay
      without prior approval by the Department. As of December 31, 1996, the
      maximum amount available for dividend payment from the Company to its
      shareholder without prior approval of the Department is $7,139.

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


(12)  Transactions With Affiliates

      The Company leases office space from NMIC and certain of its subsidiaries.
      For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the Company made
      lease payments to NMIC and its subsidiaries of $410, $287 and $341,
      respectively.
<PAGE>   19
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


      Pursuant to a cost sharing agreement among NMIC and certain of its direct
      and indirect subsidiaries, including the Company, NMIC provides certain
      operational and administrative services, such as sales support,
      advertising, personnel and general management services, to those
      subsidiaries. Expenses covered by this agreement are subject to allocation
      among NMIC, the Company and other affiliates. Amounts allocated to the
      Company were $2,682, $2,596 and $2,503 in 1996, 1995 and 1994,
      respectively. The allocations are based on techniques and procedures in
      accordance with insurance regulatory guidelines. Measures used to allocate
      expenses among companies include individual employee estimates of time
      spent, special cost studies, salary expense, commissions expense and other
      methods agreed to by the participating companies that are within industry
      guidelines and practices. The Company believes these allocation methods
      are reasonable. In addition, the Company does not believe that expenses
      recognized under the inter-company agreements are materially different
      than expenses that would have been recognized had the Company operated on
      a stand alone basis. Amounts payable to NMIC from the Company under the
      cost sharing agreement were $2,275 and $1,186 as of December 31, 1996 and
      1995, respectively.

      Effective December 31, 1996, the Company entered into an intercompany
      reinsurance agreement with NLIC whereby certain inforce and subsequently
      issued fixed individual deferred annuity contracts are ceded on a 100%
      coinsurance with funds withheld basis. Under 100% coinsurance with funds
      withheld agreements, invested assets are retained by the ceding company
      and liabilities for future policy benefits are transferred to the assuming
      company. In addition, net investment earnings on the invested assets
      retained by the ceding company are to be paid to the assuming company.
      Under terms of the Company's agreement, the investment risk associated
      with changes in interest rates is borne by NLIC. Risk of asset default is
      retained by the Company, although a fee is paid by NLIC to the Company for
      the Company's retention of such risk. The agreement will remain inforce
      until all contract obligations are settled. The ceding of risk does not
      discharge the original insurer from its primary obligation to the
      contractholder. The Company believes that the terms of the 100%
      coinsurance with funds withheld agreement are consistent in all material
      respects with what the Company could have obtained with unaffiliated
      parties.

      The Company has recorded a liability equal to the amount due to NLIC as of
      December 31, 1996 for $679,571, which represents the future policy
      benefits of the fixed individual deferred annuity contracts ceded. In
      consideration for the initial inforce business reinsured, NLIC agreed to
      pay the Company $26,473 in commission and expense allowances which were
      applied to the Company's deferred policy acquisition costs as of December
      31, 1996. No significant gain or loss was recognized as a result of the
      agreement.

      The Company and various affiliates entered into agreements with Nationwide
      Cash Management Company (NCMC) and California Cash Management Company
      (CCMC), both affiliates, under which NCMC and CCMC act as common agents in
      handling the purchase and sale of short-term securities for the respective
      accounts of the participants. Amounts on deposit with NCMC and CCMC were
      $492 and $4,844 as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, and are
      included in short-term investments on the accompanying balance sheets.

      Certain annuity products are sold through an affiliated company, which is
      a subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation. Total commissions paid to the
      affiliate for the three years ended December 31, 1996 were $14,644, $5,949
      and $6,633, respectively.

(13)  Segment Information

      The Company has three primary segments: Variable Annuities, Fixed
      Annuities and Life Insurance. The Variable Annuities segment consists of
      annuity contracts that provide the customer with the opportunity to invest
      in mutual funds managed by an affiliated company and independent
      investment managers, with the investment returns accumulating on a
      tax-deferred basis. The Fixed Annuities segment consists of annuity
      contracts that generate a return for the customer at a specified interest
      rate, fixed for a prescribed period, with returns accumulating on a
      tax-deferred basis. The Life Insurance segment consists of insurance
      products that provide a death benefit and may also allow the customer to
      build cash value on a tax-deferred basis. In addition, the Company reports
      corporate expenses and investments, and the related investment income
      supporting capital not specifically allocated to its product segments in a
      Corporate and Other segment. In addition, all realized gains and losses
      are reported in the Corporate and Other segment.
<PAGE>   20
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


      During 1996, the Company changed its reporting segments to better reflect
      the way the businesses are managed. Prior periods have been restated to
      reflect these changes.

      The following table summarizes the revenues and income (loss) before
      federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
      1994 and assets as of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, by business
      segment.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1996          1995         1994
                                                              -----------     --------     --------
          <S>                                                 <C>             <C>          <C>  
          Revenues:
             Variable Annuities                               $     4,591        2,927        2,435
             Fixed Annuities                                       51,643       50,056       44,812
             Life Insurance                                           165          185          179
             Corporate and Other                                    1,545          234          891
                                                              -----------     --------     --------
                                                              $    57,944       53,402       48,317
                                                              ===========     ========     ========
          Income (loss) before federal income tax expense:
             Variable Annuities                                     1,094        1,196          658
             Fixed Annuities                                        5,156        5,633        5,093
             Life Insurance                                            (1)        (381)        (990)
             Corporate and Other                                    1,544          699          426
                                                              -----------     --------     --------
                                                              $     7,793        7,147        5,187
                                                              ===========     ========     ========
          Assets:
             Variable Annuities                                   503,111      267,097      185,332
             Fixed Annuities                                      787,682      643,313      606,696
             Life Insurance                                         2,597        2,665        2,677
             Corporate and Other                                   73,031       54,507       38,335
                                                              -----------     --------     --------
                                                              $ 1,366,421      967,582      833,040
                                                              ===========     ========     ========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   59

                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

                       CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

This Form S-6 Registration Statement comprises the following papers and
documents:

The facing sheet.

Cross-reference to items required by Form N-8B-2.

The prospectus consisting of 80 pages.

Representations and Undertakings.

The Signatures.

Accountants' Consent

The following exhibits required by Forms N-8B-2 and S-6:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<C>                                                 <C>
   
1.     Power of Attorney dated April 2, 1997.       Attached hereto.
                                                    
2.     Resolution of the Depositor's Board of       Included with the Registration Statement on Form 
       Directors authorizing the establishment of   N-8B-2 for the Nationwide VL Separate Account-A  
       the Registrant, adopted                      (File No. 811-6137), and is hereby incorporated  
                                                    herein by reference.                             

3.     Distribution Contracts                       Attached hereto
                                                    
4.     Form of Security                             Attached hereto
                                                    
5.     Articles of Incorporation of Depositor       Attached hereto
                                                    
6.     Application form of Security                 To be filed via Pre-Effective Amendment
                                                    
7.     Opinion of Counsel                           Attached hereto
    
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   60

Representations and Undertakings                    

The Registrant and the Company hereby make the following representations and
undertakings:

(a)    This filing is made pursuant to Rules 6c-3 and 6e-3(T) under the
       Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act"). The Registrant and the
       Company elect to be governed by Rule 6e-3(T)(b)(13)(i)(A) under the Act
       with respect to the Policies described in the prospectus. The Policies
       have been designed in such a way as to qualify for the exemptive relief
       from various provisions of the Act afforded by Rule 6e-3(T).

(b)    Paragraph (b) (13) (iii) (F) of Rule 6e-3(T) is being relied on for the
       deduction of the mortality and expense risk charges ("risk charges")
       assumed by the Company under the Policies. The Company represents that
       the risk charges are within the range of industry practice for comparable
       policies and reasonable in relation to all of the risks assumed by the
       issuer under the Policies. Actuarial memoranda demonstrating the
       reasonableness of these charges are maintained by the Company, and will
       be made available to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
       "Commission") on request.

(c)    The Company has concluded that there is a reasonable likelihood that the
       distribution financing arrangement of the separate account will benefit
       the separate account and the Contract Holders and will keep and make
       available to the Commission on request a memorandum setting forth the
       basis for this representation.

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

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

(f)    The fees and charges deducted under the Policy in the aggregate are
       reasonable in relation to the services rendered, the expenses expected to
       be incurred, and the risks assumed by the Company.
<PAGE>   61

                              ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT

   
The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance  Company:
    

We consent to the use of our reports included herein and to the reference to our
firm under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus.


                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
May 14, 1997


                                       83
<PAGE>   62

                                   SIGNATURES

   
       As required by the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant, Nationwide VL
Separate Account-A, has caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf in the City of Columbus, and State of Ohio, on this 14th day of May,
1997.
    

                                                NATIONWIDE VL SEPARATE ACCOUNT-A
                                                --------------------------------
                                                           (Registrant)
(Seal)                                            NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY
Attest:                                                  INSURANCE COMPANY     
                                                --------------------------------
                                                           (Depositor)

W. SIDNEY DRUEN                                 By:       JOSEPH P. RATH
- ------------------------------------               -----------------------------
W. Sidney Druen                                           Joseph P. Rath
Assistant Secretary                                       Vice President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities
indicated on the 14th day of May, 1997.

      Signature                             Title


LEWIS J. ALPHIN                            Director
- ----------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin


KEITH W. ECKEL                             Director
- ----------------------------
Keith W. Eckel


WILLARD J. ENGEL                           Director
- ----------------------------
Willard J. Engel


FRED C. FINNEY                             Director
- ----------------------------
Fred C. Finney


CHARLES L. FUELLGRAF, JR.                  Director
- ----------------------------
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.


JOSEPH J. GASPER               President/Chief Operating Officer and Director
- ----------------------------
Joseph J. Gasper


HENRY S. HOLLOWAY                 Chairman of the Board and Director
- ----------------------------
Henry S. Holloway

                               
DIMON RICHARD MCFERSON         Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - Nationwide
- ----------------------------       Insurance Enterprise and Director            
Dimon Richard McFerson         


DAVID O. MILLER                            Director
- ----------------------------
David O. Miller


C. RAY NOECKER                             Director
- ----------------------------
C. Ray Noecker


ROBERT A. OAKLEY               Executive Vice President-Chief Financial Officer
- ----------------------------
Robert A. Oakley


JAMES F. PATTERSON                         Director    By /s/ JOSEPH P. RATH
- ----------------------------                         ---------------------------
James F. Patterson                                       Joseph P. Rath
                                                         Attorney-in-Fact

ARDEN L. SHISLER                           Director      
- ----------------------------
Arden L. Shisler


ROBERT L. STEWART                          Director
- ----------------------------
Robert L. Stewart


NANCY C. THOMAS                            Director
- ----------------------------
Nancy C. Thomas


HAROLD W. WEIHL                            Director
- ----------------------------
Harold W. Weihl

<PAGE>   1
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



         KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned as
directors and/or officers of NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, and NATIONWIDE
LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY, both Ohio corporations, which have filed or
will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, various Registration Statements and
amendments thereto for the registration under said Act of Individual Deferred
Variable Annuity Contracts in connection with MFS Variable Account, Nationwide
Variable Account, Nationwide Variable Account-II, Nationwide Variable Account-3,
Nationwide Variable Account-4, Nationwide Variable Account-5, Nationwide
Variable Account-6, Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account, Nationwide
Multi-Flex Variable Account, Nationwide Variable Account-8, Nationwide VA
Separate Account-A, Nationwide VA Separate Account-B, Nationwide VA Separate
Account-C and Nationwide VA Separate Account-Q; and the registration of fixed
interest rate options subject to a market value adjustment offered under some or
all of the aforementioned individual Variable Annuity Contracts in connection
with Nationwide Multiple Maturity Separate Account and Nationwide Multiple
Maturity Separate Account-A, and the registration of Group Flexible Fund
Retirement Contracts in connection with Nationwide DC Variable Account,
Nationwide DCVA-II, and NACo Variable Account; and the registration of Group
Common Stock Variable Annuity Contracts in connection with Separate Account No.
1; and the registration of variable life insurance policies in connection with
Nationwide VLI Separate Account, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2, Nationwide
VLI Separate Account-3, Nationwide VL Separate Account-A and Nationwide VL
Separate Account-B, hereby constitutes and appoints Dimon Richard McFerson,
Joseph J. Gasper, W. Sidney Druen, and Joseph P. Rath, and each of them with
power to act without the others, his/her attorney, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for and in his/her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to approve, and sign such Registration Statements and
any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix the corporate seal of said
corporation thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and
thing requisite to all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said attorneys, or any of
them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This instrument may
be executed in one or more counterparts.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have herewith set their names and
seals as of this 2nd day of April, 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                 <C>
/s/ Lewis J. Alphin                                                 /s/ David O. Miller
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin, Director                                           David O. Miller, Director

/s/ Keith W. Eckel                                                  /s/ C. Ray Noecker
- -------------------------------------------------                   -------------------------------------------------
Keith W. Eckel, Director                                            C. Ray Noecker, Director

/s/ Willard J. Engel                                                /s/ Robert A. Oakley
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Willard J. Engel, Director                                          Robert A. Oakley, Executive Vice President and Chief
                                                                    Financial Officer

/s/ Fred C. Finney                                                  /s/ James F. Patterson
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Fred C. Finney, Director                                            James F. Patterson, Director

/s/ Charles L. Fuellgraf                                            /s/ Arden L. Shisler
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr., Director                                 Arden L. Shisler, Director

/s/ Joseph J. Gasper                                                /s/ Robert L. Stewart
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Joseph J. Gasper, President and Chief Operating Officer             Robert L. Stewart, Director
and Director

/s/ Henry S. Holloway                                               /s/ Nancy C. Thomas
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Henry S. Holloway, Chairman of the Board, Director                  Nancy C. Thomas, Director

/s/ Dimon Richard McFerson                                          /s/ Harold W. Weihl
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Dimon Richard McFerson, Chairman and Chief Executive                Harold W. Weihl, Director
Officer-Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and Director
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   1

                                                                       Exhibit 3

                           MARKETING COORDINATION AND
                        ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

This Agreement entered into this ____ day of May, 1997, between Nationwide Life
Insurance Company, Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company (collectively
"Nationwide"), and Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. ("NAS") and restates and
confirms all earlier agreements between the parties concerning marketing
coordination and administrative services.

Nationwide proposes to develop, issue and administer, and NAS proposes to
provide the exclusive national distribution services for variable annuity
contracts and variable life insurance policies (the "Products").

The parties hereby agree as follows:

A.   ADMINISTRATION OF PRODUCTS

     1.   Appointment of Product Administration

          Nationwide is hereby appointed Product Administrator for the Products.

     2.   Duties of Nationwide

          Nationwide shall perform in a proper and timely manner, those
          functions enumerated in the column marked "Nationwide" in the
          "Analysis of Administrative Functions," attached hereto as EXHIBIT A,
          and incorporated herein by reference.

     3.   Duties of NAS

          NAS shall perform in a proper and timely manner, those functions
          enumerated in the column marked "NAS" in the "Analysis of
          Administrative Functions," attached hereto as EXHIBIT A, and
          incorporated herein by reference.

B.   MARKETING COORDINATION AND SALES ADMINISTRATION

     1.   Distribution of Products

          The Products will be distributed through registered representatives of
          NASD broker-dealer firms, appointed by Nationwide, who shall be duly
          qualified and licensed as agents (the "Agents"), in accordance with
          applicable state insurance authority.

     2.   NAS shall be the exclusive National Distributor of the Products.
<PAGE>   2

     3.   Appointment and Termination of Agents

          Appointment and termination of Agents shall be processed and executed
          by Nationwide. NAS reserves the right to require Nationwide to consult
          with it regarding licensing decisions.

     4.   Advertising

          NAS shall not print, publish or distribute any advertisement, circular
          or document relating to the Products or relating to Nationwide unless
          such advertisement, circular or document has been approved in writing
          by Nationwide. Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, and
          shall be given promptly, normally within three (3) business days.
          Neither Nationwide nor any of its affiliates shall print, publish or
          distribute any advertisement, circular or document relating to the
          Products or relating to NAS unless such advertisement, circular or
          document has been approved in writing by NAS. Such approval shall not
          be unreasonably withheld, and shall be given promptly, normally within
          three (3) business days. However, nothing herein shall prohibit any
          person from advertising the Products on a generic basis.

     5.   Marketing Conduct

          The parties will jointly develop standards, practices and procedures
          respecting the marketing of the Products. Such standards, practices
          and procedures are intended to help Nationwide meet its obligations as
          an issuer under the securities laws, to assure compliance with state
          insurance laws, and to help NAS meet its obligations under the
          securities laws as National Distributor. These standards, practices
          and procedures are subject to continuing review and neither Nationwide
          nor NAS shall object unreasonably to changes to such standards,
          practices and procedures recommended by the other to comply with the
          intent of this provision.

     6.   Sales Material and Other Documents

          a.   Sales Material

               1)   Nationwide shall develop and prepare all promotional
                    material to be used in the distribution of the Products, in
                    consultation with NAS.

               2)   Nationwide is responsible for the printing and the expense
                    of providing such promotional material.

               3)   Nationwide is responsible for approval of such promotional
                    material by state insurance regulators, where required.

               4)   NAS and Nationwide agree to abide by the Advertising and
                    Sales Promotion Material Guidelines, attached hereto as
                    EXHIBIT B, and incorporated herein by reference.
<PAGE>   3

          b.   Prospectuses

               1)   Nationwide is responsible for the preparation and regulatory
                    clearance of any required registration statements and
                    prospectuses for the Products. NAS is responsible for the
                    preparation and regulatory clearance of any underlying
                    mutual fund registration statements and prospectuses.

               2)   Nationwide is responsible for the printing of Product
                    prospectuses in such quantities as the parties agree are
                    necessary to assure sufficient supplies.

               3)   Nationwide will bear the cost of providing the required
                    supply of mutual fund prospectuses.

               4)   Nationwide is responsible for supplying Agents with
                    sufficient quantities of Product prospectuses.

          c.   Contracts, Applications and Related Forms

               1)   Nationwide, in consultation with NAS, is responsible for the
                    design and printing of adequate supplies of Product
                    applications, contracts, related forms, and such service
                    forms as the parties agree are necessary.

               2)   Nationwide is responsible for supplying adequate quantities
                    of all such forms to the Agents.

     7.   Appointment of Agents

          a.   NAS shall assist Nationwide in facilitating the appointment of
               Agents by Nationwide.

          b.   Nationwide shall forward all appointment forms and applications
               to the appropriate states and maintain all contacts with the
               states.

          c.   Nationwide shall maintain appointment files on Agents, and NAS
               shall have access to such files as needed.

     8.   Licensing and Appointment Guide

          Nationwide shall provide to NAS a Licensing and Appointment Guide (as
          well periodic updates thereto), setting forth the requirements for
          licensing and appointment, in such quantities as NAS may reasonably
          require.
<PAGE>   4

     9.   Other

          a.   Product Training

               Nationwide is responsible for any Product training for the
               Agents.

          b.   Field Sales Material

               1)   Nationwide, in consultation with NAS, is responsible for the
                    development, printing and distribution of non-public field
                    sales material to be used by Agents.

               2)   NAS shall have the right to review all field sales materials
                    and to require any modification mandated by regulatory
                    requirements.

          c.   Production Reports

               Nationwide shall deliver to NAS the items listed in Production
               Reports to be Provided, attached hereto as EXHIBIT C, and
               incorporated herein by reference.

          d.   Customer Service

               Each party will notify the other of all material pertinent
               inquiries and complaints it receives, from whatever source and to
               whomever directed, and will consult with the other in responding
               to such inquiries and complaints.

     10.  Auditing

          NAS shall maintain all records relating to the mutual funds or other
          investment options in accordance with generally accepted accounting
          procedures. Any such records shall be made available to Nationwide or
          its accountants or auditors upon reasonable written request.
          Nationwide shall provide NAS with any records, reports or other
          materials relative to the distribution of the Products as may
          reasonably be required by NAS or as may be required by any
          governmental agency having jurisdiction.

C.   GENERAL PROVISIONS

     1.   Waiver

          The forbearance or neglect of either party to insist upon strict
          compliance by the other with any of the provisions of this Agreement,
          whether continuing or not, or to declare a forfeiture of termination
          against the other, shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights or
          privileges of the forbearing party in the event of a further default
          or failure of performance.
<PAGE>   5

     2.   Limitations

          Neither party shall have authority on behalf of the other to: make,
          alter or discharge any contractual terms of the Products; waive any
          forfeiture; extend the time of making any contributions to the
          products; guarantee dividends; alter the forms which either may
          prescribe; nor substitute other forms in place of those prescribed by
          the other.

     3.   Binding Effect

          This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of
          the parties to it and their respective successors and assigns,
          provided that neither party shall assign or sub-contract this
          Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without prior written
          consent of the other.

     4.   Indemnification

          Each party ("Indemnifying Party") hereby agrees to release, indemnify
          and hold harmless the other party, its officers, directors, employers,
          agents, servants, predecessors or successors from any claims or
          liability arising out of the acts or omissions of the Indemnifying
          Party not authorized by this Agreement, including the violation of any
          federal or state law or regulation.

     5.   Notices

          All notices, requests, demands and other communication under this
          Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given
          on the date of service if served personally on the party to whom
          notice is to be given, or on the date of mailing if sent postage
          prepaid by First Class Mail, Registered or Certified mail, by
          overnight mail, properly addressed as follows:

          TO NATIONWIDE:

          Nationwide Life Insurance Company
          Richard A. Karas, SeniorVice President-Sales-Financial Services
          One Nationwide Plaza
          Columbus, Ohio  43216

          TO NAS:

          Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc.
          Joseph P. Rath, Vice President-Compliance
          One Nationwide Plaza
          Columbus, Ohio  43216
<PAGE>   6

     6.   Governing Law

          This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by
          the laws of the State of Ohio.

     7.   Arbitration

          The parties agree that misunderstandings or disputes arising from this
          Agreement shall be decided by arbitration, conducted upon request of
          either party before three arbitrators (unless the parties agree on a
          single arbitrator) designated by the American Arbitration Association,
          and in accordance with the rules of such Association. The expenses of
          the arbitration proceedings conducted hereunder shall be borne equally
          by both parties.

     8.   Confidentiality

          Any information, documents and materials, whether printed or oral,
          furnished by either party or its agents or employees to the other
          shall be held in confidence. No such information shall be given to any
          third party, other than to such sub-contractors of NAS as may be
          permitted herein, or under requirements of a lawful authority, without
          the express written consent of the other party.

D.   TERM OF AGREEMENT

     This Agreement, including the Exhibits attached hereto, shall remain in
     full force and effect until terminated, and may be amended only by mutual
     agreement of the parties in writing. Any decision by either party to cease
     issuance or distribution of any specific Product shall not effect a
     termination of the Agreement unless such termination is mutually agreed
     upon, or unless notice is given pursuant to Section E.2. hereof.

E.   TERMINATION

     1.   Either party may terminate this Agreement for cause at any time, upon
          written notice to the other, if the other knowingly and willfully: (a)
          fails to comply with the laws or regulations of any state or
          governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the sale of
          insurance or securities; (b) misappropriates any money or property
          belonging to the other; (c) subjects the other to any actual or
          potential liability due to misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance;
          (d) commits any fraud upon the other; (e) has an assignment for the
          benefit of creditors; (f) incurs bankruptcy; or (g) commits a material
          breach of this Agreement.

     2.   Either party may terminate this Agreement, without regard to cause,
          upon six months prior written notice to the other.

     3.   In the event of termination of this Agreement, the following
          conditions shall apply:
<PAGE>   7

          a)   The parties irrevocably acknowledge the continuing right to use
               any Product trademark that might then be associated with any
               Products, but only with respect to all business in force at the
               time of termination.

          b)   NAS shall continue to sell to Nationwide at net asset value,
               shares of all mutual funds which serve as underlying investments
               for Products actually issued by Nationwide pursuant to this
               Agreement, until such time as mutually agreed upon by the
               parties. NAS may discontinue the sale at net asset value of such
               shares in connection with the issuance by Nationwide of new
               products after termination.

          c)   In the event this Agreement is terminated the parties will use
               their best efforts to preserve in force the business issued
               pursuant to this Agreement.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement to be
effective as of the date first above written.



                                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE
                                        COMPANY

                                        By /s/Richard A. Karas
                                           -------------------------------------

                                        Title Sr. Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------


                                        NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY
                                        INSURANCE COMPANY

                                        By /s/Richard A. Karas
                                           -------------------------------------

                                        Title Sr. Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------


                                        NATIONWIDE ADVISORY SERVICES,
                                        INC.

                                        By /s/Joseph P. Rath
                                           -------------------------------------

                                        Title Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------
<PAGE>   8

                                    EXHIBIT A

                      ANALYSIS OF ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS

A.   PRODUCT UNDERWRITING/ISSUE

NATIONWIDE                              NAS

- -    Establishes underwriting           -    Consults with regard to new
     criteria for application                business procedures and    
     processing and rejections.              processing.                

- -    Reviews the completed
     application. Applies
     underwriting/issue criteria to
     application.

- -    Notifies Agent and/or customer
     of any error or missing data
     necessary to underwrite
     application and establish
     records for owner of Product
     ("Contract Owner").

- -    Prepares policy data page for
     approved business and mails with
     policy to Contract Owner.

- -    Establishes and maintains all
     records required for each
     Contract Owner, as applicable.

- -    Prepares and mails confirmation
     and other statements to Contract
     Owners and Agents, as required.

- -    Prints, provides all forms
     ancillary to issue of
     contract/policy forms for
     Products.

- -    Maintains supply of approved
     specimen policy forms and all
     ancillary forms, distributes
     same to Agents.
<PAGE>   9

B.   BILLING AND COLLECTION

NATIONWIDE

- -    Receives premium/purchase
     payments and reconciles amount
     received with remittance media.

- -    Updates Contract Owner records
     to reflect receipt of
     premium/purchase payment and
     performs accounting/ investment
     allocation of each payment
     received.

- -    Deposits all cash received under
     the Products in accordance with
     the terms of the Products.

C.   BANKING

NATIONWIDE

- -    Balances, edits, endorses and
     prepares daily deposit.

- -    Places deposits in depository
     account.

- -    Transfers funds from depository
     account to NAS within 24 hours
     following underwriting approval,
     in accordance with investment
     allocation.

- -    Prepares daily cash journal
     summary reports and maintains
     same for review by NAS.
<PAGE>   10

D.   PRICING/VALUATION/ACCOUNTING

NATIONWIDE                              NAS

- -    Determines the "Net Amount         -    Issues Fund Shares to Nationwide
     Available for Investment" in            at net asset Value.             
     Fund Shares and places Fund                                             
     Share purchase or redemption       -    Confirms Nationwide's Fund      
     orders with the Fund, by                purchases and redemptions.      
     facsimile each day by 10:00 a.m.                                        
     E.T. If for any reason             -    Transmit by facsimile Fund Share
     Nationwide is unable to process         prices to Nationwide by 6:00    
     such orders, it will provide NAS        p.m. EST each day.              
     with estimates.                                                         
                                        -    Maintains records of all Fund
- -    Maintains and makes available,          Shares owned by Nationwide,     
     as reasonably requested, records        including the date purchased and
     used in determining "Net Amount         sold, cost, and other           
     Available for Investment."              information maintained by NAS in
                                             its ordinary course of business.
- -    Collects information needed in                                          
     determining Variable Account       -    Cooperates in annual audit of   
     unit values from the Funds              separate account financials     
     including daily net asset value,        conducted for purposes of       
     capital gains or dividend               financial statement             
     distributions, and the number of        certification and publication.  
     Fund Shares acquired or sold       
     during the immediately preceding
     valuation period.

- -    Performs daily unit valuation
     calculation.
<PAGE>   11

E.   CONTRACT OWNER SERVICE/
     RECORD MAINTENANCE


NATIONWIDE                              NAS

- -    Receives and processes all         -    Accommodates customer service  
     Contract Owner service requests,        function by providing any      
     including but not limited to            supporting information or      
     informational requests,                 documentation which may be in  
     beneficiary changes, and                the control of NAS.            
     transfers of Contract Value        
     among eligible investment
     options.

- -    Maintains daily records of all
     changes made to Contract Owner
     accounts.

- -    Researches and responds to all     -    Researches and responds to      
     Contract Owner/Agent inquiries.         Nationwide's inquiries regarding
                                             fund performance.               
- -    Keeps all required Contract        
     Owner records.

- -    Maintains adequate number of
     toll free lines to service
     Contract Owner/Agent inquiries.

F.   DISBURSEMENTS (SURRENDERS, 
     DEATH CLAIMS, LOANS)

NATIONWIDE                              NAS

- -    Receives and processes
     surrenders, loans, and death
     claims in accordance with
     established guidelines.

- -    Prepares checks for surrenders,
     loans, and death claims, and
     forwards to Contract Owner or
     Beneficiary. Prepares and mails
     confirmation statement of
     disbursement to Contract Owner/
     Beneficiary with copy to Agent.
<PAGE>   12

G.   COMMISSIONS


NATIONWIDE                              NAS

- -    Ascertains, on receipt of
     applications, whether writing
     Agent is appropriately licensed.

- -    Pays commissions and other fees
     in accordance with agreements
     relating to same.

H.   PROXY PROCESSING

NATIONWIDE                              NAS

- -    Receives record date information   -    Provides proxy, solicitation
     from Funds Receives proxy               materials, and record date  
     solicitation materials from             information.                
     Funds.                             

- -    Prepares Voting Instruction
     cards and mails solicitation, if
     necessary.

- -    Tabulates and votes all Fund
     Shares in accordance with SEC
     requirements.

I.   PERIODIC REPORTS TO CONTRACT OWNERS

NATIONWIDE                              NAS

- -    Prepares and mails quarterly and
     annual Statements of Account to
     Contract Owners.

- -    Prepares and mails all             -    Prepares and mails to Nationwide
     semi-annual and annual reports          all required semi-annual and    
     of Variable Account(s) to               annual financial reports to     
     Contract Owners.                        shareholder of the Funds.       
<PAGE>   13

J.   REGULATORY/STATEMENT REPORTS

NATIONWIDE                              NAS

- -    Prepares and files Separate
     Account Annual Statements.

- -    Prepares and mails the
     appropriate, required IRS
     reports at the Contract Owner
     level. Files same with required
     regulatory agencies.

- -    Prepares and files form N-SAR      -    Prepares and files form N-SAR
     for the Separate Account.               for the Funds.               

K.   PREMIUM TAXES

NATIONWIDE                              NAS

- -    Collects, pays and accounts for
     premium taxes as appropriate.

- -    Prepares and maintains all
     premium tax records by state.

- -    Maintains liabilities in General
     Account ledger for accrual of
     premium tax collected.

- -    Integrates all company premium
     taxes due and performs related
     accounting.

L.   FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT REPORTS

NATIONWIDE                              NAS

- -    Provides periodic reports in       -    Provides periodic reports in    
     accordance with the Schedule of         accordance with the Schedule of 
     Reports to be prepared jointly          Reports to be prepared jointly  
     by Nationwide and NAS. (See             by Nationwide and NAS. (See     
     EXHIBIT C)                              EXHIBIT C)                      

M.   AGENT LICENSE RECORDKEEPING

NATIONWIDE                              NAS

- -    Receives, establishes,             -    Cooperates with Nationwide in 
     processes, and maintains Agent          the Agent appointment process 
     appointment records.                    with the broker- dealer firms.
<PAGE>   14

                                    EXHIBIT B

               ADVERTISING AND SALES PROMOTION MATERIAL GUIDELINES
             FOR APPROVAL BY THE OFFICE OF SALES-FINANCIAL SERVICES

In order to assure compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements and
to maintain control over the distribution of promotional materials dealing with
the Products, Nationwide and NAS require that all variable contract promotional
materials be reviewed and approved by both Nationwide and NAS prior to their
use. These guidelines are intended to provide appropriate regulatory and
distribution controls.

1.   Sufficient lead time must be allowed in the submission of all promotional
     material. The Office of Sales-Financial Services ("OS-FS") and NAS shall
     approve in writing all promotional material. Such approval shall not be
     unreasonably withheld, and shall be given promptly, normally within three
     (3) days.

2.   All promotional material will be submitted in "draft" form to permit any
     changes or corrections to be made prior to the printing.

3.   Nationwide and NAS will provide each other with details as to each and
     every use of all promotional material submitted. Approval for one use will
     not constitute approval for any other use. Different standards of review
     may apply when the same advertising material is intended for different
     uses. The following information will be provided for each item of
     promotional material:

     a.   In what jurisdiction(s) the material will be used.

     b.   Whether distribution will be used (e.g., brochure, mailing, 482 ads,
          etc.).

     c.   How the material will be used (e.g., brochure, mailing, 482 ads,
          etc.).

     d.   The projected date of initial use and, if a special promotion, the
          projected date of last use.

4.   Each party will advise the other of the date it discontinues the use of any
     material.

5.   Any changes to previously approved promotional material must be
     resubmitted, following these procedures. When approved material is to be
     put to a different use, request for approval of the material for the new
     use must be submitted.

6.   OS-FS and NAS will assign a form number to each item of advertising and
     sales promotional material. This number will appear on each piece of
     advertising and sales promotional material. It will be used to aid in
     necessary filings, and to maintain appropriate controls.

7.   OS-FS and NAS will provide written approval for all material to be used.

8.   Nationwide and NAS will provide each other with a minimum of 50 copies of
     all material in final print form to effect necessary state filings.

9    NAS will coordinate SEC/NASD filings of sales and promotional material.

10.  All communication regarding promotional materials should be directed to
     Marketing Director, Office of Sales-Financial Services, Nationwide Life
     Insurance Company, One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43216 (phone
     (614)249-6258) or to President, Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. Three
     Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio (phone (614) 249-5947).
<PAGE>   15

                                    EXHIBIT C
                        PRODUCTION REPORTS TO BE PROVIDED


Nationwide agrees to provide the following reports to NAS:

1.   Daily Receipt Report:         Indicates which Agents are generating sales.

2.   Daily Approval Report:        Indicates which applications have been
                                   approved.

3.   Daily Activity Summary:       Indicates top firms' sales and liquidation by
                                   month, year-to-date as well as total assets 
                                   by firm.

4.   Dealer Activity               Indicates top firms' sales and
     Summary by Territory:         liquidation by month, year-to-date.

5.   Summary of Sales by           Indicates sales by territory/dealer/branch,
     Territory and Dealer:         including non-commissionable amounts and 
                                   actual commission payments, as well as
                                   chargebacks. (Internal use only)

6.   Summary of Sales by           Indicates sales by territory/dealer/branch, 
     Territory and Dealer:         including chargebacks.

7.   Commission Report:            Indicates commissions paid and chargebacks, 
                                   matched to commission checks.

In addition, Nationwide shall provide reports detailing current appointments and
other information, as reasonably requested by NAS.

<PAGE>   1

                                                                       Exhibit 4

          ---------------------------------------------------
          NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
[LOGO]    Home Office:   Two Nationwide Plaza
                         Columbus, Ohio 43218-2150
          ---------------------------------------------------

PLEASE READ YOUR POLICY CAREFULLY

This Policy is a legal contract between the Owner (you, your) and Nationwide
Life Insurance Company (we, our, us, the Company).

INSURING AGREEMENT:

We issue this Policy in consideration of your application and the payment of the
Initial Premium. We agree to pay the Death Proceeds to the beneficiary upon
receiving proof that the Insured has died while this Policy is in force and
before the Maturity Date. We agree to pay the Maturity Proceeds to you if the
Insured is living on the Maturity Date.

You and we are bound by the conditions and provisions of this Policy.

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

The Surrender Value of this Policy will vary from day to day. It may increase or
decrease depending on the investment experience of the Policy. Refer to the
Nonforfeiture Provisions on page 11 for details. There is no guaranteed
Surrender Value.

The amount or duration of the death benefit will be variable and depend on the
investment experience of the Policy. The death benefit will never be less than
the Specified Amount as long as your Policy is in force. Refer to the Death
Benefit Provisions on page 9 for details.

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

RIGHT TO EXAMINE POLICY

You may return this Policy to us within (1) 10 days after you get it, or (2) 45
days after you sign the application, or (3) 10 days after we mail or deliver the
Notice of Withdrawal Right, whichever is latest. The Policy, with a written
request for cancellation, must be mailed or delivered to our Home Office or to
the agent who sold it to you. The returned Policy will be treated as if we never
issued it and we will refund any premiums paid.

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

If you have any questions about your Policy or need additional insurance
service, contact you agent or write to our Home Office.

Signed at our Home Office on the Policy Date.


                  /s/ GORDON E. MCCUTCHAN   /s/ JOSEPH J. GASPER
                         Secretary                 President

               CORPORATE FLEXIBLE PREMIUM VARIABLE UNIVERSAL LIFE
                                INSURANCE POLICY

     o Adjustable Death Benefit o Flexible premiums payable during Insured's
                        lifetime until the Maturity Date
     o Death Proceeds payable at Insured's death prior to the Maturity Date
                o Maturity Proceeds payable on the Maturity Date
   o Not eligible for dividends o Investment experience reflected in benefits
<PAGE>   2

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENTS

                                                                            Page

Annual Report ..............................................................   7

Assignment .................................................................   8

beneficiary ................................................................   8

Cash Surrender Value .......................................................   4

Cash Value .................................................................  11

Death Benefit ..............................................................   9

Definitions ................................................................   4

Error in Age ...............................................................   6

Fixed Account ..............................................................  16

Grace Period ...............................................................   9

Incontestability ...........................................................   6

Insured ....................................................................   5

Insuring Agreement .........................................................   1

Loan .......................................................................  13

Monthly Cost of Insurance ..................................................  12

Nonforfeiture ..............................................................  11

Optional Modes of Settlement ...............................................  16

Ownership ..................................................................   8

Partial Surrender ..........................................................  13

Policy Data Page ...........................................................   3

Premium ....................................................................   8

Reinstatement ..............................................................   9

Suicide ....................................................................   6

Termination ................................................................   7

Transfers ..................................................................  16

Valuation of Assets ........................................................  14

Variable Account Provisions ................................................  15

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


                                       2
<PAGE>   3

                                   DEFINITIONS

ATTAINED AGE: Attained Age is the Issue Age plus the number of full years since
the Policy Date.

BENEFICIARY: The Beneficiary is the person to whom the Death Proceeds are paid.
The Beneficiary is named in the application, unless changed.

CASH SURRENDER VALUE: The Cash Surrender Value of your Policy on any date is the
Cash Value minus any Indebtedness.

CASH VALUE: Your Policy's Cash Value is the sum of the associated values in any
Variable Account, the Fixed Account, and the Policy Loan Account. Refer to the
Nonforfeiture Provision for details.

COMPANY: The Company is the Nationwide Life Insurance Company. "We," "our", and
"us" refer to the Company.

CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY: The Contingent Beneficiary will become the Beneficiary
if the named Beneficiary dies prior to the date of the death of the Insured. The
Contingent Beneficiary is named in the application, unless changed.

CONTINGENT OWNER: The Contingent Owner will become the Owner if the named Owner
dies prior to the date of the death of the Insured. The Contingent Owner is
named in the application, unless changed.

DEATH PROCEEDS: The Death Proceeds are the amount of money payable to the
Beneficiary if the Insured dies while your Policy is in force prior to the
Maturity Date. Refer to the Death Benefit Provisions for details.

FIXED ACCOUNT: A Fixed Account is an investment option which is funded by the
General Account of the Company.

FUND: A Fund is the underlying mutual fund in which Subaccount assets are
invested. There is a Fund that corresponds to each Subaccount in a Variable
Account. The Funds are listed on the Policy Data Page with the corresponding
Subaccounts.

GENERAL ACCOUNT: The General Account is made up of all of our assets other than
those held in any separate investment account.

HOME OFFICE: The Home Office of the Company is at One Nationwide Plaza,
Columbus, Ohio.

INDEBTEDNESS: Indebtedness is any amount you owe us as a result of a policy
loan. Indebtedness consists of principal amount plus accrued interest.

INITIAL INVESTMENT DATE: The Initial Investment Date is the later of the Policy
Date or the date we receive the Initial Premium at our Home Office.

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


                                       4
<PAGE>   4

INSURED: The Insured is the person whose life is covered by this insurance
Policy and is named in the application.

INTEREST RATE GUARANTEE PERIOD: The Interest Rate Guaranteed Period for each
transfer to the Fixed Account is that period of time for which the current
interest crediting rate is guaranteed by the Company.

ISSUE AGE: Issue Age is the Insured's age on the last birthday on or before the
Policy Date. It is shown on the Policy Data Page.

MATURITY DATE: The Maturity Date is the Policy Anniversary on or next following
the Insured's 100th birthday.

MATURITY PROCEEDS: Maturity Proceeds are the amount of money payable to you on
the Maturity Date if your Policy is still in force. The Maturity Proceeds will
be equal to the amount of the Cash Value, less any Indebtedness.

MONTHLY ANNIVERSARY DAY: The Monthly Anniversary Day is the same day as the
Policy Date for each succeeding month.

NET AMOUNT AT RISK: The Net Amount At Risk for a policy month is the death
benefit at the beginning of the policy month minus the Cash Value calculated at
the beginning of the policy month prior to deduction of the base policy cost of
insurance charge.

NET PREMIUM: The Net Premium is equal to the actual premium minus the percent of
premium charge. The percent of premium charge is shown on the Policy Data Page.
The Company may at its sole discretion apply a lower percent of premium charge.

OWNER: The Owner has all rights under this Policy and is named in the
application unless later changed and endorsed on this Policy. "You" or "your"
refer to the Owner of this Policy.

POLICY ANNIVERSARY: The Policy Anniversary is the same day and month as the
Policy Date for each succeeding year.

POLICY DATE: The Policy Date is the date the provisions of this Policy take
effect. It is shown on the Policy Data Page. Policy years and policy months are
measured from the Policy Date.

POLICY LOAN ACCOUNT: The Policy Loan Account is that portion of the Cash Value
which results from policy loans.

PROCEEDS: The Proceeds are the amount payable on the Maturity Date, on the
surrender of this Policy prior to the Maturity Date, or on the death of the
Insured while this Policy is in force.

SEC: SEC is the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SPECIFIED AMOUNT: The Specified Amount is a dollar amount used to determine the
death benefit of your Policy. It is shown on the Policy Data Page.


                                       5
<PAGE>   5

SUBACCOUNT: A Subaccount is a part of the Variable Account. The assets in each
Subaccount are invested exclusively in a specified corresponding Fund. The
Subaccounts are listed on the Policy Data Page.

VALUATION DAY: A Valuation Day is each day that the New York Stock Exchange is
open for trading except for customary holidays observed by us.

VALUATION PERIOD: A Valuation Period is the interval of time between a Valuation
Day and the next Valuation Day.

VARIABLE ACCOUNT: One or more Variable Accounts are named on the Policy Data
Page. Each is a separate investment account of the Company.

                            GENERAL POLICY PROVISIONS

ENTIRE CONTRACT: The entire contract consists of this Policy, any attached
riders or endorsements, and the attached copy of any written application,
including any written supplemental applications. No agent, registered
representative, or other person may change this Policy or waive any of its
provisions. Any agreement to alter this Policy must be in writing, signed by our
President or Secretary and attached to or endorsed on your Policy. We will not
be bound by any promise or representations made by any agent or other persons.

APPLICATION: All statements made in an application are considered
representations and not warranties. In issuing this Policy, we have relied on
the statements made in any application to be true and complete. No such
statement will be used to void the Policy or to deny a claim unless that
statement is a material misrepresentation.

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

SUICIDE: If the Insured commits suicide, while sane or insane, within 2 years
from the Policy Date, we will not pay the Death Proceeds normally payable on the
Insured's death. Instead, we will pay the Beneficiary an amount equal to all
premiums paid prior to the Insured's death, less any Indebtedness, and less any
partial surrenders. For any increase in Specified Amount requiring evidence of
insurability, if the Insured commits suicide, while sane or insane, within 2
years from the effective date of any such increase, we will not pay the Death
Proceeds associated with such an increase. Instead, our liability with respect
to such an increase will be limited to its cost.

ERROR IN AGE: If the age of the Insured has been misstated, the death benefit or
Cash Value will be adjusted. The adjusted death benefit will be (1) multiplied
by (2) and then the result added to (3) where:

     1.   is the net amount at risk at the time of the Insured's death;
     2.   is the ratio of the monthly cost of insurance applied in the policy
          month of death and the monthly cost of insurance that should have been
          applied at the true age in the policy month of death; and
     3.   is the Cash Value at the time of the Insured's death.

The adjusted Cash Value will be recalculated from the Policy Date using cost of
insurance charges based on the correct age.


                                       6
<PAGE>   6

PAYMENT OF PROCEEDS: Unless an optional mode of settlement is elected, the Death
Proceeds will be paid in one sum to the Beneficiary. Unless an optional mode of
settlement is elected, any Proceeds payable on the Maturity Date or upon
surrender of this Policy will be paid in one sum to you.

POSTPONEMENT OF PAYMENTS: We will normally pay any amount payable on surrender
or policy loan within seven days after we receive your written request. We will
normally pay any Death Proceeds within seven days after we receive proof of
death and any other information we may reasonably require to pay a claim.
However, such payments may be postponed if:

     1.   the New York Stock Exchange is closed (except for customary holiday
          closings); or
     2.   the SEC requires trading be restricted or declares an emergency; or
     3.   the SEC lets us defer payments for the protection of our Policy
          Owners; or
     4.   policy values are being withdrawn from the Fixed Account.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF COVERAGE: The effective date of coverage of any person insured
under your Policy is as follows:

     1.   the Policy Date is the effective date for all coverage provided in the
          original application;
     2.   for any increase or addition to coverage, the effective date will be
          the Monthly Anniversary Day on or next following the date we approve
          the supplemental application; and
     3.   for any insurance that has been reinstated, the effective date is the
          Monthly Anniversary Day on or next following the date we approve the
          application for reinstatement.

TERMINATION: All coverage under your Policy will terminate when any one of the
following events occurs:

     1.   you request in writing that the coverage terminate;
     2.   the Insured dies;
     3.   the Policy matures;
     4.   the Grace Period ends; or
     5.   you surrender the Policy for its Cash Surrender Value.

ANNUAL REPORT: We will send you a report at least once a year which shows the
current Cash Value, Cash Surrender Value, amount of insurance, premiums paid,
all charges since the last report and outstanding policy Indebtedness. The
report will also include any other information required by laws and regulations,
both federal and state. We will mail this report to you at your address in the
application or another address you specify.

ILLUSTRATION OF BENEFITS AND VALUES: We will provide an illustrative projection
of future benefits and values under this Policy at any time. Your written
request and payment of a service fee set by us at the time of the request will
be required.

NONPARTICIPATION: This is a nonparticipating Policy on which no dividends are
payable. Your Policy will not share in our profits or surplus earnings.

CURRENCY: Any money we pay, or that is paid to us, must be in United States
currency.

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE: For your protection, a request for a surrender, policy
loan, or a change in ownership must be signed. The Company may require the
signature to be guaranteed by a member firm of the New York, American, Boston,
Midwest, Philadelphia, or Pacific Stock Exchange, or by a commercial bank (not a
savings bank), which is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
In some cases, the Company may require additional documentation of a customary
nature.


                                       7
<PAGE>   7

                  OWNER, BENEFICIARY AND ASSIGNMENT PROVISIONS

OWNER: While the Insured is living, all rights in your Policy belong to you.
Your rights in your Policy belong to your estate if you die before the Insured
dies and there is no Contingent Owner.

You may name a Contingent Owner or a new Owner at any time while the Insured is
living. If a new Owner is named, any earlier designation is automatically
revoked. Any change must be in a written form satisfactory to us and recorded at
our Home Office. Once recorded, the change will take effect as of the date you
signed it. It will not affect any payment made or any action taken by us before
it was recorded. We may require that you send us your Policy for endorsement
before making a change.

BENEFICIARY: The Beneficiary and Contingent Beneficiary on the Policy Date are
named in the application. More than one Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary
may be named. If more than one Beneficiary is alive when the Insured dies, we
will pay them in equal shares, unless you have provided otherwise.

If any Beneficiary dies before the Insured, that Beneficiary's interest will be
paid to any surviving Beneficiaries or Contingent Beneficiaries according to
their respective interests, unless you have provided otherwise. If no
Beneficiary is living at the Insured's death, we will consider you or your
estate to be the Beneficiary. While the Insured is living, you may change any
Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary. Any change must be in a written form
satisfactory to us and recorded at our Home Office. Once recorded, the change
will take effect as of the date you signed it. It will not affect any payment
made or action taken by us before it was recorded. We may require that you send
us your Policy for endorsement before making a change.

ASSIGNMENT: While the Insured is living, you may assign any or all rights under
your Policy. We will not be bound by any assignment unless it is in a written
form acceptable to us and is recorded at our Home Office. An assignment will not
affect any payments made or actions taken by us before we record it. We will not
be responsible for the sufficiency or validity of any assignment.

The assignment will be subject to any Indebtedness owed to us before it was
recorded. The interest of any Beneficiary will be subject to the rights of any
assignee of record at our Home Office.

                               PREMIUM PROVISIONS

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

Premiums other than the Initial Premium may be paid at any time while your
Policy is in force subject to the limits described below. Planned Premium
payment reminder notices will be furnished upon request. We will send them
according to the premium mode shown on the Policy Data Page. You may pay the
premiums to us at our Home Office or to an authorized agent. Premium receipts
will be furnished upon request.

LIMITS: Each premium payment must be at least $50. Additional premium payments
may be made at any time while your Policy is in force. However, we reserve the
right to require satisfactory evidence of insurability before accepting any
additional premium payment which results in any increase in the net amount at
risk. Also, we will refund any portion of any premium payment which is
determined to be in excess of the premium limit established by law to qualify
your Policy as a contract for life insurance. We may also require that any
existing Policy Indebtedness is repaid prior to accepting any additional premium
payments.


                                       8
<PAGE>   8

                             GRACE PERIOD PROVISIONS

GRACE PERIOD: If the Cash Surrender Value on a Monthly Anniversary Day is not
sufficient to cover the current monthly deduction, a Grace Period will be
allowed for the payment of a premium of at least 4 times the current monthly
deduction. We will send you a notice at the start of the Grace Period, at your
address in the application or another address you specify, stating the amount of
premium required. The Grace Period will end 61 days after the day we mail you
the notice. If you do not pay the required amount by the end of the Grace
Period, this Policy will terminate without value. If Death Proceeds become
payable during the Grace Period, we will pay them.

REINSTATEMENT: If the Grace Period has ended and you have not paid the required
premium and have not surrendered your Policy for its Cash Surrender Value, you
may reinstate your Policy if you:

     1.   submit a written request at any time within 3 years after the end of
          the Grace Period and prior to the Maturity Date;
     2.   provide evidence of insurability satisfactory to us;
     3.   pay sufficient premium to cover all monthly deductions that were due
          and unpaid during the Grace Period;
     4.   pay sufficient premium to keep the Policy in force for 3 months from
          the date of reinstatement; and
     5.   pay or reinstate any Indebtedness against the Policy which existed at
          the end of the Grace Period.

The effective date of a reinstated Policy will be the Monthly Anniversary Day on
or next following the date the application for reinstatement is approved by us.

If your Policy is reinstated, the Cash Value on the date of reinstatement, but
prior to applying any premiums or loan repayments, will be set equal to the Cash
Value at the end of the Grace Period.

Unless you have provided otherwise, all amounts will be allocated based on the
Fund allocation factors in effect at the start of the Grace Period.

                            DEATH BENEFIT PROVISIONS

DEATH BENEFIT: If the Insured dies while the Policy is in force prior to the
Maturity Date, your Policy will provide a death benefit. The death benefit will
be determined in accordance with one of the following options, whichever is in
effect on the date of the Insured's death. The current option in effect is shown
on the Policy Data Page.

Option 1
The death benefit will be the greater of:

     1.   the Specified Amount on the date of death; or
     2.   the applicable percentage of the Cash Value on the date of death.

Option 2
The death benefit will be the greater of:

     1.   the Specified Amount plus the Cash Value on the date of death; or
     2.   the applicable percentage of the Cash Value on the date of death.

Option 3
The death benefit will be the greater of:

     1.   (a) plus (b) where:
          a.   is the Specified Amount on the date of death; and
          b.   is the greater of zero and the lesser of (i) and (ii) where:
               (i)  is the Option 3 maximum increase shown on the Policy Data
                    Page; and


                                       9
<PAGE>   9

               (ii) is all premium payments accumulated to the date of death at
                    the Option 3 interest rate shown on the Policy Data Page
                    less any partial surrenders accumulated to the date of death
                    at the Option 3 interest rate shown on the Policy Data Page;
                    or

          2.   the applicable percentage of the Cash Value on the date of death.

For any Death Benefit option, the applicable percentages of Cash Value are shown
on the Policy Data Page.

DEATH PROCEEDS: The actual amount of money payable to the Beneficiary if the
Insured dies while your Policy is in force prior to the Maturity Date is called
the Death Proceeds. The Death Proceeds equals:

     1.   the death benefit provided by your Policy; plus
     2.   any insurance on the Insured's life that may be provided by riders to
          your Policy; minus
     3.   any Indebtedness; and minus
     4.   any due and unpaid monthly deductions accruing during a Grace Period.

We will pay the Death Proceeds to the Beneficiary after we receive at our Home
Office proof of death satisfactory to us and such other information as we may
reasonably require. The Death Proceeds will be adjusted under certain
conditions. Refer to the Incontestability, Suicide, and Error in Age Provisions.

DEATH BENEFIT OPTION CHANGES: After the first Policy year, you may change the
death benefit option under your Policy from Option 1 to Option 2 or from Option
2 to Option 1. You may not make a change from or to Option 3. We will adjust the
Specified Amount such that the Net Amount At Risk remains constant. The
effective date of change will be the Monthly Anniversary Day on or next
following the date we approve the request for change.

Only one change of option is permitted in a policy year. We will refuse a death
benefit option change which would reduce the Specified Amount to a level where
the total premiums already paid exceeds the premium limit established by law to
qualify your Policy as a contract for life insurance. In order for a death
benefit option change to become effective, the Cash Surrender Value, after the
change, must be sufficient to keep the Policy in force for at least 3 months.

SPECIFIED AMOUNT INCREASES: At any time after the first policy year, you may
request an increase in Specified Amount. Your request must be in writing to our
Home Office on our official forms. Any increase shall be subject to the
following conditions:

     1.   you must provide evidence of insurability satisfactory to us;
     2.   the increase must be for a minimum of $10,000; and
     3.   the Cash Surrender Value is sufficient to keep this Policy in force
          for at least 3 months.

An approved increase will have an effective date of the Monthly Anniversary Day
on or next following the date we approve the supplemental application unless you
request a different date. We reserve the right to limit the number of increases
in Specified Amount to one each policy year.

SPECIFIED AMOUNT DECREASES: At any time after the first policy year, you may
request a decrease in the Specified Amount. Any decrease will be effective on
the Monthly Anniversary Day on or next following our receipt of your request.
Any such decrease shall reduce insurance in the following order:

     1.   against insurance provided by the most recent increase;
     2.   against the next most recent increases successively; and
     3.   against insurance provided under the original application.

We reserve the right to limit the number of decreases in the Specified Amount to
one each policy year. We will refuse a request for a decrease which would:

     1.   reduce the Specified Amount to less than $50,000; or
     2.   disqualify this Policy as a contract for life insurance.


                                       10
<PAGE>   10

                            NONFORFEITURE PROVISIONS

CASH VALUE: The Cash Value of your Policy is the sum of the Cash Value in each
Subaccount, the Fixed Account, and the Policy Loan Account. The Cash Value in
each Subaccount on the Initial Investment Date is equal to the portion of the
Net Premium allocated to the Subaccount minus a pro-rata monthly deduction for
the month following the Policy Date.

The Cash Value in each Subaccount on each subsequent Valuation Day is equal to
(1) plus (2) plus (3) minus (4) minus (5) minus (6) where:

     1.   is the Cash Value in the Subaccount on the preceding Valuation Day
          multiplied by its net investment factor for the current Valuation
          Period;
     2.   is any Net Premiums or other amounts allocated to the Subaccount
          during the current Valuation Period;
     3.   is any amounts transferred to the Subaccount during the current
          Valuation Period;
     4.   is any amounts transferred from the Subaccount during the current
          Valuation Period;
     5.   is the portion of any monthly deductions which are due and charged to
          the Subaccount during the current Valuation Period; and
     6.   is any partial surrender amounts allocated to the Subaccount during
          the current Valuation Period.

The Cash Value in the Policy Loan Account is zero, unless you take a policy
loan. If you take a policy loan, then the Cash Value in the Policy Loan Account
on the loan date is equal to the amount of the loan. The loan amount is
transferred from a Variable Account in proportion to the Cash Value in each
Subaccount on the date of the loan. Loan amounts will be transferred from the
Fixed Account only when insufficient amounts are available in the Variable
Subaccounts.

The Cash Value in the Policy Loan Account on each subsequent Valuation Day is
equal to (1) plus (2) plus (3) minus (4) minus (5) where:

     1.   is the Cash Value in the Policy Loan Account on the preceding
          Valuation Day;
     2.   is any interest credited during the current Valuation Period;
     3.   is any amounts transferred to the Policy Loan Account because of
          additional policy loans and any due and unpaid loan interest during
          the current Valuation Period;
     4.   is the amount of any loan repayments you make during the current
          Valuation Period; and
     5.   is any amount of interest transferred from the Policy Loan Account to
          a Variable Account or the Fixed Account during the current Valuation
          Period.

The Cash Value in the Fixed Account is zero unless some or all of the Cash Value
is allocated to the Fixed Account. The Cash Value in the Fixed Account on the
Initial Investment Date is equal to the portion of the Net Premium allocated to
the Fixed Account minus a pro-rata monthly deduction for the month following the
Policy Date. The Cash Value in the Fixed Account on each subsequent Valuation
Day is equal to (1) plus (2) plus (3) minus (4) minus (5) minus (6) minus (7)
where:

     1.   is the Cash Value in the Fixed Account on the preceding Valuation Day;
     2.   is any interest credited during the current Valuation Period;
     3.   is any Net Premiums or other amounts allocated to the Fixed Account
          during the current Valuation Period;
     4.   is any amounts transferred from the Fixed Account during the current
          Valuation Period;
     5.   is the portion of any monthly deductions which are due and charged to
          the Fixed Account during the current Valuation Period; and
     6.   is any partial surrender amounts allocated to the Fixed Account during
          the current Valuation Period.


                                       11
<PAGE>   11

MONTHLY DEDUCTION: The monthly deduction for each policy month shall be
calculated as:

     1.   the monthly cost of insurance; plus
     2.   the monthly cost of any additional benefits provided by Riders; plus
     3.   the monthly expense and risk charges. These charges will not exceed
          the maximum monthly policy expense and risk charges shown on the
          Policy Data Page; plus

The monthly deduction will be charged proportionately to the Cash Values in each
Subaccount and the Fixed Account.

MONTHLY COST OF INSURANCE: A deduction will be made on the Policy Date and each
Monthly Anniversary Day for the monthly cost of insurance. The monthly cost of
insurance for each policy month is determined by multiplying the monthly cost of
insurance rate by the net amount at risk. The monthly cost of insurance rate is
described under the Cost of Insurance Rates Provision.

If there have been increases in the Specified Amount, then the Cash Value shall
be first considered a part of the initial Specified Amount. If the Cash Value
exceeds the initial Specified Amount, it shall then be considered a part of the
increases in Specified Amount in the order of the increases.

COST OF INSURANCE RATES: A separate monthly cost of insurance rate is used to
obtain the monthly cost of insurance for the Insured's initial Specified Amount
and each increase in Specified Amount. Each rate is based on the Insured's Issue
Age, smoking class, underwriting class, and any substandard rating at the time
the initial Specified Amount or increase took effect and on the duration since
that time.

Monthly cost of insurance rates will be determined by us from time to time,
based on our expectations as to future experience. Any change in cost of
insurance rates will be on a uniform basis for insureds of the same Issue Age,
smoking class, underwriting class, and any substandard rating whose policies
have been in force for the same length of time. These rates will never be
greater than the guaranteed maximum monthly cost of insurance rates shown on the
Policy Data Page. The basis for these guaranteed maximum cost of insurance rates
is shown in the Basis of Computation on the Policy Data Page.

INTEREST CREDITING: Any Cash Value allocated to the Policy Loan Account will be
credited interest daily. The guaranteed minimum annual effective rate is 3%.
Interest in excess of the minimum guaranteed rate may be used.

Any Cash Value allocated to the Fixed Account will be credited interest daily.
The guaranteed minimum annual effective rate is 3%. Interest in excess of the
minimum guaranteed rate may be used. The current interest rate in effect at the
time of transfer to the Fixed Account will be guaranteed through the end of the
calendar quarter. Thereafter, any excess interest rates will be guaranteed for
the following three months. Where required, we have filed our method for
determining current interest rates with the Insurance Department of the state in
which this Policy was delivered.

MINIMUM LEGAL VALUES: The cash surrender, loan and other values in your Policy
are at least as large as those set by law in the state where it is delivered.
Where required, we have given the insurance regulator a detailed statement of
how we compute values and benefits.

CONTINUATION OF INSURANCE: If the premium payments are not made, insurance
coverage under this Policy and any benefits provided by Rider will be continued
in force. Such coverage will be continued as provided in the Grace Period
Provision. This provision will not continue the Policy beyond the Maturity Date
nor continue any Rider beyond the date for its termination, as provided in the
Rider.

COMPLETE SURRENDER: Your Policy may be surrendered for its Cash Surrender Value
at any time while it is in force. You must submit a written request on a form
acceptable to us. We may also require the return of your Policy. The date of
surrender will be the date we receive your written request at our Home


                                       12
<PAGE>   12

Office. The Cash Surrender Value will be determined as of the end of the
Valuation Period during which your request is received. All coverage will end on
the date of surrender.

PARTIAL SURRENDER: A partial surrender may be made at any time after the first
policy year while this Policy is in force. You must submit a written request. We
may also require that this Policy be sent to us. We reserve the right to limit
the number of partial surrenders in a policy year. We reserve the right to
deduct a fee from the partial surrender amount. The maximum fee is shown on the
Policy Data Page.

When a partial surrender is made, we will reduce the Cash Value by the partial
surrender amount. Unless you elect that a partial surrender be a preferred
partial surrender, which must meet the conditions below, we will also reduce the
Specified Amount by the amount necessary to prevent an increase in the Net
Amount at Risk. Any such decrease will reduce Specified Amount in the following
order:

     1.   against the Specified Amount provided by the most recent increase;
     2.   against the Specified Amount provided by other increases in
          succession; and
     3.   against the Specified Amount under the original application.

A preferred partial surrender is a partial surrender that meets these
conditions:

     1.   it occurs before the 15th Policy Anniversary; and
     2.   its amount, plus the amount of any prior preferred policy surrenders
          in the same Policy Year, does not exceed 10% of the Cash Surrender
          Value as of the beginning of the Policy Year.

Unless you specify otherwise, we will allocate partial surrenders among the
Subaccounts in proportion to the Cash Value in each Subaccount as of the partial
surrender date. Partial surrenders will be transferred from the Fixed Account
only when insufficient amounts are available in the Variable Subaccounts. The
amount of any partial surrender is subject to the following conditions:

     1.   the minimum partial surrender is $500;
     2.   the maximum amount of a partial surrender is the Cash Surrender Value
          less the greater of $500 or three monthly deductions; and
     3.   a partial surrender may not reduce the Specified Amount to less than
          $50,000.

In addition, the partial surrender will be allowed only if after the surrender,
this Policy continues to qualify as a contract for life insurance.

                                 LOAN PROVISIONS

POLICY LOAN: After the first policy year, you may request a loan at any time
while your Policy is in force. The loan must be requested in writing on a form
acceptable to us. The amount of the loan and all existing Indebtedness may not
be more than the maximum loan value as of the loan date. The loan date is the
date we process the loan. The minimum loan amount is $500. The loan will be made
upon the sole security of the Policy and proper assignment of your Policy to us.

MAXIMUM LOAN VALUE: The maximum loan value is (1) plus (2) plus (3) on the loan
date where:

     1.   is 90% of the Cash Value in any Subaccount of the Variable Account
     2.   is 100% of the Cash Value in the Fixed Account; and
     3.   is 100% of the Cash Value in the Policy Loan Account.

LOAN INTEREST: The loan interest rate is 3.75% per year. Interest is charged
daily and payable at the end of each policy year. Unpaid interest will be added
to the existing Indebtedness as of the due date and will be charged interest at
the same rate as the rest of the loan.

LOAN REPAYMENT: All or part of a loan may be repaid to us at any time while your
Policy is in force during the Insured's lifetime. The minimum repayment is $50.
Any payment intended as a loan repayment,


                                       13
<PAGE>   13

rather than a premium payment, must be identified as such. Any Indebtedness that
exists at the end of the Grace Period may not be repaid unless this Policy is
reinstated.

EFFECT OF LOAN: When you take a loan, we will transfer an amount equal to the
policy loan from a Variable Subaccount or the Fixed Account to the Policy Loan
Account. Any loan interest that becomes due and unpaid will also be so
transferred. Amounts transferred to the Policy Loan Account will earn interest
daily from the date of transfer. When you repay part or all of a loan, we will
transfer an amount equal to the amount you repay from the Policy Loan Account to
a Subaccount or the Fixed Account. We reserve the right to require that any loan
repayments resulting from loans transferred from the Fixed Account must be
allocated to the Fixed Account.

Unless you specify otherwise, we will allocate loans among the Subaccounts in
proportion to the Cash Value in each Subaccount as of the loan date. Loan
Amounts will be transferred from the Fixed Account only when insufficient
amounts are available in the Variable Subaccounts. Any loan interest which
becomes due and is unpaid will be transferred to the Policy Loan Account in
proportion to the Cash Values in each Subaccount and the Fixed Account. Unless
specified, loan repayments will be allocated among the Subaccounts using the
Fund allocation factors in effect on the date of the repayment subject to any
other restrictions the Company may impose.

Since the amount you borrow is removed from a Variable Subaccount or the Fixed
Account, a loan will have a permanent effect on any death benefit and Cash
Surrender Value of this Policy. The effect may be favorable or unfavorable. This
is true whether you repay the loan or not. If not repaid, Indebtedness will
reduce the amount of any Death Proceeds or Maturity Proceeds. If the total
Indebtedness ever equals or exceeds the Cash Value, your Policy will terminate
without value, as described in the Grace Period Provision.

                    VALUATION OF ASSETS IN A VARIABLE ACCOUNT

DETERMINING INVESTMENT RESULTS: The Cash Value will change with a change in the
investment results of the Subaccounts. An index called an accumulation unit
value measures changes in a Subaccount's investment experience. Each Subaccount
has its own accumulation unit value.

For each Subaccount, the accumulation unit value was initially set at $10.00.
The accumulation unit value for a Subaccount in each subsequent Valuation Period
is equal to (1), multiplied by (2), where:

     1.   is the Subaccount's accumulation unit value for the preceding
          Valuation Period; and
     2.   is the Subaccount's net investment factor for the subsequent Valuation
          Period.

A net investment factor is defined below.

Because the net investment factor may be greater than or less than one, the
accumulation unit value may increase or decrease from one Valuation Period to
the next; however, the accumulation unit value remains constant throughout a
Valuation Period.

NET INVESTMENT FACTOR: The net investment factor for a Subaccount for a
Valuation Period is obtained by dividing (1) by (2) and subtracting (3) from the
result, where:

     1.   is the net of:

          (a)  the net asset value per share of the Fund held in the Subaccount
               at the end of the current Valuation Period; plus
          (b)  the per share amount of any dividend and capital gains
               distributions made by the Fund held in the Subaccount if the
               "ex-dividend" date occurs during the current Valuation Period;
               plus or minus
          (c)  a per share charge or credit for taxes reserved for, if any,
               which is determined by the Company to have resulted from the
               investment operations of the Subaccount.


                                       14
<PAGE>   14

     2.   is the net of:

          (a)  the net asset value per share of the Fund held in the Subaccount
               determined as of the end of the immediately preceding Valuation
               Period; plus or minus
          (b)  the per share charge or credit for taxes reserved for in the
               immediately preceding Valuation Period.

     3.   is a daily Mortality and Expenses Risk Charge multiplied by the number
          of days in the current Valuation Period. The Mortality and Expenses
          Risk Charge is shown on the Policy Data Page.

                           VARIABLE ACCOUNT PROVISIONS

VARIABLE ACCOUNT: A Variable Account is a separate investment account of the
Company. One or more are named on the Policy Data Page. A Variable Account is
also subject to the laws of Ohio.

We own the assets of any Variable Account; we keep them separate from the assets
of our General Account. We maintain assets which are at least equal to the
reserves and other liabilities of a Variable Account. Such assets will not be
charged with liabilities that arise from any other business we conduct. We may
transfer to our General Account assets which exceed the reserves and other
liabilities of a Variable Account.

We will determine the value of the assets in a Variable Account at the end of
each Valuation Day.

SUBACCOUNTS: A Variable Account may have several Subaccounts. We list them on
the Policy Data Page. You determine, using Fund allocation factors, how Net
Premiums will be allocated among the Subaccounts. You may choose to allocate
nothing to a particular Subaccount. Any allocation you make must be at least 1%;
you may not choose a fractional percent. The sum of the Fund allocation factors
must equal 100%.

In states that require a full refund of premiums during the "Right to Examine
Policy" period, Net Premiums will be allocated to a Subaccount that invests in a
money market Fund or to the Fixed Account. The day following at the end of this
period, the Cash Value in that Subaccount will be transferred to the Variable
Subaccounts according to your chosen Fund allocation factors. Also, any
subsequent Net Premiums will be allocated according to your chosen factors. Fund
allocation factors during and immediately after the "Right to Examine Policy"
period, are shown on the Policy Data Page. After the "Right to Examine Policy"
period has expired, you may transfer amounts among the Subaccounts. Transfers
will take effect on the date your written request is received at our Home
Office, subject to any restrictions imposed by a Fund.

You may change the allocation for future Net Premiums at any time while your
Policy is in force. To do so, you must notify us in writing in a form that meets
our approval. The change will take effect on the date we receive your written
request at our Home Office.

Income and realized and unrealized gains and losses from assets in each
Subaccount are credited to, or charged against, the Subaccount. This is without
regard to income, gains, or losses in our other Subaccounts, separate investment
accounts, or our General Account.

CHANGES OF FUND: A Fund might, in our judgment, become unsuitable for investment
by a Subaccount. This might happen because of a change in investment policy, a
change in the laws or regulations, the shares are no longer available for
investment, or for some other reason. If that occurs, we have the right to
substitute another Fund. But we would first notify you and seek approval from
the SEC and the Superintendent of Insurance of the State of Ohio. We would also
get any other required approvals.

OTHER CHANGES: To the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations
(including any order of the SEC), we may make changes as follows:

     1.   A Variable Account may be operated as a management company under the
          Investment Company Act of 1940, or in any other form permitted by law,
          if we deem it to be in the best interest of the Policy Owners.


                                       15
<PAGE>   15

     2.   A Variable Account may be deregistered under the Investment Company
          Act of 1940 in the event registration is no longer required.

     3.   A Variable Account may be combined with other separate investment
          accounts.

     4.   The provisions of this and other policies may be modified to comply
          with any other applicable federal or state laws.

In the event of such changes, we may make appropriate endorsement on this and
other policies having an interest in a Variable Account and take other actions
as may be necessary to effect such a change.

                            FIXED ACCOUNT PROVISIONS

FIXED ACCOUNT: The Fixed Account is funded by the General Account of the
Company. The Fixed Account is credited with interest as described under the
Nonforfeiture Provisions. In addition to allocating your Net Premiums to one or
more of the Subaccounts described above, you may direct all or part of your Net
Premiums into the Fixed Account.

RIGHT TO TRANSFER: You may transfer amounts between the Fixed Account and the
Subaccounts, subject to the limits below, without penalty or adjustment. We
reserve the right to limit the number of transfers between the Fixed Account and
the Subaccounts during any policy year to one.

Transfers from the Fixed Account must be made with 45 days after the end of an
Interest Rate Guarantee Period. We reserve the right to limit the amount
transferred from the Fixed Account during a Policy Year to 20% of that portion
of the Cash Value attributable to the Fixed Account at the end of the prior
Policy Year.

Transfers to the Fixed Account may not be made prior to the first Policy
Anniversary or within 12 months or any prior transfer. We reserve the right to
restrict the amount transferred to the Fixed Account to 20% of that portion of
the Cash Value attributable to the Subaccounts at the end of the prior Valuation
Period. We reserve the right to refuse transfers to the Fixed Account if the
Fixed Account is greater than or equal to 30% of the Cash Value.

RIGHT OF CONVERSION: At any time upon written request within 24 months of the
Policy Date, you may elect to irrevocably transfer all Subaccount Cash Values to
the Fixed Account. No transfer charge will be assessed.

                     OPTIONAL MODES OF SETTLEMENT PROVISIONS

Proceeds may be paid in a lump sum. Optional modes of settlement are also
available. After the Proceeds are applied under such optional modes, any amounts
payable are paid from our General Account and will not be affected by the
investment experience of any separate investment account.

One or a combination of settlement options may be chosen. A settlement option
may be chosen only if the total amount placed under the option is at least
$2,000.00 and each payment is at least $20.00.

A settlement option election may be changed at any time by proper written
request to our Home Office. Once recorded, it will become effective on the date
it was requested. We may require proof of the age of any person to be paid under
a settlement option. While this Policy is in force, you may choose or change
settlement options at any time. If no settlement option has been chosen prior to
the Insured's death, the Beneficiary may choose one. A change of Beneficiary
automatically revokes any option in effect.

When Proceeds become payable under any option, a Settlement Contract is issued
in exchange for this Policy. The new contract's effective date is the date of
the Insured's death or the date this Policy is surrendered.

Settlement option payments are not assignable. To the extent allowed by law,
settlement option payments are not subject to the claims of creditors or to
legal process.


                                       16
<PAGE>   16

Under Options 2, 3, 4, and 5, payments will be made at the beginning of each 12,
6, 3, or 1 month interval beginning on the effective date of the Settlement
Contract. Under Option 1 and 6, payments will be made at the end of every 12, 6,
3, or 1 month interval from the Settlement Contract's effective date.

Under Options 1, 2, and 4, withdrawal of any outstanding balance may be made by
written request to our Home Office. No amount left with us under Options 3, 5,
or 6 may be withdrawn.

Options 1, 2, 4, and the guaranteed period of Option 3, provide for payment of
interest at a guaranteed minimum interest rate of 2 1/2% per year, compounded
annually. Any interest to be paid in excess of this rate will be determined once
a year.

1. INTEREST INCOME: The Proceeds remain with us to earn interest. This interest
may be left to accumulate or be paid periodically as stated above.

2. INCOME FOR A FIXED PERIOD: Proceeds remaining with us will be paid over a
specified number of years (not exceeding 30 years). Each payment consists of a
portion of the Proceeds plus a portion of the interest credited on the
outstanding balance. The amount payable monthly for each $1,000 left with us
will be at least the amount shown in the Option 2 Table.

3. LIFE INCOME WITH PAYMENTS GUARANTEED: Payments are made for a guaranteed
period of 10, 15, or 20 years, and thereafter for the remainder of a payee's
lifetime. The amount payable monthly for each $1,000 left with us is shown in
the Option 3 Table, according to the payee's age on the effective date of the
option.

4. FIXED INCOME FOR VARYING PERIODS: The Proceeds may be left on deposit with us
at interest with payments of a fixed amount being paid at specified intervals
until principal and interest have been exhausted. The last payment will be for
the balance only. The total amount payable each year may not be less than 5% of
the original proceeds. (i.e., not less than $50 per annum of each $1,000 of
original proceeds.)

5. JOINT AND SURVIVOR LIFE INCOME: Equal payments will be made for the longer of
the lives of two named payees. In other words, when one payee dies, the same
payment continues to be paid for the remainder of the surviving payee's life. We
will furnish values for other age combinations (than those shown in Option 5
Table) upon request.

6. ALTERNATE LIFE INCOME: We will use the Proceeds to purchase an annuity. The
amount payable will be 102% of our current individual immediate annuity purchase
rate on the effective date of the Settlement Contract. We reserve the right to
change our current annuity rates at any time. However, once this option has been
selected and the Settlement Contract issued, any revision in rates will not
affect payment to a payee or payees. Upon request, we will quote the amount
currently payable under this settlement option.


                                       17
<PAGE>   17

                         TABLES FOR SETTLEMENT OPTIONS
                Monthly Installments for each $1,000 of Proceeds
OPTION 2              Option 2 - Income for a Fixed Period

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Number of Years     Amount of Each     Number of Years    Amount of Each
        Specified         Installment          Specified        Installment
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            1               $84.28                16               $6.30
            2                42.66                17                6.00
            3                28.79                18                5.73
            4                21.86                19                5.49
            5                17.70                20                5.27
            6                14.93                21                5.08
            7                12.95                22                4.90
            8                11.47                23                4.74
            9                10.32                24                4.60
           10                 9.39                25                4.46
           11                 8.64                26                4.34
           12                 8.02                27                4.22
           13                 7.49                28                4.12
           14                 7.03                29                4.02
           15                 6.64                30                3.93
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual, semi-annual or quarterly payments are 11.865, 5.969 and 2.994
respectively times the monthly installments
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                Monthly Installments for each $1,000 of Proceeds
OPTION 3         Option 3 - Life Income with Payments Guaranteed

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Guaranteed Period                    Guaranteed Period                    Guaranteed Period
 Age of Payee   --------------------  Age of Payee   -------------------   Age of Payee   -------------------
 Last Birthday         Years          Last Birthday         Years          Last Birthday         Years
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Unisex        10    15     20        Unisex        10    15    20        Unisex         10    15    20
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>              <C>   <C>    <C>          <C>        <C>   <C>   <C>          <C>         <C>   <C>   <C> 
   5 & Under
                 2.49  2.49   2.48         30         2.84  2.83  2.83         55          3.94  3.89  3.81
       6         2.49  2.49   2.48         31         2.86  2.86  2.85         56          4.01  3.96  3.87
       7         2.49  2.49   2.48         32         2.89  2.89  2.88         57          4.09  4.03  3.93
       8         2.49  2.49   2.48         33         2.92  2.91  2.91         58          4.17  4.10  3.99
       9         2.49  2.49   2.48         34         2.95  2.94  2.93         59          4.26  4.18  4.06
      10         2.49  2.49   2.48         35         2.98  2.97  2.96         60          4.35  4.26  4.12
      11         2.50  2.50   2.50         36         3.01  3.00  2.99         61          4.44  4.34  4.19
      12         2.51  2.51   2.51         37         3.04  3.03  3.02         62          4.54  4.42  4.25
      13         2.53  2.53   2.52         38         3.07  3.07  3.05         63          4.65  4.51  4.32
      14         2.54  2.54   2.54         39         3.11  3.10  3.09         64          4.76  4.60  4.39
      15         2.55  2.55   2.55         40         3.15  3.14  3.12         65          4.87  4.70  4.45
      16         2.57  2.57   2.56         41         3.19  3.17  3.16         66          4.99  4.80  4.52
      17         2.58  2.58   2.58         42         3.23  3.21  3.19         67          5.12  4.90  4.59
      18         2.60  2.60   2.59         43         3.27  3.25  3.23         68          5.26  5.00  4.65
      19         2.61  2.61   2.61         44         3.31  3.30  3.27         69          5.40  5.10  4.71
      20         2.63  2.63   2.63         45         3.36  3.34  3.31         70          5.54  5.20  4.77
      21         2.65  2.65   2.64         46         3.41  3.39  3.36         71          5.69  5.31  4.83
      22         2.67  2.66   2.66         47         3.46  3.43  3.40         72          5.85  5.41  4.88
      23         2.69  2.68   2.68         48         3.51  3.48  3.44         73          6.01  5.52  4.94
      24         2.70  2.70   2.70         49         3.56  3.53  3.49         74          6.18  5.62  4.98
      25         2.72  2.72   2.72         50         3.62  3.59  3.54         75          6.35  5.71  5.03
      26         2.75  2.75   2.74         51         3.68  3.64  3.59         76          6.53  5.81  5.06
      27         2.77  2.77   2.76         52         3.74  3.70  3.64         77          6.71  5.90  5.10
      28         2.79  2.79   2.78         53         3.80  3.76  3.70         78          6.89  5.99  5.13
      29         2.81  2.81   2.81         54         3.87  3.82  3.75         79          7.07  6.07  5.16
                                                                              80 &
                                                                              Over         7.25  6.14  5.18
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the income payable for a specific guaranteed period is equal to that for
other guaranteed periods the longer period will be deemed to have been elected
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                Monthly Installments for each $1,000 of Proceeds
OPTION 5              Option 5 - Joint & Survivor Life Income

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Participant    50        55       60       65       70
Spouse
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
          50            3.02     3.15      3.26     3.35    3.39
          55            3.15     3.32      3.47     3.59    3.67
          60            3.26     3.47      3.67     3.85    4.00
          65            3.35     3.59      3.85     4.12    4.37
          70            3.39     3.67      4.00     4.37    4.75
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                       18
<PAGE>   18

                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

ENDORSEMENTS (Endorsements may be made only by the Company at the Home Office)
<PAGE>   19

                                     [LOGO]
                 NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

               CORPORATE FLEXIBLE PREMIUM VARIABLE UNIVERSAL LIFE
                                INSURANCE POLICY

     o Adjustable Death Benefit o Flexible premiums payable during Insured's
                        lifetime until the Maturity Date
     o Death Proceeds payable at Insured's death prior to the Maturity Date
                o Maturity Proceeds payable on the Maturity Date
   o Not eligible for dividends o Investment experience reflected in benefits

<PAGE>   1

                                                                       Exhibit 5

                       AMENDED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

                 NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

FIRST:   The name of said Corporation shall be "NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY
         INSURANCE COMPANY."

SECOND:  Said Corporation is to be located, and its principal offices
         maintained, in the City of Columbus, County of Franklin, State of Ohio.

THIRD:   This Corporation is formed for the purpose of making insurance upon the
         lives of individuals, and every type of insurance appertaining thereto
         or connected therewith, and granting, purchasing or disposing of
         annuities, as authorized by Section 3907.01, Ohio Revised Code, as it
         now exists or may hereafter be amended.

FOURTH:  The maximum number of shares which the Corporation is authorized to
         have outstanding is Sixty-Six Thousand (66,000) shares, all of which
         shall be with par value of Forty Dollars ($40.00) each.

FIFTH:   The amount of capital with which the Corporation will begin business is
         One Million Forty Thousand Dollars ($1,040,000.00).

SIXTH:   The corporate powers and business of the Corporation shall be
         exercised, conducted and controlled, and the corporate property managed
         by a board of directors consisting of not less than five (5), nor more
         than twenty-one (21), as may from time to time be fixed by the COde of
         Regulations of the Corporation. At the first election of directors
         one-third of the directors shall be elected to serve until the next
         annual meeting, one-third shall be elected to serve until the the
         second annual meeting, and one-third shall be elected to serve until
         the the third annual meeting; therefore all directors shall be elected
         to serve for terms of three (3) years each, and until their successors
         are elected and qualified. Vacancies in the board of directors, arising
         from any cause, shall be filled by the remaining directors.

         The directors shall be elected at the annual meetings of the
         stockholders by a majority of the stockholders present in person or by
         proxy, provided that vacancies may be filled as herein provided for.

         The stockholders of the Corporation shall have the right, subject to
         the statutes of the State of Ohio and these Articles of Incorporation,
         to adopt a Code of Regulations governing the transaction of the
         business and affairs of the Corporation which may be altered, amended
         or repealed in a manner provided by law.

* Amended effective January 30, 1995
<PAGE>   2

         The board of directors shall elect from their own number a Chairman of
         the Board of Directors, a General Chairman, and a President. The board
         of directors shall also elect a Vice President and a Secretary and a
         Treasurer, or a Secretary-Treasurer. The board of directors may also
         elect or appoint such additional vice presidents, assistant secretaries
         and assistant treasurers as may be deemed advisable or necessary, and
         may fix their duties. The board of directors may appoint such other
         officers as may be provided in the COde of Regulations. All officers,
         unless sooner removed by the board of directors, shall hold office for
         one (1) year or until their successors are elected and qualified. Other
         than the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the General Chairman and
         the President, the officers need not be members of the board of
         directors. Officers shall be elected at each annual organization
         meeting of the board of directors, but elections or appointments to
         fill vacancies may be had at nay meeting of the directors.

SEVENTH: The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be held
         at such time as may be fixed in the Code of Regulations of the
         Corporation. Any meeting of the stockholders, annual or special, may be
         held in or outside the State of Ohio. Reasonable notice of all meetings
         of stockholders should be given, by mail or publication, or as
         prescribed by the Code of Regulations or by law.

* Amended effective January 30, 1995

<PAGE>   1

                                                                       Exhibit 7

                      DRUEN, DIETRICH, REYNOLDS & KOOGLER
                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW
                              ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA
                              COLUMBUS, OHIO 43216

BRIAN M. BACON         RANDALL L. ORR     (614) 249-7617
THOMAS E. BARNES       ROBERT M. PARSONS                       TELECOPIER
ROGER A. CRAIG         THOMAS J. PRUNTE                      (614) 249-2418
ELIZABETH A. DAVIN     JOSEPH P. RATH
THOMAS W. DIETRICH     ARLENE L. REILLY              WRITER'S DIRECT DIAL NUMBER
W. SIDNEY DRUEN        LUCINDA A. REYNOLDS
JEANNE A. GRIFFIN      DANIEL R. RUPP                            249-7452
LEROY JOHNSTON, III    ANNE DANZA SAXON
MARK B. KOOGLER        THERESA R. SCHAEFER
WALTER R. LEAHY        W. JOSEPH SCHLEPPI
GEORGE K. MACKLIN      DAVID E. SIMAITIS
RANDALL W. MAY         KENT N. SIMMONS
M. LINDA MAZZITTI      LEE A. THORNBURY
SANDRA L. NEELY        PHILIP W. WHITAKER
PETER J. OESTERLING    DAVID L. WHITE
                       STEVEN L. ZISSER


Practice Limited to Nationwide Insurance Companies
and their associated companies

May 14, 1997

VIA EDGAR

Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43216

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have prepared the Registration Statement filed with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission for the purpose of registering under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Corporate Flexible Premium Variable
Universal Life Insurance Policies to be sold by Nationwide Life and Annuity
Insurance Company (the "Company") and to be issued and administered through
Nationwide VL Separate Account-A. In connection therewith, we have examined the
Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations of the Company, minutes of
meetings of the Board of Directors, pertinent provisions of federal and Ohio
laws, together with such other documents as we have deemed relevant for the
purposes of this opinion. Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that:

1.  The Company is a stock life insurance company duly organized and validly
    existing under the laws of the State of Ohio and duly authorized to issue
    and sell life, accident and health insurance and annuity contracts.

2.  Nationwide VL Separate Account-A has been properly created and is a validly
    existing separate account pursuant to the laws of the State of Ohio.

3.  The issuance and sale of the Corporate Flexible Premium Variable Universal
    Life Insurance Policies have been duly authorized by the Company. When
    issued and sold in the manner stated in the prospectus constituting a part
    of the Registration Statement, the policies will be legal and binding
    obligations of the Company in accordance with their terms, except that
    clearance must be obtained, or the policy must be approved, prior to the
    issuance thereof in certain jurisdictions.


<PAGE>   2


Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company
May 14, 1997

Page 2

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption "Legal
Opinions" in the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

DRUEN, DIETRICH, REYNOLDS & KOOGLER

Brian M. Bacon




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