<PAGE>
SUPPLEMENT DATED OCTOBER 1, 1997 TO
PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 1997 FOR
MODIFIED SINGLE PREMIUM VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES
ISSUED BY
NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
THROUGH ITS
NATIONWIDE VL SEPARATE ACCOUNT-A
This Supplement updates certain information contained in your Prospectus.
Please read it and keep it with your Prospectus for future reference.
1. Effective November 1, 1997, the "UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES"
provision of the Prospectus is amended by changing the Management Fees and
Other Expenses of the following Nationwide Separate Account Trust
underlying Mutual Fund options:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Other Expenses Total Mutual
Fees Fund Expenses
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Nationwide Separate Account Trust - Capital 0.65% 0.03% 0.68%
Appreciation Fund
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nationwide Separate Account Trust - Total Return 0.65% 0.02% 0.67%
Fund
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nationwide Separate Account Trust - Government 0.55% 0.02% 0.57%
Bond Fund
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nationwide Separate Account Trust - Money Market 0.45% 0.02% 0.47%
Fund
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
