NATIONWIDE VL SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
485BPOS, 1998-04-30
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<PAGE>   1
                                                   Registration No. 33-44300
===============================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



   
                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 8
                                   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 43215
              (EXACT NAME AND ADDRESS OF DEPOSITOR AND REGISTRANT)

                                 DENNIS W. CLICK
                                    SECRETARY
                              ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA
                              COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
                     (NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
    

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

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

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

[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485 
[X] on May 1, 1998 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485 
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) (1) of Rule 485 
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485

   

If appropriate check the following box:

[  ] This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a 
     previously filed post-effective amendment

Title of Securities being registered: Flexible Premium Variable Life Insurance 
Policies

Approximate date of proposed offering: Continuously on and after May 1, 1998

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

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

<PAGE>   2


                        CROSS REFERENCE TO ITEMS REQUIRED
                                 BY FORM N-8B-2
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

N-8B-2 ITEM                                                                       CAPTION IN PROSPECTUS
<S>                                                                               <C>
 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
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
N-8B-2 ITEM                                                                       CAPTION IN PROSPECTUS
<S>                                                                               <C>
35................................................................................Nationwide Life and Annuity
                                                                                  Insurance Company
36................................................................................Not Applicable
37................................................................................Not Applicable
38................................................................................Distribution of The Policies
39................................................................................Distribution of The Policies
40................................................................................Not Applicable
41(a).............................................................................Distribution of The Policies
42................................................................................Not Applicable
43................................................................................Not Applicable
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
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   4


                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
                                 P.O. Box 182150
                            Columbus, Ohio 43218-2150
                       (800) 533-5622, TDD (800) 238-3035

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

   
The life insurance policies offered by this prospectus are variable life
insurance policies (collectively referred to as the "Policies"). The Policies
are designed to provide life insurance coverage and the flexibility to vary the
amount and frequency of premium payments. The Policies may also provide a Cash
Surrender Value if the Policy is terminated during the lifetime of the Insured.
Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company (the "Company") guarantees to keep
the Policy in force during the first three years so long as the Minimum Premium
requirement has been met. The death benefit and Cash Value of the Policies may
vary to reflect the experience of the Nationwide 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 and the Fixed Account. The assets of each Sub-Account will be used
to purchase, at Net Asset Value, shares in one or more of the following Mutual
Fund options:
<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>
AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC.,                    NATIONWIDE SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST:
A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN CENTURY(SM)                                - Capital Appreciation Fund
FAMILY OF INVESTMENTS                                               - Government Bond Fund
     - American Century VP Advantage                                - Money Market Fund
FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND:                          - Total Return Fund
     -VIP Growth Portfolio                                     NEUBERGER & BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT
                                                               TRUST:
                                                                    - Balanced Portfolio
</TABLE>

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. The Company guarantees to keep the Policy in force during
the first three years so long as the Minimum Premium requirement has been met.
    

This prospectus generally describes only that portion of the Cash Value
allocated to the Variable Account. For a brief summary of the Fixed Account
Option, see "The Fixed Account Option" provision in this prospectus.

   
THE BENEFITS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN EVERY
JURISDICTION. PLEASE REFER TO YOUR POLICY FOR SPECIFIC BENEFIT INFORMATION.

INVESTMENTS IN THESE CONTRACTS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED
OR ENDORSED BY ANY BANK. INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY, AND AN
INVESTMENT IN THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUND OPTIONS 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 ("SEC") NOR HAS THE SEC PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THE PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

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

                   THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS MAY 1, 1998

    
                                       1
<PAGE>   5


   
                            GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL 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 Variable
Account Cash Value.

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

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

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

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

COMPANY- Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company.

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

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

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

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

GUIDELINE LEVEL PREMIUM- The amount of level annual premium calculated in
accordance with the provisions of the Code. It represents the level annual
premiums required to mature the Policy under guaranteed mortality and expense
charges, and an interest rate of 5%.

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

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

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

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

MATURITY DATE- The Policy Anniversary on or following the Insured's 95th
birthday.

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

MONTHLY ANNIVERSARY DAY- The same day as the Policy Date for each succeeding
month.

   
NET ASSET VALUE- The value of one share of an Underlying Mutual Fund 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 results 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. 

   
SUB-ACCOUNTS- Separate and distinct divisions of the Variable Account, to which
specific underlying Mutual Fund shares are allocated and for which Accumulation
Units are separately maintained.
    

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

UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS- A registered open-end management investment company in
which the assets of the Sub-Accounts will be invested.

VALUATION DATE- Each day the New York Stock Exchange and the Home Office are
open for business or any other day during which there is a sufficient degree of
trading of the Underlying Mutual Fund shares that the current Cash Value might
be materially affected.
    

                                       2
<PAGE>   6
   
VALUATION PERIOD- A period commencing with the close of a Valuation Date and
ending at the close of business for the next succeeding Valuation Date.
    

VARIABLE ACCOUNT- A separate investment account of Nationwide Life and Annuity
Insurance Company.

                                       3
<PAGE>   7
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<S>                                                                                                         <C>
GLOSSARY OF TERMS............................................................................................2
SUMMARY OF THE POLICIES......................................................................................6
         Variable Life Insurance.............................................................................6
         The Variable Account and its Sub-Accounts...........................................................6
         The Fixed Account...................................................................................6
         Deductions and Charges..............................................................................6
         Premiums............................................................................................7
NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY................................................................8
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT.........................................................................................8
         Investments of the Variable Account.................................................................8
         American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc., a member of the American Century(SM) Family of
         Investments.........................................................................................9
         Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund..........................................................10
         Nationwide Separate Account Trust..................................................................10
         Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust.......................................................10
         Reinvestment.......................................................................................11
         Transfers..........................................................................................11
         Dollar Cost Averaging..............................................................................12
         Substitution of Securities.........................................................................12
         Voting Rights......................................................................................12
INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLICIES..............................................................................12
         Underwriting and Issuance..........................................................................12
         Minimum Requirements for Issuance of a Policy......................................................12
         Premium Payments...................................................................................13
         Allocation of Cash Value...........................................................................13
         Short-Term Right to Cancel Policy..................................................................13
POLICY CHARGES..............................................................................................13
         Deductions from Premiums...........................................................................13
         Surrender Charges..................................................................................14
         Reductions to Surrender Charges....................................................................15
         Deductions from Cash Value.........................................................................15
         Monthly Cost of Insurance..........................................................................15
         Monthly Administrative Charge......................................................................16
         Increase Charge....................................................................................16
         Deductions from the Sub-Accounts...................................................................16
         Expenses of the Underlying Mutual Funds............................................................16
HOW THE CASH VALUE VARIES...................................................................................17
         How the Investment Experience is Determined........................................................17
         Net Investment Factor..............................................................................17
         Determining the Cash Value.........................................................................18
         Valuation Periods and Valuation Dates..............................................................18
SURRENDERING THE POLICY FOR CASH............................................................................18
         Right to Surrender.................................................................................18
         Cash Surrender Value...............................................................................18
         Partial Surrenders.................................................................................18
         Maturity Proceeds..................................................................................19
         Income Tax Withholding.............................................................................19
POLICY LOANS................................................................................................19
         Taking a Policy Loan...............................................................................19
         Effect on Investment Performance...................................................................19
         Interest...........................................................................................19
         Effect on Death Benefit and Cash Value.............................................................20
         Repayment..........................................................................................20
HOW THE DEATH BENEFIT VARIES................................................................................20
         Calculation of the Death Benefit...................................................................20
         Proceeds Payable on Death..........................................................................21
RIGHT TO EXCHANGE FOR A FIXED BENEFIT POLICY................................................................21
CHANGES OF INVESTMENT POLICY................................................................................21
</TABLE>
    

                                       4
<PAGE>   8
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                        <C>
GRACE PERIOD................................................................................................21
         First Three Policy Years...........................................................................21
         Policy Years Four and After........................................................................22
         All Policy Years...................................................................................22
REINSTATEMENT...............................................................................................22
THE FIXED ACCOUNT OPTION....................................................................................22
CHANGES IN EXISTING INSURANCE COVERAGE......................................................................23
         Specified Amount Increases.........................................................................23
         Specified Amount Decreases.........................................................................23
         Changes in the Death Benefit Option................................................................23
OTHER POLICY PROVISIONS.....................................................................................24
         Policy Owner.......................................................................................24
         Beneficiary........................................................................................24
         Assignment.........................................................................................24
         Incontestability...................................................................................24
         Error in Age or Sex................................................................................24
         Suicide............................................................................................24
         Nonparticipating Policies..........................................................................25
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS........................................................................................25
DISTRIBUTION OF THE POLICIES................................................................................25
CUSTODIAN OF ASSETS.........................................................................................25
TAX MATTERS.................................................................................................25
         Policy Proceeds....................................................................................25
         Withholding........................................................................................26
         Federal Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes..............................................26
         Non-Resident Aliens................................................................................27
         Taxation of the Company............................................................................27
         Tax Changes........................................................................................27
THE COMPANY.................................................................................................28
COMPANY MANAGEMENT..........................................................................................28
         Directors of the Company...........................................................................28
         Executive Officers of the Company..................................................................29
OTHER CONTRACTS ISSUED BY THE COMPANY.......................................................................29
STATE REGULATION............................................................................................29
REPORTS TO POLICY OWNERS....................................................................................30
ADVERTISING.................................................................................................30
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE ISSUES.................................................................................30
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS...........................................................................................30
EXPERTS.....................................................................................................30
REGISTRATION STATEMENT......................................................................................30
LEGAL OPINIONS..............................................................................................32
APPENDIX 1..................................................................................................33
APPENDIX 2..................................................................................................34
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS........................................................................................51
</TABLE>
    

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.


                                       5
<PAGE>   9


                             SUMMARY OF THE POLICIES

VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE

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

However, the Policies differ from fixed-benefit whole life insurance in several
respects. Unlike fixed-benefit whole life insurance, the death benefit and Cash
Value of the Policies may increase or decrease to reflect the investment
performance of the 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.
The Company guarantees to keep the Policy in force during the first three years
so long as certain requirements have been met (see "Underwriting and Issuance").
    

Under certain conditions, a Policy may become a modified endowment contract as a
result of a material change or a reduction in benefits as defined by the 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 or the Fixed Account into which the Cash Value will be allocated
(see "Allocation of Cash Value"). When the Policy is issued, the Policy's Net
Premiums not allocated to the Fixed Account will be placed in the Nationwide
Separate Account Trust-Money Market Fund ("NSAT Money Market Fund") until the
expiration of the period in which the Policy Owner may exercise his or her
short-term right to cancel the Policy (see "Short-Term Right to Cancel Policy").
Assets of each Sub-Account are invested at Net Asset Value in shares of
corresponding Underlying Mutual Fund options. For a description of the
Underlying Mutual Fund options and their investment objectives, see "Investments
of the Variable Account".
    

THE FIXED ACCOUNT

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

DEDUCTIONS AND CHARGES

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

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

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

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 $25 per month in
              the first year and $5 per month in renewal years. The charge in
              renewal years may be increased at the sole discretion of the
              Company but may not exceed $7.50 per month; plus


                                       6
<PAGE>   10
   

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

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

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

<TABLE>
                            Initial Specified Amount $50,000-$99,999
<CAPTION>

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

<TABLE>
                               Initial Specified Amount $100,000+
<CAPTION>
      Issue               Male                Female                Male                Female
       Age            Non-Tobacco          Non-Tobacco            Standard             Standard
<S>    <C>               <C>                  <C>                  <C>                  <C>   
       25                $5.776               $5.521               $6.369               $5.818
       35                 6.817                6.398                7.811                6.891
       45                 9.691                8.896               11.387                9.669
       55                13.136               11.511               15.915               12.616
       65                21.295               18.086               25.577               19.641
</TABLE>

   
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 (see
"Expenses of the Underlying Mutual Funds").
    

PREMIUMS

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

For a limited time, the Policy Owner has a 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 the Policy is
in force subject to the limits described below. During the first three Policy
Years, the total premium payments less any Policy Indebtedness, less any partial
surrenders, and less any partial surrender fee must be greater than or equal to
the Minimum Premium requirement in order to guarantee the Policy remain in
force. The Minimum Premium requirement is equal to the monthly Minimum Premium
multiplied by the number of completed policy months. The monthly Minimum Premium
is shown on the Policy Data Page.
    

                                       7
<PAGE>   11
   
The Company will send Scheduled Premium payment reminder notices to the Policy
Owner. The Company will send them according to the premium mode shown on the
Policy Data Page.
    

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

Each premium must be at least equal to the monthly Minimum Premium. The Company
reserves the right to require satisfactory evidence of insurability before
accepting any additional premium payment which results in any increase in the
net amount at risk. Also, 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. Where permitted by
state law, the Company may also require that any existing Policy Indebtedness is
repaid prior to accepting any additional premium payments.

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

   
The Company, formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance 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 the "Nationwide Insurance Enterprise" with its
Home Office at One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215. The Company is a
provider of life insurance and annuities. The Policies are distributed by the
General Distributor, Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. ("NAS").
    

                              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 SEC as a unit
investment trust pursuant to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the "1940 Act"). Nationwide Life Insurance Company, One Nationwide Plaza,
Columbus, Ohio 43215 serves as trustee for the trust. NAS, Three Nationwide
Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215 serves as principal underwriter for the trust.
Registration does not involve supervision of the management of the Variable
Account or the Company by the SEC.
    

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

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

NATIONWIDE ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.

The Contracts are distributed by the General Distributor, NAS, Three Nationwide
Plaza, Columbus, Ohio, 43215. NAS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide
Life Insurance Company.
    

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 Sub-Accounts and the Fixed Account (see
"Allocation of Cash Value"). During the period in which the Policy Owner may
exercise his or her short-term right to cancel the Policy, all Net Premiums not
allocated to the Fixed Account are placed in the NSAT Money Market Fund. At the
end of this period, the Cash Value in that Sub-Account will be transferred to
the Sub-Accounts based on the Underlying Mutual Fund allocation factors. Any
subsequent Net Premiums received after this period will be allocated based on
the Underlying Mutual Fund allocation factors.

No less than 5% of Net Premiums may be allocated to any one Sub-Account or the
Fixed Account. The Policy Owner may change the allocation of Net Premiums or may
transfer Cash Value from one Sub-Account to another, subject to 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"). Additional Premium Payments, upon
acceptance, will be allocated to the NSAT Money Market Fund unless the Policy
Owner specifies otherwise (see "Premium Payments").

These Underlying Mutual Fund options are available only to serve as the
underlying investment for variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance
policies issued through separate accounts of the life insurance companies which
may or may not be affiliated, also known as "mixed and shared funding." There
are certain
    


                                       8
<PAGE>   12

   
risks associated with mixed and shared funding, which are disclosed in the
Underlying Mutual Funds' prospectuses. A full description of the Underlying
Mutual Fund options, their investment policies and restrictions, risks and
charges are contained in the prospectuses of the respective Underlying Mutual
Funds.
    

Each of the Underlying Mutual Funds receives investment advice from a registered
investment adviser:

     1.   American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc., managed by American
          Century Investment Management, Inc., an affiliate of American Century
          Companies, Inc.;

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

     3.   Nationwide Separate Account Trust, managed by NAS; and
    

     4.   Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust, managed by Neuberger &
          Berman Management Incorporated.
   
The Underlying Mutual Fund options are NOT available to the general public
directly. The Underlying Mutual Funds are available as investment options in
variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts issued by life
insurance companies or, in some cases, through participation in certain
qualified pension or retirement plans.

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

   
A summary of investment objectives is contained in the description of each
Underlying Mutual Fund below. These Underlying Mutual Fund options are available
only to serve as the underlying investment vehicle for variable annuity
contracts and variable life insurance policies 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 are 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. A prospectus for the
Underlying Mutual Fund option(s) being considered must accompany this prospectus
and should be read in conjunction herewith. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES WILL BE ACHIEVED.
    

AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC., A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN CENTURY(SM)
FAMILY OF INVESTMENTS

   
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. was organized as a Maryland
corporation in 1987. It is a diversified, open-end investment management company
which offers its share only as investment vehicles for variable annuity
contracts and variable life insurance products of insurance companies. American
Century Variable Portfolios is managed by American Century Investment
Management, Inc.
    

       -AMERICAN CENTURY VP ADVANTAGE

       Investment Objective: Current income and capital growth. The fund will
       seek to achieve its objective by investing in three types of securities.
       The fund's investment manager intends to invest approximately (i) 20% of
       the fund's assets in securities of the United States government and its
       agencies and instrumentalities and repurchase agreements collateralized
       by such securities with a weighted average maturity of six months or
       less, i.e., cash or cash equivalents; (ii) 40% of the fund's assets in
       fixed income securities of the United States government and its agencies
       and instrumentalities with a weighted average maturity of three to ten
       years; and (iii) 40% of the fund's assets in equity securities that are
       considered by management to have better-than-average prospects for
       appreciation. Assets will be purchased or sold, as the case may be, as is
       necessary in response to changes in market value to maintain the asset
       mix of the Fund's portfolio at approximately 60% cash, cash equivalents
       and fixed income securities and 40% equity securities. There can be no
       assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

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

                                       9
<PAGE>   13

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND

   
The Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund (VIP) is an open-end, diversified,
management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on
November 13, 1981. Shares of VIP are purchased by insurance companies to fund
benefits under variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts.
Fidelity Management & Research Company ("FMR") is the manager for VIP and it's
portfolios.

       -VIP GROWTH PORTFOLIO

       Investment Objective: 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 this 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.

NATIONWIDE SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST

Nationwide Separate Account Trust ("NSAT") is a diversified open-end management
investment company organized under the laws of Massachusetts. NSAT offers shares
in the funds listed below, each with its own investment objectives. Shares of
NSAT will be sold only to life insurance company separate accounts to fund the
benefits under variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts
issued by life insurance companies. The assets of NSAT are managed by NAS, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

       -CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND

       Investment Objective: Long-term growth by primarily investing in a
       diversified portfolio of the common stock of companies which NAS
       determines have a better-than-average potential for sustained capital
       growth over the long term.

       -GOVERNMENT BOND FUND

       Investment Objective: A high level of income as is consistent with the
       preservation of by investing in a diversified portfolio of securities
       issued or backed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
       instrumentalities.


       -MONEY MARKET FUND

       Investment Objective: 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.

       -TOTAL RETURN FUND

       Investment Objective: Capital growth by investing in common stocks of
       companies that NAS believes will have above-average earnings or otherwise
       provide investors with above-average potential for capital appreciation.
       To maximize this potential, NAS may also utilize from time to time,
       securities convertible into common stock, warrants and options to
       purchase such stocks.

NEUBERGER & BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST

Neuberger and Berman Advisers Management Trust ("N & B AMT") is an open-end,
diversified management investment company consisting of several series. Shares
of the series of N & B AMT 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.
    

       -BALANCED PORTFOLIO

       Investment Objective: To provide long-term capital growth and reasonable
       current income without undue risk to principal. The Balanced Portfolio
       will seek to achieve its objective through investment of a portion of its
       assets in common stocks and a portion of its assets in debt securities.
       The Investment Adviser anticipates that the Balanced Portfolio's
       investments will normally be managed so that approximately 60% of the
       Portfolio's total assets will be invested in common stocks and the 
       remaining assets will be invested


                                       10
<PAGE>   14



        in debt securities. However, depending on the Investment Adviser's views
        regarding current market trends, the common stock portion of the
        Portfolio's investments may be adjusted downward to as low as 50% or
        upward to as high as 70%. At least 25% of the Portfolio's assets will be
        invested in fixed income senior securities.

REINVESTMENT

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

TRANSFERS
   

The Policy Owner may transfer Cash Value among the Sub-Accounts and the Fixed
Account. A transfer will take effect on the date of receipt of written notice at
the Home Office. Transfer requests must be in a written form acceptable to the
Company.

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

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

Transfers may be made once per Valuation Date and may be made either in writing
or, in states allowing such transfers, by telephone. The Company will employ
reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are
genuine. Such procedures may include the following: 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; or other procedures as the Company may
deem reasonable. Although the Company's 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 will be
borne by the Contract Owner. The Company may withdraw the telephone exchange
privilege upon 30 days written notice to Policy Owners.
    

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

   
Policies described in this prospectus may be sold to individual 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-Account 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 Contract 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 CONTRACT 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
    


                                       11


<PAGE>   15

   
         (2) the transfer or exchange instructions of individual Policy Owners
         who have executed preauthorized 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

If the Contract Value is $15,000 or more, the Policy Owner may direct the
Company to automatically transfer amounts from the NSAT Money Market Fund, NSAT
Government Bond Fund or the Fixed Account to any other Sub-Account. Dollar Cost
Averaging will occur on a monthly basis or on another frequency permitted by the
Company. Dollar Cost Averaging is a long-term investment program which provides
for regular, level investments over time. There is no guarantee that Dollar Cost
Averaging will result in a profit or protect against loss. The minimum monthly
transfer is $100. Transfers will be processed until either the value in the
originating funds is exhausted or the Policy Owner instructs the Home Office to
cancel the transfers.

The Company reserves the right to discontinue establishing new Dollar Cost
Averaging programs. The Company also reserves a right to assess a processing fee
for this service.

SUBSTITUTION OF SECURITIES

If shares of the Underlying Mutual Funds are no longer available for investment
by the Variable Account or, if in the judgment of the Company's management
further investment in the Underlying Mutual Fund options is inappropriate the
Company may eliminate Sub-Accounts, combine two or more Sub-Accounts, or
substitute shares of another Underlying Mutual Fund for Underlying Mutual Fund
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 SEC.

VOTING RIGHTS

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

In accordance with its view of applicable law, the Company will vote the shares
of the Underlying Mutual Funds at regular and special meetings of the
shareholders. These shares will be voted in accordance with instructions
received from Policy Owners. If the 1940 Act or any regulation thereunder should
be amended or if the present interpretation changes, permitting the Company to
vote the shares of the Underlying Mutual Funds in its own right, the Company may
elect to do so.

The Policy Owner is the person who has the voting interest under a Policy. The
number of Underlying Mutual Fund shares attributable to each Policy Owner is
determined by dividing the Policy Owner's interest in each respective
Sub-Account by the Net Asset Value of the Underlying Mutual Fund. The number of
shares which may be voted will be determined as of a date chosen by the Company
not more than 90 days prior to the meeting of the Underlying Mutual Fund. Each
person having a voting interest will receive periodic reports relating to the
Underlying Mutual Funds, proxy material and a form with which to give voting
instructions.

Voting instructions will be solicited by written communication at least 21 days
prior to such meeting. Underlying Mutual Fund shares to which no timely
instructions are received will be voted by the Company in the same proportion as
the voting instructions which are received with respect to all Policies
participating in the Variable Account.
    

                         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). Policies may be issued to Insureds with
issue ages 80 or younger. Before issuing any Policy, the Company requires
satisfactory evidence of insurability which may include a medical examination.

                                       12
<PAGE>   16

PREMIUM PAYMENTS

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

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

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

ALLOCATION OF CASH VALUE

   
At the time a Policy is issued, its Cash Value will be based on the NSAT Money
Market Fund value or the Fixed Account as if the Policy had been issued and the
Initial Net Premium invested on the date the premium was received in good order
at the Home Office. When the Policy is issued, the Net Premiums will be
allocated to the NSAT Money Market Fund (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 NSAT Money Market Fund. 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 Fund options 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 terms and conditions as may be imposed by
each Underlying Mutual Fund option and as set forth in the prospectus. Net
Premiums allocated to the Fixed Account at the time of application may not be
transferred prior to the first Policy Anniversary (see "Transfers" and
"Investments of the Variable Account").
    

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

SHORT-TERM RIGHT TO CANCEL POLICY

   
A Policy may be returned for cancellation and a full refund of premium within 10
days after the Policy is received, within 45 days after the application for
insurance is signed, or within 10 days after the Company mails or delivers a
Notice of Right of Withdrawal, whichever is latest. The Policy can be mailed or
delivered to the registered representative who sold it, or to the Home Office.
Immediately after mailing or delivery, the Policy will be deemed void from the
beginning. The Company will refund either the total premiums paid or the Cash
Value less Indebtedness as prescribed by the state in which the Policy was
issued within seven days after it receives the Policy.
    

                                 POLICY CHARGES

DEDUCTIONS FROM PREMIUMS

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

                                       13
<PAGE>   17

The Company also pays any state premium taxes attributable to a particular
policy when incurred by the Company. The Company expects to pay an average state
premium tax rate of approximately 2.5% of premiums for all states, although tax
rates generally range from 0% to 4%. To reimburse the Company for the payment of
state premium taxes associated with the Policies, the Company deducts a charge
for state premium taxes equal to 2.5% of all premium payments received. This
charge may be more or less than the amount actually assessed by the state in
which a particular Policy Owner lives. The Company does not expect to make a
profit from this charge.

SURRENDER CHARGES

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

                    Initial Specified Amount $50,000-$99,999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Issue                    Male                    Female                   Male                   Female
          Age                  Non-Tobacco             Non-Tobacco               Standard                Standard
<S>       <C>                   <C>                      <C>                     <C>                     <C>   
          25                    $7.776                   $7.521                  $8.369                  $7.818
          35                     8.817                    8.398                   9.811                   8.891
          45                    12.191                   11.396                  13.887                  12.169
          55                    15.636                   14.011                  18.415                  15.116
          65                    22.295                   19.086                  26.577                  20.641
</TABLE>

                       Initial Specified Amount $100,000+
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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

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

      Issue            Specified Amounts           Specified Amounts
       Age            less than $100,000           $100,000 or more
       0-35                  $6.00                        $4.00
      36-55                   7.50                         5.00
      56-80                   7.50                         6.50

The underwriting surrender charge is designed to cover the administrative
expenses associated with underwriting and issuing the Policy, including the
costs of processing applications, conducting medical exams, determining
insurability and the Insured's underwriting class, and establishing policy
records. The Company does not expect to profit from the underwriting surrender
charges. The Surrender Charge may be insufficient to recover certain expenses
related to the sale of the Policies. Unrecovered expenses are borne by the
Company's general assets which may include profits, if any, from Mortality and
Expense Risk Charges (see "Deductions from the Sub-Accounts"). Additional
premiums and/or income earned on assets in the Variable Account have no effect
on these charges. The remainder of the Surrender Charge which is not
attributable to the underwriting surrender charge component represents the sales
surrender charge component. In no event will this component exceed 26 1/2% of
the lesser of the Guideline Level Premium required in the first year or the
premiums actually paid in the first year. The purpose of the sales surrender
charge component is to reimburse the Company for some of the expenses incurred
in the distribution of the Policies. The Company also deducts 3.5% of each
premium for sales load (see "Deductions from Premiums")

                                       14
<PAGE>   18

REDUCTIONS TO SURRENDER CHARGES

The Surrender Charges are reduced in subsequent Policy Years in the following
manner:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      Surrender Charge                          Surrender Charge
    Completed        as a % of Initial        Completed        as a % of Initial
  Policy Years       Surrender Charges       Policy Years      Surrender Charges
<S>     <C>                 <C>                   <C>                 <C>
        0                   100%                  5                   60%
        1                   100%                  6                   50%
        2                    90%                  7                   40%
        3                    80%                  8                   30%
        4                    70%                  9+                   0%
</TABLE>

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

DEDUCTIONS FROM CASH VALUE

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

       1.     monthly cost of insurance charges; plus

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

       3.     monthly administrative expense charge; plus

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

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

MONTHLY COST OF INSURANCE

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

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

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

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

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

                                       15
<PAGE>   19

MONTHLY ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE

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

INCREASE CHARGE

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

DEDUCTIONS FROM THE SUB-ACCOUNTS

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

   
To compensate the Company for assuming these risks associated with the Policies,
the Company deducts on a daily basis from the assets of the Variable Account a
charge to provide for mortality and expense risks. This charge is equivalent to
an annual effective rate of 0.80% of the daily net assets of the Variable
Account. On each Policy Anniversary beginning with the 10th, the mortality and
expense risk charge is reduced to 0.50% on an annual basis of the daily net
assets of the Variable Account, provided the Cash Surrender Value is $25,000 or
more on the anniversary. To the extent that future levels of mortality and
expenses are less than or equal to those expected, the Company may realize a
profit from this charge. The Surrender Charge may be insufficient to recover
certain expenses related to the sale of the Policies. Unrecovered expenses are
borne by the Company's general assets which may include profits, if any, from
mortality and expense risk charges (see "Surrender Charges").

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

EXPENSES OF THE UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS

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:

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

                                                                    Management       Other     Total Expenses
                                                                       Fees        Expenses
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable  Portfolios,  Inc.- American Century VP        1.00%          0.00%         1.00%
                                                                         -----          -----         -----
Advantage
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                      <C>            <C>           <C>  
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio*                                           0.60%          0.09%         0.69%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Capital Appreciation Fund                                           0.60%          0.09%         0.69%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Government Bond Fund                                                0.50%          0.08%         0.58%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Money Market Fund                                                   0.40%          0.08%         0.48%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Total Return Fund                                                   0.60%          0.07%         0.67%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger&Berman Advisers Management Trust-Balanced Portfolio            0.85%          0.19%         1.04%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    


                                       16


<PAGE>   20

   
   *The investment adviser has voluntarily agreed to reimburse a potion of the
   management fees and/or other expenses resulting in a reduction of total
   expenses. Absent any partial reimbursement. "Management Fees" and "Other
   Expenses" for the Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio would have been 0.60% and
   0.09%.
    

   
The 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. None of the above
Underlying Mutual Funds are subject to 12b-1 fees, fee waivers or expense
reimbursement arrangements.
    

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

                            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 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 Asset Value per share of the Underlying Mutual Fund held in
       the Sub-Account determined at the end of the immediately preceding
       Valuation Period.

(c)    is a factor representing the Mortality and Expense Risk Charge. Such
       factor is equal to an annual rate of 0.80% of the daily Net Assets of the
       Variable Account. On each Policy Anniversary beginning with the 10th, the
       mortality and expense risk charge is reduced to 0.50% on an annual basis
       of the daily net assets of the Variable Account, provided the Cash
       Surrender Value is $25,000 or more on such anniversary.

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 Risk Charge and Expense Risk Charge.
    


                                       17
<PAGE>   21


DETERMINING THE CASH VALUE

   
The Cash Value is the sum of the value of all Accumulation Units and amounts
allocated and credited to the Fixed Account. The number of Accumulation Units
credited to each Sub-Account is 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. If 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 and an appropriate
amount from the Fixed Account will be deducted in the same proportion that the
Policy Owner's interest in the Variable Account and the Fixed Account bears to
the total Cash Value.
    

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

VALUATION PERIODS AND VALUATION DATES

   
A Valuation Period is the period commencing at the close of a Valuation Date 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 Home Office
are open for business or any other day during which there is a sufficient degree
of trading that the current Variable Account Contract Value 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. The written request must be signed and, where
permitted, the signature guaranteed by a member firm of the New York, American,
Boston, Midwest, Philadelphia or Pacific Stock Exchange, or by a commercial bank
or a savings and loan, which is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or other guarantor institution as defined by federal securities laws
and regulations. In some cases, the Company may require additional documentation
of a customary nature.
    

CASH SURRENDER VALUE

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

PARTIAL SURRENDERS

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

        1.      The minimum partial surrender is $500;

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

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

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

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

When a partial surrender is made, the Cash Value is reduced by the amount of the
partial surrender. Under Death Benefit Option 1, the Specified Amount is reduced
by the amount of the partial surrender, unless the death benefit is based on the
applicable percentage of cash value. In such a case, a partial surrender will
decrease the Specified Amount by the amount by which the partial surrender
exceeds the difference between the death benefit and Specified Amount. Partial
surrender amounts must be first deducted from the values in the Sub- Accounts.
Partial surrenders will be deducted from the Fixed Account only to the extent
that insufficient values are available in the Sub- Accounts. The Company
reserves the right to deduct a $25.00 fee from the partial surrender amount.
    

                                       18
<PAGE>   22


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

MATURITY PROCEEDS

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

INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING

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

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

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

TAKING A POLICY LOAN
   

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

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

A Policy Owner considering the use of policy loans in connection with his or her
retirement income plan should consult his or her personal tax adviser regarding
potential tax consequences that may arise if necessary payments are not made to
keep the Policy from lapsing. The amount of 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 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 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 basis, policy loans are credited with an annual effective rate of
5.1% during policy years 2 through 14 and an annual effective rate of 6% during
the 15th and subsequent policy years. The rate is guaranteed never to be lower
than 5.1%. The Company may change the current interest crediting rate on policy
loans at any time at its sole discretion. The loan interest rate is 6% per year
for all Policy loans. In the event that it is determined that such loans will be
treated, as a result of the differential between the interest crediting rate and
the loan interest rate, as taxable distributions under any applicable ruling,
regulation, or court decision, the 


                                       19
<PAGE>   23


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 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.

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 Sub-Accounts and the Fixed Account in proportion to the
Policy Owner's Fund allocation factors in effect at the time of the repayment.
Each repayment may not be less than $50. The Company reserves the right to
require that any loan repayments resulting from Policy loans transferred from
the Fixed Account must be first allocated to the Fixed Account.
    

                          HOW THE DEATH BENEFIT VARIES

CALCULATION OF THE DEATH BENEFIT

At issue, the Policy Owner selects the Specified Amount.

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

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

       The term "Applicable Percentage" means:

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

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

                   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>             <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%
</TABLE>

                                       20
<PAGE>   24
<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>             <C> 
       47               203%               67              118%               87              105%
       48               197%               68              117%               88              105%
       49               191%               69              116%               89              105%
       50               185%               70              115%               90              105%
       51               178%               71              113%               91              104%
       52               171%               72              111%               92              103%
       53               164%               73              109%               93              102%
       54               157%               74              107%               94              101%
       55               150%               75              105%               95              100%
       56               146%               76              105%
       57               142%               77              105%
       58               138%               78              105%
       59               134%               79              105%
</TABLE>

PROCEEDS PAYABLE ON DEATH

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

                  RIGHT TO EXCHANGE FOR A FIXED BENEFIT POLICY

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

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

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

                          CHANGES OF INVESTMENT POLICY
   

The Company may materially change the investment policy of the Variable Account.
The Company must inform the Policy Owners and obtain all necessary regulatory
approvals. Any change must be submitted to the various state insurance
departments which may disapprove it if deemed detrimental to the interests of
the Policy Owners or if it renders the Company's operations hazardous to the
public. If a Policy Owner objects, the Policy may be converted to a
substantially comparable General Account life insurance policy offered by the
Company on the life of the Insured. The Policy Owner has the later of 60 days (6
months in Pennsylvania) from the date of the investment policy change or 60 days
(6 months in Pennsylvania) from being informed of the 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 the conversion.
    

                                  GRACE PERIOD

FIRST THREE POLICY YEARS

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


                                       21


<PAGE>   25

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

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

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

POLICY YEARS FOUR AND AFTER

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

ALL POLICY YEARS

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

                                  REINSTATEMENT

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

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

       2.     providing evidence of insurability satisfactory to the Company;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Unless the Policy Owner has provided otherwise, all amounts will be allocated
based on the 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 1940
Act. 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 SEC 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 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


                                       22
<PAGE>   26


   

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

                     CHANGES IN EXISTING INSURANCE COVERAGE

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

SPECIFIED AMOUNT INCREASES
   

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

       1.     the request must be applied for in writing;

       2.     satisfactory evidence of insurability must be provided;

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

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

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

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

SPECIFIED AMOUNT DECREASES
   

After the first Policy Year, the Policy Owner may also request a decrease to the
Specified Amount. Any approved decrease will be effective on the Monthly
Anniversary Day on or next following the date the Company receives the request.
Any decrease will 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; or

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

CHANGES IN THE DEATH BENEFIT OPTION
   

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


                                       23
<PAGE>   27



                             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 Home Office. Once recorded, the change will be
effective when signed. The change will not affect any payment made or action
taken by the Company before it was recorded. The Company may require that the
Policy be submitted for endorsement before making a change.

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

BENEFICIARY


   
The Beneficiary(ies) will 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 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, the Death Proceeds will 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 at the Home Office. Any assignment will not affect 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 an increase after it has been in force during the
Insured's lifetime for 2 years from its effective date.

ERROR IN AGE OR SEX

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

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

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

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

SUICIDE

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

                                       24
<PAGE>   28



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.

                              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 contributions 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. 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, NAS.

NAS, Three Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215, acts as general distributor
for Nationwide Multi-Flex Variable Account, Nationwide DC Variable Account,
Nationwide DCVA-II, Nationwide Variable Account-II, Nationwide Variable
Account-5, Nationwide Variable Account-6, Nationwide Variable Account-8,
Nationwide Variable Account-9, 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 VL Separate Account-C,
Nationwide VLI Separate Account -2, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3,
Nationwide VLI Separate Account-4, NACo Variable Account and 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, Nationwide Investing Foundation III, and
Nationwide Asset Allocation Trust, which are open-end management investment
companies.
    

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

                               CUSTODIAN OF ASSETS

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

                                   TAX MATTERS

POLICY PROCEEDS

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

Section 7702A of the Code defines modified endowment contracts as those policies
issued or materially changed on or after June 21, 1988 on which the total
premiums paid during the first seven years exceed the amount that would have
been paid if the policy provided for paid up benefits after seven level annual
premiums (see "Information about the Policies"). The Code provides for taxation
of surrenders, partial surrenders, loans, collateral assignments and other
pre-death distributions from modified endowment contracts (other than certain
distributions to terminally ill 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. Under certain circumstances, certain distributions
made

                                       25
<PAGE>   29
   

under a Policy on the life of a "terminally ill individual," as that terms is
defined in the Code, are excludible from gross income.
    

It may not be advantageous to replace existing insurance with Policies described
in this prospectus. It may also be disadvantageous to purchase a policy to
obtain additional insurance protection if the purchaser already owns another
variable life insurance policy.

   
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 Policy 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 Section 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 failing to satisfy the diversification standards will not
be treated as life insurance unless the failure was inadvertent, is corrected,
and the Policy Owner or the Company pays an amount to the IRS. 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.
    

Should the Secretary of the Treasury issue additional rules or regulations
limiting the number of funds, transfers between funds, exchanges of funds or
changes in investment objectives of 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 will generally be treated as taxable income,
regardless of whether or not the Policy is a modified endowment contract.

   
WITHHOLDING

Distributions of income from a modified endowment contract are subject to
federal income tax withholding; however, the recipient may elect not to have the
withholding taken from the distribution. A distribution of income from a
modified endowment contract may be subject to mandatory back-up withholding
which cannot be waiver. The mandatory back-up withholding rate is 31% of the
income that is distributed and will arise if no taxpayer identification number
is provided to the Company, or if the IRS notifies the Company that back-up
withholding is required.

FEDERAL ESTATE AND GENERATION-SKIPPING TRANSFER TAXES

The federal estate tax is integrated with the federal gift tax under a unified
tax rate schedule. In general, for 1998, an estate of less than $625,000
(inclusive of certain predeath gifts) will not incur a federal estate tax
liability. In addition, an unlimited marital deduction may be available for
federal estate tax purposes, for certain amounts that pass to the surviving
spouse.
    

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

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

                                       26
<PAGE>   30

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

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

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

NON-RESIDENT ALIENS

   
Predeath distributions from Modified Endowment Contracts 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
IRS. Distributions to certain NRAs may be subject to lower, or in certain
instances zero, tax and withholding rates, if the United States has entered into
an applicable treaty. However, in order to obtain the benefits of such treaty
provisions, the NRA must give to the Company sufficient proof of his or her
residency and citizenship in the form and manner prescribed by the IRS. In
addition, for any distribution made after December 31, 1997, the NRA must obtain
an individual Taxpayer Identification Number from the IRS, 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 the payment is effectively connected to the
recipient's conduct of a trade or business in the United States and that the
payment is includable in the recipient's gross income for United States federal
income tax purposes. Any distributions may be subject to back-up withholding at
the statutory rate (currently 31%) if not taxpayer identification number, or an
incorrect taxpayer identification number, is provided.
    

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

TAXATION OF THE COMPANY

The Company is taxed as a life insurance company under the Code. Since the
Variable Account is not a separate entity from the Company and its operations
form a part of the Company, it will not be taxed separately as a "regulated
investment company" under Sub-chapter M of the Code. Investment income and
realized capital gains on the assets of the Variable Account are reinvested and
taken into account in determining the value of Accumulation Units. As a result,
such investment income and realized capital gains are automatically applied to
increase reserves under the Policies.

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

The Company may also incur state and local taxes (in addition to premium taxes)
in several states. At present, these taxes are not significant. If they
increase, however, charges for 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 IRS, is general and is not
intended as tax advice.

The Code has been subject to numerous amendments and changes, and it is
reasonable to believe that it will continue to be revised. The United States
Congress has considered numerous legislative proposals that, if enacted, could
change the tax treatment of the Policies. It is reasonable to believe that such
proposals 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, 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


                                       27
<PAGE>   31


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 change may take place.
No representation is made as to the likelihood of the continuation of these
current laws, interpretations, and policies.

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

                                   THE COMPANY

The Company is a life insurance company writing life, accident and health
insurance, and annuities in all states and the District of Columbia. The Company
issues variable annuity contracts through other segregated investment accounts.
This 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 Nationwide VL Separate Account-A, Nationwide
VL Separate Account-B, Nationwide VL Separate Account-C, Nationwide VA Separate
Account-A, Nationwide VA Separate Account-B, and Nationwide VA Separate
Account-C, 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 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.
    


                                       28
<PAGE>   32
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  DIRECTORS OF THE DEPOSITOR NAME AND      POSITIONS AND OFFICERS WITH DEPOSITOR             PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
       PRINCIPAL BUSINESS ADDRESS
<S>                                          <C>                                   <C>
Lewis J. Alphin                                           Director                  Farm Owner and Operator (1)
519 Bethel Church Road
Mount Olive, NC 28365

A. I. Bell                                                Director                  Farm Owner and Operator (1)
4121 North River Road West
Zanesville, OH 43701
Keith W. Eckel                                            Director                  Partner, Fred W. Eckel Sons;
1647 Falls Road                                                                     President, Eckel Farms, Inc. (1)
Clarks Summit, PA 18411

Willard J. Engel                                          Director                  Retired General  Manager,  Lyon County
301 East Marshall Street                                                            Co-operative Oil Company (1)
Marshall, MN 44691

Fred C. Finney                                            Director                  Owner  and  Operator,  Moreland  Fruit
1558 West Moreland Road                                                             Farm; Operator, Melrose Orchard (1)
Wooster, OH 44691

Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.                                 Director                  Chief  Executive  Officer,  Fuellgraf
600 South Washington Street                                                         Electric Company (1)
Butler, PA 16001

Joseph J. Gasper                          President and Chief  Operating  Officer   President and Chief Operating Officer,
One Nationwide Plaza                      and Director                              Nationwide Life Insurance  Company and
Columbus, OH 43215                                                                  Nationwide Life and Annuity  Insurance
                                                                                    Company (2)

Dimon R. McFerson                         Chairman and Chief Executive              Chairman and Chief Executive
One Nationwide Plaza                      Officer-Nationwide Insurance Enterprise   Officer-Nationwide Insurance
Columbus, OH 43215                        and Director                              Enterprise (2)

David O. Miller                           Chairman of the Board and Director        President, Owen Potato Farm, Inc.;
115 Sprague Drive                                                                   Partner, M&M Enterprises (1)
Hebron, OH 43025

Yvonne L. Montgomery                                      Director                  Senior Vice President-General Manager
Suite 1600                                                                          Southern Customer Operations for U.S.
2859 Paces Ferry Road                                                               Customer Operations, Xerox Corporation
Atlanta, GA 30339                                                                   (2)

C. Ray Noecker                                            Director                  Owner and Operator Noecker Farms (1)
2770 Winchester Southern S.
Ashville, OH 43103

James F. Patterson                                        Director                  Vice President, Pattersons, Inc.;
8765 Mulberry Road                                                                  President, Patterson Farms, Inc. (1)
Chesterland, OH 44026

Arden L. Shisler                                          Director                  President and Chief Executive Officer,
1356 North Wenger Road                                                              K&B Transport, Inc. (1)
Dalton, OH 44618

Robert L. Stewart                                         Director                  Owner and Operator Sunnydale Farms and
88740 Fairview Road                                                                 Mining (1)
Jewett, OH 43986

Nancy C. Thomas                                           Director                  Farm Owner and Operator, Da-Ma-Lor
10835 Georgetown Street NE                                                          Farms (1)
Louisville, OH 44641

Harold W. Weihl                                          Director                   Farm Owner and Operator, Weihl Farms
14282 King Road                                                                     (1)
Bowling Green, OH 43402

1) Principal Occupation for last 5 years

2) Prior to assuming this current position, held other executive management
positions with the same or affiliated companies.
</TABLE>
    



                                       29


<PAGE>   33

   
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 NAS, a registered broker-dealer.

Messrs., 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 and Nationwide
Investing Foundation III registered investment companies. Messrs. Gasper and
Woodward are trustees of Nationwide Separate Account Trust and Nationwide Asset
Allocation Trust, registered investment companies. Mr. McFerson is trustee of
Financial Horizons Investment Trust and Nationwide Investing Foundation II
registered investment companies. Mr. Engel is a director of Western Cooperative
Transport.
    

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                        OFFICE HELD
<S>                                         <C>
Robert A. Oakley                            Executive Vice President-Chief Financial Officer
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

Robert J. Woodward, Jr.                     Executive Vice President-Chief Investment Officer
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

W. Sidney Druen                             Senior Vice President and General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

Harvey S. Galloway, Jr.                     Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary, Health and Annuities
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

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

Susan A. Wolken                             Senior Vice President - Life Company Operations
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

Matthew S. Easley                           Vice President - Life Marketing and Administrative Services
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

Timothy E. Murphy                           Vice President - Strategic Marketing
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

R. Dennis Noice                             Vice President Retail Operations
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

Joseph P. Rath                              Vice President - Product and Market Compliance
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215
</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
1988-1996, Mr. Thresher served as a partner in the accounting firm KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP and lead partner for Nationwide Insurance Enterprise from 1993-1996.

                      OTHER CONTRACTS ISSUED BY THE COMPANY

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

                                STATE REGULATION

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

                                       30


<PAGE>   34

                            REPORTS TO POLICY OWNERS

   
The Company will mail to the Policy Owner, at the last known address of record,
an annual statement showing the amount of the current death benefit, the Cash
Value, and Cash Surrender Value, premiums paid and monthly charges deducted
since the last report, the amounts invested in the Fixed Account and in the
Variable Account and in each Sub-Account, 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 ranked and rated by independent financial rating services, among
which are 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.

   
                           YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE ISSUES

The Company has developed a plan to address issues related to the year 2000. The
problem relates to many existing computer programs using only two digits to
identify a year in the date field. These programs were designed and developed
without considering the impact of the upcoming change in the century. If not
corrected, many computer applications could fail or create erroneous results by
or at the Year 2000. The Company has been evaluating its exposure to the Year
2000 issue through a review of all of its operating systems as well as
dependencies on the systems of other users since 1996. The Company expects all
system changes and replacements needed to achieve Year 2000 compliance to be
completed by the end of 1998. Compliance testing will be completed in the first
quarter of 1999. The Company's parent, Nationwide Life Insurance Company (NLIC),
charges all costs associated with these system changes as the costs are
incurred.

Operating expenses in 1997 for NLIC including approximately $45 million on
technology projects, which includes costs related to Year 2000 and the
development of a new policy administration system for traditional life insurance
products and other system enhancements. NLIC anticipates spending a comparable
amount in 1998 on technology projects, including Year 2000 initiatives. These
expenses do not have an effect on the assets of the Variable Account and are not
charged through to the Contract Owner.
    

                                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, NAS, is not engaged in any material litigation of any
nature.
    

                                     EXPERTS

   
The audited 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.

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT

A Registration Statement has been filed with the SEC 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
    


                                       31
<PAGE>   35

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 43215. All the members of such firm are employed by the Nationwide Mutual
Insurance Company.
    



                                       32
<PAGE>   36
                                   APPENDIX 1
                                 ILLUSTRATION OF
                                SURRENDER CHARGES

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

Example 2: A male non-tobacco , age 35, purchases a Policy with a Specified 

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

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    Initial Specified Amount $50,000-$99,999
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        ISSUE                 MALE                FEMALE                MALE                FEMALE
         AGE              NON-TOBACCO          NON-TOBACCO            STANDARD             STANDARD
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>                 <C>                  <C>                  <C>                  <C>   
         25                  $7.776               $7.521               $8.369               $7.818
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         35                   8.817                8.398                9.811                8.891
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         45                  12.191               11.396               13.887               12.169
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         55                  15.636               14.011               18.415               15.116
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         65                  22.295               19.086               26.577               20.641
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       Initial Specified Amount $100,000+
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        ISSUE                 MALE                FEMALE                MALE                FEMALE
         AGE              NON-TOBACCO          NON-TOBACCO            STANDARD             STANDARD
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>                 <C>                  <C>                  <C>                  <C>   
         25                  $5.776               $5.521               $6.369               $5.818
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         35                   6.817                6.398                7.811                6.891
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         45                   9.691                8.896               11.387                9.669
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         55                  13.136               11.511               15.915               12.616
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         65                  21.295               18.086               25.577               19.641
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                         Reductions to Surrender Charges
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             SURRENDER CHARGE                                         SURRENDER CHARGE
      COMPLETED             AS A % OF INITIAL                COMPLETED                AS A % OF INITIAL
     POLICY YEARS           SURRENDER CHARGES               POLICY YEARS              SURRENDER CHARGES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>       <C>                      <C>                            <C>                         <C>
          0                        100%                           5                           60%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          1                        100%                           6                           50%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          2                         90%                           7                           40%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          3                         80%                           8                           30%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          4                         70%                           9+                           0%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SURRENDER CHARGE                       SURRENDER CHARGE                       SURRENDER CHARGE
  COMPLETED       AS A % OF INITIAL      COMPLETED      AS A % OF INITIAL       COMPLETED      AS A % OF INITIAL
 POLICY YEARS     SURRENDER CHARGES    POLICY YEARS     SURRENDER CHARGES     POLICY YEARS     SURRENDER CHARGES
<S>   <C>                 <C>                <C>               <C>            <C>                       <C>
      0                   100%               5                 60%            10                        20%
      1                   100%               6                 50%            11                        15%
      2                    90%               7                 40%            12                        10%
      3                    80%               8                 30%            13                         5%
      4                    70%               9                 25%            14+                        0%
</TABLE>

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

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

                                       33
<PAGE>   37


                                   APPENDIX 2
                          ILLUSTRATIONS OF CASH VALUES,
                             CASH SURRENDER VALUES,
                               AND DEATH BENEFITS

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

   
The amounts shown for the Cash Value, Cash Surrender Value and death benefit as
of each Policy Anniversary reflect the fact that the net investment return on
the assets held in the sub-accounts is lower than the gross return. This is due
to the daily charges made against the assets of the sub-accounts for assuming
mortality and expense risks. The mortality and expense risk charges are
equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.80% of the daily Net Asset Value of
the Variable Account. On each Policy Anniversary beginning with the 10th, the
mortality and expense risk charge is reduced to 0.50% on an annual basis of the
daily net assets of the Variable Account, provided the Cash Surrender Value is
$25,000 or more on such anniversary. In addition, the net investment returns
also reflect the deduction of Underlying Mutual Fund investment advisory fees
and other expenses which are equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.80% 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 March 13, 1998.
    

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 -1.60%, 4.40% and
10.40%. On each Policy Anniversary beginning with the 10th, the gross annual
rates of return of 0%, 6%, and 12% correspond to net investment experience at
constant annual rates of -1.30%, 4.70%, and 10.70%, provided the Cash Surrender
Value is $25,000 or more on such anniversary. This is due to a guaranteed
reduction in the mortality and expense risk charge from an annual effective rate
of 0.80% to an annual effective rate of 0.50% if the aforementioned conditions
apply.

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

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

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

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

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

                                       34
<PAGE>   38
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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

                                 CURRENT VALUES

                                 0.00% HYPOTHETICAL          6.00% HYPOTHETICAL          12.00% HYPOTHETICAL
                               GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN

                                          CASH                       CASH                        CASH
              ANNUAL PREMIUMS    CASH     SURR     DEATH     CASH    SURR     DEATH      CASH     SURR     DEATH
  YEAR        PAID      AT 5%   VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE    BENEFIT
<S> <C>       <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>   <C>         <C>       <C>   <C>         <C>        <C>   <C>   
    1         750        788     241        0     50,000      268       0     50,000      296        0     50,000

    2         750      1,614     706      132     50,000      783     210     50,000      864      290     50,000

    3         750      2,483   1,154      637     50,000    1,310     794     50,000    1,480      964     50,000

    4         750      3,394   1,579    1,120     50,000    1,845   1,386     50,000    2,144    1,685     50,000

    5         750      4,351   1,981    1,579     50,000    2,386   1,985     50,000    2,860    2,459     50,000

    6         750      5,357   2,362    2,018     50,000    2,937   2,592     50,000    3,636    3,292     50,000

    7         750      6,412   2,727    2,440     50,000    3,502   3,215     50,000    4,483    4,196     50,000

    8         750      7,520   3,071    2,842     50,000    4,077   3,847     50,000    5,404    5,174     50,000

    9         750      8,683   3,395    3,223     50,000    4,663   4,491     50,000    6,407    6,235     50,000

   10         750      9,905   3,698    3,698     50,000    5,262   5,262     50,000    7,503    7,503     50,000


   15         750     16,993   4,785    4,785     50,000    8,326   8,326     50,000   14,657   14,657     50,000

   20         750     26,039   4,747    4,747     50,000   11,163  11,163     50,000   25,820   25,820     50,000

   25         750     37,585   2,779    2,779     50,000   13,084  13,084     50,000   44,987   44,987     52,185

   30         750     52,321     (*)      (*)        (*)   12,846  12,846     50,000   77,324   77,324     82,737

   35         750     71,127     (*)      (*)        (*)    7,510   7,510     50,000  130,329  130,329    136,846
</TABLE>

(1)    ASSUMES NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
       ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE OF $25 FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND $5.00
       THEREAFTER. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL PREMIUMS
       UP TO THE BREAK POINT PREMIUM AND 4% ON PREMIUMS IN EXCESS OF BREAK POINT
       FOR ANY SINGLE POLICY YEAR.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.
(*)    UNLESS ADDITIONAL PREMIUM IS PAID, THE POLICY WILL NOT STAY IN FORCE.


THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE OR
LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE
INVESTMENT ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER, PREVAILING RATES AND RATES OF
INFLATION. THE DEATH BENEFIT AND CASH VALUES WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN
IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED THE ASSUMED RATES, BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS.

                                       35
<PAGE>   39



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

                                GUARANTEED VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 0.00% HYPOTHETICAL          6.00% HYPOTHETICAL          12.00% HYPOTHETICAL
                               GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN

                                         CASH                        CASH                         CASH
           ANNUAL PREMIUMS    CASH       SURR     DEATH      CASH    SURR     DEATH      CASH     SURR    DEATH
  YEAR     PAID     AT 5%     VALUE     VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT
<S> <C>       <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>   <C>         <C>       <C>   <C>         <C>       <C>   <C>   
    1         750        788     175        0     50,000      200       0     50,000      226       0     50,000

    2         750      1,614     540        0     50,000      608      34     50,000      679     105     50,000

    3         750      2,483     881      365     50,000    1,015     498     50,000    1,161     644     50,000

    4         750      3,394   1,198      739     50,000    1,420     961     50,000    1,672   1,213     50,000

    5         750      4,351   1,489    1,087     50,000    1,823   1,421     50,000    2,216   1,814     50,000

    6         750      5,357   1,751    1,407     50,000    2,219   1,875     50,000    2,792   2,448     50,000

    7         750      6,412   1,982    1,695     50,000    2,605   2,318     50,000    3,401   3,115     50,000

    8         750      7,520   2,178    1,948     50,000    2,977   2,748     50,000    4,044   3,814     50,000

    9         750      8,683   2,333    2,161     50,000    3,330   3,157     50,000    4,718   4,546     50,000

   10         750      9,905   2,445    2,445     50,000    3,657   3,657     50,000    5,425   5,425     50,000


   15         750     16,993   2,199    2,199     50,000    4,731   4,731     50,000    9,486   9,486     50,000

   20         750     26,039     (*)      (*)        (*)    3,966   3,966     50,000   14,446  14,446     50,000

   25         750     37,585     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)   20,249  20,249     50,000

   30         750     52,321     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)   27,165  27,165     50,000

   35         750     71,127     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)   37,284  37,284     50,000

<FN>
- ---------------------------

(1)    ASSUMES NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
       MONTHLY ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE OF $25 FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR
       AND $7.50 THEREAFTER. GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON
       ALL PREMIUMS.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

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

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 VALUES WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN
IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED THE ASSUMED RATES, BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS.

                                      36

<PAGE>   40



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

                                 CURRENT VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 0.00% HYPOTHETICAL          6.00% HYPOTHETICAL          12.00% HYPOTHETICAL
                               GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN

                                          CASH                         CASH                        CASH
           ANNUAL PREMIUMS    CASH        SURR     DEATH      CASH     SURR    DEATH      CASH     SURR    DEATH
  YEAR     PAID     AT 5%     VALUE      VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT
<S> <C>       <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>   <C>         <C>       <C>   <C>         <C>       <C>   <C>   
    1         750        788     240        0     50,240      267       0     50,267      294       0     50,294

    2         750      1,614     702      128     50,702      779     205     50,779      859     285     50,859

    3         750      2,483   1,145      628     51,145    1,300     784     51,300    1,469     952     51,469

    4         750      3,394   1,563    1,104     51,563    1,826   1,367     51,826    2,122   1,663     52,122

    5         750      4,351   1,956    1,555     51,956    2,356   1,954     52,356    2,823   2,421     52,823

    6         750      5,357   2,326    1,982     52,326    2,891   2,546     52,891    3,577   3,233     53,577

    7         750      6,412   2,677    2,391     52,677    3,436   3,149     53,436    4,395   4,108     54,395

    8         750      7,520   3,005    2,775     53,005    3,985   3,756     53,985    5,277   5,047     55,277

    9         750      8,683   3,309    3,137     53,309    4,540   4,368     54,540    6,230   6,058     56,230

   10         750      9,905   3,590    3,590     53,590    5,100   5,100     55,100    7,261   7,261     57,261


   15         750     16,993   4,508    4,508     54,508    7,815   7,815     57,815   13,712  13,712     63,712

   20         750     26,039   4,169    4,169     54,169    9,813   9,813     59,813   22,659  22,659     72,659

   25         750     37,585   1,809    1,809     51,809    9,931   9,931     59,931   34,844  34,844     84,844

   30         750     52,321     (*)      (*)        (*)    6,336   6,336     56,336   50,867  50,867    100,867

   35         750     71,127     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)   70,540  70,540    120,540

<FN>
- -----------------------

(1)    ASSUMES NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
       ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE OF $25 FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND $5.00
       THEREAFTER. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL PREMIUMS
       UP TO THE BREAK POINT PREMIUM AND 4% ON PREMIUMS IN EXCESS OF BREAK POINT
       FOR ANY SINGLE POLICY YEAR.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

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

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 VALUES WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN
IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED THE ASSUMED RATES, BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS.


                                       37
<PAGE>   41



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

                                GUARANTEED VALUES

                                 0.00% HYPOTHETICAL          6.00% HYPOTHETICAL          12.00% HYPOTHETICAL
                               GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN

                                     CASH                          CASH                       CASH
           ANNUAL PREMIUMS    CASH     SURR     DEATH      CASH    SURR     DEATH      CASH     SURR     DEATH
  YEAR     PAID     AT 5%     VALUE   VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE    BENEFIT
<S> <C>       <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>   <C>         <C>       <C>   <C>         <C>       <C>   <C>   
    1         750        788     173        0     50,173      198       0     50,198      224       0     50,224

    2         750      1,614     534        0     50,534      602      28     50,602      672      99     50,672

    3         750      2,483     870      354     50,870    1,002     486     51,002    1,146     630     51,146

    4         750      3,394   1,179      720     51,179    1,398     939     51,398    1,646   1,187     51,646

    5         750      4,351   1,460    1,058     51,460    1,787   1,385     51,787    2,172   1,770     52,172

    6         750      5,357   1,710    1,366     51,710    2,165   1,821     52,165    2,723   2,379     52,723

    7         750      6,412   1,925    1,638     51,925    2,529   2,242     52,529    3,299   3,012     53,299

    8         750      7,520   2,102    1,873     52,102    2,871   2,642     52,871    3,896   3,667     53,896

    9         750      8,683   2,236    2,064     52,236    3,187   3,015     53,187    4,512   4,340     54,512

   10         750      9,905   2,323    2,323     52,323    3,471   3,471     53,471    5,142   5,142     55,142

   15         750     16,993   1,909    1,909     51,909    4,161   4,161     54,161    8,382   8,382     58,382

   20         750     26,039     (*)      (*)        (*)    2,670   2,670     52,670   10,970  10,970     60,970

   25         750     37,585     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)   10,552  10,552     60,552

   30         750     52,321     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)    2,076   2,076     52,076

<FN>
- ------------------------

(1)    ASSUMES NO POLICY LOANS AND NO PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
       MONTHLY ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE OF $25 FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR
       AND $7.50 THEREAFTER. GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON
       ALL PREMIUMS.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

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

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 VALUES WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN
IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED THE ASSUMED RATES, BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS.


                                       38
<PAGE>   42



                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                 $1,200 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $50,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 55

                                 CURRENT VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 0.00% HYPOTHETICAL          6.00% HYPOTHETICAL          12.00% HYPOTHETICAL
                               GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN

                                         CASH                         CASH                        CASH
           ANNUAL   PREMIUMS    CASH     SURR     DEATH      CASH    SURR     DEATH      CASH     SURR     DEATH
  YEAR     PAID        AT 5%   VALUE    VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE    BENEFIT
<S> <C>     <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>   <C>         <C>       <C>   <C>         <C>        <C>   <C>   
    1       1,200      1,260     493        0     50,000      540       0     50,000      587        0     50,000

    2       1,200      2,583   1,195      502     50,000    1,328     635     50,000    1,466      773     50,000

    3       1,200      3,972   1,862    1,238     50,000    2,125   1,502     50,000    2,411    1,788     50,000

    4       1,200      5,431   2,489    1,935     50,000    2,929   2,375     50,000    3,426    2,872     50,000

    5       1,200      6,962   3,070    2,585     50,000    3,731   3,246     50,000    4,509    4,024     50,000

    6       1,200      8,570   3,605    3,189     50,000    4,534   4,119     50,000    5,673    5,257     50,000

    7       1,200     10,259   4,087    3,740     50,000    5,330   4,984     50,000    6,918    6,571     50,000

    8       1,200     12,032   4,507    4,230     50,000    6,111   5,833     50,000    8,247    7,970     50,000

    9       1,200     13,893   4,868    4,660     50,000    6,877   6,669     50,000    9,675    9,467     50,000

   10       1,200     15,848   5,160    5,160     50,000    7,621   7,621     50,000   11,207   11,207     50,000


   15       1,200     27,189   5,361    5,361     50,000   10,798  10,798     50,000   20,938   20,938     50,000

   20       1,200     41,663   2,465    2,465     50,000   12,184  12,184     50,000   36,920   36,920     50,000

   25       1,200     60,136     (*)      (*)        (*)    9,324   9,324     50,000   66,534   66,534     69,861

   30       1,200     83,713     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)  114,688  114,688    120,423

   35       1,200    113,804     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)  190,213  190,213    199,723

<FN>
- --------------------------

(1)    ASSUMES NO POLICY LOANS OR PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
       ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE OF $25 FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND $5.00
       THEREAFTER. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL PREMIUMS
       UP TO THE BREAK POINT PREMIUM AND 4% ON PREMIUMS IN EXCESS OF BREAK POINT
       FOR ANY SINGLE POLICY YEAR.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

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

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 VALUES WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN
IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED THE ASSUMED RATES, BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS.


                                      39
<PAGE>   43



                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 1
                 $1,200 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $50,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 55

                                GUARANTEED VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 0.00% HYPOTHETICAL          6.00% HYPOTHETICAL          12.00% HYPOTHETICAL
                               GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN

                                         CASH                        CASH                       CASH
            ANNUAL   PREMIUMS   CASH     SURR     DEATH      CASH    SURR     DEATH      CASH   SURR     DEATH
  YEAR       PAID     AT 5%     VALUE    VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE   VALUE   BENEFIT    VALUE   VALUE    BENEFIT
<S> <C>     <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>   <C>         <C>       <C>   <C>         <C>       <C>   <C>   
    1       1,200      1,260     288        0     50,000      328       0     50,000      369       0     50,000

    2       1,200      2,583     730       37     50,000      835     142     50,000      947     254     50,000

    3       1,200      3,972   1,113      490     50,000    1,312     689     50,000    1,530     907     50,000

    4       1,200      5,431   1,434      879     50,000    1,752   1,198     50,000    2,117   1,563     50,000

    5       1,200      6,962   1,683    1,198     50,000    2,146   1,661     50,000    2,700   2,215     50,000

    6       1,200      8,570   1,855    1,439     50,000    2,485   2,069     50,000    3,272   2,856     50,000

    7       1,200     10,259   1,940    1,594     50,000    2,756   2,409     50,000    3,824   3,478     50,000

    8       1,200     12,032   1,926    1,649     50,000    2,943   2,666     50,000    4,344   4,066     50,000

    9       1,200     13,893   1,798    1,590     50,000    3,028   2,820     50,000    4,814   4,607     50,000

   10       1,200     15,848   1,542    1,542     50,000    2,991   2,991     50,000    5,220   5,220     50,000


   15       1,200     27,189     (*)      (*)        (*)      106     106     50,000    5,495   5,495     50,000

<FN>
- -----------------------

(1)    ASSUMES NO POLICY LOANS OR PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
       MONTHLY ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE OF $25 FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR
       AND $7.50 THEREAFTER. GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON
       ALL PREMIUMS.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

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

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 VALUES WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN
IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED THE ASSUMED RATES, BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS.


                                      40
<PAGE>   44



                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 2
                 $1,200 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $50,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 55

                                 CURRENT VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 0.00% HYPOTHETICAL          6.00% HYPOTHETICAL          12.00% HYPOTHETICAL
                               GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN

                                        CASH                        CASH                        CASH
           ANNUAL    PREMIUMS   CASH    SURR     DEATH      CASH    SURR      DEATH     CASH    SURR      DEATH
  YEAR      PAID      AT 5%     VALUE   VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE   VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE   VALUE    BENEFIT
   <S>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>     <C>        <C>  
    1       1,200      1,260     487        0     50,487      534       0     50,534      581       0     50,581

    2       1,200      2,583   1,180      487     51,180    1,311     618     51,311    1,448     755     51,448

    3       1,200      3,972   1,831    1,207     51,831    2,090   1,466     52,090    2,371   1,747     52,371

    4       1,200      5,431   2,436    1,882     52,436    2,865   2,311     52,865    3,350   2,796     53,350

    5       1,200      6,962   2,986    2,501     52,986    3,628   3,143     53,628    4,381   3,896     54,381

    6       1,200      8,570   3,483    3,067     53,483    4,377   3,961     54,377    5,471   5,055     55,471

    7       1,200     10,259   3,917    3,570     53,917    5,102   4,755     55,102    6,613   6,267     56,613

    8       1,200     12,032   4,279    4,002     54,279    5,791   5,514     55,791    7,803   7,526     57,803

    9       1,200     13,893   4,570    4,362     54,570    6,443   6,235     56,443    9,045   8,837     59,045

   10       1,200     15,848   4,781    4,781     54,781    7,044   7,044     57,044   10,334  10,334     60,334


   15       1,200     27,189   4,390    4,390     54,390    8,915   8,915     58,915   17,325  17,325     67,325

   20       1,200     41,663     776      776     50,776    7,486   7,486     57,486   24,406  24,406     74,406

   25       1,200     60,136     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)   29,600  29,600     79,600

   30       1,200     83,713     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)   27,765  27,765     77,765

   35       1,200    113,804     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)    9,106   9,106     59,106

<FN>
- ---------------------------

(1)    ASSUMES NO POLICY LOANS OR PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
       ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE OF $25 FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND $5.00
       THEREAFTER. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL PREMIUMS
       UP TO THE BREAK POINT PREMIUM AND 4% ON PREMIUMS IN EXCESS OF BREAK POINT
       FOR ANY SINGLE POLICY YEAR.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

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

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 VALUES WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN
IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED THE ASSUMED RATES, BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS.


                                      41
<PAGE>   45



                             DEATH BENEFIT OPTION 2
                 $1,200 ANNUAL PREMIUM: $50,000 SPECIFIED AMOUNT
                            MALE: NON-TOBACCO: AGE 55

                                GUARANTEED VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 0.00% HYPOTHETICAL          6.00% HYPOTHETICAL          12.00% HYPOTHETICAL
                               GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN

                                        CASH                        CASH                         CASH
            ANNUAL   PREMIUMS   CASH    SURR      DEATH     CASH    SURR      DEATH     CASH     SURR     DEATH
  YEAR       PAID     AT 5%     VALUE   VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE   VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE    BENEFIT
   <S>      <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>   
    1       1,200      1,260     280        0     50,280      320       0     50,320      361       0     50,361

    2       1,200      2,583     710       17     50,710      813     120     50,813      921     228     50,921

    3       1,200      3,972   1,074      450     51,074    1,266     643     51,266    1,478     854     51,478

    4       1,200      5,431   1,368      814     51,368    1,674   1,119     51,674    2,023   1,468     52,023

    5       1,200      6,962   1,585    1,100     51,585    2,023   1,538     52,023    2,546   2,061     52,546

    6       1,200      8,570   1,718    1,302     51,718    2,304   1,888     52,304    3,036   2,620     53,036

    7       1,200     10,259   1,758    1,411     51,758    2,504   2,157     52,504    3,481   3,134     53,481

    8       1,200     12,032   1,693    1,415     51,693    2,605   2,327     52,605    3,860   3,582     53,860

    9       1,200     13,893   1,510    1,302     51,510    2,588   2,380     52,588    4,151   3,943     54,151

   10       1,200     15,848   1,199    1,199     51,199    2,434   2,434     52,434    4,332   4,332     54,332


   15       1,200     27,189     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)    2,609   2,609     52,609

<FN>
- --------------------------

(1)    ASSUMES NO POLICY LOANS OR PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
       MONTHLY ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE OF $25 FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR
       AND $7.50 THEREAFTER. GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON
       ALL PREMIUMS.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

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

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 VALUES WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN
IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED THE ASSUMED RATES, BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS.

                                       42
<PAGE>   46



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

                                 CURRENT VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 0.00% HYPOTHETICAL          6.00% HYPOTHETICAL          12.00% HYPOTHETICAL
                               GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN

                                       CASH                         CASH                         CASH
           ANNUAL   PREMIUMS   CASH    SURR      DEATH      CASH    SURR      DEATH     CASH     SURR     DEATH
  YEAR      PAID      AT 5%    VALUE   VALUE     BENEFIT    VALUE   VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE    BENEFIT
   <S>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>        <C>    
    1       1,500      1,575     799        0    100,000      864       0    100,000      928       31    100,000

    2       1,500      3,229   1,803      905    100,000    1,989   1,091    100,000    2,183    1,286    100,000

    3       1,500      4,965   2,771    1,963    100,000    3,143   2,335    100,000    3,547    2,739    100,000

    4       1,500      6,788   3,704    2,986    100,000    4,328   3,610    100,000    5,031    4,313    100,000

    5       1,500      8,703   4,604    3,976    100,000    5,546   4,918    100,000    6,650    6,022    100,000

    6       1,500     10,713   5,472    4,933    100,000    6,800   6,262    100,000    8,420    7,881    100,000

    7       1,500     12,824   6,297    5,848    100,000    8,081   7,632    100,000   10,345    9,897    100,000

    8       1,500     15,040   7,069    6,710    100,000    9,379   9,020    100,000   12,433   12,074    100,000

    9       1,500     17,367   7,790    7,521    100,000   10,698  10,428    100,000   14,704   14,435    100,000

   10       1,500     19,810   8,451    8,451    100,000   12,028  12,028    100,000   17,170   17,170    100,000

   15       1,500     33,986  11,068   11,068    100,000   19,125  19,125    100,000   33,766   33,766    100,000

   20       1,500     52,079  11,929   11,929    100,000   26,663  26,663    100,000   61,182   61,182    100,000

   25       1,500     75,170   9,916    9,916    100,000   34,418  34,418    100,000  107,751  107,751    124,991

   30       1,500    104,641   2,735    2,735    100,000   41,087  41,087    100,000  184,431  184,431    197,341

   35       1,500    142,254     (*)      (*)        (*)   44,522  44,522    100,000  310,217  310,217    325,728

<FN>
- ---------------------------

(1)    ASSUMES NO POLICY LOANS OR PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
       ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE OF $25 FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND $5.00
       THEREAFTER. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL PREMIUMS
       UP TO THE BREAK POINT PREMIUM AND 4% ON PREMIUMS IN EXCESS OF BREAK POINT
       FOR ANY SINGLE POLICY YEAR.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

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

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 VALUES WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN
IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED THE ASSUMED RATES, BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS.

                                       43
<PAGE>   47



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

                                GUARANTEED VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 0.00% HYPOTHETICAL          6.00% HYPOTHETICAL          12.00% HYPOTHETICAL
                               GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN

                                        CASH                        CASH                        CASH
           ANNUAL     PREMIUMS  CASH    SURR     DEATH      CASH    SURR     DEATH      CASH    SURR      DEATH
  YEAR      PAID       AT 5%    VALUE   VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE   VALUE   BENEFIT     VALUE   VALUE    BENEFIT
   <S>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>        <C>  
    1       1,500      1,575     751        0    100,000      814       0    100,000      878        0    100,000

    2       1,500      3,229   1,675      777    100,000    1,854     956    100,000    2,041    1,144    100,000

    3       1,500      4,965   2,558    1,750    100,000    2,913   2,105    100,000    3,298    2,490    100,000

    4       1,500      6,788   3,399    2,681    100,000    3,989   3,271    100,000    4,655    3,937    100,000

    5       1,500      8,703   4,196    3,567    100,000    5,082   4,453    100,000    6,122    5,494    100,000

    6       1,500     10,713   4,945    4,406    100,000    6,187   5,649    100,000    7,707    7,168    100,000

    7       1,500     12,824   5,642    5,193    100,000    7,302   6,853    100,000    9,417    8,969    100,000

    8       1,500     15,040   6,282    5,923    100,000    8,421   8,062    100,000   11,262   10,903    100,000

    9       1,500     17,367   6,858    6,588    100,000    9,537   9,268    100,000   13,251   12,982    100,000

   10       1,500     19,810   7,365    7,365    100,000   10,646  10,646    100,000   15,395   15,395    100,000

   15       1,500     33,986   8,667    8,667    100,000   15,879  15,879    100,000   29,121   29,121    100,000

   20       1,500     52,079   7,003    7,003    100,000   19,687  19,687    100,000   50,746   50,746    100,000

   25       1,500     75,170     (*)      (*)        (*)   19,705  19,705    100,000   87,111   87,111    101,049

   30       1,500    104,641     (*)      (*)        (*)   10,491  10,491    100,000  149,298  149,298    159,749

   35       1,500    142,254     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)  250,764  250,764    263,302

<FN>
- -----------------------

(1)    ASSUMES NO POLICY LOANS OR PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
       MONTHLY ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE OF $25 FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR
       AND $7.50 THEREAFTER. GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON
       ALL PREMIUMS.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

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

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 VALUES WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN
IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED THE ASSUMED RATES, BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS.

                                       44
<PAGE>   48



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

                                 CURRENT VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 0.00% HYPOTHETICAL          6.00% HYPOTHETICAL          12.00% HYPOTHETICAL
                               GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN

                                       CASH                         CASH                        CASH
            ANNUAL   PREMIUMS  CASH    SURR      DEATH      CASH    SURR     DEATH     CASH     SURR      DEATH
  YEAR       PAID      AT 5%   VALUE   VALUE    BENEFIT     VALUE   VALUE   BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE    BENEFIT
   <S>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>        <C>  
    1       1,500      1,575     796        0    100,796      860       0    100,860      925       27    100,925

    2       1,500      3,229   1,793      896    101,793    1,978   1,081    101,978    2,171    1,274    102,171

    3       1,500      4,965   2,751    1,943    102,751    3,120   2,313    103,120    3,521    2,713    103,521

    4       1,500      6,788   3,670    2,952    103,670    4,288   3,570    104,288    4,983    4,265    104,983

    5       1,500      8,703   4,552    3,924    104,552    5,482   4,853    105,482    6,571    5,942    106,571

    6       1,500     10,713   5,397    4,858    105,397    6,704   6,165    106,704    8,296    7,758    108,296

    7       1,500     12,824   6,193    5,745    106,193    7,942   7,494    107,942   10,161    9,712    110,161

    8       1,500     15,040   6,931    6,572    106,931    9,187   8,828    109,187   12,167   11,808    112,167

    9       1,500     17,367   7,610    7,341    107,610   10,437  10,168    110,437   14,329   14,060    114,329

   10       1,500     19,810   8,221    8,221    108,221   11,682  11,682    111,682   16,651   16,651    116,651


   15       1,500     33,986  10,477   10,477    110,477   18,031  18,031    118,031   31,632   31,632    131,632

   20       1,500     52,079  10,710   10,710    110,710   23,760  23,760    123,760   54,303   54,303    154,303

   25       1,500     75,170   7,771    7,771    107,771   27,485  27,485    127,485   87,582   87,582    187,582

   30       1,500    104,641     (*)      (*)        (*)   26,171  26,171    126,171  135,472  135,472    235,472

   35       1,500    142,254     (*)      (*)        (*)   13,912  13,912    113,912  202,743  202,743    302,743

<FN>
- --------------------------

(1)    ASSUMES NO POLICY LOANS OR PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
       ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE OF $25 FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND $5.00
       THEREAFTER. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL PREMIUMS
       UP TO THE BREAK POINT PREMIUM AND 4% ON PREMIUMS IN EXCESS OF BREAK POINT
       FOR ANY SINGLE POLICY YEAR.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

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

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 VALUES WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN
IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED THE ASSUMED RATES, BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS.


                                      45
<PAGE>   49



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

                                GUARANTEED VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 0.00% HYPOTHETICAL          6.00% HYPOTHETICAL          12.00% HYPOTHETICAL
                               GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN

                                        CASH                        CASH                         CASH
           ANNUAL    PREMIUMS   CASH    SURR     DEATH      CASH    SURR      DEATH      CASH    SURR     DEATH
  YEAR      PAID       AT 5%    VALUE   VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE   VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE    BENEFIT
   <S>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>  
    1       1,500      1,575     748        0    100,748      810       0    100,810      873       0    100,873

    2       1,500      3,229   1,664      766    101,664    1,842     944    101,842    2,028   1,131    102,028

    3       1,500      4,965   2,536    1,728    102,536    2,887   2,080    102,887    3,269   2,461    103,269

    4       1,500      6,788   3,361    2,643    103,361    3,944   3,226    103,944    4,602   3,884    104,602

    5       1,500      8,703   4,137    3,509    104,137    5,009   4,381    105,009    6,033   5,405    106,033

    6       1,500     10,713   4,861    4,322    104,861    6,079   5,540    106,079    7,567   7,029    107,567

    7       1,500     12,824   5,525    5,077    105,525    7,146   6,697    107,146    9,209   8,760    109,209

    8       1,500     15,040   6,126    5,767    106,126    8,204   7,845    108,204   10,961  10,602    110,961

    9       1,500     17,367   6,655    6,386    106,655    9,243   8,974    109,243   12,826  12,557    112,826

   10       1,500     19,810   7,108    7,108    107,108   10,257  10,257    110,257   14,809  14,809    114,809


   15       1,500     33,986   7,992    7,992    107,992   14,608  14,608    114,608   26,644  26,644    126,644

   20       1,500     52,079   5,673    5,673    105,673   16,391  16,391    116,391   42,448  42,448    142,448

   25       1,500     75,170     (*)      (*)        (*)   12,425  12,425    112,425   61,419  61,419    161,419

   30       1,500    104,641     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)   80,800  80,800    180,800

   35       1,500    142,254     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)   92,554  92,554    192,554

<FN>
- ----------------------------

(1)    ASSUMES NO POLICY LOANS OR PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
       MONTHLY ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE OF $25 FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR
       AND $7.50 THEREAFTER. GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON
       ALL PREMIUMS.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

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

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 VALUES WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN
IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED THE ASSUMED RATES, BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS.

                                       46
<PAGE>   50



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

                                 CURRENT VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 0.00% HYPOTHETICAL          6.00% HYPOTHETICAL          12.00% HYPOTHETICAL
                               GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN

                                       CASH                         CASH                         CASH
           ANNUAL    PREMIUMS  CASH    SURR      DEATH      CASH    SURR      DEATH     CASH     SURR     DEATH
  YEAR      PAID      AT 5%    VALUE   VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE    BENEFIT
   <S>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>    
    1       2,500      2,625   1,386      223    100,000    1,495     333    100,000    1,605      443    100,000

    2       2,500      5,381   2,961    1,799    100,000    3,275   2,112    100,000    3,602    2,439    100,000

    3       2,500      8,275   4,489    3,443    100,000    5,109   4,063    100,000    5,782    4,736    100,000

    4       2,500     11,314   5,949    5,019    100,000    6,982   6,052    100,000    8,147    7,217    100,000

    5       2,500     14,505   7,327    6,513    100,000    8,878   8,064    100,000   10,701    9,887    100,000

    6       2,500     17,855   8,626    7,929    100,000   10,805  10,107    100,000   13,471   12,773    100,000

    7       2,500     21,373   9,844    9,262    100,000   12,760  12,178    100,000   16,479   15,898    100,000

    8       2,500     25,066  10,965   10,500    100,000   14,732  14,267    100,000   19,743   19,278    100,000

    9       2,500     28,945  11,988   11,639    100,000   16,721  16,372    100,000   23,293   22,944    100,000

   10       2,500     33,017  12,919   12,919    100,000   18,735  18,735    100,000   27,174   27,174    100,000

   15       2,500     56,644  15,657   15,657    100,000   28,929  28,929    100,000   53,773   53,773    100,000

   20       2,500     86,798  13,769   13,769    100,000   39,070  39,070    100,000   99,843   99,843    106,832

   25       2,500    125,284   3,152    3,152    100,000   47,636  47,636    100,000  178,503  178,503    187,428

   30       2,500    174,402     (*)      (*)        (*)   51,634  51,634    100,000  304,551  304,551    319,778

   35       2,500    237,091     (*)      (*)        (*)   43,079  43,079    100,000  502,828  502,828    527,969

<FN>
- -----------------------------

(1)    ASSUMES NO POLICY LOANS OR PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
       ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE OF $25 FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND $5.00
       THEREAFTER. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL PREMIUMS
       UP TO THE BREAK POINT PREMIUM AND 4% ON PREMIUMS IN EXCESS OF BREAK POINT
       FOR ANY SINGLE POLICY YEAR.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

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

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 VALUES WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN
IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED THE ASSUMED RATES, BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS.

                                       47
<PAGE>   51



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

                                GUARANTEED VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 0.00% HYPOTHETICAL          6.00% HYPOTHETICAL          12.00% HYPOTHETICAL
                               GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN

                                        CASH                        CASH                         CASH
            ANNUAL   PREMIUMS  CASH     SURR      DEATH     CASH    SURR      DEATH    CASH      SURR      DEATH
  YEAR      PAID      AT 5%    VALUE    VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE   VALUE    BENEFIT   VALUE     VALUE    BENEFIT
   <S>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>        <C>   
    1       2,500      2,625   1,212       50    100,000    1,316     154    100,000    1,421      258    100,000

    2       2,500      5,381   2,542    1,380    100,000    2,832   1,670    100,000    3,135    1,973    100,000

    3       2,500      8,275   3,778    2,732    100,000    4,340   3,294    100,000    4,953    3,906    100,000

    4       2,500     11,314   4,913    3,983    100,000    5,833   4,903    100,000    6,878    5,948    100,000

    5       2,500     14,505   5,937    5,123    100,000    7,301   6,488    100,000    8,915    8,101    100,000

    6       2,500     17,855   6,842    6,145    100,000    8,735   8,037    100,000   11,070   10,372    100,000

    7       2,500     21,373   7,617    7,036    100,000   10,121   9,540    100,000   13,348   12,767    100,000

    8       2,500     25,066   8,245    7,780    100,000   11,443  10,978    100,000   15,753   15,288    100,000

    9       2,500     28,945   8,708    8,359    100,000   12,682  12,333    100,000   18,289   17,940    100,000

   10       2,500     33,017   8,989    8,989    100,000   13,818  13,818    100,000   20,963   20,963    100,000

   15       2,500     56,644   7,002    7,002    100,000   17,234  17,234    100,000   37,407   37,407    100,000

   20       2,500     86,798     (*)      (*)        (*)   12,880  12,880    100,000   62,409   62,409    100,000

   25       2,500    125,284     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)  109,545  109,545    115,023

   30       2,500    174,402     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)  190,458  190,458    199,981

   35       2,500    237,091     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)  314,104  314,104    329,809

<FN>
- ---------------------------

(1)    ASSUMES NO POLICY LOANS OR PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
       MONTHLY ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE OF $25 FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR
       AND $7.50 THEREAFTER. GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON
       ALL PREMIUMS.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

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

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 VALUES WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN
IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED THE ASSUMED RATES, BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS.

                                       48
<PAGE>   52



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

                                 CURRENT VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 0.00% HYPOTHETICAL          6.00% HYPOTHETICAL          12.00% HYPOTHETICAL
                               GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN

                                       CASH                         CASH                         CASH
           ANNUAL    PREMIUMS  CASH    SURR       DEATH     CASH    SURR      DEATH     CASH     SURR      DEATH
  YEAR      PAID      AT 5%    VALUE   VALUE     BENEFIT    VALUE   VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE    BENEFIT
   <S>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>        <C>    
    1       2,500      2,625   1,374      211    101,374    1,482     320    101,482    1,591      429    101,591

    2       2,500      5,381   2,927    1,764    102,927    3,236   2,074    103,236    3,559    2,397    103,559

    3       2,500      8,275   4,419    3,373    104,419    5,029   3,983    105,029    5,691    4,645    105,691

    4       2,500     11,314   5,832    4,902    105,832    6,841   5,911    106,841    7,980    7,050    107,980

    5       2,500     14,505   7,144    6,330    107,144    8,651   7,837    108,651   10,420    9,607    110,420

    6       2,500     17,855   8,362    7,664    108,362   10,463   9,765    110,463   13,032   12,335    113,032

    7       2,500     21,373   9,478    8,897    109,478   12,268  11,687    112,268   15,824   15,242    115,824

    8       2,500     25,066  10,477   10,012    110,477   14,049  13,584    114,049   18,794   18,329    118,794

    9       2,500     28,945  11,354   11,005    111,354   15,797  15,448    115,797   21,956   21,607    121,956

   10       2,500     33,017  12,115   12,115    112,115   17,516  17,516    117,516   25,333   25,333    125,333

   15       2,500     56,644  13,550   13,550    113,550   24,855  24,855    124,855   46,145   46,145    146,145

   20       2,500     86,798   9,551    9,551    109,551   28,172  28,172    128,172   73,441   73,441    173,441

   25       2,500    125,284     (*)      (*)        (*)   22,016  22,016    122,016  106,695  106,695    206,695

   30       2,500    174,402     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)  141,554  141,554    241,554

   35       2,500    237,091     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)  168,976  168,976    268,976

<FN>
- -----------------------------

(1)    ASSUMES NO POLICY LOANS OR PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    CURRENT VALUES REFLECT CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A MONTHLY
       ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE OF $25 FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR AND $5.00
       THEREAFTER. CURRENT VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON ALL PREMIUMS
       UP TO THE BREAK POINT PREMIUM AND 4% ON PREMIUMS IN EXCESS OF BREAK POINT
       FOR ANY SINGLE POLICY YEAR.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

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

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 VALUES WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN
IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED THE ASSUMED RATES, BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS.

                                       49
<PAGE>   53



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

                                GUARANTEED VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 0.00% HYPOTHETICAL          6.00% HYPOTHETICAL          12.00% HYPOTHETICAL
                               GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN     GROSS INVESTMENT RETURN

                                     CASH                          CASH                       CASH
           ANNUAL PREMIUMS    CASH     SURR     DEATH      CASH    SURR     DEATH      CASH     SURR     DEATH
  YEAR     PAID     AT 5%     VALUE   VALUE    BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE   BENEFIT    VALUE    VALUE    BENEFIT
<S> <C>     <C>        <C>     <C>         <C>   <C>        <C>       <C>    <C>        <C>        <C>    <C>    
    1       2,500      2,625   1,197       35    101,197    1,300     138    101,300    1,404      241    101,404

    2       2,500      5,381   2,500    1,338    102,500    2,785   1,623    102,785    3,083    1,921    103,083

    3       2,500      8,275   3,693    2,647    103,693    4,242   3,196    104,242    4,840    3,794    104,840

    4       2,500     11,314   4,768    3,838    104,768    5,660   4,730    105,660    6,671    5,741    106,671

    5       2,500     14,505   5,715    4,901    105,715    7,024   6,211    107,024    8,571    7,758    108,571

    6       2,500     17,855   6,523    5,825    106,523    8,319   7,622    108,319   10,534    9,836    110,534

    7       2,500     21,373   7,179    6,598    107,179    9,527   8,946    109,527   12,549   11,968    112,549

    8       2,500     25,066   7,665    7,200    107,665   10,622  10,157    110,622   14,600   14,135    114,601

    9       2,500     28,945   7,962    7,613    107,962   11,578  11,229    111,578   16,669   16,320    116,669

   10       2,500     33,017   8,052    8,052    108,052   12,366  12,366    112,366   18,734   18,734    118,734

   15       2,500     56,644   4,841    4,841    104,841   12,798  12,798    112,798   28,282   28,282    128,282

   20       2,500     86,798     (*)      (*)        (*)    2,956   2,956    102,956   32,479   32,479    132,479

   25       2,500    125,284     (*)      (*)        (*)      (*)     (*)        (*)   19,082   19,082    119,082

<FN>
- ------------------------------

(1)    ASSUMES NO POLICY LOANS OR PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN MADE.
(2)    GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE CHARGES AND A
       MONTHLY ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE OF $25 FOR THE FIRST POLICY YEAR
       AND $7.50 THEREAFTER. GUARANTEED VALUES REFLECT A 6% OF PREMIUM CHARGE ON
       ALL PREMIUMS.
(3)    NET INVESTMENT RETURNS ARE CALCULATED AS THE HYPOTHETICAL GROSS
       INVESTMENT RETURN LESS ALL CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS SHOWN IN THE PROSPECTUS
       APPENDIX.

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

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 VALUES WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN
IF THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN AVERAGED THE ASSUMED RATES, BUT ALSO FLUCTUATED
ABOVE AND BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS.

                                       50
<PAGE>   54

<PAGE>   1
                          Independent Auditors' Report



The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company and
   Contract Owners of Nationwide VL Separate Account-A:

      We have audited the accompanying statement of assets, liabilities and
contract owners' equity of Nationwide VL Separate Account-A as of December 31,
1997, 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, 1997, 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 as of December 31, 1997, and the
results of its operations and its changes in contract owners' equity and
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 6, 1998


<PAGE>   2
                        NATIONWIDE VL SEPARATE ACCOUNT-A

          STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

                                DECEMBER 31, 1997



<TABLE>
<S>                                                                       <C>     
ASSETS:

   Investments at market value:

      American Century VP - American Century VP Advantage (ACVPAdv)
         65,673 shares (cost $340,971) ............................       $433,439

      Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio (FidVIPGr)
         1,145 shares (cost $29,326) ..............................         42,484

      Nationwide SAT - Capital Appreciation Fund (NSATCapAp)
         427 shares (cost $8,167) .................................          9,058

      Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund (NSATGvtBd)
         1,238 shares (cost $13,601) ..............................         14,091

      Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund (NSATMyMkt)
         1,125 shares (cost $1,125) ...............................          1,125

      Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund (NSATTotRe)
         1,231 shares (cost $15,685) ..............................         20,160

      Neuberger & Berman AMT - Balanced Portfolio (NBAMTBal)
         623 shares (cost $9,748) .................................         11,083
                                                                          --------

            Total investments .....................................        531,440

   Accounts receivable ............................................             68
                                                                          --------

            Total assets ..........................................        531,508

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE ..................................................             -- 
                                                                          --------

CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY ...........................................       $531,508
                                                                          ========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                          ANNUAL
Contract owners' equity represented by:                            UNITS          UNIT VALUE                              RETURN
                                                                   -----          ----------                              -------
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>                   <C>                 <C>

Multiple Payment Contracts and Flexible Premium Contracts:

      American Century VP -
        American Century VP Advantage ....................             511      $     15.906088       $     8,128             12%

      American Century VP -
        American Century VP Advantage
          Initial Funding by Depositor (note 1a) .........          25,000            17.013707           425,343             13%

      Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio ....................           1,734            24.509547            42,500             22%

      Nationwide SAT - Capital Appreciation Fund .........             368            24.563746             9,039             33%

      Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund ..............             841            16.735906            14,075              9%

      Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund .................              88            12.754301             1,122              4%

      Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund .................             716            28.233403            20,215             28%

      Neuberger & Berman AMT -
        Balanced Portfolio ...............................             593            18.694343            11,086             19%
                                                                 =========      ===============        ----------

                                                                                                       $  531,508
                                                                                                       ==========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.


<PAGE>   4
                        NATIONWIDE VL SEPARATE ACCOUNT-A
         STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1997             1996             1995
                                                              ---------        ---------        ---------
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY:
<S>                                                           <C>              <C>              <C>   
   Reinvested dividends .................................     $   8,040           10,646           12,757
   Mortality and expense charges (note 3) ...............          (795)            (722)            (621)
                                                              ---------        ---------        ---------
      Net investment activity ...........................         7,245            9,924           12,136
                                                              ---------        ---------        ---------

   Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold ................        33,699           16,003           36,212
   Cost of mutual funds sold ............................       (28,831)         (14,209)         (35,326)
                                                              ---------        ---------        ---------
      Realized gain on investments ......................         4,868            1,794              886
   Change in unrealized gain on investments .............        29,307            8,266           53,488
                                                              ---------        ---------        ---------
      Net gain on investments ...........................        34,175           10,060           54,374
                                                              ---------        ---------        ---------
   Reinvested capital gains .............................        23,407           21,139              694
                                                              ---------        ---------        ---------
         Net increase in contract owners'
            equity resulting from operations ............        64,827           41,123           67,204
                                                              ---------        ---------        ---------

EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:
   Purchase payments received from contract owners ......        14,070           24,097           36,589
   Surrenders ...........................................       (23,075)          (6,042)            (164)
   Policy loans (net of repayments) (note 4) ............        13,620            3,498          (23,321)
   Deductions for surrender charges (note 2d) ...........        (4,334)              --               -- 
   Redemptions to pay cost of insurance charges
      and administration charges (notes 2b and 2c) ......        (8,935)         (12,114)         (12,670)
                                                              ---------        ---------        ---------
         Net increase (decrease) in equity transactions..        (8,654)           9,439              434
                                                              ---------        ---------        ---------

NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY ...................        56,173           50,562           67,638
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD .............       475,335          424,773          357,135
                                                              ---------        ---------        ---------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD ...................     $ 531,508          475,335          424,773
                                                              =========        =========        =========
</TABLE>



See accompanying notes to financial statements.


<PAGE>   5
                        NATIONWIDE VL SEPARATE ACCOUNT-A

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995



(1)  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     (a) Organization and Nature of Operations

         Nationwide VL Separate Account-A (the Account) was established pursuant
         to a resolution of the Board of Directors of Nationwide Life and
         Annuity 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 American Century VP --
         American Century VP 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 offered for purchase.
         Additionally, contracts without a front-end sales charge, but with a
         contingent deferred sales charge and certain other fees, have been
         offered for purchase. See note 2 for a discussion of policy charges and
         note 3 for asset charges.

         Contract owners may invest in the following:

              Portfolio of the American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc.
                (American Century VP);
                American Century VP - American Century VP Advantage (ACVPAdv)

              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 AMT); 
                Neuberger & Berman AMT - Balanced Portfolio (NBAMTBal)

         At December 31, 1997, 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, 1997. 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>   6
     (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 1996 and 1995 amounts have been reclassified to conform with
         the current period presentation.

(2)  POLICY CHARGES

     (a) Deductions from Premiums

         For single premium contracts, no deduction is made from any premium at
         the time of payment. 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 $12.50 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>   7
(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. At this time no single premium contracts are in force.

     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)  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

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

(6)  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:

         -    Beginning unit value - Jan. 1

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

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

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

         -    Ending unit value - Dec. 31

         -    Percentage increase (decrease) in unit value.



<PAGE>   8
                                                                      SCHEDULE I
                        NATIONWIDE VL SEPARATE ACCOUNT-A

            MULTIPLE PAYMENT CONTRACTS AND FLEXIBLE PREMIUM CONTRACTS

                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE

                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       ACVPAdv              ACVPAdv(+)         FidVIPGr           NSATCapAp           NSATGvtBd     
                                     ------------         ------------       ------------        ------------        ------------   
1997
<S>                                  <C>                  <C>                <C>                 <C>                 <C>            
Beginning unit value - Jan. 1        $  14.210999            15.079515          20.008196           18.410667           15.383251   
                                     ------------         ------------       ------------        ------------        ------------   

Reinvested capital gains
and dividends                             .999595             1.062482            .738304             .749108             .983193   
                                     ------------         ------------       ------------        ------------        ------------   

Unrealized gain (loss)                    .816206              .871710           3.943560            5.577539             .496554   
                                     ------------         ------------       ------------        ------------        ------------   

Asset charges                            (.120712)             .000000           (.180513)           (.173568)           (.127092)  
                                     ------------         ------------       ------------        ------------        ------------   

Ending unit value - Dec. 31          $  15.906088            17.013707          24.509547           24.563746           16.735906   
                                     ------------         ------------       ------------        ------------        ------------   

Percentage increase (decrease)
in unit value*                                 12%                  13%                22%                 33%                  9%  
                                     ============         ============       ============        ============        ============   


1996
Beginning unit value - Jan. 1        $  13.112917            13.802855          17.583952           14.713230           14.984933   
                                     ------------         ------------       ------------        ------------        ------------   

Reinvested capital gains
and dividends                             .945920              .998314           1.263661             .766553             .930103   
                                     ------------         ------------       ------------        ------------        ------------   

Unrealized gain (loss)                    .260998              .278346           1.312893            3.061949            (.412550)  
                                     ------------         ------------       ------------        ------------        ------------   

Asset charges                            (.108836)             .000000           (.152310)           (.131065)           (.119235)  
                                     ------------         ------------       ------------        ------------        ------------   

Ending unit value - Dec. 31          $  14.210999            15.079515          20.008196           18.410667           15.383251   
                                     ------------         ------------       ------------        ------------        ------------   

Percentage increase (decrease)
in unit value*                                  8%                   9%                14%                 25%                  3%  
                                     ============         ============       ============        ============        ============   


1995
Beginning unit value - Jan. 1        $  11.321934            11.822996          13.094007           11.465403           12.720514   
                                     ------------         ------------       ------------        ------------        ------------   

Reinvested capital gains
and dividends                             .411556              .431938            .072389             .653781             .903001   
                                     ------------         ------------       ------------        ------------        ------------   

Unrealized gain (loss)                   1.477165             1.547921           4.544905            2.696528            1.472503   
                                     ------------         ------------       ------------        ------------        ------------   

Asset charges                            (.097738)             .000000           (.127349)           (.102482)           (.111085)  
                                     ------------         ------------       ------------        ------------        ------------   

Ending unit value - Dec. 31          $  13.112917            13.802855          17.583952           14.713230           14.984933   
                                     ------------         ------------       ------------        ------------        ------------   

Percentage increase (decrease)
in unit value*                                 16%                  17%                34%                 28%                 18%  
                                     ============         ============       ============        ============        ============   
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           NSATMyMkt          NSATTotRe            NBAMTBal
                                         ------------        ------------        ------------
1997
<S>                                      <C>                 <C>                 <C>      
Beginning unit value - Jan. 1               12.214743           21.988773           15.775523
                                         ------------        ------------        ------------

Reinvested capital gains
and dividends                                 .640005            1.284328            1.058944
                                         ------------        ------------        ------------

Unrealized gain (loss)                        .000000            5.164704            1.999835
                                         ------------        ------------        ------------

Asset charges                                (.100447)           (.204402)           (.139959)
                                         ------------        ------------        ------------

Ending unit value - Dec. 31                 12.754301           28.233403           18.694343
                                         ------------        ------------        ------------

Percentage increase (decrease)
in unit value*                                      4%                 28%                 19%
                                         ============        ============        ============


1996
Beginning unit value - Jan. 1               11.714295           18.192762           14.878481
                                         ------------        ------------        ------------

Reinvested capital gains
and dividends                                 .596995            1.217547            2.281380
                                         ------------        ------------        ------------

Unrealized gain (loss)                        .000000            2.737018           (1.262381)
                                         ------------        ------------        ------------

Asset charges                                (.096547)           (.158554)           (.121957)
                                         ------------        ------------        ------------

Ending unit value - Dec. 31                 12.214743           21.988773           15.775523
                                         ------------        ------------        ------------

Percentage increase (decrease)
in unit value*                                      4%                 21%                  6%
                                         ============        ============        ============


1995
Beginning unit value - Jan. 1               11.176411           14.205723           12.118394
                                         ------------        ------------        ------------

Reinvested capital gains
and dividends                                 .629782            1.413734             .308616
                                         ------------        ------------        ------------

Unrealized gain (loss)                        .000000            2.703396            2.562255
                                         ------------        ------------        ------------

Asset charges                                (.091898)           (.130091)           (.110784)
                                         ------------        ------------        ------------

Ending unit value - Dec. 31                 11.714295           18.192762           14.878481
                                         ------------        ------------        ------------

Percentage increase (decrease)
in unit value*                                      5%                 28%                 23%
                                         ============        ============        ============
</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 6.






<PAGE>   55

<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, 1997 and 1996, 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, 1997. 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, 1997 and 1996, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.


                                                     KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Columbus, Ohio
January 30, 1998


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

                                 Balance Sheets

                           December 31, 1997 and 1996
                                ($000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Assets                                            1997               1996
                                         ------                                         ----------        ------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>                <C>   
Investments:
  Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
    Fixed maturity securities                                                           $  796,919         $  648,076
    Equity securities                                                                       14,767             12,254
  Mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                       218,852            150,997
  Real estate, net                                                                           2,824              1,090
  Policy loans                                                                                 215                126
  Short-term investments                                                                    18,968                492
                                                                                        ----------         ----------
                                                                                         1,052,545            813,035
                                                                                        ----------         ----------

Cash                                                                                         5,163              4,296
Accrued investment income                                                                   10,778              9,189
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                           30,087             16,168
Other assets                                                                                15,624             37,482
Assets held in Separate Accounts                                                           891,101            486,251
                                                                                        ----------         ----------
                                                                                        $2,005,298         $1,366,421
                                                                                        ==========         ==========

                          Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity
                          ------------------------------------
Future policy benefits and claims                                                       $  986,191         $   80,720
Funds withheld under coinsurance agreement with affiliate                                       --            679,571
Other liabilities                                                                           29,426             35,842
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts                                                   891,101            486,251
                                                                                        ----------         ----------
                                                                                         1,906,718          1,282,384
                                                                                        ----------         ----------

Commitments (notes 6 and 7)

Shareholder's equity:
  Common stock, $40 par value.  Authorized, issued and outstanding 66,000 shares             2,640              2,640
  Additional paid-in capital                                                                52,960             52,960
  Retained earnings                                                                         35,812             25,209
  Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net                                     7,168              3,228
                                                                                        ----------         ----------
                                                                                            98,580             84,037
                                                                                        ----------         ----------
                                                                                        $2,005,298         $1,366,421
                                                                                        ==========         ==========
</TABLE>



See accompanying notes to finanacial 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, 1997, 1996 and 1995
                                ($000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  1997            1996           1995
                                                                                  ----            ----           ----
<S>                                                                            <C>              <C>              <C>     
Revenues:
  Investment product and universal life insurance product policy charges       $ 11,244         $  6,656         $  4,322
  Traditional life insurance premiums                                               363              246              674
  Net investment income                                                          11,577           51,045           49,108
  Realized losses on investments                                                   (246)              (3)            (702)
  Other income                                                                    1,057               --               --
                                                                               --------         --------         --------
                                                                                 23,995           57,944           53,402
                                                                               --------         --------         --------
Benefits and expenses:
  Interest credited to policyholder account balances                              3,948           34,711           33,276
  Other benefits and claims                                                         433              813              904
  Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                               1,402            7,380            5,508
  Other operating expenses                                                        1,860            7,247            6,567
                                                                               --------         --------         --------
                                                                                  7,643           50,151           46,255
                                                                               --------         --------         --------

    Income before federal income tax expense                                     16,352            7,793            7,147

Federal income tax expense                                                        5,749            2,707            2,373
                                                                               --------         --------         --------

    Net income                                                                 $ 10,603         $  5,086         $  4,774
                                                                               ========         ========         ========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to finanacial 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, 1997, 1996 and 1995
                                ($000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Unrealized                 
                                                                                     gains (losses)               
                                                           Additional                 on securities      Total       
                                                 Common     paid-in     Retained      available-for-  shareholder's 
                                                  stock     capital     earnings       sale, net         equity      
                                                  -----     -------     --------       ---------         ------      
<S>                                              <C>        <C>         <C>             <C>             <C>           
December 31, 1994                                $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      
                                                 ------     -------     -------         -------         --------      
December 31, 1995                                 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)     
                                                 ------     -------     -------         -------         --------      
December 31, 1996                                 2,640      52,960      25,209           3,228           84,037      
                                                                                                                      
  Net income                                         --          --      10,603              --           10,603      
  Unrealized gains on securities available-                                                                           
    for-sale, net                                    --          --          --           3,940            3,940      
                                                 ------     -------     -------         -------         --------      
December 31, 1997                                $2,640     $52,960     $35,812         $ 7,168         $ 98,580      
                                                 ======     =======     =======         =======         ========      
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to finanacial 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, 1997, 1996 and 1995
                                ($000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              1997           1996           1995
                                                                              ----           ----           ----
<S>                                                                          <C>            <C>            <C>    
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                                               $  10,603      $   5,086      $  4,774
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
    operating activities:
      Interest credited to policyholder account balances                       3,948         34,711        33,276
      Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs                    (20,099)       (19,987)       (6,754)
      Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                        1,402          7,380         5,508
      Commission and expense allowances under coinsurance
        agreement with affiliate                                                  --         26,473            --
      Amortization and depreciation                                              250          1,721           878
      Realized losses on invested assets, net                                    246              3           702
      Increase in accrued investment income                                   (1,589)          (725)         (423)
      Decrease (increase) in other assets                                     21,858        (32,539)           62
      Increase (decrease) in policy liabilities and funds withheld
        on coinsurance agreement with affiliate                              228,898         (7,101)          627
      (Decrease) increase in other liabilities                                (7,488)        23,198         1,427
                                                                           ---------      ---------      --------
          Net cash provided by operating activities                          238,029         38,220        40,077
                                                                           ---------      ---------      --------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale                     95,366         73,966        41,729
  Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                         30,431          2,480         3,070
  Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity            --             --        11,251
  Proceeds from repayments of mortgage loans on real estate                   15,199         10,975         8,673
  Proceeds from sale of real estate                                               --             --           655
  Proceeds from repayments of policy loans                                        67             23            50
  Cost of securities available-for-sale acquired                            (267,899)      (179,671)      (79,140)
  Cost of fixed maturity securities held-to maturity acquired                     --             --        (8,000)
  Cost of mortgage loans on real estate acquired                             (84,736)       (57,395)      (18,000)
  Cost of real estate acquired                                                   (13)            --           (10)
  Policy loans issued                                                           (155)           (55)          (66)
  Short-term investments, net                                                (18,476)         4,352        (4,479)
                                                                           ---------      ---------      --------
          Net cash used in investing activities                             (230,216)      (145,325)      (44,267)
                                                                           ---------      ---------      --------

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Increase in investment product and universal life insurance
    product account balances                                                   6,952        200,575        46,247
  Decrease in investment product and universal life insurance
    product account balances                                                 (13,898)       (89,174)      (42,057)
                                                                           ---------      ---------      --------
          Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities                 (6,946)       111,401         4,190
                                                                           ---------      ---------      --------

Net increase in cash                                                             867          4,296            --

Cash, beginning of year                                                        4,296             --            --
                                                                           ---------      ---------      --------
Cash, end of year                                                          $   5,163      $   4,296      $
                                                                           =========      =========      ========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to finanacial statements.



<PAGE>   6





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

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
                                ($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 insurance 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.


(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, 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.

         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, 1997 or 1996.




<PAGE>   7


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

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


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

              Real estate is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and
              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. 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.

         (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 sales expenses have been deferred. For
              investment products and universal life insurance products,
              deferred policy acquisition costs are being amortized with
              interest over the lives of the policies in relation to the present
              value of estimated future gross profits from projected interest
              margins, asset fees, cost of insurance, policy administration and
              surrender charges. For years in which gross profits are negative,
              deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized based on the
              present value of gross revenues. Deferred policy acquisition costs
              are adjusted to reflect the impact of unrealized gains and losses
              on fixed maturity securities available-for-sale as described in
              note 2(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.



<PAGE>   8

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

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


         (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 revenues ceded and reinsurance recoveries on benefits
              and expenses 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 11. As such, the Company had no cash balance as of
              December 31, 1995.

         (i)  Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

              Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130 - Reporting
              Comprehensive Income was issued in June 1997 and is effective for
              fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The statement
              establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive
              income and its components in a full set of financial statements.
              Comprehensive income includes all changes in equity during a
              period except those resulting from investments by shareholders and
              distributions to shareholders and includes net income.
              Comprehensive income would be reported in addition to earnings
              amounts currently presented. The Company will adopt the statement
              and begin reporting comprehensive income in the first quarter of
              1998.

         (j)  Reclassification

              Certain items in the 1996 and 1995 financial statements have been
              reclassified to conform to the 1997 presentation.




<PAGE>   9

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

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


(3)      Investments

         The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated
         fair value of securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 1997 and
         1996 were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Gross           Gross
                                                        Amortized    unrealized     unrealized   Estimated
                                                          cost         gains          losses     fair value
                                                          ----         -----          ------     ----------
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>            <C>        <C>  
  December 31, 1997:
  Fixed maturity securities:
    U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. 
      government corporations and agencies               $  5,923     $    109      $     (27)     $  6,005
    Obligations of states and political subdivisions          267            5             --           272
    Debt securities issued by foreign governments           6,077           57             (1)        6,133
    Corporate securities                                  482,478       10,964           (509)      492,933
    Mortgage-backed securities                            285,224        6,458           (106)      291,576
                                                         --------     --------      ---------      --------
        Total fixed maturity securities                   779,969       17,593           (643)      796,919
  Equity securities                                        11,704        3,063             --        14,767
                                                         --------     --------      ---------      --------
                                                         $791,673     $ 20,656      $    (643)     $811,686
                                                         ========     ========      =========      ========

December 31, 1996:
  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
                                                         ========     ========      =========      ========
</TABLE>

         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity
         securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 1997, 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                         $ 31,421     $ 31,623
  Due after one year through five years            231,670      235,764
  Due after five years through ten years           175,633      180,174
  Due after ten years                               56,021       57,782
                                                  --------     --------

                                                   494,745      505,343
Mortgage-backed securities                         285,224      291,576
                                                  --------     --------
                                                  $779,969     $796,919
                                                  ========     ========
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   10


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

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


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


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1997         1996
                                                     ----         ----
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>    
Gross unrealized gains                              $20,013      $ 9,173
Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs      (8,985)      (4,207)
Deferred federal income tax                          (3,860)      (1,738)
                                                    -------      -------   
                                                    $ 7,168      $ 3,228
                                                    =======      =======
</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>
                                                 1997          1996          1995
                                                 ----          ----          ----
<S>                                            <C>           <C>           <C>    
Securities available-for-sale:
  Fixed maturity securities                    $ 9,177       $(8,764)      $30,647
  Equity securities                              1,663           249         1,283
Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity          --            --         3,941
                                               -------       -------       -------
                                               $10,840       $(8,515)      $35,871
                                               =======       =======       =======
</TABLE>

         Proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale during 1997,
         1996 and 1995 were $30,431, $2,480 and $3,070, respectively. During
         1997, gross gains of $825 ($181 and $64 in 1996 and 1995, respectively)
         and gross losses of $1,124 (none and $6 in 1996 and 1995, respectively)
         were realized on those sales. See note 11.

         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 had no investments in mortgage loans on real estate
         considered to be impaired as of December 31, 1997. The recorded
         investment of mortgage loans on real estate considered to be impaired
         as of December 31, 1996 was $955, for which the related valuation
         allowance was $184. During 1997, the average recorded investment in
         impaired mortgage loans on real estate was approximately $386 ($964 in
         1996) and no interest income was recognized on those loans ($16 in
         1996), which is equal to interest income recognized using a cash-basis
         method of income recognition.

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1997      1996
                                                        ----      ----
<S>                                                    <C>        <C> 
Allowance, beginning of year                           $ 934      $750
  (Reductions) additions charged to operations           (53)      184
  Direct write-downs charged against the allowance      (131)       --
                                                       -----      ----
Allowance, end of year                                 $ 750      $934
                                                       =====      ====
</TABLE>



<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 $153
         as of December 31, 1997 ($108 as of December 31, 1996) and valuation
         allowances of $229 as of December 31, 1997 ($229 as of December 31,
         1996).

         The Company has no investments which were non-income producing for the
         twelve month periods preceding December 31, 1997 and 1996.

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


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1997        1996        1995
                                                   ----        ----        ----
<S>                                               <C>          <C>         <C>  
Gross investment income:
  Securities available-for-sale:
    Fixed maturity securities                    $53,491     $40,552     $35,093
    Equity securities                                375         598         713
  Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity          --          --       4,530
  Mortgage loans on real estate                   14,862       9,991       9,106
  Real estate                                        318         214         273
  Short-term investments                             899         507         348
  Other                                               90          57          41
                                                 -------     -------     -------
      Total investment income                     70,035      51,919      50,104
Less:
  Investment expenses                              1,386         874         996
  Net investment income ceded (note 11)           57,072          --          --
                                                 -------     -------     -------
      Net investment income                      $11,577     $51,045     $49,108
                                                 =======     =======     =======
</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>
                                                  1997       1996       1995
                                                  ----       ----       ----
<S>                                              <C>        <C>        <C>   
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale     $(299)     $ 181      $(822)
Mortgage loans on real estate                       53       (184)       110
Real estate and other                               --         --         10
                                                 -----      -----      -----
                                                 $(246)     $  (3)     $(702)
                                                 =====      =====      =====
</TABLE>

         Fixed maturity securities with an amortized cost of $3,383 and $3,403
         as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, were on deposit with
         various regulatory agencies as required by law.


(4)      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 5.1%, 5.6% and 5.6% for the years
         ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.




<PAGE>   12
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


(5)      Federal Income Tax

         The Company's current federal income tax liability was $806 and $7,914
         as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

         The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
         components of the net deferred tax asset (liability) as of December 31,
         1997 and 1996 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1997          1996
                                                       ----          ----
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>    
Deferred tax assets:
  Future policy benefits                            $ 13,168      $ 1,070
  Liabilities in Separate Accounts                     8,080        5,311
  Mortgage loans on real estate and real estate          336          407
  Other assets and other liabilities                      48        3,836
                                                    --------      -------
    Total gross deferred tax assets                   21,632       10,624
                                                    --------      -------

Deferred tax liabilities:
  Fixed maturity securities                            7,186        3,268
  Deferred policy acquisition costs                    6,159        2,131
  Equity securities                                    1,072          490
  Other                                                7,892           --
                                                    --------      -------
    Total gross deferred tax liabilities              22,309        5,889
                                                    --------      -------
                                                    $   (677)     $ 4,735
                                                    ========      =======
</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, 1997, 1996 and 1995 based on its analysis of future
         deductible amounts.

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


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    1997        1996        1995
                                    ----        ----        ----

<S>                                <C>        <C>          <C>   
Currently payable                  $2,458     $ 9,612      $2,012
Deferred tax expense (benefit)      3,291      (6,905)        361
                                   ------     -------      ------
                                   $5,749     $ 2,707      $2,373
                                   ======     =======      ======
</TABLE>

         Total federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1997,
         1996 and 1995 differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S.
         federal income tax rate to income before tax as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1997                 1996                  1995
                                             ------------------     ----------------     ----------------
                                              Amount        %       Amount       %        Amount       %
                                             ------------------     ----------------     ----------------
<S>                                           <C>          <C>     <C>         <C>       <C>        <C> 
Computed (expected) tax expense               $5,723       35.0     $2,728     35.0      $2,501    35.0
Tax exempt interest and dividends
   received deduction                             --       (0.0)      (175)    (2.3)       (150)   (2.1)
Other, net                                        26       (0.2)       154      2.0          22     0.3
                                              ------       ----     ------     ----      ------    ----
      Total (effective rate of each year)     $5,749       35.2     $2,707     34.7      $2,373    33.2
                                              ======       ====     ======     ====      ======    ====
</TABLE>

         Total federal income tax paid was $9,566, $2,335 and $1,314 during the
         years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.



<PAGE>   13
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued

(6)      Fair Value of Financial Instruments

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

         The fair value of a financial instrument is defined as the amount at
         which the financial instrument could be exchanged in a current
         transaction between willing parties. In cases where quoted market
         prices are not available, fair value is based on estimates using
         present value or other valuation techniques. Many of the Company's
         assets and liabilities subject to the disclosure requirements are not
         actively traded, requiring fair values to be estimated by management
         using present value or other valuation techniques. These techniques are
         significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount
         rate and estimates of future cash flows. Although fair value estimates
         are calculated using assumptions that management believes are
         appropriate, changes in assumptions could cause these estimates to vary
         materially. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be
         substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases,
         could not be realized in the immediate settlement of the instruments.

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

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

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

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

              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.

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

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

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



<PAGE>   14
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


              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.

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

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



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1997                     1996
                                                  ------------------------ -----------------------
                                                  Carrying    Estimated     Carrying    Estimated
                                                   amount     fair value     amount     fair value
                                                  ------------------------ -----------------------
<S>                                                <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>    
Assets:
  Investments:
    Securities available-for-sale:
      Fixed maturity securities                   $796,919     $796,919     $648,076     $648,076
      Equity securities                             14,767       14,767       12,254       12,254
    Mortgage loans on real estate, net             218,852      229,881      150,997      152,496
    Policy loans                                       215          215          126          126
    Short-term investments                          18,968       18,968          492          492
  Cash                                               5,163        5,163        4,296        4,296
  Assets held in Separate Accounts                 891,101      891,101      486,251      486,251

Liabilities
  Investment contracts                             980,263      950,105       75,417       72,262
  Policy reserves on life insurance contracts        5,928        6,076        5,303        5,390
  Liabilities related to Separate Accounts         891,101      868,056      486,251      471,125
</TABLE>

(7)      Risk Disclosures

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

         Legal/Regulatory Risk: The risk that changes in the legal or regulatory
         environment in which an insurer operates will result in increased
         competition, reduced demand for a company's products, or create
         additional expenses not anticipated by the insurer in pricing its
         products. The Company mitigates this risk by 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: The risk that issuers of securities owned by the Company
         or mortgagors on mortgage loans on real estate owned by the Company
         will default or that other parties which owe the Company money, will
         not pay. 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.



<PAGE>   15
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued

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

         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 $61,200 extending into
         1998 were outstanding as of December 31, 1997. The Company also had
         $4,000 of commitments to purchase fixed maturity securities as of
         December 31, 1997.

         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 29% (31% in 1996) in any geographic area and no more than 3% (5%
         in 1996) with any one borrower as of December 31, 1997. As of December
         31, 1997 37% (42% in 1996) of the remaining principal balance of the
         Company's commercial mortgage loan portfolio financed apartment
         building properties.


(8)      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 year of service. 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 (the Retirement Plan). Immediately prior to the merger,
         the plans were amended to provide consistent benefits for service after
         January 1, 1996. These amendments had no significant impact on the
         accumulated benefit obligation or projected benefit obligation as of
         December 31, 1995.

         Pension costs charged to operations by the Company during the years
         ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were $257, $189 and $214,
         respectively.



<PAGE>   16

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

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued

         The net periodic pension cost for the Retirement Plan as a whole for
         the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 and for the Nationwide
         Insurance Companies and Affiliates Retirement Plan as a whole for the
         year ended December 31, 1995 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   1997             1996              1995
                                                                                   ----             ----              ----
<S>                                                                              <C>               <C>               <C>        
              Service cost (benefits earned during the period)                   $  77,303       $  75,466       $  64,524
              Interest cost on projected benefit obligation                        118,556         105,511          95,283
              Actual return on plan assets                                        (327,965)       (210,583)       (249,294)
              Net amortization and deferral                                        196,366         101,795         143,353
                                                                                 ---------       ---------       ---------
                                                                                 $  64,260       $  72,189       $  53,866
                                                                                 =========       =========       =========
</TABLE>

         Basis for measurements, net periodic pension cost:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      1997              1996              1995
                                                                                      ----              ----              ----
<S>                                                                                  <C>               <C>               <C>  
              Weighted average discount rate                                         6.50%             6.00%             7.50%
              Rate of increase in future compensation levels                         4.75%             4.25%             6.25%
              Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets                       7.25%             6.75%             8.75%
</TABLE>

         Information regarding the funded status of the Retirement Plan as a
         whole as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    1997             1996
                                                                                    ----             ----
<S>                                                                              <C>               <C>   
              Accumulated benefit obligation:
                Vested                                                           $1,547,462       $1,338,554
                Nonvested                                                            13,531           11,149
                                                                                 ----------       ----------
                                                                                 $1,560,993       $1,349,703
                                                                                 ==========       ==========

              Net accrued pension expense:
                Projected benefit obligation for services rendered to date       $2,033,761       $1,847,828
                Plan assets at fair value                                         2,212,848        1,947,933
                                                                                 ----------       ----------
                  Plan assets in excess of projected benefit obligation             179,087          100,105
                Unrecognized prior service cost                                      34,658           37,870
                Unrecognized net gains                                             (330,656)        (201,952)
                Unrecognized net asset at transition                                 33,337           37,158
                                                                                 ----------       ----------
                                                                                 $  (83,574)      $  (26,819)
                                                                                 ==========       ==========
</TABLE>

         Basis for measurements, funded status of plan:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1997       1996
                                                                    ----       ----
<S>                                                                 <C>        <C> 
              Weighted average discount rate                        6.00%     6.50%
              Rate of increase in future compensation levels        4.25%     4.75%
</TABLE>

         Assets of the Retirement Plan are invested in group annuity contracts
         of NLIC and Employers Life Insurance Company of Wausau, an affiliate.



<PAGE>   17
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


(9)      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 (APBO), however, certain affiliated
         companies elected to amortize their initial transition obligation over
         periods ranging from 10 to 20 years.

         The Company's accrued postretirement benefit expense as of December 31,
         1997 and 1996 was $891 and $840, respectively, and the net periodic
         postretirement benefit cost (NPPBC) for 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $94,
         $78 and $66, respectively.

         Information regarding the funded status of the plan as a whole as of
         December 31, 1997 and 1996 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1997           1996
                                                            ----           ----
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>      
Accrued postretirement benefit expense:
  Retirees                                               $  93,327      $  92,954
  Fully eligible, active plan participants                  31,580         23,749
  Other active plan participants                           112,951         83,986
                                                         ---------      ---------
    Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation          237,858        200,689
  Plan assets at fair value                                 69,165         63,044
                                                         ---------      ---------
    Plan assets less than accumulated postretirement
      benefit obligation                                  (168,693)      (137,645)
   Unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates          1,481          1,654
   Unrecognized net gains                                    1,576        (23,225)
                                                         ---------      ---------
                                                         $(165,636)     $(159,216)
                                                         =========      =========
</TABLE>

         The amount of NPPBC for the plan as a whole for the years ended
         December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1997          1996         1995
                                                   ----          ----         ----
<S>                                               <C>           <C>           <C>   
Service cost (benefits attributed to employee
  service during the year)                        $ 7,077      $ 6,541      $ 6,235
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement
  benefit obligation                               14,029       13,679       14,151
Actual return on plan assets                       (3,619)      (4,348)      (2,657)
Amortization of unrecognized transition
  obligation of affiliates                            173          173        2,966
Net amortization and deferral                        (528)       1,830       (1,619)
                                                  -------      -------      -------
                                                  $17,132      $17,875      $19,076
                                                  =======      =======      =======
</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, 1997, 1996 and 1995 and the NPPBC for 1997, 1996 and 1995
         were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1997      1996       1995
                                                                  ----      ----       ----
<S>                                                               <C>        <C>        <C>  
APBO:
  Discount rate                                                   6.70%      7.25%      6.75%
  Assumed health care cost trend rate:
      Initial rate                                               12.13%     11.00%     11.00%
      Ultimate rate                                               6.12%      6.00%      6.00%
      Uniform declining period                                12 Years   12 Years   12 Years

NPPBC:
  Discount rate                                                   7.25%      6.65%      8.00%
  Long term rate of return on plan assets, net of tax             5.89%      4.80%      8.00%
  Assumed health care cost trend rate:
      Initial rate                                               11.00%     11.00%     10.00%
      Ultimate rate                                               6.00%      6.00%      6.00%
      Uniform declining period                                12 Years   12 Years   12 Years
</TABLE>

         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,
         1997 by $410 and the NPPBC for the year ended December 31, 1997 by $46.


(10)     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, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was
         $74,820, $71,390 and $54,978, respectively. The statutory net income of
         the Company as reported to regulatory authorities for the years ended
         December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $7,446, $670 and $8,023,
         respectively.

         The Company is limited in the amount of shareholder dividends it may
         pay without prior approval by the Department. As of December 31, 1997,
         the maximum amount available for dividend payment from the Company to
         its shareholder without prior approval of the Department was $7,482.

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




<PAGE>   19
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


(11)     Transactions With Affiliates

         The Company leases office space from NMIC and certain of its
         subsidiaries. For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the
         Company made lease payments to NMIC and its subsidiaries of $703, $410
         and $287, respectively.

         Pursuant to a cost sharing agreement among NMIC and certain of its
         direct and indirect subsidiaries, including the Company, NMIC provides
         certain operational and administrative services, such as sales support,
         advertising, personnel and general management services, to those
         subsidiaries. Expenses covered by this agreement are subject to
         allocation among NMIC, the Company and other affiliates. Amounts
         allocated to the Company were $2,564, $2,682 and $2,596 in 1997, 1996
         and 1995, 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 $4,981 and $2,275 as of December 31, 1997 and 1996,
         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. On December 31,
         1997, the agreement was amended to a modified coinsurance basis. Under
         modified coinsurance agreements, invested assets and liabilities for
         future policy benefits are retained by the ceding company and net
         investment earnings on the invested assets are 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 modified coinsurance agreement are consistent in
         all material respects with what the Company could have obtained with
         unaffiliated parties. Amounts ceded to NLIC in 1997 are included in
         NLIC's results of operations for 1997 and include premiums of $300,617,
         net investment income of $57,072 and benefits, claims and other
         expenses of $343,426.

         Under the 100% coinsurance with funds withheld agreement, the Company
         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 paid 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.

         During 1997, the Company sold fixed maturity securities
         available-for-sale at fair value of $27,253 to NLIC. The Company
         recognized a $693 gain on the transactions.

         The Company and various affiliates entered into agreements with
         Nationwide Cash Management Company (NCMC), an affiliate, under which
         NCMC acts as common agent in handling the purchase and sale of
         short-term securities for the respective accounts of the participants.
         Amounts on deposit with NCMC were $18,968 and $492 as of December 31,
         1997 and 1996, respectively, and are included in short-term investments
         on the accompanying balance sheets.

         Certain annuity products are sold through an affiliated company. Total
         commissions paid to the affiliate for the three years ended December
         31, 1997 were $8,053, $14,644 and $5,949, respectively.



<PAGE>   20
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


(12)     Segment Information

         The Company has three product segments: Variable Annuities, Fixed
         Annuities and Life Insurance. The Variable Annuities segment consists
         of annuity contracts that provide the customer with the opportunity to
         invest in mutual funds managed by 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 Fixed Annuities segment also includes the
         fixed option under the Company's variable annuity contracts. 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.

         The following table summarizes the revenues and income (loss) before
         federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
         and 1995 and assets as of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, by segment.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1997             1996            1995
                                                        ----             ----            ----
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>              <C>      
Revenues:
   Variable Annuities                                $     9,950      $     4,591      $   2,927
   Fixed Annuities                                         7,752           51,643         50,056
   Life Insurance                                            182              165            185
   Corporate and Other                                     6,111            1,545            234
                                                     -----------      -----------      ---------
                                                     $    23,995      $    57,944      $  53,402
                                                     ===========      ===========      =========

Income (loss) before federal income tax expense:
   Variable Annuities                                $     7,267      $     1,094      $   1,196
   Fixed Annuities                                         3,202            5,156          5,633
   Life Insurance                                           (228)              (1)          (381)
   Corporate and Other                                     6,111            1,544            699
                                                     -----------      -----------      ---------
                                                     $    16,352      $     7,793      $   7,147
                                                     ===========      ===========      =========

Assets:
   Variable Annuities                                $   925,021      $   503,111      $ 267,097
   Fixed Annuities                                       989,116          787,682        643,313
   Life Insurance                                          2,228            2,597          2,665
   Corporate and Other                                    88,933           73,031         54,507
                                                     -----------      -----------      ---------
                                                     $ 2,005,298      $ 1,366,421      $ 967,582
                                                     ===========      ===========      =========
</TABLE>




<PAGE>   56









                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

                       CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

   
This Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to Form S-6 Registration Statement comprises
the following papers and documents:
    

The facing sheet.

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

   
The prospectus consisting of 78 pages.
    

Representations and Undertakings.

Accountants' Consent

The Signatures.

The following exhibits required by Forms N-8B-2 and S-6:
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                          <C>
1.     Power of Attorney dated April 1, 1998.                 Attached hereto.

2.     Resolution of the Depositor's Board of                 Directors Included with the Registration Statement on 
       authorizing the establishment of the Registrant,       Form N-8B-2 for the Nationwide VL Separate Account-A 
       adopted                                                (File No. 811-6137), and hereby incorporated herein by 
                                                              reference.

3.     Distribution Contracts                                 Included with the Registration Statement on Form N-8B-2 
                                                              for the Nationwide VL Separate Account-A (File No. 811-6137),
                                                              and hereby incorporated herein by reference.

4.     Form of Security                                       Included with the Registration Statement on Form S-6 for the
                                                              Nationwide VL Separate Account-A (File No. 33-44300), and hereby
                                                              incorporated herein by reference.

5.     Articles of Incorporation of Depositor                 Included with the  Registration  Statement on Form N-8B-2 for
                                                              the  Nationwide VL Separate  Account-A  (File No.  811-6137),
                                                              and hereby incorporated herein by reference.

6.     Application form of Security                           Included with the Registration  Statement on Form S-6 for the
                                                              Nationwide VL Separate  Account-A  (File No.  33-44300),  and
                                                              hereby incorporated herein by reference.

7.     Opinion of Counsel                                     Included with the Registration Statement on Form S-6 for the
                                                              Nationwide VL Separate Account-A (File No. 33-44300), and
                                                              hereby incorporated herein by reference.
</TABLE>
    



<PAGE>   57



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 "1940 Act"). The Registrant and the
       Company elect to be governed by Rule 6e-3(T)(b)(13)(i)(A) under the 1940
       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 1940 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 "SEC")
       on request.

(c)    The Company has concluded that there is a reasonable likelihood that the
       distribution financing arrangement of the separate account will benefit
       the separate account and the contractholders and will keep and make
       available to the SEC 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
       SEC such supplementary and periodic information, documents, and reports
       as may be prescribed by any rule or regulation of the SEC heretofore or
       hereafter duly adopted pursuant to authority conferred in that section.
    

(f)    Represents that the fees and charges deducted under the Contract in the
       aggregate are reasonable in relation to the services rendered, the
       expenses expected to be incurred, and the risks assumed by the Company.

<PAGE>   58



   
    INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT AND REPORT ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company and
Contract Owners of the Nationwide VL Separate Account-A:
    



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



                                                       KPMG Peat Marwick LLP



Columbus, Ohio
   
April 29, 1998
    


<PAGE>   59



                                   SIGNATURES

   
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant,
Nationwide VL Separate Account-A, certifies that it meets the requirements of
Securities Act Rule 485(b) for effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment
No. 8 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, and its seal to be
hereunto affixed and attested, all in the City of Columbus, and State of Ohio,
on this 29th day of April, 1998.
    

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


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



   
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective
Amendment No.8 has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities
indicated on the 29th day of April, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                          TITLE

<S>                                               <C>                                         <C>

LEWIS J. ALPHIN                                                    Director
- --------------------------------------------     
Lewis J. Alphin                                  
                                                 
A. I. BELL                                                         Director
- --------------------------------------------     
A. I. Bell                                       
                                                 
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 Office and Director
Joseph J. Gasper                                           
                                                 
DIMON R. McFERSON                                    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer-
- --------------------------------------------      Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and Director
Dimon R. McFerson                                
                                                 
DAVID O. MILLER                                       Chairman of the Board and Director
- --------------------------------------------          
David O. Miller                                  
                                                 
YVONNE L. MONTGOMERY                                               Director
- --------------------------------------------                       
Yvonne L. Montgomery                             
                                                 
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
</TABLE>

    


<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, and if applicable, of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, 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 Variable
Account-9, 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 VLI Separate Account-4,
Nationwide VL Separate Account-A and Nationwide VL Separate Account-B,
Nationwide VL Separate Account-C, hereby constitutes and appoints Dimon R.
McFerson, Joseph J. Gasper, W. Sidney Druen, Mark R. Thresher, 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 1st day of April, 1998.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                 <C>
/s/ Lewis J. Alphin                                                 /s/ Yvonne L. Montgomery
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin, Director                                           Yvonne L. Montgomery, Director

/s/ A. I. Bell                                                      /s/ C. Ray Noecker
- -------------------------------------------------                   -------------------------------------------------
A. I. Bell, Director                                                C. Ray Noecker, Director

/s/ Keith W. Eckel                                                  /s/ Robert A. Oakley
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Keith W. Eckel, Director                                            Robert A. Oakley, Executive Vice President - Chief
                                                                    Financial Officer

/s/ Willard J. Engel                                                /s/ James F. Patterson
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Willard J. Engel, Director                                          James F. Patterson, Director

/s/ Fred C. Finney                                                  /s/ Arden L. Shisler
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Fred C. Finney, Director                                            Arden L. Shisler, Director

/s/ Charles L. Fuellgraf                                            /s/ Robert L. Stewart
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr., Director                                 Robert L. Stewart, Director

/s/ Joseph J. Gasper                                                /s/ Nancy C. Thomas
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Joseph J. Gasper, President and Chief Operating Officer             Nancy C. Thomas, Director
and Director

/s/ Dimon R. McFerson                                               /s/ Harold W. Weihl
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Dimon R. McFerson, Chairman and Chief Executive                     Harold W. Weihl, Director
Officer-Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and Director

/s/ David O. Miller
- -------------------------------------------------
David O. Miller, Chairman of the Board, Director
</TABLE>






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