NATIONWIDE VA SEPARATE ACCOUNT-B
485BPOS, 1996-12-20
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<PAGE>   1
              As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
                                                       '33 Act File No. 33-86408


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

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549

                                    FORM N-4

                   REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
                                   ACT OF 1933                     [X]
   
                         POST EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 4
    

                                       and

                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                         INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940            [X]
   
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 4
    

                        NATIONWIDE VA SEPARATE ACCOUNT-B
                           (Exact Name of Registrant)

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
                               (Name of Depositor)

                 ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43216-6609
         (Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

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

 GORDON E. MCCUTCHAN, SECRETARY, ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43216-6609
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

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

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

[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485

   
[X] on December 23, 1996 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
    

[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485

[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485

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

The Registrant has registered an indefinite number of securities by a prior
registration statement in accordance with Rule 24f-2 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Pursuant to Paragraph (a)(3) thereof, a non-refundable fee
in the amount of $500 has been paid to the Commission.

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




                                    1 of 82
<PAGE>   2
                        NATIONWIDE VA SEPARATE ACCOUNT-B
                     REFERENCE TO ITEMS REQUIRED BY FORM N-4

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
N-4 ITEM                                                                                            PAGE
   
<S>                                                                                                 <C>
Part A     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS
    Item    1.  Cover page.......................................................................     7
    Item    2.  Definitions......................................................................     9
    Item    3.  Synopsis or Highlights...........................................................    17
    Item    4.  Condensed Financial Information..................................................   N/A
    Item    5.  General Description of Registrant, Depositor, and Portfolio Companies............    17
    Item    6.  Deductions and Expenses..........................................................    19
    Item    7.  General Description of Variable Annuity Contracts................................    19
    Item    8.  Annuity Period...................................................................    23
    Item    9.  Death Benefit and Distributions..................................................    25
    Item   10.  Purchases and Contract Value.....................................................    28
    Item   11.  Redemptions......................................................................    30
    Item   12.  Taxes............................................................................    31
    Item   13.  Legal Proceedings................................................................    35
    Item   14.  Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information.....................    35

Part B     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    Item   15.  Cover Page.......................................................................    43
    Item   16.  Table of Contents................................................................    43
    Item   17.  General Information and History..................................................    43
    Item   18.  Services.........................................................................    43
    Item   19.  Purchase of Securities Being Offered.............................................    43
    Item   20.  Underwriters.....................................................................    44
    Item   21.  Calculation of Performance Information...........................................    44
    Item   22.  Annuity Payments.................................................................    44
    Item   23.  Financial Statements.............................................................    45

Part C     OTHER INFORMATION
    Item   24.  Financial Statements and Exhibits................................................    65
    Item   25.  Directors and Officers of the Depositor..........................................    67
    Item   26.  Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Depositor or Registrant...    69
    Item   27.  Number of Contract Owners........................................................    78
    Item   28.  Indemnification..................................................................    78
    Item   29.  Principal Underwriter............................................................    78
    Item   30.  Location of Accounts and Records.................................................    80
    Item   31.  Management Services..............................................................    80
    Item   32.  Undertakings.....................................................................    80
    
</TABLE>




                                    2 of 82
<PAGE>   3
                      SUPPLEMENT DATED DECEMBER 23, 1996 TO
                        PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 1996 FOR

                 INDIVIDUAL DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS

                                    ISSUED BY

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

                                   THROUGH ITS

                       NATIONWIDE VA SEPARATE ACCOUNT - B

This Supplement updates certain information contained in your Prospectus. Please
read it and keep it with your Prospectus for future reference.

1.       Effective December 23, 1996, the underlying Mutual Fund Options located
         on page 1 of the Prospectus are hereby amended to include the following
         underlying Mutual Funds:

                        DREYFUS VARIABLE INVESTMENT FUND
                           Growth & Income Portfolio*

    TCI PORTFOLIOS, INC. AN AFFILIATE OF TWENTIETH CENTURY COMPANIES, INC.***
                                    TCI Value

      VAN ECK WORLDWIDE INSURANCE TRUST (FORMERLY VAN ECK INVESTMENT TRUST)
                         Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund

                              WARBURG PINCUS TRUST
                         Post-Venture Capital Portfolio

  *The Growth and Income Portfolio may invest in lower quality debt securities
                       commonly referred to as junk bonds

2.       THE UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES table located on page 8 of
         the Prospectus is hereby amended to include the following information:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      ------------------------------------------
                                                                      Management         Other           Total
                                                                         Fees           Expenses        Expenses
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                      <C>             <C>             <C>
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund- Growth & Income Portfolio              0.75%           0.20%           0.95%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCI Portfolios, Inc. - TCI Value                                         1.00%           0.00%           1.00%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust - Worldwide Emerging Markets           1.00%           0.00%           1.00%
Fund
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - Post-Venture Capital Portfolio**                  0.65%           0.75%           1.40%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         **Absent the waiver of fees by the Portfolio's investment adviser and
         co-administrator, Management Fees for the Portfolio would equal 1.25%;
         other Expenses would equal .81%; and Total Portfolio Operating Expenses
         would equal 2.06%. Other Expenses for the Portfolio are based on
         annualized estimates of expenses for the fiscal year ending December
         31, 1996, net of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. The
         investment adviser has undertaken to limit the Portfolio's Total
         Portfolio Operating Expenses through December 31,1996.

         ***Effective January 1, 1997, Twentieth Century Companies, Inc. will
         change its name to American Century Companies, Inc.



                                    3 of 82
<PAGE>   4
3.       The EXAMPLE located on pages 9 and 10 of the Prospectus is hereby
         amended to include the following information:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          If you surrender your Contract     If you do not surrender your       If you annuitize your Contract
                          at the end of the applicable       Contract at the time of the        at the end of the applicable
                          time period                        applicable time period             time period
                          -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          1 Yr.   3 Yrs.   5 Yrs.   10 Yrs.  1 Yr.   3 Yrs.   5 Yrs.   10 Yrs.  1 Yr.    3 Yrs.  5 Yrs.   10 Yrs.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>
Dreyfus VIF-Growth &      25      77       132      282      25      77       132      282      *        77      132      282
Income Portfolio
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCI Portfolios, Inc. -    26      79       135      287      26      79       135      287      *        79      135      287
TCI Value
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide         26      79       135      287      26      79       135      287      *        79      135      287
Insurance Trust -
Worldwide Emerging
Markets Fund
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust -    30      92       156      328      30      92       156      328      *        92      156      328
Post-Venture Capital
Portfolio
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         * The Contracts sold under this Prospectus do not permit annuitizations
           during the first two Contract Years.

4.       "Appendix B" of the Prospectus is also amended to include the following
         information regarding the underlying Mutual Funds:

         DREYFUS VARIABLE INVESTMENT FUND

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

         GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO

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




                                    4 of 82
<PAGE>   5
         TCI PORTFOLIOS, INC., MEMBER OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY FAMILY OF MUTUAL
         FUNDS

                  TCI Portfolios, Inc. was organized as a Maryland corporation
         in 1987. It is a diversified, open-end investment management company
         designed only to provide investment vehicles for variable annuity and
         variable life insurance products of insurance companies. A member of
         the Twentieth Century Family of Mutual Funds, which is changing its
         name to American Century(SM) Investments, effective January 1, 1997.
         TCI Portfolios, Inc. is managed by Investors Research Corporation,
         which is changing its name to American Century Investment Management,
         Inc., effective January 1, 1997.

         - TCI VALUE FUND

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

         VAN ECK WORLDWIDE INSURANCE TRUST (FORMERLY VAN ECK INVESTMENT TRUST)

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

         - WORLDWIDE EMERGING MARKETS FUND

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

         WARBURG PINCUS TRUST

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




                                    5 of 82
<PAGE>   6
         - POST-VENTURE CAPITAL PORTFOLIO

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

5.       The section entitled "TRANSFERS" located on page 14 of the Prospectus
         is hereby amended by adding the following information as the third and
         fourth paragraphs:

         Contracts described in this prospectus may in some cases be sold to
         individuals who independently utilize the services of a firm or
         individual engaged in market timing. Generally, such firms or
         individuals obtain authorization from multiple Contract Owners to make
         transfers and exchanges among the Sub-Accounts (the underlying Mutual
         Funds) on the basis of perceived market trends. Because of the
         unusually large transfers of funds associated with some of these
         transactions, the ability of the Company or underlying Mutual Funds to
         process such transactions may be compromised, and the execution of such
         transactions may possibly disadvantage or work to the detriment of
         other Contract 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
         Contract Owners. THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUAL CONTRACT OWNERS TO EXCHANGE
         CONTRACT VALUES, WHEN INSTRUCTIONS ARE SUBMITTED DIRECTLY BY THE
         CONTRACT OWNER, OR BY THE CONTRACT 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 Contract Owner, or (2) the transfer
         or exchange instructions of individual contract owners who have
         executed pre-authorized transfer or exchange forms which are submitted
         by market timing firms or other third parties on behalf of more than
         one Contract 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 Contract Owners.

6.       Effective October 17, 1996, Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. has
         changed its name to Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. Accordingly, any
         and all references to Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. in this
         Prospectus are hereby amended to reflect this name change.




                                    6 of 82
<PAGE>   7
                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
                                   Home Office
                                 P.O. Box 16609
                    Columbus, Ohio 43216-6609, 1-800-848-6331
                               TDD 1-800-238-3035
                 INDIVIDUAL DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
                 ISSUED BY THE NATIONWIDE VA SEPARATE ACCOUNT-B
                OF NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

         The Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts described in this
prospectus are flexible purchase payment contracts (collectively referred to as
the "Contracts"). The Contracts are sold to individuals for use in retirement
plans which may qualify for special federal tax treatment under the Internal
Revenue Code (the "Code"). Annuity payments under the Contracts are deferred
until a selected later date.

       Purchase Payments are allocated to the Nationwide VA Separate Account-B
("Variable Account"), a separate account of Nationwide Life and Annuity
Insurance Company (the "Company"). The Variable Account uses its assets to
purchase shares at net asset value in one or more of the following series of the
underlying Mutual Fund options:

                           AVAILABLE FOR ALL CONTRACTS

                                     DREYFUS
   Dreyfus Stock Index Fund    The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund

                    FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND
Equity-Income Portfolio                       Growth Portfolio       
                        High Income Portfolio*                Overseas Portfolio

                  FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II
      Asset Manager Portfolio                 Contrafund Portfolio

                        NATIONWIDE SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST
Capital Appreciation Fund          Government Bond Fund        Money Market Fund
                    Small Company Fund             Total Return Fund

                  NEUBERGER & BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST
Growth Portfolio        Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio       Partners Portfolio

                       OPPENHEIMER VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS
     Oppenheimer Bond Fund              Oppenheimer Global Securities Fund
                      Oppenheimer Multiple Strategies Fund

                          STRONG SPECIAL FUND II, INC.

                      STRONG VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.
   Strong Discovery Fund II, Inc.               International Stock Fund, II

     TCI PORTFOLIOS, INC., AN AFFILIATE OF TWENTIETH CENTURY COMPANIES, INC.
       TCI Balanced              TCI Growth              TCI International

                        VAN ECK WORLDWIDE INSURANCE TRUST
       Worldwide Bond Fund                 Gold and Natural Resources Fund

                VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST
                           Real Estate Securities Fund

                              WARBURG PINCUS TRUST
       International Equity Portfolio       Small Company Growth Portfolio 

         * The High Income Portfolio may invest in lower quality debt securities
           commonly referred to as junk bonds.

         This prospectus provides you with the basic information you should know
about the Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts issued by the
Nationwide VA Separate Account-B before investing. You should read it and keep
it for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information dated May 1,
1996, containing further information about the Contracts and the Nationwide VA
Separate Account-B has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
You can obtain a copy without charge from Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance
Company by calling the number listed above, or writing P.O. Box 16609, Columbus,
Ohio 43216-6609.

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

                                       1


                                    7 of 82
<PAGE>   8
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THE PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DATED MAY 1, 1996, IS INCORPORATED
HEREIN BY REFERENCE. THE TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION APPEARS ON PAGE 29 OF THE PROSPECTUS.

                   THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS MAY 1, 1996.




                                       2


                                    8 of 82
<PAGE>   9
                            GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS

ACCUMULATION UNIT- An accounting unit of measure used to calculate the Variable
Account Contract Value prior to the Annuitization Date.

ANNUITANT- The person designated to receive annuity payments and upon whose
continuation of life any annuity payment involving life contingencies depends.
This person must be age 85 or younger at the time of the Contract issuance,
unless the Company has approved a request for an Annuitant of greater age. The
Annuitant may be changed prior to the Annuitization Date with the consent of the
Company.

ANNUITIZATION- The period during which annuity payments are actually received.

ANNUITIZATION DATE- The date on which annuity payments actually commence.

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE- The date on which annuity payments are scheduled to
commence. The Annuity Commencement Date is shown on the Data Page of the
Contract and is subject to change by the Owner.

ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTION- The chosen form of annuity payments. Several options are
available under the Contract.

ANNUITY UNIT- An accounting unit of measure used to calculate the value of
Variable Annuity payments.

BENEFICIARY- The person designated to receive certain benefits under the
Contract upon the death of the Designated Annuitant prior to the Annuitization
Date. The Beneficiary can be changed by the Contract Owner as set forth in the
Contract.

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

COMPANY- Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company.

CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY- The Contingent Beneficiary is the person designated to
be the Beneficiary if the named Beneficiary is not living at the time of the
death of the Designated Annuitant.

CONTINGENT DESIGNATED ANNUITANT- The Contingent Designated Annuitant may be the
recipient of certain rights or benefits under this Contract when the Designated
Annuitant dies before the Annuitization Date. If a Contingent Designated
Annuitant is named on the application, all provisions of the Contract which are
based on the death of the Designated Annuitant will be based on the death of the
last survivor of the Designated Annuitant and the Contingent Designated
Annuitant. A Contingent Designated Annuitant may not be named for Contracts
issued as IRAs or Tax Sheltered Annuities.

CONTINGENT OWNER- A Contingent Owner succeeds to the rights of the Contract
Owner upon the Contract Owner's death before Annuitization. A Contingent Owner
may not be named for Contracts issued as IRAs or Tax Sheltered Annuities.

CONTRACT- The Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contract described in this
prospectus.

CONTRACT ANNIVERSARY- An anniversary of the Date of Issue of the Contract.

CONTRACT OWNER (OWNER)- The Contract Owner is the person who possesses all
rights under the Contract, including the right to designate and change any
designations of the Owner, Contingent Owner, Designated Annuitant, Contingent
Designated Annuitant, Beneficiary, Contingent Beneficiary, Annuity Payment
Option, or the Annuity Commencement Date.

CONTRACT VALUE- The sum of the value of all Variable Account Accumulation Units
attributable to the Contract.

CONTRACT YEAR- Each year the Contract remains in force, commencing with the Date
of Issue.

DATE OF ISSUE- The date shown as the Date of Issue on the Data Page of the
Contract.

DEATH BENEFIT- The benefit payable upon the death of the Designated Annuitant
(or Contingent Designated Annuitant, if applicable) prior to the Annuitization
Date. This benefit does not apply upon the death of the Contract Owner when the
Owner and Designated Annuitant are not the same person. If the Annuitant dies
after the Annuitization Date, any benefit that may be payable shall be as
specified in the Annuity Payment Option elected.


                                       3


                                    9 of 82
<PAGE>   10
DESIGNATED ANNUITANT- The person designated prior to the Annuitization Date to
receive annuity payments. No change of Designated Annuitant may be made without
the prior consent of the Company.

DISTRIBUTION- Any payment of part or all of the Contract Value.

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

FIXED ANNUITY- An annuity providing for payments which are guaranteed by the
Company as to dollar amount during Annuitization.

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

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITY (IRA)- An annuity which qualifies for favorable
tax treatment under Section 408 of the Code.

JOINT OWNER- The Joint Owner, if any, possesses an individual interest in the
entire Contact in conjunction with the Owner. IF A JOINT OWNER IS NAMED,
REFERENCES TO "CONTRACT OWNER" or "OWNER" IN THIS PROSPECTUS WILL APPLY TO BOTH
THE OWNER AND JOINT OWNER. JOINT OWNERS MUST BE SPOUSES AT THE TIME JOINT
OWNERSHIP IS REQUESTED.

MUTUAL FUND (FUND) - A registered management investment company, in which the
assets of the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account will be invested.

NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACT- A Contract which does not qualify for favorable tax
treatment under the provisions of Sections 401 and 403(a) (Qualified Plans), 408
(IRAs) or 403(b) (Tax Sheltered Annuities) of the Code.

PLAN PARTICIPANT-The Plan Participant is the person for whom contributions are
being made to a Qualified Plan or Tax Sheltered Annuity either through employer
contributions or employee salary reduction contributions.

PURCHASE PAYMENT- A deposit of new value in the Contract. The term "Purchase
Payment" does not include transfers among the Sub-Accounts.

QUALIFIED CONTRACT- A Contract which receives favorable tax treatment under the
provisions of the Code, including those described in Section 401 and 403(a).

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

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

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

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

VARIABLE ACCOUNT- The Nationwide VA Separate Account-B, a separate investment
account of the Company into which Variable Account Purchase Payments are
allocated. The Variable Account is divided into Sub-Accounts, each of which
invests in the shares of a separate underlying Mutual Fund.

VARIABLE ANNUITY- An annuity providing for payments which are not predetermined
or guaranteed as to dollar amount and which vary in amount with the investment
experience of the Variable Account.




                                       4


                                    10 of 82
<PAGE>   11
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                <C>
GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS........................................................................    3
SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES.....................................................................    7
UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND EXPENSES..................................................................    8
SYNOPSIS.........................................................................................   11
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION..................................................................  N/A
NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY....................................................   11
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT.............................................................................   11
         Underlying Mutual Fund Options..........................................................   12
         Voting Rights...........................................................................   12
VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES, PURCHASE PAYMENTS, AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS................................   13
         Mortality Risk Charge...................................................................   13
         Expense Risk Charge.....................................................................   13
         Administration Charge...................................................................   13
         Premium Taxes...........................................................................   13
         Expenses of Variable Account............................................................   13
         Investments of the Variable Account.....................................................   13
         Right to Revoke.........................................................................   14
         Transfers...............................................................................   14
         Assignment..............................................................................   14
         Loan Privilege..........................................................................   14
         Ownership Provisions....................................................................   16
         Contingent Owner and Beneficiary Provisions.............................................   16
         Substitution of Securities..............................................................   17
         Contract Owner Inquiries................................................................   17
ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD-VARIABLE ACCOUNT..........................................................   17
         Value of an Annuity Unit................................................................   17
         Assumed Investment Rate.................................................................   17
         Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments................................................   17
         Annuity Commencement Date...............................................................   18
         Change in Annuity Commencement Date.....................................................   18
         Change in Form of Annuity...............................................................   18
         Annuity Payment Options.................................................................   18
         Death of Contract Owner.................................................................   19
         Death of Designated Annuitant Prior to the Annuitization Date...........................   19
         Death Benefit After the Annuitization Date..............................................   20
         Required Distribution for Qualified Plans or Tax Sheltered Annuities....................   20
         Required Distributions for Individual Retirement Annuities..............................   20
         Generation-Skipping Transfers...........................................................   21
GENERAL INFORMATION..............................................................................   21
         Contract Owner Services.................................................................   21
         Statements and Reports..................................................................   22
         Allocation of Purchase Payments and Contract Value......................................   22
         Value of a Variable Account Accumulation Unit...........................................   23
         Net Investment Factor...................................................................   23
         Valuation of Assets.....................................................................   24
         Determining the Contract Value..........................................................   24
         Surrender (Redemption)..................................................................   24
         Surrenders Under a Qualified Plan or Tax Sheltered Annuity Contract.....................   25
         Taxes...................................................................................   25
         Non-Qualified Contracts.................................................................   26
         Diversification.........................................................................   27
         Charge for Tax Provisions...............................................................   27
         Qualified Plans, Individual Retirement Annuities, Individual Retirement Accounts and       
           Tax Sheltered Annuities...............................................................   27
         Advertising.............................................................................   28
</TABLE>


                                       5


                                    11 of 82
<PAGE>   12
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                 <C>
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS................................................................................   29
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION....................................   29
APPENDIX A.......................................................................................   30
APPENDIX B.......................................................................................   31
</TABLE>




                                       6


                                    12 of 82
<PAGE>   13
                          SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                       <C>  
CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
       Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge ..............                0%
                                                                          ------

MAXIMUM ANNUAL CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE ...................            $   0
                                                                          ------

VARIABLE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES

       Mortality and Expense Risk Charges ....................             1.25%
                                                                          ------
       Administration Charge .................................             0.20%
                                                                          ------
       Total Variable Account Annual Expenses ................             1.45%
                                                                          ------
</TABLE>




                                       7


                                    13 of 82
<PAGE>   14
                   UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES(1)
             (AS A PERCENTAGE OF UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND NET ASSETS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Management                           Total Mutual
                                                             Fees           Other Expenses     Fund Expenses
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>                <C>                <C>  
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund                                     0.27%              0.12%              0.39%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund                 0.69%              0.58%              1.27%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Equity-Income Portfolio                    0.51%              0.10%              0.61%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Growth Portfolio                           0.61%              0.09%              0.70%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund -High Income Portfolio                     0.60%              0.11%              0.71%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund -Overseas Portfolio                        0.76%              0.15%              0.91%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II-Asset Manager Portfolio                 0.71%              0.08%              0.79%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II-Contrafund Portfolio                    0.61%              0.11%              0.72%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Capital Appreciation Fund                               0.50%              0.04%              0.54%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Government Bond Fund                                    0.50%              0.01%              0.51%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Money Market Fund                                       0.50%              0.02%              0.52%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Small Company Fund                                      1.00%              0.25%              1.25%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Total Return Fund                                       0.50%              0.01%              0.51%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust-Growth          0.84%              0.10%              0.94%
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management                       0.65%              0.10%              0.75%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust-Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management                       0.85%              0.30%              1.15%
Trust-Partners Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds -Bond Fund                0.75%              0.05%              0.80%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds -Global                   0.74%              0.15%              0.89%
Securities Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds -Multiple                 0.74%              0.03%              0.77%
Strategies Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.-Discovery              1.00%              0.31%              1.31%
Fund II, Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.                        1.00%              0.97%              1.97%
- -International Stock Fund II
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Special Fund II, Inc.                                 1.00%              0.20%              1.20%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCI Portfolios Inc.-TCI Balanced                             1.00%              0.00%              1.00%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCI Portfolios Inc.-TCI Growth                               1.00%              0.00%              1.00%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCI Portfolios Inc.-TCI International                        1.50%              0.00%              1.50%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust-Gold and Natural           0.79%              0.15%              0.94%
Resources Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust-Worldwide Bond             0.80%              0.16%              0.96%
Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment                  1.00%              1.90%              2.90%
Trust-Real Estate Securities Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-International Equity Portfolio          1.00%              0.44%              1.44%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-Small Company Growth Portfolio          0.90%              0.35%              1.25%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

1    The Mutual Fund expenses shown above are assessed at the underlying Mutual
     Fund level and are not direct charges against Variable Account assets or
     reductions from Contract Values. 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 unit values of
     the Variable Account. The management fees and other expenses, some of which
     are subject to fee waivers or expense reimbursements, are more fully
     described in the prospectuses for each individual underlying Mutual Fund.
     The information relating to the underlying Mutual Fund expenses was
     provided by the underlying Mutual Fund and was not independently verified
     by the Company.




                                       8


                                    14 of 82
<PAGE>   15
                                     EXAMPLE

The following chart depicts the dollar amount of expenses that would be incurred
under this Contract assuming a $1000 investment and 5% annual return. These
dollar figures are illustrative only and should not be considered a
representation of past or future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or
lesser than those shown below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              If you surrender your       If you do not surrender       If you annuitize your
                                     Contract           your Contract at the end of            Contract
                           at the end of the applicable  the applicable time period  at the end of the applicable
                                   time period                                               time period
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           1 Yr. 3 Yrs. 5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.  1 Yr. 3 Yrs  5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.  1 Yr. 3 Yrs. 5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>      <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>      <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>    
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund    19     60    103     222     19     60    103     222      *     60    103     222
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Dreyfus Socially        29     88    149     315     29     88    149     315      *     88    149     315
Responsible Growth Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fidelity VIP                22     67    114     246     22     67    114     246      *     67    114     246
Fund-Equity-Income
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fidelity VIP Fund-Growth    23     70    119     256     23     70    119     256      *     70    119     256
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fidelity VIP                25     76    130     278     25     76    130     278      *     76    130     278
Fund-Overseas Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fidelity VIP Fund-High      23     70    120     257     23     70    120     257      *     70    120     257
Income Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fidelity VIP Fund           24     72    124     265     24     72    124     265      *     72    124     265
II-Asset Manager Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fidelity VIP Fund           23     70    120     258     23     70    120     258      *     70    120     258
II-Contrafund Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NSAT-Capital Appreciation   21     65    111     239     21     65    111     239      *     65    111     239
Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NSAT-Government Bond Fund   21     64    109     235     21     64    109     235      *     64    109     235
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NSAT-Money Market Fund      21     64    110     236     21     64    110     236      *     64    110     236
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NSAT-Small Company Fund     28     87    148     313     28     87    148     313      *     87    148     313
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NSAT-Total Return Fund      21     64    109     235     21     64    109     235      *     64    109     235
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Neuberger & Berman          25     77    132     281     25     77    132     231      *     77    132     281
Advisers Management
Trust-Growth Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Neuberger & Berman          23     71    122     261     23     71    122     261      *     71    122     261
Advisers Management
Trust-Limited Maturity
Bond Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Neuberger & Berman          27     84    143     303     27     84    143     303      *     84    143     303
Advisers Management
Trust- Partners Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oppenheimer Variable        24     73    125     266     24     73    125     266      *     73    125     266
Account Funds-Bond Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oppenheimer Variable        25     76    129     276     25     76    129     276      *     76    129     276
Account Funds-Global
Securities Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oppenheimer Variable        23     72    123     263     23     72    123     263      *     72    123     263
Account Funds-Multiple
Strategies Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>




                                       9


                                    15 of 82
<PAGE>   16
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              If you surrender your       If you do not surrender       If you annuitize your
                                     Contract           your Contract at the end of            Contract
                           at the end of the applicable  the applicable time period  at the end of the applicable
                                   time period                                               time period
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           1 Yr. 3 Yrs. 5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.  1 Yr. 3 Yrs  5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.  1 Yr. 3 Yrs. 5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>      <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>      <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>    
Strong Variable Insurance   29     89    151     319     29     89    151     319      *     89    151     319
Funds, Inc.-Discovery
Fund II, Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Strong Variable Insurance   36    109    185     383     36    109    185     383      *    109    185     383
Funds, Inc.-International
Stock Fund, II
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Strong Special Fund II,     28     85    145     308     28     85    145     308      *     85    145     308
Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TCI Portfolios Inc.-TCI     26     79    135     287     26     79    135     287      *     79    135     287
Balanced
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TCI Portfolios Inc.-TCI     26     79    135     287     26     79    135     287      *     79    135     287
Growth
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TCI Portfolios Inc.-TCI     31     95    161     338     31     95    161     338      *     95    161     338
International
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Van Eck Worldwide           25     78    133     283     25     78    133     283      *     78    133     283
Insurance Trust-Gold and
Natural Resources Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Van Eck Worldwide           25     77    132     281     25     77    132     281      *     77    132     281
Insurance Trust-Worldwide
Bond Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Van Kampen American         46    138    230     466     46    138    230     466      *    138    230     466
Capital Life Investment
Trust-Real Estate
Securities Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Warburg Pincus              30     93    158     332     30     93    158     332      *     93    158     332
Trust-International
Equity Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Warburg Pincus              28     87    148     313     28     87    148     313      *     87    148     313
Trust-Small Company
Growth Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

*The Contracts sold under this prospectus do not permit annuitizations during
the first two Contract Years.

         The purpose of the Summary of Contract Expenses and Example is to
assist the Contract Owner in understanding the various costs and expenses that
will be borne directly or indirectly when investing in the Contract. The
expenses of the Nationwide VA Separate Account-B as well as those of the
underlying Mutual Fund options are reflected in the Example. For more complete
descriptions of the expenses of the Variable Account, see "Variable Account
Charges, Purchase Payments, and Other Deductions." For more complete information
regarding expenses paid out of the assets of the underlying Mutual Fund options,
see the Mutual Funds' prospectuses. Deductions for premium taxes may also apply
but are not reflected in the Example shown above (see "Premium Taxes").




                                       10


                                    16 of 82
<PAGE>   17
                                    SYNOPSIS

       The Company does not deduct a sales charge from Purchase Payments made
for these Contracts, nor is any sales charge deducted upon the surrender of the
Contract.

       The Company assesses an Administration Charge equal to an annual rate of
0.20% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account. These charges are to
reimburse the Company for administrative expenses related to the issue and
maintenance of the Contracts. The Company does not expect to recover from these
charges an amount in excess of accumulated administrative expenses (see
"Administration Charge").

       The Company deducts a Mortality Risk Charge equal to an annual rate of
0.80% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account for mortality risk
assumed by the Company (see "Mortality Risk Charge").

       The Company deducts an Expense Risk Charge equal to an annual rate of
0.45% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account as compensation for
the Company's risk by undertaking not to increase administrative charges on the
Contracts regardless of the actual administrative costs (see "Expense Risk
Charge").

       The initial Purchase Payment must be at least $15,000 and subsequent
Purchase Payments at least $1000. The cumulative total of all Purchase Payments
under Contracts issued on the life of any one Designated Annuitant may not
exceed $1,000,000 without the prior consent of the Company (see "Allocation of
Purchase Payments and Contract Value").

       If the Contract Value at the Annuitization Date is less than $5,000, the
Contract Value may be distributed in one lump sum in lieu of annuity payments.
If any annuity payment would be less than $50, the Company shall have the right
to change the frequency of payments to such intervals as will result in payments
of at least $50. In no event, however, will annuity payments be made less
frequently than annually (see "Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments").

       Premium taxes payable to any governmental entity will be charged against
the Contracts. If any such premium taxes are payable by the Company at the time
Purchase Payments are made, an equal premium tax deduction may be made from the
Contract prior to the allocation of any Purchase Payment to any underlying
Mutual Fund option (see "Premium Taxes").

       To be sure that the Contract Owner is satisfied with the Contract, the
Contract Owner has a ten day free look. Within ten days of the date the Contract
is received, it may be returned to the Home Office of the Company, at the
address shown on page 1 of this prospectus. When the Contract is received by the
Company, the Company will void the Contract and refund the Contract Value in
full unless otherwise required by state and/or federal law. All Individual
Retirement Annuity refunds will be return of Purchase Payments (see "Right to
Revoke").

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

       Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company, formerly Financial
Horizons Life Insurance Company, is a stock life insurance company organized
under the laws of the State of Ohio and was established in February 1981. The
Company is a member of the "Nationwide Insurance Enterprise" with its Home
Office at One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43216. The Company offers 
certain life insurance products and annuities.

                              THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT

       The Variable Account was established as Financial Horizons VA Separate
Account-2 by the Company on March 6, 1991, pursuant to the provisions of Ohio
law. The name of the Variable Account was subsequently changed to Nationwide VA
Separate Account-B pursuant to a resolution by the Board of Directors. The
Company has caused the Variable Account to be registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as a unit investment trust pursuant to the provisions of the
Investment Company Act of 1940. Such registration does not involve supervision
of the management of the Variable Account or the Company by the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

       The Variable Account is a separate investment account of the Company and
as such, is not chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business
the Company may conduct. The Company does not guarantee the investment
performance of the Variable Account. Obligations under the Contracts, however,
are obligations of the Company. Income, gains and losses, whether or not
realized, from the assets of the Variable 

                                       11


                                    17 of 82
<PAGE>   18
Account are, in accordance with the Contracts, credited to or charged against
the Variable Account without regard to other income, gains, or losses of the
Company.

       Purchase Payments are allocated within the Variable Account among one or
more Sub-Accounts made up of shares in the underlying Mutual Funds designated by
the Contract Owner. There are two Sub-Accounts within the Variable Account for
each of the underlying Mutual Fund options which may be designated by the
Contract Owner. One such Sub-Account contains the underlying Mutual Funds shares
attributable to Accumulation Units under Qualified Contracts and one such
Sub-Account contains the underlying Mutual Funds shares attributable to
Accumulation Units under Non-Qualified Contracts.

UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND OPTIONS

       Contract Owners may choose from among a number of different underlying
Mutual Fund options. (See Appendix B which contains a summary of investment
objectives for each underlying Mutual Fund.) More detailed information may be
found in the current prospectus for each underlying Mutual Fund offered. Such a
prospectus for the underlying Mutual Fund option(s) being considered must
accompany this prospectus and should be read in conjunction herewith. A copy of
each prospectus may be obtained without charge from Nationwide Life and Annuity
Insurance Company by calling 1-800-848-6331, TDD 1-800-238-3035, or writing P.O.
Box 16609, Columbus, Ohio 43216-6609.

       The underlying Mutual Funds may also be available to registered separate
accounts offering variable annuity and variable life products of other
participating insurance companies, as well as to the Variable Account and other
separate accounts of the Company. Although the Company does not anticipate any
disadvantages to this, there is a possibility that a material conflict may arise
between the interest of the Variable Account and one or more of the other
separate accounts participating in the underlying Mutual Funds. A conflict may
occur due to a change in law affecting the operations of variable life and
variable annuity separate accounts, differences in the voting instructions of
the Contract Owners and those of other companies, or some other reason. In the
event of conflict, the Company will take any steps necessary to protect the
Contract Owners and variable annuity payees, including withdrawal of the
Variable Account from participation in the underlying Mutual Fund or Mutual
Funds which are involved in the conflict.

VOTING RIGHTS

       Voting rights under the Contracts apply ONLY with respect to Purchase
Payments or accumulated amounts allocated to the Variable Account.

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


       The person having the voting interest under a Contract shall be the
Contract Owner. The number of underlying Mutual Fund shares attributable to each
Contract Owner is determined by dividing the Contract Owner's interest in each
respective Sub-Account of the Variable Account by the net asset value of the
underlying Mutual Fund corresponding to the Sub-Account.


       The number of shares which a person has the right to vote will be
determined as of the date to be chosen by the Company not more than 90 days
prior to the meeting of the underlying Mutual Fund. Voting instructions will be
solicited by written communication at least 21 days prior to such meeting.


       Underlying Mutual Fund shares held in the Variable Account as to which no
timely instructions are received will be voted by the Company in the same
proportion as the voting instructions which are received with respect to all
Contracts participating in the Variable Account.

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



                                       12


                                    18 of 82
<PAGE>   19
        VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES, PURCHASE PAYMENTS, AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS

MORTALITY RISK CHARGE

       The Company assumes a "mortality risk" by virtue of annuity rates
incorporated into the Contract which cannot be changed regardless of the death
rates of persons receiving annuity payments or of the general population.


       For assuming this mortality risk, the Company deducts a Mortality Risk
Charge from the Variable Account. This amount is computed on a daily basis and
is equal to an annual rate of 0.80% of the daily net asset value of the Variable
Account. The Company expects to generate a profit through assessing this charge.

EXPENSE RISK CHARGE

       The Company will not increase charges for administration of the Contracts
regardless of its actual expenses. For assuming this expense risk, the Company
deducts an Expense Risk Charge from the Variable Account. This amount is
computed on a daily basis and is equal to an annual rate of 0.45% of the daily
net asset value of the Variable Account. The Company expects to generate a 
profit through assessing this charge.

ADMINISTRATION CHARGE

       The Company assesses an Administration Charge equal to an annual rate of
0.20% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account. The deduction of the
Administration Charge is made from each Sub-Account in the same proportion that
the Contract Value in each Sub-Account bears to the total Contract Value in the
Variable Account. These charges are designed only to reimburse the Company for
administrative expenses and the Company will monitor these charges to ensure
that they do not exceed annual administration expenses.

PREMIUM TAXES

       The Company will charge against the Contract Value the amount of any
premium taxes levied by a state or any other governmental entity upon Purchase
Payments received by the Company. Premium taxes currently imposed by certain
jurisdictions range from 0% to 3.5%. This range is subject to change. The method
used to recoup premium tax expense will be determined by the Company at its sole
discretion and in compliance with applicable state law. The Company currently
deducts such charges from a Contract Owner's Contract Value either: (1) at the
time the Contract is surrendered, (2) at Annuitization, or (3) at such earlier
date as the Company may become subject to such taxes.

EXPENSES OF VARIABLE ACCOUNT

       The Variable Account is responsible for the following types of expenses:
(1) administrative expenses relating to the issuance and maintenance of the
Contracts; (2) the mortality risk charges associated with guaranteeing the
annuity purchase rates at issue for the life of the Contracts; and (3) charges
associated with guaranteeing that the Mortality Risk, Expense Risk, and
Administration Charges described in this prospectus will not be changed
regardless of actual expenses. If these charges are insufficient to cover these
expenses, the loss will be borne by the Company.


       Deductions from and expenses paid out of the assets of the underlying
Mutual Funds are described in each of the underlying Mutual Funds' prospectuses.

INVESTMENTS OF THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT

       At the time of purchase each Contract Owner elects to have Purchase
Payments attributable to his or her participation in the Variable Account
allocated among one or more of the Sub-Accounts which consist of shares in the
underlying Mutual Funds. Shares of the respective underlying Mutual Funds
specified by the Contract Owner are purchased at net asset value for the
respective Sub-Account(s) and converted into Accumulation Units. At the time of
purchase, the Contract Owner designates the underlying Mutual Funds to which he
or she desires to have Purchase Payments allocated. The Contract Owner may
change the election as to allocation of Purchase Payments or may elect to
exchange amounts among the Sub-Account options pursuant to such terms and
conditions applicable to such transactions as may be imposed by each of the
underlying Mutual Funds, in addition to those set forth in the Contracts.



                                       13


                                    19 of 82
<PAGE>   20
RIGHT TO REVOKE

       The Contract Owner may revoke the Contract at any time between the Date
of Issue and the date 10 days after receipt of the Contract and receive a refund
of the Contract Value unless otherwise required by state and/or federal law. All
Individual Retirement Annuity refunds will be return of Purchase Payments. In
order to revoke the Contract, the Contract must be mailed or delivered to the
Home Office of the Company at the mailing address shown on page 1 of this
prospectus. Mailing or delivery must occur on or before 10 days after receipt of
the Contract for revocation to be effective. In order to revoke the Contract, if
it has not been received, written notice must be mailed or delivered to the Home
Office of the Company at the mailing address shown on page 1 of this prospectus.

       The liability of the Variable Account under this provision is limited to
the Contract Value in each Sub-Account on the date of revocation. Any additional
amounts refunded to the Contract Owner will be paid by the Company.

TRANSFERS

       Transfers among Sub-Account underlying Mutual Fund options are permitted
12 times per year. The Owner's value in each Sub-Account will be determined as
of the date the transfer request is received in good order in the Home Office.

       Transfers may be made either in writing or, in states allowing such
transfers, by telephone. This telephone exchange privilege is made available to
Contract Owners automatically without the Owner's election. The Company will
employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by
telephone are genuine. Such procedures may include any or all of the following,
or such other procedures as the Company may, from time to time, deem reasonable:
requesting identifying information, such as name, contract number, Social
Security Number, and/or personal identification number; tape recording all
telephone transactions; and providing written confirmation thereof to both the
Contract Owner and any agent of record, at the last address of record. The
Company will not be liable for following instructions communicated by telephone
which it reasonably believes to be genuine. Any losses incurred pursuant to
actions taken by the Company in reliance on telephone instructions reasonably
believed to be genuine shall be borne by the Contract Owner. The Company may
withdraw the telephone exchange privilege upon 30 days written notice to the
Contract Owners.

ASSIGNMENT

       Where permitted, the Contract Owner may assign some or all of the rights
under the Contract at any time during the lifetime of the Designated Annuitant.
Such assignment will take effect upon receipt by the Company of a written notice
thereof executed by the Contract Owner. The Company assumes no responsibility
for the validity or sufficiency of any assignment. The Company shall not be
liable as to any payment or other settlement made by the Company before receipt
of the assignment. Where necessary for the proper administration of the terms of
the Contract, an assignment will not be recorded until the Company has received
sufficient direction from the Contract Owner and the assignee as to the proper
allocation of Contract rights under the assignment.

       Any portion of Contract Value which is pledged or assigned shall be
treated as a Distribution and shall be included in gross income to the extent
that the cash value exceeds the investment in the Contract for the taxable year
in which assigned or pledged. In addition, any Contract Values assigned may,
under certain conditions, be subject to a tax penalty equal to 10% of the amount
which is included in gross income. All rights in this Contract are personal to
the Contract Owner and may not be assigned without written consent of the
Company. Assignment of the entire Contract Value may cause the portion of the
Contract Value which exceeds the total investment in the Contract to be included
in gross income each year that the assignment is in effect. Individual
Retirement Annuities, Individual Retirement Accounts and Tax Sheltered Annuities
are not eligible for assignment.

LOAN PRIVILEGE

       Prior to the Annuitization Date, the Owner of a Qualified Contract or Tax
Sheltered Annuity Contract may receive a loan from the Contract Value subject to
the terms of the Contract, the Plan, and the Code, which impose restrictions on
loans.

       Loans from Qualified Contracts or Tax Sheltered Annuities are available
beginning 30 days after the Date of Issue. The Contract Owner may borrow a
minimum of $1,000. In non-ERISA plans, for Contract Values up to $20,000, the
maximum loan balance which may be outstanding at any time is 80% of the Contract
Value, but 

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<PAGE>   21
not more than $10,000. If the Contract Value is $20,000 or more, the maximum
loan balance which may be outstanding at any time is 50% of the Contract Value,
but not more than $50,000. For ERISA plans, the maximum loan balance which may
be outstanding at any time is 50% of the Contract Value, but not more than
$50,000. The $50,000 limit will be reduced by the highest loan balances owed
during the prior one-year period. Additional loans are subject to the Contract
minimum amount. The aggregate of all loans may not exceed the Contract Value
limitations stated above.

       For salary reduction Tax Sheltered Annuities, loans may only be secured
by the Contract Value. For loans from Qualified Contracts and other Tax
Sheltered Annuities, the Company reserves the right to limit a loan to 50% of
the Contract Value subject to the acceptance by the Contract Owner of the
Company's loan agreement. Where permitted, the Company may require other named
collateral where the loan from a Contract exceeds 50% of the Contract Value.

       All loans are made from a collateral fixed account. An amount equal to
the principal amount of the loan will be transferred to the collateral fixed
account. Unless instructed to the contrary by the Contract Owner, the Company
will first transfer to the collateral fixed account the Variable Account units
from the Contract Owner's investment options in proportion to the assets in each
option until the required balance is reached or all such variable units are
exhausted. The remaining required collateral will next be transferred from the
Fixed Account. No withdrawal charges are deducted at the time of the loan, or on
the transfer from the Variable Account to the collateral fixed account.

       Until the loan has been repaid in full, that portion of the collateral
fixed account equal to the outstanding loan balance shall be credited with
interest at a rate 2.25% less than the loan interest rate fixed by the Company
for the term of the loan. However, the interest rate credited to the collateral
fixed account will never be less than 3.0%. Specific loan terms are disclosed at
the time of loan application or loan issuance.

       Loans must be repaid in substantially level payments, not less frequently
than quarterly, within five years. Loans used to purchase the principal
residence of the Contract Owner must be repaid within 15 years. During the loan
term, the outstanding balance of the loan will continue to earn interest at an
annual rate as specified in the loan agreement. Loan repayments will consist of
principal and interest in amounts set forth in the loan agreement. Loan
repayments will be made among the Variable Accounts in the same proportion as
when the loan was made.

       If the Contract is surrendered while the loan is outstanding, the
surrender value will be reduced by the amount of the loan outstanding plus
accrued interest. If the Contract Owner/Annuitant dies while the loan is
outstanding, the Death Benefit will be reduced by the amount of the loan
outstanding plus accrued interest. If annuity payments start while the loan is
outstanding, the Contract Value will be reduced by the amount of the outstanding
loan plus accrued interest. Until the loan is repaid, the Company reserves the
right to restrict any transfer of the Contract which would otherwise qualify as
a transfer as permitted in the Code.

       If a loan payment is not made when due, interest will continue to accrue.
A grace period may be available under the terms of the loan agreement. If a loan
payment is not made when due, or by the end of the applicable grace period, then
that payment, which may be a single periodic payment or payment of the entire
loan, will be treated as a deemed Distribution, as permitted by law, may be
taxable to the borrower, and may be subject to the early withdrawal tax penalty.
Interest which subsequently accrues on defaulted amounts may also be treated as
additional deemed Distributions each year. Any defaulted amounts, plus accrued
interest, will be deducted from the Contract when the participant becomes
eligible for a Distribution of at least that amount, and this amount may again
be treated as a Distribution where required by law. Additional loans may not be
available while a previous loan remains in default.

       Loans may also be subject to additional limitations or restrictions under
the terms of the employer's plan. Loans permitted under this Contract may still
be taxable in whole or part if the participant has additional loans from other
plans or contracts. The Company will calculate the maximum nontaxable loan based
on the information provided by the participant or the employer.

       Loan repayments must be identified as such or else they will be treated
as Purchase Payments, and will not be used to reduce the outstanding loan
principal or interest due. The Company reserves the right to modify the term or
procedures of the loan in the event of a change in the laws or regulations
relating to the treatment of loans. The Company also reserves the right to
assess a loan processing fee. Individual Retirement Annuities , SEP-IRA accounts
and Non-Qualified Contracts are not eligible for loans.


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<PAGE>   22
OWNERSHIP PROVISIONS

       Unless otherwise provided, the Contract Owner has all rights under the
Contract. IF THE PURCHASER NAMES SOMEONE OTHER THAN HIMSELF OR HERSELF AS OWNER,
THE PURCHASER WILL HAVE NO RIGHTS UNDER THE CONTRACT. If a Joint Owner is named,
the Joint Owner will possess an undivided interest in the Contract. Prior to the
Annuitization Date, a surviving Joint Owner shall retain sole rights in the
Contract upon the other's death prior to the Annuitization Date. Unless
otherwise provided, when Joint Owners are named, the exercise of any ownership
right in the Contract (including the right to surrender or partially surrender
the Contract, to change the Owner, the Contingent Owner, the Designated
Annuitant, the Contingent Designated Annuitant, the Beneficiary, the Contingent
Beneficiary, the Annuity Payment Option or the Annuitization Date) shall require
a written indication of an intent to exercise that right, which must be signed
by both the Owners. Joint Owners must be spouses at the time joint ownership is
requested.

       If a Contract Owner dies prior to the Annuitization Date and the Contract
Owner and the Designated Annuitant are not the same person, Contract ownership
will be determined in accordance with the "Death of Contract Owner" provision.
If the Designated Annuitant (regardless of whether the Designated Annuitant is
also the Contract Owner) dies prior to the Annuitization Date, ownership will be
determined in accordance with the "Death of Designated Annuitant Prior to the
Annuitization Date" provision. On and after the Annuitization Date, the Contract
Owner is the Annuitant.

       Prior to the Annuitization Date, the Contract Owner may name a new
Contract Owner. Such change may be subject to state and federal gift taxes, and
may also result in current federal income taxation (see "Taxes"). Any change of
Contract Owner will automatically revoke any prior Contract Owner designation.
Any request for change of Contract Owner must be (1) made by proper written
application, (2) received and recorded by the Company at it Home Office, and (3)
may include a signature guarantee as specified in the "Surrender" provision.
Subject to the terms of any existing assignment, the Contract Owner may change
the Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary from time to time during the lifetime
of the Designated Annuitant, by written notice to the Company. The change, upon
receipt and recording by the Company at the Home Office, will take effect as of
the time the written notice was signed, whether or not the Designated Annuitant
is living at the time of recording, but without further liability as to any
payment or settlement made by the Company before receipt of such change.

       The Contract Owner may request a change in the Designated Annuitant or
Contingent Designated Annuitant before the Annuitization Date. Such a request
must be made in writing on a form acceptable to the Company and must be signed
by the Contract Owner and the person to be named as Designated Annuitant or
Contingent Designated Annuitant. Any such change is subject to underwriting and
approval by the Company.

CONTINGENT OWNER AND BENEFICIARY PROVISIONS

       The Contingent Owner is the person or persons who may receive certain
benefits under the Contract in the event the Contract Owner dies before the
Annuitization Date. If more than one Contingent Owner survives the Contract
Owner, each will share equally unless otherwise specified in the Contingent
Owner designation. If a Contingent Owner is not named or predeceases the
Contract Owner, all rights and interests of the Contingent Owner will vest in
the Contract Owner's estate. Subject to the terms of any existing assignment,
the Contract Owner may change the Contingent Owner from time to time prior to
the Annuitization Date, by written notice to the Company. The change, upon
receipt and recording by the Company at its Home Office, will take effect as of
the time the written notice was signed, whether or not the Contract Owner is
living at the time of recording, but without further liability as to any payment
or settlement made by the Company before receipt of such change. Unless the
Contingent Owner (or Joint Owner) is also the named Beneficiary (or Contingent
Beneficiary, if applicable), the Contingent Owner (or Joint Owner) shall have no
rights in the Contract if the Contract Owner/Annuitant dies. If a Contract
Owner/Annuitant dies, disposition of the Contract shall be determined based on
the "Death of Designated Annuitant Prior to the Annuitization Date" provision.

       The Beneficiary is the person or persons who may receive certain benefits
under the Contract in the event the Designated Annuitant dies prior to the
Annuitization Date. If more than one Beneficiary survives the Designated
Annuitant, each will share equally unless otherwise specified in the Beneficiary
designation. If no Beneficiary survives the Designated Annuitant, all rights and
interests of the Beneficiary shall vest in the Contingent Beneficiary, and if
more than one Contingent Beneficiary survives, each will share equally unless
otherwise specified in the Contingent Beneficiary designation. If a Contingent
Beneficiary is not named or predeceases the Designated Annuitant, all rights and
interest of the Contingent Beneficiary will vest with the Contract Owner or the
Contract Owner's estate. Subject to the terms of any existing assignment, the
Contract 

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                                    22 of 82
<PAGE>   23
Owner may change the Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary from time to time
during the lifetime of the Designated Annuitant, by written notice to the
Company. The change, upon receipt by the Company at its Home Office, will take
effect as of the time the written notice was signed, whether or not the
Designated Annuitant is living at the time of recording, but without further
liability as to any payment or settlement made by the Company before receipt of
such change.

SUBSTITUTION OF SECURITIES

       If the shares of the underlying Mutual Funds described in this prospectus
should no longer be available for investment by the Variable Account or if, in
the judgment of the Company's management, further investment in such underlying
Mutual Fund shares should become inappropriate, the Company may eliminate
Sub-Accounts, combine two or more Sub-Accounts or substitute one or more
underlying Mutual Funds for other underlying Mutual Fund shares already
purchased or to be purchased in the future by Purchase Payments under the
Contract. No substitution of securities in the Variable Account may take place
without prior approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and under such
requirements as it may impose.

CONTRACT OWNER INQUIRIES

       Contract Owner inquiries may be directed to Nationwide Life and Annuity
Insurance Company by writing P.O. Box 16609, Columbus, Ohio 43216-6609, or
calling 1-800-848-6331, TDD 1-800-238-3035.

                     ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD-VARIABLE ACCOUNT

       At the Annuitization Date the Variable Account Contract Value is applied
to the Annuity Payment Option elected and the amount of the first such payment
made shall be determined in accordance with the Annuity Table in the Contract.

       Subsequent Variable Annuity payments vary in amount in accordance with
the investment performance of the Variable Account. The dollar amount of the
first annuity payment determined as above is divided by the value of an Annuity
Unit as of the Annuitization Date to establish the number of Annuity Units
representing each monthly annuity payment. This number of Annuity Units remains
fixed during the annuity payment period. The dollar amount of the second and
subsequent payments is not predetermined and may change from month to month. The
dollar amount of each subsequent payment is determined by multiplying the fixed
number of Annuity Units by the Annuity Unit Value for the Valuation Period in
which the payment is due. The Company guarantees that the dollar amount of each
payment after the first will not be affected by variations in mortality
experience from mortality assumptions used to determine the first payment.

VALUE OF AN ANNUITY UNIT

       The value of an Annuity Unit was arbitrarily set initially at $10 when
the first underlying Mutual Fund shares were purchased. The value of an Annuity
Unit for a Sub-Account for any subsequent Valuation Period is determined by
multiplying the Annuity Unit Value for the immediately preceding Valuation
Period by the Net Investment Factor for the Valuation Period for which the
Annuity Unit Value is being calculated, and multiplying the result by an
interest factor to neutralize the assumed investment rate of 3.5% per annum
built into the Annuity Tables contained in the Contracts (see "Net Investment
Factor").

ASSUMED INVESTMENT RATE

       A 3.5% Assumed Investment Rate is built into the Annuity Tables contained
in the Contracts. A higher assumption would mean a higher initial payment but
more slowly rising or more rapidly falling subsequent payments. A lower
assumption would have the opposite effect. If the actual investment rate is at
the annual rate of 3.5%, the annuity payments will be level.

FREQUENCY AND AMOUNT OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS

       Annuity payments will be paid as monthly installments. However, if the
net amount available to apply under any Annuity Payment Option is less than
$5,000, the Company shall have the right to pay such amount in one lump sum in
lieu of annuity payments. In addition, if the payments provided for would be or
become less than $50, the Company shall have the right to change the frequency
of payments to such intervals as will result in payments of at least $50. In no
event will the Company make payments under an annuity option less frequently
than annually.



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<PAGE>   24
ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE

       The Contract Owner selects an Annuity Commencement Date at the time of
application. Such date must be the first day of a calendar month and must be at
least 2 years after the Date of Issue. In the event the Contract is issued
subject to the terms of a Qualified Plan, Annuitization may occur during the
first 2 years subject to approval by the Company.

CHANGE IN ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE

       The Contract Owner may, upon prior written notice to the Company, change
the Annuity Commencement Date. The date to which such a change may be made shall
be the first day of a calendar month.

       If the Contract Owner requests in writing, and the Company approves the
request, the Annuity Commencement Date may be deferred. No further changes in
the Designated Annuitant will be permitted under the Contract. The amount of the
Death Benefit will be limited to the Contract Value if the Annuity Commencement
Date is postponed beyond the first day of the calendar month after the
Designated Annuitant's 86th birthday or such other Annuity Commencement Date
provided under the Contract Owner's Qualified Plan.

CHANGE IN FORM OF ANNUITY

       The Contract Owner may, upon prior written notice to the Company, at any
time prior to the Annuitization Date, elect one of the Annuity Payment Options.

ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTIONS

       Any of the following Annuity Payment Options may be elected:

       Option 1-Life Annuity-An annuity payable monthly during the lifetime of
       the Annuitant, ceasing with the last payment due prior to the death of
       the Annuitant. IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE UNDER THIS OPTION FOR THE ANNUITANT
       TO RECEIVE ONLY ONE ANNUITY PAYMENT IF HE OR SHE DIED BEFORE THE SECOND
       ANNUITY PAYMENT DATE, TWO ANNUITY PAYMENTS IF HE OR SHE DIED BEFORE THE
       THIRD ANNUITY PAYMENT DATE, AND SO ON.

       Option 2-Joint and Last Survivor Annuity-An annuity payable monthly
       during the joint lifetimes of the Annuitant and designated second person
       and continuing thereafter during the lifetime of the survivor. AS IS THE
       CASE UNDER OPTION 1 ABOVE, THERE IS NO MINIMUM NUMBER OF PAYMENTS
       GUARANTEED UNDER THIS OPTION. PAYMENTS CEASE UPON THE DEATH OF THE LAST
       SURVIVING ANNUITANT REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF PAYMENTS RECEIVED.

       Option 3-Life Annuity With 120 or 240 Monthly Payments Guaranteed-An
       annuity payable monthly during the lifetime of the Annuitant with the
       guarantee that if at the death of the Annuitant payments have been made
       for fewer than 120 or 240 months, as selected, payments will be made as
       follows:

       (1)    If the Annuitant is the payee, any guaranteed annuity payments
              will be continued during the remainder of the selected period to
              the Beneficiary or the Beneficiary may, at any time, elect to have
              the present value of the guaranteed number of annuity payments
              remaining paid in a lump sum as specified in section (2) below.

       (2)    If a Beneficiary is the payee, the present value, computed as of
              the date on which notice of death is received by the Company at
              its Home Office, of the guaranteed number of annuity payments
              remaining after receipt of such notice and to which the deceased
              would have been entitled had he or she not died, computed at the
              Assumed Investment Rate effective in determining the Annuity
              Tables, shall be paid in a lump sum.

       Some of the stated Annuity Options may not be available in all states.
The Owner may request an alternative non-guaranteed option by giving notice in
writing prior to Annuitization. If such a request is approved by the Company, it
will be permitted under the Contract.

       If the Owner of a Non-Qualified Contract fails to elect an Annuity
Payment Option, the Contract Value will continue to accumulate. Qualified Plan
Contracts, Individual Retirement Annuities or Tax Sheltered Annuities are
subject to the minimum Distribution requirements set forth in the Plan,
Contract, or the Code.




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<PAGE>   25
DEATH OF CONTRACT OWNER

       In the event the Contract Owner dies, the following rules will apply in
those situations where the Contract was not issued in connection with a
Qualified Plan, Tax Sheltered Annuity or Individual Retirement Annuity:

(1)    If the Contract Owner and the Designated Annuitant are not the same
       person and the Contract Owner dies prior to the Annuitization Date, then
       the Joint Owner, if any, becomes the new Contract Owner. If no Joint
       Owner is named (or if the Joint Owner predeceases the Contract Owner),
       then the Contingent Owner becomes the new Contract Owner. If no
       Contingent Owner is named (or if the Contingent Owner predeceases the
       Contract Owner), then the Contract Owner's estate becomes the Contract
       Owner. Unless the new Contract Owner is the prior Contract Owner's
       spouse, the entire interest in the Contract, less applicable deductions,
       must be distributed within five years of the prior Contract Owner's
       death. The new Contract Owner may elect to receive Distribution in the
       form of a life annuity or an annuity for a period not exceeding his or
       her life expectancy. Such annuity must begin within one year following
       the date of the prior Contract Owner's death. If the new Contract Owner
       is the spouse of the prior Contract Owner, the Contract may be continued
       without any required Distribution.

(2)    If the Designated Annuitant (regardless of whether the Designated
       Annuitant is also the Contract Owner) dies prior to the Annuitization
       Date, a Death Benefit will be payable in accordance with the "Death of
       Designated Annuitant Prior to the Annuitization Date" provision below.

(3)    In the event the Contract Owner/Annuitant dies on or after the
       Annuitization Date, Distribution, if any, must be made to the Beneficiary
       at least as rapidly as under the method of Distribution being used as of
       the date of the Contract Owner/Annuitant's death.

       If the Contract Owner is not a natural person, the death of the
Designated Annuitant (or a change of the Designated Annuitant) will be treated
like a death of the Contract Owner and will result in a Distribution pursuant to
Section (1) of this provision, regardless of whether a Contingent Designated
Annuitant has also been named. The Distribution will take the form of either:

       (a)    the Death Benefit described below under the "Death of Designated
              Annuitant Prior to the Annuitization Date" (if the Designated
              Annuitant has died and there is no Contingent Designated
              Annuitant), or, in all other cases,

       (b)    the benefit described in Section (1) of this provision, except
              that in the event of a change of Designated Annuitant, the benefit
              will be paid to the Contract Owner if the Designated Annuitant is
              living, or as a Death Benefit to the Beneficiary upon the death of
              the Designated Annuitant (and the Contingent Designated Annuitant,
              if any) prior to the expiration of the period described in Section
              (1) of this provision.

       Qualified Contracts, Individual Retirement Annuities or Tax Sheltered
Annuities will be subject to specific rules, set forth in the Plan, Contract, or
Code concerning Distributions upon the death of the Owner/Annuitant.

DEATH OF DESIGNATED ANNUITANT PRIOR TO THE ANNUITIZATION DATE

       If the Annuitant dies prior to the Annuitization Date, a Death Benefit is
payable unless the Contract Owner has also named a Contingent Designated
Annuitant, in which case the Death Benefit is payable upon the death of the last
survivor of the Designated Annuitant and Contingent Designated Annuitant. The
Death Benefit is payable to the Beneficiary. If no Beneficiary is named (or if
the Beneficiary predeceases the Designated Annuitant), then the Death Benefit is
payable to the Contingent Beneficiary. If no Contingent Beneficiary is named (or
if the Contingent Beneficiary predeceases the Designated Annuitant), then the
Death Benefit will be paid to Contract Owner or the Contract Owner's estate.

       The value of the Death Benefit will be determined as of the Valuation
Date coincident with or next following the date the Company receives in writing
the following: (1) due proof of the Annuitant's death; and (2) an election for
either (a) a single sum payment or (b) an Annuity Payment Option; and (3) any
form required by state insurance laws. If single sum payment is requested,
payment will be made in accordance with any applicable laws and regulations
governing the payment of Death Benefit. If an Annuity Payment Option is
requested, election must be made by the Contract Owner during the 90-day period
commencing with the date written notice is received by the Company. If no
election has been made by the end of such 90-day period, the Death Benefit will
be paid in a single sum payment. If the Designated Annuitant dies prior to his
or her 86th birthday, the value of the Death Benefit will be the greatest of (1)
the sum of all Purchase Payments, made to the Contract less any amounts
surrendered, (2) the Contract Value, or (3) the Contract Value as of the most

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<PAGE>   26
recent five-year Contract Anniversary, less any amounts surrendered since the
most recent five-year Contract Anniversary. If the Designated Annuitant dies on
or after his or her 86th birthday, then the Death Benefit will be equal to the
Contract Value.

DEATH BENEFIT AFTER THE ANNUITIZATION DATE

       If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any benefit that may
be payable shall be as specified in the Annuity Payment Option elected.

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTION FOR QUALIFIED PLANS OR TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

       The entire interest of an Annuitant under a Qualified Contract or Tax
Sheltered Annuity Contract will be distributed in a manner consistent with the
Minimum Distribution and Incidental Benefit (MDIB) provisions of Section
401(a)(9) of the Code and regulations thereunder, as applicable, and will be
paid, notwithstanding anything else contained herein, to the Owner/Annuitant
under the Annuity Payments Option selected, over a period not exceeding:

       A.     the life of the Owner/Annuitant or the lives of the
              Owner/Annuitant and the Owner/Annuitant's designated Beneficiary;
              or

       B.     a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the
              Owner/Annuitant or the life expectancy of the Owner/Annuitant and
              the Owner/Annuitant's designated Beneficiary.

       If the Owner/Annuitant's entire interest is to be distributed in equal or
substantially equal payments over a period described in A or B, such payments
will commence not later than the first day of April following the calendar year
in which the Owner/Annuitant attains age 70-1/2 (the Required Beginning Date).
In the case of a governmental plan or church plan (as defined in Code Section
89(i)(4)), the Required Beginning Date will be the later of the dates determined
under the preceding sentence or April 1 of the calendar year following the
calendar year in which the Annuitant retires.

       If the Owner dies prior to the commencement of his or her Distribution,
the interest in the Qualified Contract or Tax Sheltered Annuity must be
distributed by December 31 of the year in which the fifth anniversary of his or
her death occurs unless:

(a)    In the case of a Tax Sheltered Annuity, the Owner names his or her
       surviving spouse as the Beneficiary and such spouse elects to:

       (i)    treat the annuity as a Tax Sheltered Annuity established for his
              or her benefit; or

       (ii)   receive Distribution of the account in nearly equal payments over
              his or her life (or a period not exceeding his or her life
              expectancy) and commencing not later than December 31 of the year
              in which the Owner would have attained age 70-1/2; or

(b)    In the case of a Tax Sheltered Annuity or a Qualified Contract, the Owner
       names a Beneficiary other than his or her surviving spouse and such
       Beneficiary elects to receive a Distribution of the account in nearly
       equal payments over his or her life (or a period not exceeding his or her
       life expectancy) commencing not later than December 31 of the year
       following the year in which the Owner dies.

       If the Owner dies after Distribution has commenced, Distribution must
continue at least as rapidly as under the schedule being used prior to his or
her death.

       Payments commencing on the Required Beginning Date will not be less than
the lesser of the quotient obtained by dividing the entire interest of the
Owner/Annuitant by the life expectancy of the Owner/Annuitant, or the joint and
last survivor expectancy of the Owner/Annuitant and the Owner/Annuitant's
Designated Beneficiary (whichever is applicable under the applicable Minimum
Distribution or MDIB provisions). Life expectancy and joint and last survivor
expectancy are computed by the use of return multiples contained in Section
1.72-9 of the Treasury Regulations.

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES

       Distribution from an Individual Retirement Annuity must begin not later
than April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Owner
attains age 70-1/2. Distribution may be accepted in a lump sum or in nearly
equal payments over: (a) the Owner's life or the lives of the Owner and his or
her spouse or 


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<PAGE>   27
Designated Beneficiary, or (b) a period not extending beyond the Owner's life
expectancy or the life expectancy of the Owner and the Owner's spouse or
designated Beneficiary.

       If the Owner dies prior to the commencement of his or her Distribution,
the interest in the Individual Retirement Annuity must be distributed by
December 31 of the year during which the fifth anniversary of his or her death
occurs unless:

(a)    The Owner names his or her surviving spouse as the Beneficiary and such
       spouse elects to:

       (i)    treat the annuity as an Individual Retirement Annuity established
              for his or her benefit; or

       (ii)   receive Distribution of the account in nearly equal payments over
              his or her life (or a period not exceeding his or her life
              expectancy) and commencing not later than December 31 of the year
              in which the Owner would have attained age 70-1/2; or

(b)    The Owner names a Beneficiary other than his or her surviving spouse and
       such Beneficiary elects to receive a Distribution of the account in
       nearly equal payments over his or her life (or a period not exceeding his
       or her life expectancy) commencing not later than December 31 of the year
       following the year in which the Owner dies.

       If the Owner dies after Distribution has commenced, Distribution must
continue at least as rapidly as under the schedule being used prior to his or
her death, except to the extent that a surviving spouse Beneficiary may elect to
treat the Contract as his or her own, in the same manner as is described in
Section (a)(i) of this provision.

       If the amounts distributed do not satisfy the Distribution rules
mentioned above, a penalty tax of 50% is levied on the amount that should have
been distributed for that year.

       A pro-rata portion of all Distributions will be included in the gross
income of the person receiving the Distribution and taxed at ordinary income tax
rates. The portion of the Distribution which is taxable is based on the ratio
between the amount by which non-deductible Purchase Payments exceed prior
non-taxable Distributions and total account balances at the time of the
Distribution. The Owner must annually report the amount of non-deductible
Purchase Payments, the amount of any Distribution, the amount by which
non-deductible Purchase Payments for all years exceed non-taxable Distributions
for all years, and the total balance of all Individual Retirement Accounts and
Annuities.

       Individual Retirement Annuity Distributions will not receive the benefit
of the tax treatment of a lump sum Distribution from a Qualified Plan. If the
Owner dies prior to the time Distribution of his or her interest in the annuity
is completed, the balance will also be included in his or her gross estate.

GENERATION-SKIPPING TRANSFERS

       The Company may be required to determine whether the Death Benefit or any
other payment constitutes a direct skip as defined in Section 2612 of the Code,
and the amount of the tax on the generation-skipping transfer resulting from
such direct skip. If applicable, such payment will be reduced by any tax the
Company is required to pay by Section 2603 of the Code.

       A direct skip may occur when property is transferred to or a Death
Benefit is paid to an individual two or more generations younger than the
Contract Owner.

                               GENERAL INFORMATION

CONTRACT OWNER SERVICES

       ASSET REBALANCING-The Contract Owner may direct the automatic
reallocation of Contract Values to the underlying Mutual Fund options on a
predetermined percentage basis every three months. If the last day of the three
month period falls on a Saturday, Sunday, recognized holiday or any other day
when the New York Stock Exchange is closed, the Asset Rebalancing exchange will
occur on the first business day after that day. Asset Rebalancing will not
affect future allocations of Purchase Payments. An Asset Rebalancing request
must be made in writing on a form provided by the Company. The Contract Owner
may wish to contact a financial adviser in order to discuss the use of Asset
Rebalancing in his or her Contract.

       Contracts issued to a Qualified Plan or a Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan as
defined by the Code may have superseding plan restrictions with regard to the
frequency of fund exchanges and underlying Mutual Fund options.


                                       21


                                    27 of 82
<PAGE>   28
       The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Asset Rebalancing
upon 30 days written notice; such discontinuation will not affect Asset
Rebalancing programs which have already commenced. The Company also reserves the
right to assess a processing fee for this service.

       DOLLAR COST AVERAGING- The Contract Owner may direct the Company to
automatically transfer from the Money Market Sub-Account or the Limited Maturity
Bond Portfolio Sub-Account to any other Sub-Account within the Variable Account
on a monthly basis. This service is intended to allow the Contract Owner to
utilize Dollar Cost Averaging, a long-term investment program which provides for
regular, level investments over time. The Company makes no guarantees that
Dollar Cost Averaging, will result in a profit or protect against loss in a
declining market. Transfers for purposes of Dollar Cost Averaging can only be
made from the Money Market Sub-Account or the Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio
Sub-Account. The minimum monthly Dollar Cost Averaging transfer is $100. A
written election of this service, on a form provided by the Company, must be
completed by the Contract Owner in order to begin transfers. Once elected,
transfers from the Money Market Sub-Account or the Limited Maturity Bond
Portfolio Sub-Account will be processed monthly until either the value in the
Money Market Sub-Account or the Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio Sub-Account is
completely depleted or the Contract Owner instructs the Company in writing to
cancel the monthly transfers.

       The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Dollar Cost
Averaging upon 30 days written notice; such discontinuation not affect Dollar
Cost Averaging programs already commenced. The Company also reserves the right
to assess a processing fee for this service.

       SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS- A Contract Owner may elect in writing on a form
provided by the Company to take Systematic Withdrawals by surrendering a
specified dollar amount (of at least $100) on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual,
or annual basis. The Company will process the withdrawals as directed by
surrendering on a pro-rata basis Accumulation Units from all Sub-Accounts in
which the Contract Owner has an interest. Each Systematic Withdrawal is subject
to federal income taxes on the taxable portion. In addition, a 10% federal
penalty tax may be assessed on Systematic Withdrawals if the Contract Owner is
under age 59-1/2. If directed by the Contract Owner, the Company will withhold
federal income taxes from each Systematic Withdrawal. The Contract Owner may
discontinue Systematic Withdrawals at any time by notifying the Company in
writing.

       The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Systematic
Withdrawals upon 30 days' written notice; such discontinuation will not affect
any Systematic Withdrawal programs already commenced. The Company also reserves
the right to assess a processing fee for this service.

STATEMENTS AND REPORTS

       The Company will mail to Contract Owners, at their last known address of
record, any statements and reports required by applicable law or regulation.
Contract Owners should therefore give the Company prompt notice of any address
change. The Company will send a confirmation statement to Contract Owners each
time a transaction is made affecting the Owners' Variable Account Contract
Value, such as making additional Purchase Payments, transfers, exchanges or
withdrawals. Quarterly statements are also mailed detailing the Contract
activity during the calendar quarter. Instead of receiving an immediate
confirmation of transactions made pursuant to some types of periodic payment
plan (such as a dollar cost averaging program) or salary reduction arrangement,
the Contract Owner may receive confirmation of such transactions in their
quarterly statements. The Contract Owner should review the information in these
statements carefully. All errors or corrections must be reported to the Company
immediately to assure proper crediting to the Owner's Contract. The Company will
assume all transactions are accurately reported in quarterly statements or
confirmation statements unless the Contract Owner notifies the Company otherwise
within 30 days after receipt of the statement. The Company will also send to
Contract Owners each year an annual report and a semi-annual report containing
financial statements for the Variable Account, as of December 31 and June 30,
respectively.

ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS AND CONTRACT VALUE

       Purchase Payments are allocated to one or more Sub-Accounts within the
Variable Account in accordance with the designation of the underlying Mutual
Funds by the Contract Owner, and converted into Accumulation Units.

       The initial first year Purchase Payment must be at least $15,000 and
additional payments, if any, must be at least $1,000. The Company, however,
reserves the right to lower this $1,000 Purchase Payment minimum for certain
employer sponsored programs. The Contract Owner may increase or decrease
Purchase Payments 


                                       22


                                    28 of 82
<PAGE>   29
or change the frequency of payment. The Contract Owner is not obligated to
continue Purchase Payments in the amount or at the frequency elected. There are
no penalties for failure to continue Purchase Payments.

       The cumulative total of all Purchase Payments under Contracts issued on
the life of any one Designated Annuitant may not exceed $1,000,000 without prior
consent of the Company.

       The initial Purchase Payment allocated to designated Sub-Accounts of the
Variable Account will be priced not later than 2 business days after receipt of
an order to purchase if the application and all information necessary for
processing the purchase order are complete. The Company may, however, retain the
Purchase Payment for up to 5 business days while attempting to complete an
incomplete application. If the application cannot be made complete within 5
days, the prospective purchaser will be informed of the reasons for the delay
and the Purchase Payment will be returned immediately unless the prospective
purchaser specifically consents to the Company retaining the Purchase Payment
until the application is made complete. Thereafter, subsequent Purchase Payments
will be priced on the basis of the Accumulation Unit Value next computed for the
appropriate Sub-Account after the additional Purchase Payment is received.

       Purchase Payments will not be priced on the following nationally
recognized holidays: New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

VALUE OF A VARIABLE ACCOUNT ACCUMULATION UNIT

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

NET INVESTMENT FACTOR

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

(a)    is:

       (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 of:

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

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

(c)    is a factor representing the daily Mortality Risk Charge, Expense Risk
       Charge and Administration Charge deducted from the Variable Account. Such
       factor is equal to an annual rate of 1.45 % of the daily net asset value
       of the Variable Account.

       For underlying Mutual Funds that credit dividends on a daily basis and
pay such dividends once a month (the Nationwide Separate Account Trust - Money
Market Fund), the Net Investment Factor allows for the monthly reinvestment of
these daily dividends.

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



                                       23


                                    29 of 82
<PAGE>   30
VALUATION OF ASSETS

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

DETERMINING THE CONTRACT VALUE

       The sum of the value of all Variable Account Accumulation Units
attributable to the Contract is the Contract Value. The number of Accumulation
Units credited per each Sub-Account are determined by dividing the net amount
allocated to the Sub-Account by the Accumulation Unit Value for the Sub-Account
for the Valuation Period during which the Purchase Payment is received by the
Company. In the event part or all of the Contract Value is surrendered or
charges or deductions are made against the Contract Value, an appropriate number
of Accumulation Units from the Variable Account will be deducted.

SURRENDER (REDEMPTION)

       While the Contract is in force and prior to the earlier of the
Annuitization Date or the death of the Designated Annuitant, the Company will,
upon proper written application by the Contract Owner deemed by the Company to
be in good order, allow the Contract Owner to surrender a portion or all of the
Contract Value. "Proper written application" means that the surrender must be
requested in writing by the Contract Owner, satisfy all good order requirements,
and the Company may require that the signature(s) be guaranteed by a member firm
of the New York, American, Boston, Midwest, Philadelphia, or Pacific Stock
Exchange, or by a commercial bank or a savings and loan, which is a member of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In some cases (for example, requests
by a corporation, partnership, agent, fiduciary, or surviving joint owner), the
Company will require additional documentation of a customary nature.

       The Company will, upon receipt of any such written request, surrender a
number of Accumulation Units from the Variable Account to equal the gross dollar
amount requested. In the event of a partial surrender, the Company will, unless
instructed to the contrary, surrender Accumulation Units from all Sub-Accounts
in which the Contract Owner has an interest.

       The Company will pay any funds applied for from the Variable Account
within 7 days of receipt of such application in the Company's Home Office.
However, the Company reserves the right to suspend or postpone the date of any
payment of any benefit or values for any Valuation Period (1) when the New York
Stock Exchange ("Exchange") is closed, (2) when trading on the Exchange is
restricted, (3) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of
securities held in the Variable Account is not reasonably practicable or it is
not reasonably practicable to determine the value of the Variable Account's net
assets, or (4) during any other period when the Securities and Exchange
Commission, by order, so permits for the protection of security holders;
provided that applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (2) and (3)
exist. The Contract Value on surrender may be more or less than the total of
Purchase Payments made by a Contract Owner, depending on the market value of the
underlying Mutual Fund shares.




                                       24


                                    30 of 82
<PAGE>   31
SURRENDERS UNDER A QUALIFIED PLAN OR TAX SHELTERED ANNUITY CONTRACT

       Except as provided below, the Owner may Surrender part or all of the
Contract Value at any time this Contract is in force prior to the earlier of the
Annuitization Date or the death of the Designated Annuitant:

A.     The surrender of Contract Value attributable to contributions made
       pursuant to a salary reduction agreement (within the meaning of Code
       Section 402(g)(3)(A) or (C)), or transfers from a Custodial Account
       described in Section 403(b)(7) of the Code, may be executed only -

       1.     when the Contract Owner attains age 59-1/2, separates from
              service, dies, or becomes disabled (within the meaning of Code
              Section 72(m)(7)); or

       2.     in the case of hardship (as defined for purposes of Code Section
              401(k)), provided that any surrender of Contract Value in the case
              of hardship may not include any income attributable to salary
              reduction contributions.

B.     The surrender limitations described in A. above for Tax Sheltered
       Annuities apply to:

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

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

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

C.     Any Distribution other than the above, including exercise of a
       contractual ten-day free look provision (when available) may result in
       the immediate application of taxes and penalties of a Qualified Contract
       or Tax Sheltered Annuity.

       A premature Distribution may not be eligible for rollover treatment. To
assist in preventing disqualification in the event of a ten-day free look, the
Company will agree to transfer the proceeds to another contract which meets the
requirements of Section 403(b) of the Code, upon proper direction by the
Contract Owner. The foregoing is the Company's understanding of the withdrawal
restrictions which are currently applicable under Section 403(b)(11) and Revenue
Ruling 90-24. Such restrictions are subject to legislative change and/or
reinterpretation from time to time.

       The Contract surrender provisions may also be modified pursuant to the
plan terms and Code tax provisions when the Contract is issued to fund a
Qualified Plan.

       INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD NOT BE SUBSTITUTED FOR THE ADVICE OF
A PERSONAL TAX ADVISER.

TAXES

       The Company does not make any guarantee regarding the tax status of any
Contract or any transaction involving the Contracts.

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

       Distributions to participants from Qualified Contracts or Tax Sheltered
Annuities are generally taxed when received. A portion of each Distribution is
excludable from income based on the ratio between the after tax investment of
the Owner/Annuitant in the Contract and the value of the Contract at the time of
the withdrawal or Annuitization.

       Distributions from Individual Retirement Annuities and Contracts owned by
Individual Retirement Accounts are also generally taxed when received. The
portion of each such payment which is excludable is based on the ratio between
the amount by which nondeductible Purchase Payments to all such Contracts
exceeds prior non-taxable Distributions from such Contracts, and the total
account balances in such Contracts at the time of the Distribution. The Owner of
such Individual Retirement Annuities or the Annuitant under Contracts held by
Individual Retirement Accounts must annually report to the Internal Revenue
Service the 

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                                    31 of 82
<PAGE>   32
amount of nondeductible Purchase Payments, the amount of any Distribution, the
amount by which nondeductible Purchase Payments for all years exceed non-taxable
Distributions for all years, and the total balance in all Individual Retirement
Annuities and Accounts. Owners should consult a financial consultant, legal
counsel or tax advisor to discuss in detail the taxation and the use of the
Contracts.

NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

       The rules applicable to Non-Qualified Contracts provide that a portion of
each annuity payment received is excludable from taxable income based on the
ratio between the Contract Owner's investment in the Contract and the expected
return on the Contract. The maximum amount excludable from income is the
investment in the Contract. If the Designated Annuitant dies prior to excluding
from income the entire investment in the Contract, the Designated Annuitant's
final tax return may reflect a deduction for the balance of the investment in
the Contract.

       Distributions made from the Contract prior to the Annuitization Date are
taxable to the Contract Owner to the extent that the cash value of the Contract
exceeds the Contract Owner's investment at the time of the Distribution.
Distributions, for this purpose, include partial surrender, dividends, loans,
any portion of the Contract that is assigned or pledged, or any portion of the
Contract transferred by gift. For these purposes, a transfer by gift may occur
upon Annuitization if the Contract Owner and the Designated Annuitant are not
the same individual. In determining the taxable amount of a Distribution, all
annuity contracts issued by the same company to the same contract owner in any
calendar year, will be treated as one annuity contract. Distributions prior to
the Annuitization Date with respect to that portion of the Contract invested
prior to August 14, 1982, are treated first as a recovery of the investment in
the Contract as of that date. A Distribution in excess of the amount of the
investment in the Contract as of August 14, 1982, will be treated as taxable
income.

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

       Code Section 72 also provides for a penalty, equal to 10% of any
Distribution which is includable in gross income, if such Distribution is made
prior to attaining age 59-1/2, the death or disability of the Contract Owner.
The penalty does not apply if the Distribution is one of a series of
substantially equal periodic payments made over the life or life expectancy (or
joint lives or life expectancies) of the Designated Annuitant (and the
Designated Annuitant's Beneficiary), or is made from an immediate annuity, or is
allocable to an investment in the Contract before August 14, 1982. A Contract
Owner wishing to begin taking Distributions to which the 10% tax penalty does
not apply should forward a written request to the Company. Upon receipt of a
written request from the Contract Owner, the Company will inform the Contract
Owner of the procedures pursuant to Company Policy and subject to limitations of
the Contract including but not limited to first year withdrawals. If the
Contract Owner/Designated Annuitant selects an annuity for life or life
expectancy, or begins a predefined series of withdrawals based on life
expectancy, and changes the method of payment before the expiration of 5 years
and the attainment of age 59-1/2, the early withdrawal penalty will apply. The
penalty will be equal to that which would have been imposed had no exception
applied from the outset, and the Designated Annuitant will also pay interest on
the amount of the penalty from the date it would have originally applied until
it is actually paid.

       In order to qualify as an Annuity Contract under Section 72 of the Code,
the Contract must provide for Distribution to be made upon the death of the
Contract Owner. In such case the Designated Annuitant, Beneficiary or other
named recipient must receive the Distribution within 5 years of the Owner's
death. However, the recipient may elect for payments to be made over his or her
life or life expectancy if such payments begin within one year from the death of
the Contract Owner. If the Contract Owner's Beneficiary is the surviving spouse,
such spouse may be treated as the Contract Owner and the Contract may be
continued throughout the life of the surviving spouse. In the event the Contract
Owner dies on or after the Annuitization Date and before the entire interest has
been distributed, the remaining portion must be distributed at least as rapidly
as under the method of Distribution being used as of the date of the Contract
Owner's death (see "Required Distribution For Qualified Plans or Tax Sheltered
Annuities").

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                                    32 of 82
<PAGE>   33
       The Company is required to withhold tax from certain Distributions to the
extent that such Distribution would constitute income to the Contract Owner. The
Contract Owner is entitled to elect not to have federal income tax withheld from
any such Distribution, but may be subject to penalties in the event insufficient
federal income tax is withheld during a calendar year.

       Generally the taxable portion of any Distribution from a Contract to a
nonresident alien of the United States is subject to tax withholding at a rate
equal to thirty percent (30%) of such amount or, if applicable, a lower treaty
rate. A payment may not be subject to withholding where the recipient
sufficiently establishes that such payment is effectively connected to the
recipient's conduct of a trade or business in the United States and such payment
is includable in the recipient's gross income.

       Payment of a benefit or transfer of any property to an individual two or
more generations younger than the Contract Owner may constitute a
generation-skipping transfer, subject to taxation under Section 2601 et seq. of
the Code.

DIVERSIFICATION

       The Internal Revenue Service has promulgated regulations under Section
817(h) of the Code relating to diversification standards for the investments
underlying a variable annuity contract. The regulations provide that a variable
annuity contract which does not satisfy the diversification standards will not
be treated as an annuity contract, unless the failure to satisfy the regulations
was inadvertent, the failure is corrected, and the owner or the company pays an
amount to the Internal Revenue Service. The amount will be based on the tax that
would have been paid by the owner if the income, for the period the contract was
not diversified, had been received by the owner. If the failure to diversify is
not corrected in this manner, the owner of an annuity contract will be deemed
the owner of the underlying securities and will be taxed on the earnings of his
or her account. The Company believes, under its interpretation of the Code and
regulations thereunder, that the investments underlying this Contract meet these
diversification standards.

       Representatives of the Internal Revenue Service have suggested, from time
to time, that the number of underlying Mutual Funds available or the number of
transfer opportunities available under a variable product may be relevant in
determining whether the product qualifies for the desired tax treatment. No
formal guidance has been issued in this area. Should the Secretary of the
Treasury issue additional rules or regulations limiting the number of underlying
Mutual Funds, transfers between underlying Mutual Funds, exchanges of underlying
Mutual Funds or changes in investment objectives of underlying Mutual Funds such
that the Contract would no longer qualify as an annuity under Section 72 of the
Code, the Company will take whatever steps are available to remain in
compliance.

CHARGE FOR TAX PROVISIONS

       The Company is no longer required to maintain a capital gain reserve
liability on Non-Qualified Contracts since capital gains attributable to assets
held in the Company's Variable Account for such Contracts are not taxable to the
Company. However, the Company reserves the right to implement and adjust the tax
charge in the future, if the tax laws change.

QUALIFIED PLANS, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
AND TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

       The Contracts may be used with Qualified Plans, Individual Retirement
Annuities, Individual Retirement Accounts, Tax Sheltered Annuities and other
plans receiving favorable tax treatment. For information regarding eligibility,
limitations on permissible amounts of Purchase Payments, and tax consequences on
Distribution from such plans, the purchasers of such Contracts should seek
competent advice. The terms of such plans may limit the rights available under
the Contracts.

       The Code permits the rollover of most Distributions from Qualified Plans
to other Qualified Plans, Individual Retirement Accounts, or Individual
Retirement Annuities. Most Distributions from Tax Sheltered Annuities may be
rolled into another Tax Sheltered Annuity, an Individual Retirement Account, or
an Individual Retirement Annuity. Distributions which may not be rolled over 
are those which are:

       1.     one of a series of substantially equal annual (or more frequent)
              payments made: a) over the life (or life expectancy) of the
              employee, b) the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the
              employee and the employee's designated Beneficiary, or c) for a
              specified period of ten years or more, or

       2.     a required minimum Distribution.

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                                    33 of 82
<PAGE>   34
       Any Distribution eligible for rollover will be subject to federal tax
withholding at a 20 percent rate unless the Distribution is transferred directly
to an appropriate plan as described in this provision.

       Individual Retirement Accounts and Individual Retirement Annuities may
not provide life insurance benefits. If the Death Benefit exceeds the greater of
the cash value of the Contract or the sum of all Purchase Payments (less
surrenders), it is possible the Internal Revenue Service could determine that
the Individual Retirement Account or Individual Retirement Annuity did not
qualify for the desired tax treatment.

       The Contract is available for Qualified Plans electing to comply with
section 404(c) of ERISA. It is the responsibility of the plan and its
fiduciaries to determine and satisfy section 404(c) requirements.

ADVERTISING

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

       The Company may also from time to time advertise the performance of the
Sub-Account of the Variable Account relative to the performance of other
variable annuity sub-accounts or mutual funds with similar or different
objectives, or the investment industry as a whole. Other investments to which
the Sub-Accounts may be compared include, but are not limited to: precious
metals; real estate; stocks and bonds; closed-end funds; CDs; bank money market
deposit accounts and passbook savings; and the Consumer Price Index.

       The Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account may also be compared to certain
market indexes, which may include, but are not limited to: the S&P 500;
Shearson/Lehman Intermediate Government/Corporate Bond Index; Shearson/Lehman
Long-Term Government/Corporate Bond Index; Donoghue Money Fund Average; U.S.
Treasury Note Index; Bank Rate Monitor National Index of 2-1/2 Year CD Rates;
and the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

       Normally these rankings and ratings are published by independent tracking
services and publications of general interest including, but not limited to:
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., CDA/Wiesenberger, Morningstar, Donoghue's;
magazines such as Money, Forbes, Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine,
Financial World, Consumer Reports, Business Week, Time, Newsweek, National
Underwriter, U.S. News and World Report; rating services such as LIMRA, Value,
Best's Agent Guide, Western Annuity Guide, Comparative Annuity Reports; and
other publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Barron's, Investor's Daily,
and Standard & Poor's Outlook. In addition, Variable Annuity Research & Data
Service (The VARDS Report) is an independent rating service that ranks over 500
variable annuity funds based upon total return performance. These rating
services and publications rank the performance of the underlying Mutual Funds
against all underlying Mutual Funds over specified periods and against
underlying mutual funds in specified categories. The rankings may or may not
include the effects of sales or other charges.

       The Company is also 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.

       The Company may from time to time advertise several types of historical
performance for the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account. The Company may
advertise for the Sub-Accounts standardized "average annual total return",
calculated in a manner prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and
nonstandardized "total return". "Average annual total return" will show the
percentage rate of return of a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 for at
least the most recent one, five and ten year period, or for a period covering
the time the underlying Mutual Fund held in the Sub-Account has been in
existence, if the 

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                                    34 of 82
<PAGE>   35
underlying Mutual Fund has not been in existence for one of the prescribed
periods. This calculation reflects the deduction of all applicable charges made
to the Contracts except for premium taxes, which may be imposed by certain
states.

       Nonstandardized "total return" will be calculated in a similar manner and
for the same time periods as the average annual total return except total return
will assume an initial investment of $10,000. An assumed initial investment of
$10,000 will be used because that figure more closely approximates the size of a
typical Contract than does the $1,000 figure used in calculating the
standardized average annual total return quotations.

       For those underlying Mutual Funds which have not been held as
Sub-Accounts within the Variable Account for a quoted period, the standardized
average annual total return and nonstandardized total return quotations will
show the investment performance such underlying Mutual Funds would have achieved
(reduced by the applicable charges) had they been held as Sub-Accounts within
the Variable Account for the period quoted.

ALL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AND COMPARATIVE MATERIAL ADVERTISED BY THE COMPANY
IS HISTORICAL IN NATURE AND IS NOT INTENDED TO REPRESENT OR GUARANTEE FUTURE
RESULTS. A CONTRACT OWNER'S CONTRACT VALUE AT REDEMPTION MAY BE MORE OR LESS
THAN ORIGINAL COST.


                                LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

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

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

            TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
<S>                                                                         <C>
General Information and History ........................................      1
Services ...............................................................      1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered ...................................      1
Underwriters ...........................................................      2
Calculations of Performance ............................................      2
Fund Performance Summary ...............................................    N/A
Annuity Payments .......................................................      2
Financial Statements ...................................................      3
</TABLE>


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                                    35 of 82
<PAGE>   36
                                   APPENDIX A
                      ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD-FIXED ANNUITY

FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT PAYMENTS

       A Fixed Annuity is an annuity with payments which are guaranteed by the
Company as to dollar amount during the annuity payment period. The first Fixed
Annuity payment will be determined by applying the Contract Value to the
applicable Annuity Table in accordance with the Annuity Payment Option elected.
This will be done at the Annuitization Date on an age last birthday basis. Fixed
Annuity payments after the first will not be less than the first Fixed Annuity
payment.

       The Company does not credit discretionary interest to Fixed Annuity
payments during the annuity payment period for annuity options based on life
contingencies. The Annuitant must rely on the Annuity Tables applicable to the
Contracts to determine the amount of such Fixed Annuity payments.

ANNUITY TABLES AND ASSUMED INTEREST RATE

       The Annuity Tables contained in the Contracts are based on the 1971
Individual Annuity Mortality Table (set back one year) and an assumed interest
rate of 3.5%.




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<PAGE>   37
                                   APPENDIX B
                      PARTICIPATING UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS

                           AVAILABLE FOR ALL CONTRACTS

DREYFUS STOCK INDEX FUND

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

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

THE DREYFUS SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE GROWTH FUND, INC.

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

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

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND

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

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

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

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

       -   at least 65% in income-producing debt securities and preferred
           stocks, including convertible securities

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


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<PAGE>   38
       Higher yields are usually available on securities that are lower-rated or
       that are unrated. Lower-rated securities are usually defined as Ba or
       lower by Moody's; BB or lower by Standard & Poor's and may be deemed to
       be of a speculative nature. The Portfolio may also purchase lower-quality
       bonds such as those rated Ca3 by Moody's or C- by Standard & Poor's which
       provide poor protection for payment of principal and interest (commonly
       referred to as "junk bonds"). For a further discussion of lower-rated
       securities, please see the "Risks of Lower-Rated Debt Securities" section
       of the Portfolio's prospectus.

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

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II

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

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

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

NATIONWIDE SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST

       Nationwide Separate Account Trust (the "Trust") is a diversified open-end
management investment company created under the laws of Massachusetts. The Trust
offers shares in the five separate Mutual Funds listed below, each with its own
investment objectives. Currently, shares of the Trust will be sold only to life
insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits under variable life
insurance policies or variable annuity contracts issued by life insurance
companies. The assets of the Trust are managed by Nationwide Financial Services,
Inc., One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43216, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

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

       -GOVERNMENT BOND FUND
       Investment Objective: To provide as high a level of income as is
       consistent with the preservation of capital. It seeks to achieve its
       objective 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: To seek as high a level of current income as is
       considered consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity by
       investing primarily in money market instruments.

       -SMALL COMPANY FUND
   
       Investment Objective: The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by
       investing primarily in equity securities of domestic and foreign
       companies with market capitalizations of less then $1 billion at the time
       of purchase. Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.("NFS"), the Fund's
       adviser, has employed a group of sub-advisers, each of which will manage
       a portion of the Fund's portfolio. These sub-advisers are the Dreyfus
       Corporation, Neuberger & Berman, L.P., Pictet International Management
       Limited, Van Eck 
    

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       Associates Corporation, Strong Capital Management, Inc. and Warburg,
       Pincus Counsellors, Inc. The sub-advisers were chosen because they
       utilize a number of different investment styles when investing in small
       company stocks. By utilizing a number of investment styles, NFS hopes to
       increase prospects for investment return and to reduce market risk and
       volatility.

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

NEUBERGER & BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST

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

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

       -LIMITED MATURITY BOND PORTFOLIO
       Investment Objective: To provide the high level of current income,
       consistent with low risk to principal and liquidity. As a secondary
       objective, it also seeks to enhance its total return through capital
       appreciation when market factors, such as falling interest rates and
       rising bond prices, indicate that capital appreciation may be available
       without significant risk to principal. It seeks to achieve its objectives
       through investments in a diversified portfolio of limited maturity debt
       securities.

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

OPPENHEIMER VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS

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

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

       -GLOBAL SECURITIES FUND
       Investment Objective: To seek long-term capital appreciation by investing
       a substantial portion of assets in securities of foreign issuers,
       "growth-type" companies, cyclical industries and special situations which
       are considered to be speculative.



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<PAGE>   40
       -MULTIPLE STRATEGIES FUND
       Investment Objective: To seek a total investment return (which includes
       current income and capital appreciation in the value of its shares) from
       investments in common stocks and other equity securities, bonds and other
       debt securities, and "money market" securities.

STRONG SPECIAL FUND II, INC.

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

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

STRONG VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.

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

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

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

TCI PORTFOLIOS, INC., MEMBER OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY FAMILY OF MUTUAL FUNDS.

       TCI Portfolios, Inc. was organized as a Maryland corporation in 1987. It
is a diversified, open-end investment management company, designed only to
provide investment vehicles for variable annuity and variable life insurance
products of insurance companies. A member of the Twentieth Century Family of
Mutual Funds, TCI Portfolios is managed by Investors Research Corporation.

       -TCI BALANCED
       Investment Objective: Capital growth and current income. The Fund will
       seek to achieve its objective by maintaining approximately 60% of the
       assets of the Fund in common stocks (including securities convertible
       into common stocks and other equity equivalents) that are considered by
       management to have better-than-average prospects for appreciation and
       approximately 40% in fixed income securities. A minimum of 25% of the
       fixed income portion of the Fund will be invested in fixed income senior
       securities. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its
       investment objective.

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

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

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<PAGE>   41
       -TCI INTERNATIONAL
       Investment Objective: To seek capital growth. The Fund will seek to
       achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in securities of
       foreign companies that meet certain fundamental and technical standards
       of selection and, in the opinion of the investment manager, have
       potential for appreciation. Under normal conditions, the Fund will invest
       at least 65% of its assets in common stocks or other equity securities of
       issuers from at least three countries outside the United States.
       Securities of United States issuers may be included in the portfolio from
       time to time. Although the primary investment of the Fund will be common
       stocks (defined to include depository receipts for common stocks), the
       Fund may also invest in other types of securities consistent with the
       Fund's objective. When the manager believes that the total return
       potential of other securities equals or exceeds the potential return of
       common stocks, the Fund may invest up to 35% of its assets in such other
       securities. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its
       objectives.

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

VAN ECK WORLDWIDE INSURANCE TRUST

       Van Eck Investment Trust is an open-end management investment company
organized as a "Business Trust" under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts on January 7, 1987. Trust shares are offered only to separate
accounts of various insurance companies to fund the benefits of variable
insurance and annuity policies. The investment adviser and manager is Van Eck
Associates Corporation.

       -WORLDWIDE BOND FUND
       Investment Objective: To seek high total return through a flexible policy
       of investing globally, primarily in debt securities.

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

VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST

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

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

WARBURG PINCUS TRUST

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


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

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




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<PAGE>   43
                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
   
                                DECEMBER 23, 1996
    

              INDIVIDUAL DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS ISSUED
                     BY THE NATIONWIDE VA SEPARATE ACCOUNT-B
                OF NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

       This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It contains
information in addition to and more detailed than set forth in the prospectus
and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated May 1, 1996. The
prospectus may be obtained from Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company by
writing P.O. Box 16609, Columbus, Ohio 43216-6609, or calling 1-800-243-6295,
TDD 1-800-238-3035.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
<S>                                                                         <C>
General Information and History ........................................      1
Services ...............................................................      1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered ...................................      1
Underwriters ...........................................................      2
Calculations of Performance ............................................      2
Fund Performance Summary ...............................................    N/A
Annuity Payments .......................................................      2
Financial Statements ...................................................      3
</TABLE>

GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY

       The Nationwide VA Separate Account-B (formerly Financial Horizons VA
Separate Account-2) is a separate investment account of Nationwide Life and
Annuity Insurance Company ("Company") (formerly Financial Horizons Life
Insurance Company). On April 7, 1988, ownership of the Company changed from
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company to Nationwide Life Insurance Company. The
Company is a member of the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and all of the
Company's common stock is owned entirely by Nationwide Life Insurance Company.
The common stock of Nationwide Life Insurance Company is owned by Nationwide
Corporation. Nationwide Corporation is a holding company. All of the common
stock of Nationwide Corporation is held by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
(95.3%) and Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company (4.7%).

SERVICES

       The Company, which has responsibility for administration of the Contracts
and the Variable Account, maintains records of the name, address, taxpayer
identification number, and other pertinent information for each Contract Owner
and the number and type of Contract issued to each such Contract Owner and
records with respect to the Contract Value of each Contract.

       The Custodian of the assets of the Variable Account is the Company. The
Company will maintain a record of all purchases and redemptions of shares of the
underlying Mutual Funds. The Company, or subsidiaries of the Company may have
entered into agreements with either the investment adviser or distributor for
several of the underlying Mutual Funds. The agreements relate to administrative
services furnished by the Company or an affiliate of the Company and provide for
an annual fee based on the average aggregate net assets of the Variable Account
(and other separate accounts of the Company or life insurance company
subsidiaries of the Company) invested in particular underlying Mutual Funds.
These fees in no way affect the net asset value of the underlying Mutual Funds
or fees paid by the Contract Owner.

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

PURCHASE OF SECURITIES BEING OFFERED

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



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                                    43 of 82
<PAGE>   44
UNDERWRITERS

       The Contracts, which are offered continuously, are distributed by
Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. ("NAS"), One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio
43216, an affiliate of the Company. No underwriting commissions have been paid
by the Company to NAS.

CALCULATIONS OF PERFORMANCE

       Any current yield quotations of the Nationwide Separate Account Trust
Money Market Fund Sub-Account, subject to Rule 482 of the Securities Act of
1933, shall consist of a seven calendar day historical yield, carried at least
to the nearest hundredth of a percent. The yield shall be calculated by
determining the net change, exclusive of capital changes, in the value of
hypothetical pre-existing account having a balance of one accumulation unit at
the beginning of the base period, subtracting a hypothetical charge reflecting
deductions from Contract Owner accounts, and dividing the net change in account
value by the value of the account at the beginning of the period to obtain a
base period return, and multiplying the base period return by (365/7) or (366/7)
in a leap year. The Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund
Sub-Account's effective yield is computed similarly but includes the effect of
assumed compounding on an annualized basis of the current unit value yield
quotations of the Fund.

       The Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund Sub-Account's
yield and effective yield will fluctuate daily. Actual yields will depend on
factors such as the type of instruments in the Fund's portfolio, portfolio
quality and average maturity, changes in interest rates, and the Fund's
expenses. Although the Sub-Account determines its yield on the basis of a seven
calendar day period, it may use a different time period on occasion. The yield
quotes may reflect the expense limitation described "Investment Manager and
Other Services" in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information. There is no
assurance that the yields quoted on any given occasion will remain in effect for
any period of time and there is no guarantee that the net asset values will
remain constant. It should be noted that a Contract Owner's investment in the
Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund Sub-Account is not
guaranteed or insured. Yield of other money market funds may not be comparable
if a different base period or another method of calculation is used.

       All performance advertising shall also include quotations of standardized
average annual total return, calculated in accordance with a standard method
prescribed by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to facilitate
comparison with standardized average annual total return advertised for a
specific period is found by first taking a hypothetical $1,000 investment in
each of the Sub-Accounts' units on the first day of the period at the offering
price, which is the Accumulation Unit Value per unit ("initial investment") and
computing the ending redeemable value ("redeemable value") of that investment at
the end of the period. The redeemable value is then divided by the initial
investment and this quotient is taken to the Nth root (N represents the number
of years in the period) and 1 is subtracted from the result which is then
expressed as a percentage, carried to at least the nearest hundredth of a
percent. Standardized average annual total return reflects the deduction of
1.45% Mortality, Expense Risk and Administration Charge. No deduction is made
for premium taxes which may be assessed by certain states. Nonstandardized total
return may also be advertised, and is calculated in a manner similar to
standardized average annual total return except the nonstandardized total return
is based on a hypothetical initial investment of $10,000. An assumed initial
investment of $10,000 will be used because that figure more closely approximates
the size of a typical Contract than does the $1,000 figure used in calculating
the standardized average annual total return quotations.

       The standardized average annual total return and nonstandardized average
annual total return quotations will be current to the last day of the calendar
quarter preceding the date on which an advertisement is submitted for
publication. Both the standardized average annual return and the nonstandardized
average annual total return will be based on rolling calendar quarters and will
cover periods of one, five, and ten years, or a period covering the time the
underlying Mutual Fund held in the Sub-Account has been in existence, if the
underlying Mutual Fund has not been in existence for one of the prescribed
periods. For those underlying Mutual Funds which have not been held as
Sub-Accounts within the Variable Account for one of the quoted periods, the
average annual total return and nonstandardized total return quotations will
show the investment performance such underlying Mutual Funds would have achieved
(reduced by the applicable charges) had they been held as Sub-Accounts within
the Variable Account for the period quoted.

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

ANNUITY PAYMENTS

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

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<PAGE>   45

<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 (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)
(a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company) as of December
31, 1995 and 1994, 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,
1995. 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, 1995 and 1994, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

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

     In 1993, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for
Income Taxes and SFAS No. 106, Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits
Other Than Pensions.

                                                          KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
February 26, 1996

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

                                 Balance Sheets

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Assets                                              1995            1994
                                         ------                                            --------       --------

<S>                                                                                        <C>             <C>
Investments (notes 5, 8 and 9):
   Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
      Fixed maturities (cost $539,214 in 1995; $427,874 in 1994)                           $555,751        413,764
      Equity securities (cost $10,256 in 1995; $9,543 in 1994)                               11,407          9,411
   Fixed maturities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $78,690 in 1994)           --           82,631
   Mortgage loans on real estate                                                            104,736         95,281
   Real estate                                                                                1,117          1,802
   Policy loans                                                                                  94             79
   Short-term investments (note 13)                                                           4,844            365
                                                                                           --------       --------
                                                                                            677,949        603,333
                                                                                           --------       --------

Accrued investment income                                                                     8,464          8,041
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                            23,405         41,540
Deferred Federal income tax                                                                    --            1,923
Other assets                                                                                    208            270
Assets held in Separate Accounts (note 8)                                                   257,556        177,933
                                                                                           --------       --------
                                                                                           $967,582        833,040
                                                                                           ========       ========

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

Future policy benefits and claims (notes 6 and 8)                                           621,280        583,188
Accrued Federal income tax (note 7):
   Current                                                                                      708             10
   Deferred                                                                                   2,830           --
                                                                                           --------       --------
                                                                                              3,538             10
                                                                                           --------       --------

Other liabilities                                                                             5,031          4,663
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts (note 8)                                           257,556        177,933
                                                                                           --------       --------
                                                                                            887,405        765,794
                                                                                           --------       --------

Shareholder's equity (notes 3, 4, 5 and 12):
   Capital shares, $40 par value.  Authorized, issued and outstanding 66 shares               2,640          2,640
   Additional paid-in capital                                                                52,960         52,960
   Retained earnings                                                                         20,123         15,349
   Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale, net                            4,454         (3,703)
                                                                                           --------       --------
                                                                                             80,177         67,246
                                                                                           --------       --------
Commitments (note 9)

                                                                                           $967,582        833,040
                                                                                           ========       ========
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to financial statements.


<PAGE>   3

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

                              Statements of Income

                  Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
                                 (000's omitted)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  1995            1994            1993
                                                                                --------        --------        --------

<S>                                                                             <C>               <C>             <C>
Revenues (note 14):
   Traditional life insurance premiums                                          $    674             311              85
   Universal life and investment product policy charges                            4,322           3,601           2,345
   Net investment income (note 5)                                                 49,108          45,030          40,477
   Realized (losses) gains on investments (note 5)                                  (702)           (625)            420
                                                                                --------        --------        --------
                                                                                  53,402          48,317          43,327
                                                                                --------        --------        --------
Benefits and expenses:
   Benefits and claims                                                            34,180          29,870          29,439
   Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                               5,508           6,940           4,128
   Other operating costs and expenses                                              6,567           6,320           5,424
                                                                                --------        --------        --------
                                                                                  46,255          43,130          38,991
                                                                                --------        --------        --------
      Income before Federal income tax expense and cumulative effect of
         changes in accounting principles                                          7,147           5,187           4,336
                                                                                --------        --------        --------

Federal income tax expense (benefit) (note 7):
   Current                                                                         2,012           2,103           1,982
   Deferred                                                                          361            (244)           (630)
                                                                                --------        --------        --------
                                                                                   2,373           1,859           1,352
                                                                                --------        --------        --------

      Income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles          4,774           3,328           2,984

Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, net (note 3)                 --              --              (514)
                                                                                --------        --------        --------

      Net income                                                                $  4,774           3,328           2,470
                                                                                ========        ========        ========
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to financial statements.


<PAGE>   4

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
              (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)

        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                       Statements of Shareholder's Equity

                  Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
                                 (000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   Unrealized
                                                                                                 gains (losses)
                                                                 Additional                      on securities         Total
                                                    Capital       paid-in        Retained       available-for-    shareholder's
                                                    shares        capital        earnings         sale, net           equity
                                                   --------      ----------      ---------      ---------------   --------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>          <C>                 <C>                <C>
1993:                                                                                                              
   Balance, beginning of year                       $ 2,640        43,960         9,551                 21              56,172
   Net income                                          --            --           2,470               --                 2,470
   Unrealized gains on equity securities, net          --            --            --                   17                  17
                                                    -------       -------       -------             ------
                                                                                                                       -------
   Balance, end of year                             $ 2,640        43,960        12,021                 38              58,659
                                                    =======       =======       =======             ======             =======
                                                                                                                   
1994:                                                                                                              
   Balance, beginning of year                         2,640        43,960        12,021                 38              58,659
   Capital contribution                                --           9,000          --                 --                 9,000
   Net income                                          --            --           3,328               --                 3,328
   Adjustment for change in accounting for                                                                         
      certain investments in debt and equity                                                                       
      securities, net (note 3)                         --            --            --                4,698               4,698
   Unrealized losses on securities available-                                                                      
      for-sale, net                                    --            --            --               (8,439)             (8,439)
                                                    -------       -------       -------            -------             -------
   Balance, end of year                             $ 2,640        52,960        15,349             (3,703)             67,246
                                                    =======       =======       =======            =======             =======
                                                                                                                   
1995:                                                                                                              
   Balance, beginning of year                         2,640        52,960        15,349             (3,703)             67,246
   Net income                                          --            --           4,774               --                 4,774
   Unrealized gains on securities available-                                                                       
      for-sale, net                                    --            --            --                8,157               8,157
                                                    -------       -------       -------            -------             -------
   Balance, end of year                             $ 2,640        52,960        20,123              4,454              80,177
                                                    =======       =======       =======            =======             =======
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to financial statements.


<PAGE>   5

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
              (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)

        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                            Statements of Cash Flows

                  Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
                                 (000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              1994            1994            1993
                                                                            --------        --------        --------

<S>                                                                         <C>             <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                                               $  4,774           3,328           2,470
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
      (used in) operating activities:
         Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs                  (6,754)         (7,283)        (10,351)
         Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                     5,508           6,940           4,128
         Amortization and depreciation                                           878             473             660
         Realized losses (gains) on invested assets, net                         702             625            (420)
         Deferred Federal income tax expense (benefit)                           361            (244)           (784)
         Increase in accrued investment income                                  (423)           (750)         (1,078)
         Decrease (increase) in other assets                                      62            (126)            326
         Increase (decrease) in policy liabilities                               627             926            (202)
         Increase (decrease) in accrued Federal income tax payable               698            (254)            666
         Increase (decrease) in other liabilities                                368            (505)          2,843
                                                                            --------        --------        --------
            Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                6,801           3,130          (1,742)
                                                                            --------        --------        --------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale                    41,729          24,850            --
   Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                         3,070          13,170             134
   Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturities held-to-maturity                11,251           8,483          28,829
   Proceeds from sale of fixed maturities                                       --              --             2,136
   Proceeds from repayments of mortgage loans on real estate                   8,673           5,733           3,804
   Proceeds from sale of real estate                                             655            --              --
   Proceeds from repayments of policy loans                                       50               2               2
   Cost of securities available-for-sale acquired                            (79,140)        (94,130)           (661)
   Cost of fixed maturities held-to maturity acquired                         (8,000)        (15,544)       (100,671)
   Cost of mortgage loans on real estate acquired                            (18,000)        (11,000)        (31,200)
   Cost of real estate acquired                                                  (10)            (52)             (2)
   Policy loans issued                                                           (66)            (80)             (2)
                                                                            --------        --------        --------
            Net cash used in investing activities                            (39,788)        (68,568)        (97,631)
                                                                            --------        --------        --------

Cash flows form financing activities:
   Proceeds from capital contribution                                           --             9,000            --
   Increase in universal life and investment product account balances         79,523          95,254         127,050
   Decrease in universal life and investment product account balances        (42,057)        (40,223)        (33,159)
                                                                            --------        --------        --------
            Net cash provided by financing activities                         37,466          64,031          93,891
                                                                            --------        --------        --------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                           4,479          (1,407)         (5,482)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year                                     365           1,772           7,254
                                                                            --------        --------        --------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year                                      $  4,844             365           1,772
                                                                            ========        ========        ========
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to financial statements.


<PAGE>   6

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
              (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)

        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                        December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
                                 (000's omitted)

(1)      Organization and Description of Business

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

         The Company is a life insurer licensed in 42 states and the District of
         Columbia. The Company sells primarily fixed and variable rate annuities
         through banks and other financial institutions. In addition, the
         Company sells universal life and other interest-sensitive life
         insurance products and is subject to competition from other insurers
         throughout the United States. The Company is subject to regulation by
         the Insurance Departments of states in which it is licensed, and
         undergoes periodic examinations by those departments.

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

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

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

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

(2)      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

         The significant accounting policies followed by the Company that
         materially affect financial reporting are summarized below. The
         accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
         generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) which differ from
         statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by regulatory
         authorities. See note 4.

         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.


<PAGE>   7

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
              (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)

        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued

     (a)      Valuation of Investments and Related Gains and Losses

              The Company is required to classify its fixed maturity securities
              and equity securities as 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, 1995.

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

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

              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.

              In March, 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
              issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121 -
              Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for
              Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of (SFAS 121). SFAS 121 requires
              impairment losses to be 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. SFAS 121 also addresses
              the accounting for long-lived assets that are expected to be
              disposed of. The statement is effective for fiscal years beginning
              after December 15, 1995 and earlier application is permitted.
              Previously issued financial statements shall not be restated. The
              Company will adopt SFAS 121 in 1996 and the impact on the
              financial statements is not expected to be material.

     (b)      Revenues and Benefits

              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.

              Universal Life and Investment Products: Universal life products
              include universal life, variable universal life and other
              interest-sensitive life insurance policies. Investment products
              consist primarily of individual deferred annuities and immediate
              annuities without life contingencies. Revenues for universal life
              and investment products consist of 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
              benefits and claims incurred in the period in excess of related
              policy account balances and interest credited to policy account
              balances.


<PAGE>   8

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
              (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)

        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


     (c)      Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

              The costs of acquiring new business, principally commissions,
              certain expenses of the policy issue and underwriting department
              and certain variable selling expenses have been deferred for
              universal life and investment 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 for administrative services and risks assumed.

     (e)      Future Policy Benefits

              Future policy benefits for annuity policies in the accumulation
              phase, universal life and variable universal life 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).

              In 1993, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
              Standards No. 109 - Accounting for Income Taxes, which required a
              change from the deferred method of accounting for income tax of
              APB Opinion 11 to the asset and liability method of accounting for
              income tax. Under the asset and liability 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.

              The Company has reported the cumulative effect of the change in
              method of accounting for income tax in the 1993 statement of
              income. See note 3.

     (g)      Cash Equivalents

              For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Company
              considers all short-term investments with original maturities of
              three months or less to be cash equivalents.


<PAGE>   9

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
              (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)

        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued

     (h)      Reclassification

              Certain items in the 1994 and 1993 financial statements have been
              reclassified to conform to the 1995 presentation.

(3)      Changes in Accounting Principles

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

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


         During 1993, the Company adopted accounting principles in connection
         with the issuance of two accounting standards by the FASB. The effect
         as of January 1, 1993, the date of adoption, has been recognized in the
         1993 statement of income as the cumulative effect of changes in
         accounting principles, as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>   
              Asset/liability method of recognizing income tax (note 2(f))           $ (79)
              Accrual method of recognizing postretirement benefits other than
                 pensions (net of tax benefit of $234) (note 11)                      (435)
                                                                                     -----
                                                                                     $(514)
                                                                                     =====
</TABLE>


(4)      Basis of Presentation

         The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. 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 such regulatory authority.
         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.

         The statutory capital shares and surplus of the Company as reported to
         regulatory authorities as of December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 was
         $54,978, $48,947 and $35,875, respectively. The statutory net income of
         the Company as reported to regulatory authorities for the years ended
         December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 was $8,023, $6,173 and $3,539,
         respectively.


<PAGE>   10

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
              (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)

        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


(5)      Investments

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1995          1994           1993
                                                         -------       -------       -------

<S>                                                      <C>            <C>           <C>
              Gross investment income:
                 Securities available-for-sale:
                    Fixed maturities                     $35,093        36,720          --
                    Equity securities                        713            16            13
                 Fixed maturities held-to-maturity         4,530           540        34,023
                 Mortgage loans on real estate             9,106         8,437         7,082
                 Real estate                                 273           175           167
                 Short-term investments                      348           207           295
                 Other                                        41            19          --
                                                         -------       -------       -------
                        Total investment income           50,104        46,114        41,580
              Less: investment expenses                      996         1,084         1,103
                                                         -------       -------       -------
                        Net investment income            $49,108        45,030        40,477
                                                         =======       =======       =======
</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>
                                                                 1995         1994          1993
                                                                 -----        -----        -----

<S>                                                              <C>           <C>          <C>
              Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale       $(822)         260         --
              Fixed maturities                                    --           --            856
              Mortgage loans on real estate                        110         (832)        (246)
              Real estate and other                                 10          (53)        (190)
                                                                 -----        -----        -----
                                                                 $(702)        (625)         420
                                                                 =====        =====        =====
</TABLE>


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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1995            1994
                                                                      --------        --------

<S>                                                                   <C>              <C>
                Gross unrealized gains (losses)                       $ 17,688         (14,242)
                Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs        (10,836)          8,545
                Deferred Federal income tax                             (2,398)          1,994
                                                                      --------        --------
                                                                      $  4,454          (3,703)
                                                                      ========        ========
</TABLE>


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


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1995            1994            1993
                                                      --------        --------        --------
<S>                                                   <C>              <C>               <C>  
              Securities available-for-sale:
                 Fixed maturities                     $ 30,647         (32,692)           --
                 Equity securities                       1,283            (190)             26
              Fixed maturities held-to-maturity          3,941          (8,407)          5,710
                                                      --------        --------        --------
                                                      $ 35,871         (41,289)          5,736
                                                      ========        ========        ========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   11

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
              (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)

        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             Gross          Gross     
                                                                            Amortized      unrealized     unrealized      Estimated
                                                                               cost          gains          losses        fair value
                                                                             --------       --------       --------        --------
<S>                                                                          <C>              <C>             <C>           <C>
                Fixed maturities:            
                  U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. 
                    government corporations and agencies                     $  3,492             18            --            3,510
                  Obligations of states and political subdivisions 271           --               (1)            270
                  Debt securities issued by foreign governments                 6,177            301            --            6,478
                  Corporate securities                                        332,425         10,116            (925)       341,616
                  Mortgage-backed securities                                  196,849          7,649            (621)       203,877
                                                                             --------       --------        --------       --------
                      Total fixed maturities                                  539,214         18,084          (1,547)       555,751
                Equity securities                                              10,256          1,151            --           11,407
                                                                             --------       --------        --------       --------
                                                                             $549,470         19,235          (1,547)       567,158
                                                                             ========       ========        ========       ========
</TABLE>


         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities
         available-for-sale were as follow as of December 31, 1994:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            Gross          Gross
                                                                           Amortized      unrealized     unrealized      Estimated
                                                                             cost           gains          losses        fair value
                                                                           --------       --------        --------        --------

<S>                                                                        <C>               <C>           <C>             <C>
              Fixed maturities:
                U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. 
                  government corporations and agencies                     $  4,442             92            --             4,534
                Obligations of states and political subdivisions 273           --              (21)            252
                Debt securities issued by foreign governments                 8,517             15            (452)          8,080
                Corporate securities                                        214,332            518          (7,903)        206,947
                Mortgage-backed securities                                  200,310          1,291          (7,650)        193,951
                                                                           --------       --------        --------        --------
                    Total fixed maturities                                  427,874          1,916         (16,026)        413,764
              Equity securities                                               9,543             45            (177)          9,411
                                                                           --------       --------        --------        --------
                                                                           $437,417          1,961         (16,203)        423,175
                                                                           ========       ========        ========        ========
</TABLE>


         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity corporate
         securities held-to-maturity as of December 31, 1994 are $82,631 and
         $78,690, respectively. Gross gains of $130 and gross losses of $4,071
         were unrealized on those securities.

         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity
         securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 1995, 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>   
              Due in one year or less                      $ 39,072         39,427
              Due after one year through five years         224,262        231,200
              Due after five years through ten years         75,380         77,726
              Due after ten years                             3,651          3,521
                                                           --------       --------
                                                            342,365        351,874
              Mortgage-backed securities                    196,849        203,877
                                                           --------       --------
                                                           $539,214        555,751
                                                           ========       ========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   12

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
              (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)

        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


         Proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale during
         1995 and 1994 were $3,070 and $13,170, respectively, while proceeds
         from sales of investments in fixed maturity securities during 1993 were
         $2,136. Gross gains of $64 ($373 in 1994 and $205 in 1993) and gross
         losses of $6 ($73 1994 and none in 1993) were realized on those sales.

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

         As permitted by the FASB'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.

         Fixed maturity securities that were non-income producing for the twelve
         month period preceding December 31, 1995 had a carrying value of $996
         (none in 1994).

         Real estate is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation of $81
         in 1995 ($97 in 1994) and valuation allowances of $229 in 1995 ($472 in
         1994).

         As of December 31, 1995, the recorded investment of mortgage loans on
         real estate considered to be impaired (under Statement of Financial
         Accounting Standards No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of
         a Loan as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
         118, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan - Income
         Recognition and Disclosure) was $966, for which there was no valuation
         allowance. During 1995, the average recorded investment in impaired
         mortgage loans on real estate was approximately $242 and no interest
         income was recognized on those loans.

         Activity in the valuation allowance account for mortgage loans on real
         estate is summarized for the year ended December 31, 1995:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1995
                                                                            ----

<S>                                                                        <C>  
              Allowance, beginning of year                                 $ 860
                   Reduction of the allowance credited to operations        (110)
                                                                           -----
              Allowance, end of year                                       $ 750
                                                                           =====
</TABLE>


         Foreclosures of mortgage loans on real estate were $631 in 1994. No
         mortgage loans on real estate were in process of foreclosure or
         in-substance foreclosed as of December 31, 1994 .

         Fixed maturity securities with an amortized cost of $2,806 and $2,786
         as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively, were on deposit with
         various regulatory agencies as required by law.

(6)      Future Policy Benefits

         The liability for future policy benefits for investment products has
         been established based on policy terms, interest rates and various
         contract provisions. The average interest rate credited on investment
         product policies was approximately 5.6%, 5.3% and 6.0% for the years
         ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.


<PAGE>   13

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
              (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)

        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


(7)      Federal Income Tax

         The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
         components of the net deferred tax asset (liability) as of December 31,
         1995 and 1994 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       1995            1994
                                                                     --------        --------

<S>                                                                  <C>              <C>  
              Deferred tax assets:
                 Future policy benefits                              $  5,249           5,879
                 Securities available-for-sale                           --             4,985
                 Liabilities in Separate Accounts                       3,445           3,111
                 Mortgage loans on real estate and real estate            338             458
                 Other assets and other liabilities                       708             101
                                                                     --------        --------
                   Total gross deferred tax assets                      9,740          14,534
                                                                     --------        --------

              Deferred tax liabilities:
                 Securities available-for-sale                          6,308            --
                 Deferred policy acquisition costs                      6,262          12,611
                                                                     --------        --------
                   Total gross deferred tax liabilities                12,570          12,611
                                                                     --------        --------
                                                                     $ (2,830)          1,923
                                                                     ========        ========
</TABLE>


         The Company has determined that valuation allowances are not necessary
         as of December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 based on its analysis of future
         deductible amounts. 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. In addition, for future deductible amounts for
         securities available-for-sale, affiliates of the Company which are
         included in the same consolidated Federal income tax return hold
         investments that could be sold for capital gains that could offset
         capital losses realized by the Company should securities
         available-for-sale be sold at a loss.

         Total Federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1995,
         1994 and 1993 differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S.
         Federal income tax rate to income before tax as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   1995                    1994                  1993
                                                           ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
                                                           Amount          %       Amount         %      Amount          %
                                                           ------------  -------  ------------  -------  ------------- -------

<S>                                                        <C>            <C>     <C>            <C>     <C>            <C> 
              Computed (expected) tax expense              $ 2,501        35.0    $ 1,815        35.0    $ 1,518        35.0
              Tax exempt interest and dividends
                 received deduction                           (150)       (2.1)       (50)       (1.0)      (206)       (4.7)
              Current year increase in U.S. Federal
                 income tax rate                              --           --        --           --          36         0.8
              Other, net                                        22         0.3         94         1.8          4         0.1
                                                           -------        ----    -------        ----    -------        ----
                    Total (effective rate of each year     $ 2,373        33.2    $ 1,859        35.8    $ 1,352        31.2
                                                           =======        ====    =======        ====    =======        ====
</TABLE>


         Total Federal income tax paid was $1,314, $2,357 and $1,316 during the
         years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.


<PAGE>   14

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
              (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)

        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued


(8)      Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

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

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

         Although insurance contracts, other than policies such as annuities
         that are classified as investment contracts, are specifically exempted
         from SFAS 107 disclosures, estimated fair value of policy reserves on
         life insurance contracts are 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:

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

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

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

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

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


<PAGE>   15

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
              (formerly Financial Horizons Life 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.

         Carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instruments
         subject to SFAS 107 and policy reserves on life insurance contracts
         were as follows as of December 31, 1995 and 1994:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1995                        1994
                                                            ------------------------     ----------------------
                                                            Carrying      Estimated      Carrying    Estimated
                                                             amount       fair value      amount     fair value
                                                             ------       ----------      ------     ----------

<S>                                                           <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
              Assets
              ------
              Investments:
                 Securities available-for-sale:
                    Fixed maturities                          $555,751      555,751      413,764      413,764
                    Equity securities                           11,407       11,407        9,411        9,411
                 Fixed maturities held-to-maturity                --           --         82,631       78,690
                 Mortgage loans on real estate                 104,736      111,501       95,281       92,340
                 Policy loans                                       94           94           79           79
                 Short-term investments                          4,844        4,844          365          365
              Assets held in Separate Accounts                 257,556      257,556      177,933      177,933

              Liabilities
              -----------
              Investment contracts                             616,984      601,582      579,903      563,331
              Policy reserves on life insurance contracts        4,296        4,520        3,285        3,141
              Liabilities related to Separate Accounts         257,556      246,996      177,933      168,749
</TABLE>


(9)      Additional Financial Instruments Disclosures

         Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk: The Company is a
         party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the
         normal course of business through management of its investment
         portfolio. These financial instruments include commitments to extend
         credit in the form of loans. These instruments involve, to varying
         degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of amounts recognized on the
         balance sheets.

         Commitments to fund fixed rate mortgage loans on real estate are
         agreements to lend to a borrower, and are subject to conditions
         established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed
         expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment
         of a deposit. Commitments extended by the Company are based on
         management's case-by-case credit evaluation of the borrower and the
         borrower's loan collateral. The underlying mortgage property represents
         the collateral if the commitment is funded. The Company's policy for
         new mortgage loans on real estate is to lend no more than 80% 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 $8,500 extending into
         1996 were outstanding as of December 31, 1995.

         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 28% (27% in 1994) in any geographic area and no more than 14.8%
         (8.2% in 1994) with any one borrower.


<PAGE>   16

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
              (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)

        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued

         The summary below depicts loans by remaining principal balance as of
         December 31, 1995 and 1994:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              Apartment
                                                                          Office      Warehouse    Retail     & other      Total
                                                                          ------      ---------    ------     -------      -----

<S>                                                                      <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>
              1995:
                East North Central                                       $  1,854         878       8,263       3,940      14,935
                East South Central                                           --          --         1,877      11,753      13,630
                Mountain                                                     --          --          --         1,964       1,964
                Middle Atlantic                                               882       1,820         901        --         3,603
                New England                                                  --           895       1,963        --         2,858
                Pacific                                                     1,923       8,600       8,211       8,838      27,572
                South Atlantic                                              3,953        --         9,928      15,797      29,678
                West North Central                                           --         1,500        --          --         1,500
                West South Central                                          3,881         969        --         4,932       9,782
                                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
                                                                         $ 12,493      14,662      31,143      47,224     105,522
                                                                         ========    ========    ========    ========    ========
                   Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                                                         786
                                                                                                                         --------
                        Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                         $104,736
                                                                                                                         ========
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          Apartment
                                                                          Office    Warehouse   Retail     & other    Total
                                                                          ------    ---------   ------     -------    -----

<S>                                                                      <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>   
              1994:
                East North Central                                       $ 1,921      2,254     10,290      4,959     19,424
                East South Central                                          --         --        1,921      9,876     11,797
                Mountain                                                    --         --         --        1,986      1,986
                Middle Atlantic                                              882      1,872      1,909       --        4,663
                New England                                                 --          921      1,983       --        2,904
                Pacific                                                    1,952      6,873      6,310      4,910     20,045
                South Atlantic                                             1,965       --       10,049     13,970     25,984
                West North Central                                          --        1,500       --         --        1,500
                West South Central                                         1,921        978       --        4,973      7,872
                                                                         -------     ------     ------     ------    -------
                                                                         $ 8,641     14,398     32,462     40,674     96,175
                                                                         =======     ======     ======     ======    
                   Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                                                    894
                                                                                                                     -------
                        Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                     $95,281
                                                                                                                     =======
</TABLE>


(10)     Pension Plan

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

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


<PAGE>   17

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
              (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)

        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued

         Effective December 31, 1995, the Nationwide Insurance
         Companies and Affiliates Retirement Plan was merged with the Farmland
         Mutual Insurance Company Employees' Retirement Plan and the Wausau
         Insurance Companies Pension Plan to form the Nationwide Insurance
         Enterprise Retirement Plan. Immediately prior to the merger, the plans
         were amended to provide consistent benefits for service after January
         1, 1996. These amendments had no significant impact on the accumulated
         benefit obligation or projected benefit obligation as of December 31,
         1995.

         Pension costs charged to operations by the Company during the years
         ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were $214, $265 and $131,
         respectively.

         The net periodic pension cost for the Nationwide Insurance Companies
         and Affiliates Retirement Plan as a whole for the years ended December
         31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1995          1994           1993
                                                                  ---------     ---------     ---------
<S>                                                               <C>             <C>          <C>   
              Service cost (benefits earned during the period)    $  64,524        64,740        47,694
              Interest cost on projected benefit obligation          95,283        73,951        70,543
              Actual return on plan assets                         (249,294)      (21,495)     (105,002)
              Net amortization and deferral                         143,353       (62,150)       20,832
                                                                  ---------     ---------     ---------
                                                                  $  53,866        55,046        34,067
                                                                  =========     =========     =========
</TABLE>


         Basis for measurements, net periodic pension cost:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1995      1994     1993
                                                                    ----      ----     ----

<S>                                                                  <C>      <C>      <C>  
              Weighted average discount rate                         7.50%    5.75%    6.75%
              Rate of increase in future compensation levels         6.25%    4.50%    4.75%
              Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets       8.75%    7.00%    7.50%
</TABLE>


         Information regarding the funded status of the Nationwide Insurance
         Enterprise Retirement Plan as a whole as of December 31, 1995
         (post-merger) and the Nationwide Insurance Companies and Affiliates
         Retirement Plan as of December 31, 1995 (pre-merger) and 1994 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Post-merger      Pre-merger                   
                                                                          1995            1995             1994
                                                                       -----------     -----------     -----------

<S>                                                                    <C>               <C>             <C>    
              Accumulated benefit obligation:
                 Vested                                                $ 1,236,730       1,002,079         914,850
                 Nonvested                                                  26,503           8,998           7,570
                                                                       -----------     -----------     -----------
                                                                       $ 1,263,233       1,011,077         922,420
                                                                       ===========     ===========     ===========

              Net accrued pension expense:
                 Projected benefit obligation for services rendered
                    to date                                            $ 1,780,616       1,447,522       1,305,547
                 Plan assets at fair value                               1,738,004       1,508,781       1,241,771
                                                                       -----------     -----------     -----------
                    Plan assets (less than) in excess of  projected
                       benefit obligation                                  (42,612)         61,259         (63,776)
                 Unrecognized prior service cost                            42,845          42,850          46,201
                 Unrecognized net (gains) losses                           (63,130)        (86,195)         39,408
                 Unrecognized net obligation (asset) at transition          41,305         (19,841)        (21,994)
                                                                       -----------     -----------     -----------
                                                                       $   (21,592)         (1,927)           (161)
                                                                       ===========     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

                                                     


<PAGE>   18

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
              (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)

        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued

         Basis for measurements, funded status of plan:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Post-merger        Pre-merger
                                                          1995              1995             1994
                                                     --------------    --------------   --------------

<S>                                                      <C>               <C>              <C>  
Weighted average discount rate                           6.00%             6.00%            7.50%
Rate of increase in future compensation levels           4.25%             4.25%            6.25%
</TABLE>


         Assets of the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise Retirement Plan are
         invested in group annuity contracts of NLIC and Employers Life
         Insurance Company of Wausau, a wholly owned subsidiary of NLIC. Prior
         to the merger, the assets of the Nationwide Insurance Companies and
         Affiliates Retirement Plan were invested in a group annuity contract of
         NLIC.

(11)     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.

         Effective January 1, 1993, the Company adopted the provisions of
         Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106 - Employers'
         Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions (SFAS 106),
         which requires the accrual method of accounting for postretirement life
         and health care insurance benefits based on actuarially determined
         costs to be recognized over the period from the date of hire to the
         full eligibility date of employees who are expected to qualify for such
         benefits.

         The Company elected to immediately recognize its estimated accumulated
         postretirement benefit obligation as of January 1, 1993. Accordingly, a
         noncash charge of $669 ($435 net of related income tax benefit) was
         recorded in the 1993 statement of income as a cumulative effect of a
         change in accounting principle. See note 3. The adoption of SFAS 106,
         including the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle,
         increased the expense for postretirement benefits by $739 to $761 in
         1993. 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,
         1995 and 1994 was $808 and $771, respectively, and the net periodic
         postretirement benefit cost (NPPBC) for 1995 and 1994 was $66 and $119,
         respectively.

         The amount of NPPBC for the plan as a whole for the years ended
         December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         1995           1994         1993
                                                                                      -----------    ----------   ----------

<S>                                                                                     <C>           <C>          <C>  
              Service cost - benefits attributed to employee service during the year    $  6,235        8,586        7,090
              Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation              14,151       14,011       13,928
              Actual return on plan assets                                                (2,657)      (1,622)        --
              Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates             2,966          568          568
              Net amortization and deferral                                               (1,619)       1,622         --
                                                                                        --------     --------     --------
                                                                                        $ 19,076       23,165       21,586
                                                                                        ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   19

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
              (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)

        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued

         Information regarding the funded status of the plan as a whole
         as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             1995           1994
                                                                                           ---------     ---------
<S>                                                                                        <C>            <C>
              Accrued postretirement benefit expense:
                 Retirees                                                                  $  88,680        76,677
                 Fully eligible, active plan participants                                     28,793        22,013
                 Other active plan participants                                               90,375        59,089
                                                                                           ---------     ---------
                    Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)                     207,848       157,779
                 Plan assets at fair value                                                    54,325        49,012
                                                                                           ---------     ---------
                    Plan assets less than accumulated postretirement benefit obligation     (153,523)     (108,767)
                 Unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates                              1,827         6,577
                 Unrecognized net gains                                                       (1,038)      (41,497)
                                                                                           ---------     ---------
                                                                                           $(152,734)     (143,687)
                                                                                           =========     =========
</TABLE>


         Actuarial assumptions used for the measurement of the APBO as of
         December 31, 1995 and 1994 and the NPPBC for 1995, 1994 and 1993 were
         as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               1995          1995          1994           1994          1993
                                               APBO          NPPBC         APBO          NPPBC         NPPBC
                                            -----------   -----------   -----------    ----------    ----------

<S>                                         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>     
Discount rate                                   6.75%            8%            8%             7%            8%
Assumed health care cost trend rate:
    Initial rate                                  11%           10%           11%            12%           14%
    Ultimate rate                                  6%            6%            6%             6%            6%
    Uniform declining period                12 Years      12 Years      12 Years       12 Years      12 Years
</TABLE>


         The health care cost trend rate assumption has an effect on the amounts
         reported. For the plan as a whole, a one percentage point increase in
         the assumed health care cost trend rate would increase the APBO as of
         December 31, 1995 by $641 and the NPPBC for the year ended December 31,
         1995 by $107.

(12)     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.

         Ohio law limits the payment of dividends to shareholders. The maximum
         dividend that may be paid by the Company without prior approval of the
         Director of the Department is limited to the greater of statutory gain
         from operations of the preceding calendar year or 10% of statutory
         shareholder's surplus as of the prior December 31. Therefore, $70,034
         of shareholder's equity, as presented in the accompanying financial
         statements, is so restricted as to dividend payments in 1996.


<PAGE>   20

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
              (formerly Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company)

        (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company)

                    Notes to Financial Statements, Continued

(13)     Transactions With Affiliates

         The Company shares home office, other facilities, equipment and common
         management and administrative services with affiliates.

         The Company and various affiliates entered into agreements with
         Nationwide Cash Management Company (NCMC) and California Cash
         Management Company (CCMC), both affiliates, under which NCMC and CCMC
         act as common agents in handling the purchase and sale of short-term
         securities for the respective accounts of the participants. Amounts on
         deposit with NCMC and CCMC were $4,844 and $365 as of December 31, 1995
         and 1994, respectively, and are included in short-term investments on
         the accompanying balance sheets.

         Certain annuity products are sold through an affiliated company, which
         is a subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation. Total commissions paid to
         the affiliate for the three years ended December 31, 1995 were $6,638,
         $6,935 and $10,041, respectively.

(14)     Segment Information

         The Company operates in the long-term savings and life insurance lines
         of business in the life insurance industry. Long-term savings
         operations include both qualified and non-qualified individual annuity
         contracts. Life insurance operations include universal life and
         variable universal life issued to individuals. Corporate primarily
         includes investments, and the related investment income, which are not
         specifically allocated to one of the two operating segments. In
         addition, realized gains and losses on all general account investments
         are reported as a component of the corporate segment.

         During 1995, the Company changed its reporting segments to better
         reflect the way the businesses are managed. Prior periods have been
         restated to reflect these changes.

         The following table summarizes the revenues and income (loss) before
         Federal income tax expense and cumulative effect of changes in
         accounting principles for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and
         1993 and assets as of December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, by business
         segment.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              1995          1994           1993
                                                                            ---------     ---------     ---------

<S>                                                                         <C>             <C>           <C>    
              Revenues:
                   Long-term savings                                        $  50,669        45,234        39,684
                   Life insurance                                                 179           173           187
                   Corporate                                                    2,554         2,910         3,456
                                                                            ---------     ---------     ---------
                                                                            $  53,402        48,317        43,327
                                                                            =========     =========     =========

              Income (loss) before Federal income tax expense and
                  cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles:
                   Long-term savings                                            4,514         3,739         2,134
                   Life insurance                                                (387)         (996)       (1,254)
                   Corporate                                                    3,020         2,444         3,456
                                                                            ---------     ---------     ---------
                                                                            $   7,147         5,187         4,336
                                                                            =========     =========     =========

              Assets:
                   Long-term savings                                          931,939       789,147       693,915
                   Life insurance                                               2,565         2,393         2,027
                   Corporate                                                   33,078        41,500        30,097
                                                                            ---------     ---------     ---------
                                                                            $ 967,582       833,040       726,039
                                                                            =========     =========     =========
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   46
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 24.      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              (a) Financial Statements:                                         PAGE
<S>                                                                             <C>
                  (1) Financial statements and schedule included
                      in Prospectus
                      (Part A):                                                 N/A

                  (2) Financial statements and schedule included
                      in Part B as required:                                    45

              Nationwide VA Separate Account-B:                                 N/A

              Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company:

                      Independent Auditors' Report                              45

                      Balance Sheets as of December                             46 
                      31, 1995 and 1994 

                      Statements of Income for the years ended                  47
                      December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 

                      Statements of Shareholder's Equity for                    48
                      the years ended December 31, 1995,
                      1994 and 1993 

                      Statements of Cash Flows for                              49
                      the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 

                      Notes to Financial Statements                             50
</TABLE>
    




                                    65 of 82
<PAGE>   47
Item 24.      (b) Exhibits

                        (1)  Resolution of the Depositor's Board of            *
                             Directors authorizing the establishment of
                             the Registrant.

                        (2)  Not Applicable                                    *

                        (3)  Underwriting or Distribution of contracts         *
                             between the Registrant and Principal
                             Underwriter.

                        (4)  The form of the variable annuity contract         *
                       
                        (5)  Variable Annuity Application                      *
                       
                        (6)  Articles of Incorporation of Depositor -          *
                      
                        (7)  Not Applicable                                    *

                        (8)  Not Applicable                                    *

                        (9)  Opinion of Counsel                                *

                       (10)  Not Applicable                                    *

                       (11)  Not Applicable                                    *

                       (12)  Not Applicable                                    *

                       (13)  Performance Advertising Calculation               *
                             Schedule.

              *Filed previously in connection with this registration statement
              (SEC File No. 33-86408) on November 14, 1994, and hereby
              incorporated by reference.




                                    66 of 82
<PAGE>   48
Item 25.      DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE DEPOSITOR

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           NAME AND PRINCIPAL                             POSITIONS AND OFFICES
                            BUSINESS ADDRESS                                 WITH DEPOSITOR
<S>                                                                <C>    
                          Lewis J. Alphin                                        Director
                          519 Bethel Church Road
                          Mount Olives, NC  28365

                          Keith W. Eckel                                         Director
                          1647 Falls Road
                          Clarks Summit, PA 18411

                          Willard J. Engel                                       Director
                          1100 East Main Street
                          Marshall, MN 56258

                          Fred C. Finney                                         Director
                          1558 West Moreland Road
                          Wooster, OH 44691

                          Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.                              Director
                          600 South Washington Street
                          Butler, PA  16001

                          Joseph J. Gasper                         President and Chief Operating Officer
                          One Nationwide Plaza                                 and Director
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Henry S. Holloway                                   Chairman of the
                          1247 Stafford Road                                       Board
                          Darlington, MD  21034

                          D. Richard McFerson                      Chairman and Chief Executive Officer-
                          One Nationwide Plaza                        Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
                          Columbus, OH  43215                                  and Director

                          David O. Miller                                        Director
                          115 Sprague Drive
                          Hebron, Ohio  43025

                          C. Ray Noecker                                         Director
                          2770 State Route 674 South
                          Ashville, OH 43103

                          James F. Patterson                                     Director
                          8765 Mulberry Road
                          Chesterland, OH  44026
</TABLE>




                                    67 of 82
<PAGE>   49
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           NAME AND PRINCIPAL                             POSITIONS AND OFFICES
                            BUSINESS ADDRESS                                 WITH DEPOSITOR
<S>                                                                <C>    
                          Arden L. Shisler                                       Director
                          1356 North Wenger Road
                          Dalton, OH  44618

                          Robert L. Stewart                                      Director
                          88740 Fairview Road
                          Jewett, OH  43986

                          Nancy C. Thomas                                        Director
                          10835 Georgetown Street NE
                          Louisville, OH  44641

                          Harold W. Weihl                                        Director
                          14282 King Road
                          Bowling Green, OH  43402

                          Gordon E. McCutchan                            Executive Vice President,
                          One Nationwide Plaza                          Law and Corporate Services
                          Columbus, OH  43215                                  and Secretary

                          Robert A. Oakley                               Executive Vice President-
                          One Nationwide Plaza                            Chief Financial Officer
                          Columbus, Ohio  43215

                          James E. Brock                                  Senior Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                            Life Company Operations
                          Columbus, OH  43215

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

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

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

                          Michael D. Bleiweiss                                Vice President-
                          One Nationwide Plaza                             Deferred Compensation
                          Columbus, OH  43215
</TABLE>




                                    68 of 82
<PAGE>   50
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           NAME AND PRINCIPAL                             POSITIONS AND OFFICES
                            BUSINESS ADDRESS                                 WITH DEPOSITOR
<S>                                                                <C>    
                          Matthew S. Easley                                  Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                         Annuity and Pension Actuarial
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Ronald L. Eppley                                    Vice President-
                          One Nationwide Plaza                                   Pensions
                          Columbus, OH  43215

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

                          R. Dennis Noice                                     Vice President-
                          One Nationwide Plaza                        Individual Investment Products
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Joseph P. Rath                                     Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                           Associate General Counsel
                          Columbus, OH  43215
</TABLE>

Item 26.      PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE DEPOSITOR 
OR REGISTRANT.

                *     Subsidiaries for which separate financial statements are
                      filed

                **    Subsidiaries included in the respective consolidated
                      financial statements

                ***   Subsidiaries included in the respective group financial
                      statements filed for unconsolidated subsidiaries

                ****  other subsidiaries




                                    69 of 82
<PAGE>   51
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING
                                                                        SECURITIES
                                                       STATE           (SEE ATTACHED
                                                  OF ORGANIZATION      CHART) UNLESS
                        COMPANY                                          OTHERWISE                   PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                         INDICATED
<S>                                               <C>                <C>               <C>    
         Affiliate Agency of Ohio, Inc.                 Ohio                           Life Insurance Agency
         Affiliate Agency, Inc.                       Delaware                         Life Insurance Agency
         Allnations, Inc.                               Ohio                           Promotes cooperative insurance corporations
                                                                                       worldwide
         American Marine Underwriters, Inc.           Florida                          Underwriting Manager
         Auto Direkt Insurance Company                Germany                          Insurance Company
         The Beak and Wire Corporation                  Ohio                           Radio Tower Joint Venture
         California Cash Management Company          California                        Investment Securities Agent
         Colonial County Mutual Insurance              Texas                           Insurance Company
         Company
         Colonial Insurance Company of               California                        Insurance Company
         California
         Columbus Insurance Brokerage and             Germany                          Insurance Broker
         Service GMBH
         Companies Agency Insurance Services         California                        Insurance  Broker
         of California
         Companies Agency of Alabama, Inc.            Alabama                          Insurance Broker
         Companies Agency of Idaho, Inc.               Idaho                           Insurance Broker
         Companies Agency of Illinois, Inc.           Illinois                         Acts as Collection Agent for Policies placed
                                                                                       through Brokers
         Companies Agency of Kentucky, Inc.           Kentucky                         Insurance Broker
         Companies Agency of Massachusetts,        Massachusetts                       Insurance Broker
         Inc.
         Companies Agency of New York, Inc.           New York                         Insurance Broker
         Companies Agency of Pennsylvania, Inc.     Pennsylvania                       Insurance Broker
         Companies Agency of Phoenix, Inc.            Arizona                          Insurance Broker
         Companies Agency of Texas, Inc.               Texas                           Insurance Broker
         Companies Annuity Agency of Texas,            Texas                           Insurance Broker
         Inc.
         Companies Agency, Inc.                      Wisconsin                         Insurance Broker
         Companies Annuity Agency of Texas,            Texas                           Insurance Broker
         Inc.
         Countrywide Services Corporation             Delaware                         Products Liability, Investigative and Claims
                                                                                       Management Services
         Employers Insurance of Wausau               Wisconsin                         Insurance Company
         A Mutual Company
</TABLE>




                                    70 of 82
<PAGE>   52
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING
                                                                        SECURITIES
                                                       STATE           (SEE ATTACHED
                                                  OF ORGANIZATION      CHART) UNLESS
                        COMPANY                                          OTHERWISE                   PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                         INDICATED
<S>                                               <C>                <C>               <C>    
     **  Employers Life Insurance Company of         Wisconsin                         Life Insurance Company
         Wausau
         F & B, Inc.                                    Iowa                           Insurance Agency
         Farmland Mutual Insurance Company              Iowa                           Insurance Company
         Financial Horizons Distributors              Alabama                          Life Insurance Agency
         Agency of Alabama, Inc.
         Financial Horizons Distributors                Ohio                           Insurance Agency
         Agency of Ohio
         Financial Horizons Distributors              Oklahoma                         Life Insurance Agency
         Agency of Oklahoma, Inc.
         Financial Horizons Distributors               Texas                           Life Insurance Agency
         Agency of Texas, Inc.
      *  Financial Horizons Investment Trust       Massachusetts                       Investment Company
         Financial Horizons Securities                Oklahoma                         Broker Dealer
         Corporation
         Gates, McDonald & Company                      Ohio                           Cost Control Business
         Gates, McDonald & Company of Nevada           Nevada                          Self-Insurance Administration Claims
                                                                                       Examinations and Data Processing Services
         Gates, McDonald & Company of New             New York                         Workers Compensation Claims Administration
         York, Inc.
         Greater La Crosse Health Plans, Inc.        Wisconsin                         Writes Commercial Health and Medicare
                                                                                       Supplement Insurance
         InHealth Agency, Inc.                          Ohio                           Insurance Agency
         InHealth Management Systems, Inc.              Ohio                           Develops and operates Managed Care Delivery
                                                                                       System
         Insurance Intermediaries, Inc.                 Ohio                           Insurance Broker and Insurance Agency
         Key Health Plan, Inc.                       California                        Pre-paid health plans
         Landmark Financial Services of New           New York                         Life Insurance Agency
         York, Inc.
         Leben Direkt Insurance Company               Germany                          Life Insurance Company
         Lone Star General Agency, Inc.                Texas                           Insurance Agency
     **  MRM Investments, Inc.                          Ohio                           Owns and operates a Recreational Ski Facility
     **  National Casualty Company                    Michigan                         Insurance Company
         National Casualty Company of America,     Great Britain                       Insurance Company
         Ltd.
     **  National Premium and Benefit                 Delaware                         Insurance Administrative Services
         Administration Company
         Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance              Iowa                           Insurance Company
         Company
         Nationwide Cash Management Company             Ohio                           Investment Securities Agent
</TABLE>



                                    71 of 82
<PAGE>   53
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING
                                                                        SECURITIES
                                                       STATE           (SEE ATTACHED
                                                  OF ORGANIZATION      CHART) UNLESS
                        COMPANY                                          OTHERWISE                   PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                         INDICATED
<S>                                               <C>                <C>               <C>    
         Nationwide Communications, Inc.                Ohio                           Radio Broadcasting Business
         Nationwide Community Urban                     Ohio                           Redevelopment of blighted areas within the
         Redevelopment Corporation                                                     City of Columbus, Ohio
         Nationwide Corporation                         Ohio                           Organized for the purpose of acquiring,
                                                                                       holding, encumbering, transferring, or
                                                                                       otherwise disposing of shares, bonds, and
                                                                                       other evidences of indebtedness, securities,
                                                                                       and contracts of other persons, associations,
                                                                                       corporations, domestic or foreign and to form
                                                                                       or acquire the control of other corporations
         Nationwide Development Company                 Ohio                           Owns, leases and manages commercial real
                                                                                       estate
         Nationwide Financial Institution             Delaware                         Insurance Agency
         Distributors Agency, Inc.
   
     **  Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc.             Ohio                           Registered Broker-Dealer, Investment Manager
                                                                                       and Administrator
    
         Nationwide General Insurance Company           Ohio                           Insurance Company
         Nationwide HMO, Inc.                           Ohio                           Health Maintenance Organization
      *  Nationwide Indemnity Company                   Ohio                           Reinsurance Company
         Nationwide Insurance Enterprise                Ohio                           Membership Non-Profit Corporation
         Foundation
         Nationwide Insurance Golf Charities,           Ohio                           Membership Non-Profit Corporation
         Inc.
         Nationwide Investing Foundation              Michigan                         Investment Company
      *  Nationwide Investing                      Massachusetts                       Investment Company
         Foundation II
         Nationwide Investment Services               Oklahoma                         Registered Broker-Dealer in Deferred
         Corporation                                                                   Compensation Market
         Nationwide Investors Services, Inc.            Ohio                           Stock Transfer Agent
     **  Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance          Ohio                           Life Insurance Company
         Company
     **  Nationwide Life Insurance Company              Ohio                           Life Insurance Company
         Nationwide Lloyds                             Texas                           Texas Lloyds Company
         Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance               Ohio                           Insurance Company
         Company
         Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company            Ohio                           Insurance Company
         Nationwide Property and Casualty               Ohio                           Insurance Company
         Insurance Company
     **  Nationwide Property Management, Inc.           Ohio                           Owns, leases, manages and deals in Real
                                                                                       Property
</TABLE>




                                    72 of 82
<PAGE>   54
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING
                                                                        SECURITIES
                                                       STATE           (SEE ATTACHED
                                                  OF ORGANIZATION      CHART) UNLESS
                        COMPANY                                          OTHERWISE                   PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                         INDICATED
<S>                                               <C>                <C>               <C>    
      *  Nationwide Separate Account Trust         Massachusetts                       Investment Company
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Alabama                          Life Insurance Agency
         Alabama, Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Arizona                          Life Insurance Agency
         Arizona, Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of     Massachusetts                       Life Insurance Agency
         Massachusetts, Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Montana                          Life Insurance Agency
         Montana, Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of         Nevada                          Life Insurance Agency
         Nevada, Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of          Ohio                           Life Insurance Agency
         Ohio, Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Oklahoma                         Life Insurance Agency
         Oklahoma, Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of         Texas                           Life Insurance Agency
         Texas, Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Wyoming                          Life Insurance Agency
         Wyoming
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services,          Delaware                         Life Insurance Agency
         Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Services Insurance       Massachusetts                       Life Insurance Agency
         Agency, Inc.
         Neckura General Insurance Company            Germany                          Insurance Company
         Neckura Holding Company                      Germany                          Administrative Service for Neckura Insurance
                                                                                       Group
         Neckura Insurance Company                    Germany                          Insurance Company
         Neckura Life Insurance Company               Germany                          Life Insurance Company
         NWE, Inc.                                      Ohio                           Special Investments
         PEBSCO of Massachusetts Insurance         Massachusetts                       Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
         Agency, Inc.                                                                  Plans for Public Employees
         PEBSCO of Texas, Inc.                         Texas                           Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
                                                                                       Plans for Public Employees
         Pension Associates of Wausau, Inc.          Wisconsin                         Pension plan administration, record keeping
                                                                                       and consulting and compensation consulting
         Public Employees Benefit Services            Delaware                         Marketing and Administration of Deferred
         Corporation                                                                   Employee Compensation Plans for Public
                                                                                       Employees
         Public Employees Benefit Services            Alabama                          Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
         Corporation of Alabama                                                        Plans for Public Employees
</TABLE>




                                    73 of 82
<PAGE>   55
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING
                                                                        SECURITIES
                                                       STATE           (SEE ATTACHED
                                                  OF ORGANIZATION      CHART) UNLESS
                        COMPANY                                          OTHERWISE                   PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                         INDICATED
<S>                                               <C>                <C>               <C>    
         Public Employees Benefit Services            Arkansas                         Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
         Corporation of Arkansas                                                       Plans for Public Employees
         Public Employees Benefit Services            Montana                          Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
         Corporation of Montana                                                        Plans for Public Employees
         Public Employees Benefit Services           New Mexico                        Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
         Corporation of New Mexico                                                     Plans for Public Employees
         Scottsdale Indemnity Company                   Ohio                           Insurance Company
         Scottsdale Insurance Company                   Ohio                           Insurance Company
         SVM Sales GmbH, Neckura Insurance            Germany                          Sales support for Neckura Insurance Group
         Group
         Wausau Business Insurance Company            Illinois                         Insurance Company
         Wausau General Insurance Company             Illinois                         Insurance Company
         Wausau Insurance Company (U.K.)           United Kingdom                      Insurance and Reinsurance Company
         Limited
         Wausau International Underwriters           California                        Special Risks, Excess and Surplus Lines
                                                                                       Insurance Underwriting Manager
     **  Wausau Preferred Health Insurance           Wisconsin                         Insurance and Reinsurance Company
         Company
         Wausau Service Corporation                  Wisconsin                         Holding Company
         Wausau Underwriters Insurance Company       Wisconsin                         Insurance Company
     **  West Coast Life Insurance Company           California                        Life Insurance Company
</TABLE>




                                    74 of 82
<PAGE>   56
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          NO. VOTING SECURITIES
                                                                       (SEE ATTACHED CHART) UNLESS
                                                       STATE               OTHERWISE INDICATED
                                                  OF ORGANIZATION
                        COMPANY                                                                             PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
<S>                                               <C>                <C>                             <C>    
      *  MFS Variable Account                           Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account
      *  NACo Variable Account                          Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account
      *  Nationwide DC Variable                         Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account
      *  Separate Account No. 1                         Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account
      *  Nationwide Multi-Flex Variable Account         Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account
      *  Nationwide VA Separate Account-A               Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Separate Account
      *  Nationwide VA Separate Account-B               Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Separate Account
         Nationwide VA Separate Account-C               Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Separate Account
      *  Nationwide VA Separate Account-Q               Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Separate Account
      *  Nationwide Variable Account                    Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account
      *  Nationwide Variable Account-II                 Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account
      *  Nationwide Variable Account-3                  Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account
      *  Nationwide Variable Account-4                  Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account
      *  Nationwide Variable Account-5                  Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account
      *  Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable           Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
         Account                                                     Account
      *  Nationwide Variable Account-6                  Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account
      *  Nationwide Variable Account-8                  Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                     Account
      *  Nationwide VL Separate Account-A               Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                     Separate Account                Contracts
   
      *  Nationwide VL Separate Account-B               Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                     Separate Account                Contracts
    
      *  Nationwide VLI Separate Account                Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                     Account                         Contracts
      *  Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2              Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                     Account                         Contracts
      *  Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3              Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                     Account                         Contracts
</TABLE>




                                    75 of 82
<PAGE>   57

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE                                        (left side}
 ______________________
| NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |            
| GOLF CHARITIES, INC. |
|                      |
|     MEMBERSHIP       |
|     NONPROFIT        |
|    CORPORATION       |
|______________________|
<S>                                      <C>                                           <C>
 ________________________________________________________________________________________________
|                               EMPLOYERS INSURANCE OF WAUSAU                                    |         
|                                    A MUTUAL COMPANY                                            |       
|                                      (EMPLOYERS)                                               |_________________________________
|                         Contribution Note          Cost                                        |_________________________________
|                         -----------------          ----                                        |         
|                         Casualty                   $400,000,000                                |              
|________________________________________________________________________________________________|              
                 |                                    |
    _____________|_________________      _____________|__________________       _____________________       __________________
   |      WAUSAU INSURANCE CO.     |    |        WAUSAU SERVICE          |     |                     |     |                  |
   |        (U.K.) LIMITED         |    |      CORPORATION (WSC)         |     |                     |     |                  |
   |                               |    |                                |     |  NATIONWIDE  LLOYDS |     |    COMPANIES     |
   |  Common Stock:   8,506,800    |    |   Common Stock:   1,000        |     |                     |     |                  |
   |  -------------   Shares       |    |   -------------   Shares       |_____|                     |_____|    AGENCY OF     |
   |                               |    |                                |_____|                     |_____|                  |
   |                  Cost         |    |                   Cost         |     |                     |     |    TEXAS, INC.   |
   |                  ----         |    |                   ----         |     |    A TEXAS LLOYDS   |     |                  |
   |  Employers--                  |    |   Employers--                  |     |                     |     |                  |
   |  100%            $15,683,300  |    |   100%            $106,763,000 |     |                     |     |                  |
   |_______________________________|    |________________________________|     |_____________________|     |__________________|
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |        WAUSAU BUSINESS       |
                                                        |    |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  10,900,000   |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 -----        |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $21,800,000  |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       WAUSAU UNDERWRITERS    |
                                                        |    |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  8,750        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                  Cost        |
                                                        |    |                  ----        |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%        $44,560,006 |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       GREATER LA CROSSE      |
                                                        |    |       HEALTH PLANS, INC.     |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  3,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-33.3%      $861,761     |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |       OF ALABAMA, INC.       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $100         |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |











                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |       OF KENTUCKY, INC.      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  ------------   Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |     OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.    |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $100         |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |     OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC.   |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |       OF NEW YORK, INC.      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |       OF PHOENIX, INC.       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |         OF IDAHO, INC.       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |     COUNTRYWIDE SERVICES     |
                                                        |    |          CORPORATION         |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  100          |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $145,852     |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |










                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |         WAUSAU GENERAL       |
                                                        |    |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  200,000      |                    
                                                        |____|  ------------   Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $31,000,000  |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |     WAUSAU INTERNATIONAL     |
                                                        |    |         UNDERWRITERS         |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $10,000      |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |      INSURANCE SERVICES      |
                                                        |    |        OF CALIFORNIA         |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |____|  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |    |  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |      
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |        AMERICAN MARINE       |
                                                        |    |       UNDERWRITERS, INC.     |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  20           |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $248,222     |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |       OF ILLINOIS, INC.      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  250          |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $2,500       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________      _____________________________
                                                        |    |    COMPANIES AGENCY, INC.    |    |     PENSION ASSOCIATES      |  
                                                        |    |                              |    |       OF WAUSAU, INC.       |
                                                        |    |                              |    |                             |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  100          |    |  Common Stock:  1,000       |
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |____|  -------------  Shares      |
                                                             |                              |    |                             |
                                                             |                 Cost         |    |  Companies        Cost      |
                                                             |                 ----         |    |  Agency, Inc.     ----      |
                                                             |  WSC-100%       $10,000      |    |  (Wisconsin) --   $10,000   |
                                                             |______________________________|    |  100%                       |  
                                                                                                 |_____________________________|
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   58


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE                                (right side)
<S>                                         <C>                                  <C>             <C>
                                                                                            _________________________________
                                                                                           |                                 |
                                                                                           |       NATIONWIDE INSURANCE      |
                                                                                           |      ENTERPRISE FOUNDATION      |
                                                                                           |                                 | 
                                                                                           |            MEMBERSHIP           |
                                                                                           |            NONPROFIT            |
                                                                                           |           CORPORATION           |
                                                                                           |_________________________________|      
                                                       
    _________________________________________                                               ___________________________
   |                                         |                                             |                           |
___|           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL             |_____________________________________________|     NATIONWIDE MUTUAL     |
___|           INSURANCE COMPANY             |_____________________________________________|  FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY   |
   |              (CASUALTY)                 |                                             |          (FIRE)           |
   |_________________________________________|                                             |___________________________|        
                  |                 ||  |________________________________________________________________        |
                  |                 ||  |                                                                |       |
    ______________|_______________  ||  |    _____________________________                  _____________|_______|______________
   |                              | ||  |   |                             |                |                                    |
   |      ALLNATIONS, INC.        | ||  |   |      NATIONWIDE GENERAL     |                |            NATIONWIDE              |
   |                              | ||  |   |      INSURANCE COMPANY      |                |            CORPORATION             |
   | Common Stock:  2,936         | ||  |   |                             |                |                                    |
   | -------------  Shares        | ||  |   | Common Stock: 20,000 Shares |                | Common Stock:           Control    |
   |                   Cost       | ||  |___| -------------               |                | -------------           -------    |
   |                   ----       | ||  |   |                             |                | $13,642,432             100%       |
   | Casualty-26%     $88,320     | ||  |   |                Cost         |                |                                    |
   | Fire-26%         $88,463     | ||  |   |                ----         |                |          Shares      Cost          |
   | Preferred Stock: 1,466 Shares| ||  |   | Casualty-100%    $5,944,422 |                |          -----       ----          | 
   | ----------------             | ||  |   |_____________________________|                |  Casualty  12,992,922 $751,352,485 |
   |                  Cost        | ||  |                                                  |  Fire         649,510   24,007,936 |
   |                  ----        | ||  |                                                  |                                    | 
   | Casualty-6.8%    $100,000    | ||  |                                                  |           (See Page 2)             |
   | Fire-6.8%        $100,000    | ||  |                                                  |____________________________________|
   |______________________________| ||  |                                                  
                                    ||  |                                                 
    _________________________       ||  |    _____________________________  
   |                         |      ||  |   |                             |
   |      FARMLAND MUTUAL    |      ||  |   |     NATIONWIDE PROPERTY     |                  
   |     INSURANCE COMPANY   |      ||  |   |        AND CASUALTY         |                  
   |                         |      ||  |   |      INSURANCE COMPANY      |
   | Guaranty Fund           |______||  |   |                             |
   | -------------           |_______|  |   | Common Stock: 60,000 Shares |
   | Certificate             |          |   | -------------               |
   | -----------             |          |   |                   Cost      |
   |                         |          |   |                   ----      |
   |                Cost     |          |   | Casualty-100%    $6,000,000 |
   |                ----     |          |   |_____________________________|
   | Casualty       $500,000 |          |   
   |_________________________|          |    _____________________________
                   |                    |   |                             |
                   |                    |   |      COLONIAL INSURANCE     |
    _______________|___________         |   |    COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA    |     
   |          F & B, INC.      |        |   |         (COLONIAL)          |
   |                           |        |   |                             |
   | Common Stock:    1 Share  |        |___| Common Stock: 1,750 Shares  |
   | -------------             |        |   | -------------               |
   |                           |        |   |                 Cost        |
   |                   Cost    |        |   |                 ----        |
   |                   ----    |        |   | Casualty-100%   $11,750,000 |
   | Farmland Mutual-  $10     |        |   |_____________________________|
   | 100%                      |        |
   |___________________________|        |    _____________________________        __________________________ 
        ____________________________    |   |                             |      |                          |
       |                            |   |   |         SCOTTSDALE          |      |    NATIONAL PREMIUM &    | 
       |   NATIONWIDE AGRIBUSINESS  |   |   |     INSURANCE COMPANY       |      |  BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION  |
       |     INSURANCE COMPANY      |   |   |                             |      |         COMPANY          |
       |                            |   |   | Common Stock: 30,136 Shares |      |                          |
       | Common Stock:  1,000,000   |___|___| -------------               |______| Common Stock: 10,000     |
       | -------------  Shares      |   |   |                             |      | ------------  Shares     |
       |                            |   |   |                Cost         |      |                          | 
       |                            |   |   |                ----         |      |                   Cost   |
       |                            |   |   | Casualty-100%  $150,000,000 |      |                   ----   |                    
       | Casualty-99.9% $26,714,335 |   |   |_____________________________|      | Scottsdale-100%  $10,000 |
       |                            |   |                                        |__________________________|
       | Other Capital:             |   |
       | --------------             |   |
       | Casualty-Ptd.  $   713,567 |   |
       |____________________________|   |
                                        |       
                                              
                                             
                                              



                                                 
                                           
                                              
                                             
                                             
                                                                 
                                             
                                                                                                                                   






                                        |
                                        |
                                        | 
                                        |    _____________________________                       ______________________________
                                        |   |      NECKURA HOLDING        |                     |           NECKURA            |
                                        |   |     COMPANY (NECKURA)       |                     |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |
                                        |   |                             |                     |                              |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 10,000 Shares |                     | Common Stock: 6,000 Shares   |
                                        |___| -------------               |_____________________| -------------                |
                                        |   |                             |               |     |                              |
                                        |   |                 Cost        |               |     |               Cost           |
                                        |   |                 ---         |               |     |               ----           |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%   $87,943,140 |               |     | Neckura-100%  DM 6,000,000   |
                                        |   |_____________________________|               |     |______________________________|   
                                        |                                                 |
                                        |                                                 |      _____________________________
                                        |                                                 |     |        NECKURA LIFE         |
                                        |                                                 |     |      INSURANCE COMPANY      |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     | Common Stock: 4,000 Shares  |
                                        |                                                 |_____| -------------               |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     |                  Cost       |
                                        |                                                 |     |                  ----       |
                                        |                                                 |     | Neckura-100%  DM 15,825,681 |   
                                        |                                                 |     |_____________________________|
                                        |                                                 |
                                        |                                                 |      _____________________________
                                        |                                                 |     |      NECKURA GENERAL        |
                                        |                                                 |     |     INSURANCE COMPANY       |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     | Common Stock: 1,500 Shares  |
                                        |                                                 |_____| ------------                |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     |               Cost          |
                                        |                                                 |     |               ----          |
                                        |                                                 |     | Neckura-100%  DM 1,656,925  |
                                        |                                                 |     |_____________________________|
                                        |                                                 | 
                                        |                                                 |      _____________________________
                                        |                                                 |     |      COLUMBUS INSURANCE     |
                                        |                                                 |     |    BROKERAGE AND SERVICE    |
                                        |                                                 |     |            GmbH             |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     | Common Stock: 1 Share       |
                                        |                                                 |_____| -------------               |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     |                Cost         |
                                        |                                                 |     |                -----        |
                                        |                                                 |     |  Neckura-100%   DM 51,639   |
                                        |                                                 |     |_____________________________|
                                        |                                                 |
                                        |                                                 |      _____________________________
                                        |                                                 |     |        AUTO DIREKT          |
                                        |                                                 |     |     INSURANCE COMPANY       |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     | Common Stock: 1,500 Shares  |
                                        |                                                 |     | -------------               |
                                        |                                                 |_____|                             |
                                        |                                                 |     |               Cost          |
                                        |                                                 |     |               ----          |
                                        |                                                 |     | Neckura-100%  DM 1,643,149  |
                                        |                                                 |     |_____________________________|
                                        |                                                 |
                                        |    _____________________________                |      ____________________________
                                        |   |          NATIONWIDE         |               |     |         SVM SALES          |
                                        |   |    DEVELOPMENT COMPANY      |               |     |           GmbH             |
                                        |   |                             |               |     |                            |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 99,000 Shares |               |     | Common Stock: 50 Shares    |
                                        |   | -------------               |               |_____| -------------              |
                                        |   |                             |                     |                            |
                                        |___|                Cost         |                     |              Cost          |
                                        |   |                ---          |                     |              ----          |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $15,100,000  |                     | Neckura-100%  DM 50,000    |
                                        |   | Other Capital:              |                     |____________________________|
                                        |   | --------------              |
                                        |   | Casualty-Ptd.  $ 2,796,100  | 
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        |
                                        |


















                                        |    _____________________________
                                        |   |          SCOTTSDALE         |
                                        |   |      INDEMNITY COMPANY      |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |___| Common Stock: 50,000 Shares |
                                        |   | -------------               |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   |                Cost         |
                                        |   |                ----         |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $8,800,000   |
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        | 
                                        |    _____________________________
                                        |   |         NATIONWIDE          |
                                        |   |     INDEMNITY COMPANY       |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 28,000 Shares |
                                        |___| -------------               |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   |                Cost         |
                                        |   |                ----         |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $294,529,000 |
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        |
                                        |    _____________________________        __________________________
                                        |   |          LONE STAR          |      |   COLONIAL COUNTY MUTUAL |
                                        |   |     GENERAL AGENCY, INC.    |      |     INSURANCE COMPANY    |
                                        |   |                             |      |                          |
                                        |   | Common Stock:  1,000 Shares |______| Surplus Debentures:      |
                                        |___| -------------               |______| -------------------      |
                                        |   |                             |      |                          |
                                        |   |                Cost         |      |          Cost            |
                                        |   |                ----         |      |          ----            |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $5,000,000   |      | Colonial $500,000        |
                                        |   |_____________________________|      | Lone Star 150,000        |
                                        |                                        |__________________________|
                                        |
                                        |    _____________________________
                                        |   |         NATIONWIDE          |
                                        |   |      COMMUNITY URBAN        |
                                        |   |       REDEVELOPMENT         |
                                        |   |        CORPORATION          |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 10 Shares     |
                                        |___| -------------               |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   |                Cost         |
                                        |   |                ----         |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $1,000       |
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        |
                                        |    _____________________________
                                        |   |         INSURANCE           |
                                        |   |    INTERMEDIARIES, INC.     |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 1,615 Shares  |
                                        |___| -------------               |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   |                Cost         |
                                        |   |                ----         |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $1,615,000   |
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        |
                                        |    _____________________________
                                        |   |      NATIONWIDE CASH        |
                                        |   |    MANAGEMENT COMPANY       |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 100 Shares    |
                                        |   | -------------               |
                                        |___|                             |
                                        |   |                Cost         |
                                        |   |                ----         |
                                        |   | Casualty-90%   $9,000       |
                                        |   | NW Fin Serv-    1,000       |
                                        |   | 10%                         | 
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        |
                                        |
                                        |    _____________________________  
                                        |   |       CALIFORNIA CASH       | 
                                        |   |     MANAGEMENT COMPANY      | 
                                        |   |                             | 
                                        |   | Common Stock:  90 Shares    | 
                                        |___| -------------               | 
                                        |   |                             | 
                                        |   |                Cost         | 
                                        |   |                ----         | 
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $9,000       | 
                                        |   |_____________________________|        
                                        |                                   
                                                                           











                                        |                                   
                                        |    _____________________________       __________________________
                                        |   |          NATIONWIDE         |     |       THE BEAK AND       |
                                        |   |     COMMUNICATIONS, INC.    |     |     WIRE CORPORATION     |
                                        |   |                             |     |                          |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 14,750 Shares |     | Common Stock: 750 Shares |
                                        |___| -------------               |_____| -------------            |
                                            |                             |     |                          |
                                            |                Cost         |     |           Cost           |
                                            |                ----         |     |           ----           |
                                            | Casualty-100%  $11,510,000  |     | NW Comm-  $531,000       |
                                            |                             |     | 100%                     |
                                            | Other Capital:              |     |__________________________|
                                            | --------------              |
                                            | Casualty-Ptd.     1,000,000 |
                                            |_____________________________|
    

<FN>
                                                                                          Subsidiary Companies     - Solid Line
                                                                                          Contractual Association  - Double Line

                                                                                                          December 31, 1995
</TABLE>


                                    76 of 82
<PAGE>   59
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE                                           (left side)
<S>                                       <C>                                            <C>
                                           _______________________________________
                                          |                                       |
                                          |          EMPLOYERS INSURANCE          |___________________________________________
                                          |              OF WAUSAU                |___________________________________________
                                          |           A MUTUAL COMPANY            |
                                          |_______________________________________|













                                                                                                        __________________________
                                                                                                       |
                                                                                           ____________|_________________
                                                                                          |   NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE  |
                                                                                          |      COMPANY (NW LIFE)       |
                                                                                          |Common Stock: 3,814,779 Shares|
                                                                                          | -------------                |
                                                                                          |                              |
                                                                                          | NW Corp.-    Cost            |
                                                                                          | 100%         ----            |
                                                                                          |              $950,226,915    |
                                                                                          |______________________________|
                     _________________________________________________________________________________| 
        ____________|_____________               ___________|_______________       |        ______________________________       
       |        NATIONWIDE        |             |     NATIONAL CASUALTY     |      |       |      NATIONWIDE LIFE AND     |
       | FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. |             |       COMPANY (NC)        |      |       |   ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY  |
       |     (NW FIN. SERV.)      |             | Common Stock: 100 Shares  |      |       |                              |
 ______|Common Stock: 7,676 Shares|             | -------------             |      |       | Common Stock: 66,000 Shares  |
 | ____|-------------             |             |                           |      |_______| -------------                |
 | |   |               Cost       |             |               Cost        |      |       | NW Life-       Cost          |
 | |   |               ----       |             |               ----        |      |       | 100%           ----          |
 | |   | NW Life-100% $5,996,261  |             | NW Life-100%  $66,132,811 |      |       |               $58,070,003    |
 | |   |__________________________|             |___________________________|      |       |______________________________|
 | |    __________________________               ___________|_______________       |        ________________________________ 
 | |   |         NATIONWIDE       |             |                           |      |       |        WEST COAST LIFE         |   
 | |   |  INVESTOR SERVICES, INC. |             |                           |      |       |       INSURANCE COMPANY        |
 | |   |  Common Stock: 5 Shares  |             |   NCC OF AMERICA, INC.    |      |       | Common Stock:  1,000,000 Shares|
 | |___|  -------------           |             |         (INACTIVE)        |      |_______| -------------                  |
 | |   |  NW Fin. Serv.-100%      |             |                           |      |       |                                |
 | |   |                  Cost    |             |          NC-100%          |      |       |                     Cost       |
 | |   |                  ----    |             |                           |      |       |                     ----       |
 | |   |                  $5,000  |             |                           |      |       | NW Life-100%    $133,809,265   |
 | |   |__________________________|             |___________________________|      |       |________________________________|
 | |    __________________________               ______________________________    |        ____________________________  
 | |   |        NATIONWIDE        |            | EMPLOYERS LIFE INSURANCE CO. |    |       |   NATIONWIDE PROPERTY     | 
 | |   |        INVESTING         |            |     OF WAUSAU (ELIOW)        |    |       |    MANAGEMENT, INC.       | 
 | |   |        FOUNDATION        |            |                              |    |       | Common Stock: 59 Shares   | 
 | |___|                          |      ______| Common Stock: 250,000 Shares |____|_______| ------------              | 
 |  ___|                          |      |     | -------------  Cost          |    |       |                 Cost      | 
 | |   |                          |      |     |                ----          |    |       |                 ----      |
 | |   |                          |      |     | NW Life-100%   $155,000,000  |    |       |  NW Life-100%  $1,907,896 |
 | |   |   COMMON LAW TRUST       |      |     |______________________________|    |       |__________________________ |
 | |   |__________________________|      |                                         |                  |               
 | |                                     |       _____________________________     |        __________|_______________ 
 | |    __________________________       |      |       WAUSAU PREFERRED      |    |       |   MRM INVESTMENTS, INC.   |
 | |   |        NATIONWIDE        |      |      |     HEALTH INSURANCE CO.    |    |       |                           |
 | |   |        INVESTING         |      |      |                             |    |       | Common Stock: 1 Share     |
 | |___|        FOUNDATION II     |      |______| Common Stock: 200 Shares    |    |       | ------------              |
 |  ___|                          |      |      | -------------               |    |       |                           |
 | |   |                          |      |      |                  Cost       |    |       |                 Cost      |
 | |   |                          |      |      |                  ----       |    |       |  Nat. Prop.     ----      |
 | |   |    COMMON LAW TRUST      |      |      |  ELIOW -- 100%  $57,413,193 |    |       |  Mgmt.-100%    $550,000   |
 | |   |__________________________|      |      |_____________________________|    |       |___________________________|
 | |                                     |                                         |                                  
 | |                                     |       _____________________________     |       ___________________________ 
 | |    __________________________       |      |    KEY HEALTH PLAN, INC.    |    |      |          NWE, INC.        |
 | |   |       NATIONWIDE         |      |      |                             |    |      |                           |
 | |   |    SEPARATE ACCOUNT      |      |______| Common Stock:  1,000 Shares |    |______| Common Stock: 100 Shares  |
 | |   |          TRUST           |             | -------------               |           | ------------              |
 | |___|                          |             |                  Cost       |           |                 Cost      | 
 |  ___|                          |             |                  ----       |           |                 ----      | 
 | |   |    COMMON LAW TRUST      |             | ELIOW-80%        $2,700,000 |           |  NW Life-100% $35,971,375 | 
 | |   |                          |             |_____________________________|           |___________________________| 
 | |   |__________________________|                                                                                     
 | |                                                                                      
 | |    __________________________                                                                
 | |   |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |                                           
 | |   |    INVESTMENT TRUST      |    
 | |___|                          |    
 |_____|                          |    
       |    COMMON LAW TRUST      |    
       |__________________________|    
</TABLE>                                                                       
                                                 
<PAGE>   60

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE                                           (middle)

<S>                              <C>                        <C>                                      <C>
                                 _______________________________________
                                |                                       |
________________________________|          NATIONWIDE MUTUAL            |___________________________________________________________
________________________________|          INSURANCE COMPANY            |___________________________________________________________
                                |              (CASUALTY)               |
                                |_______________________________________|
                                                    |               _______________________________________________________________
                                  __________________|______________|___       
                                 |  NATIONWIDE CORPORATION (NW Corp)   |      
                                 | Common Stock:     Control:          |
                                 | -------------     -------           |
                                 |  13,642,432         100%            |                        
                                 |                                     |
                                 |           Shares       Cost         |                 
                                 |           ------       ----         |
                                 | Casualty   12,992,922  $751,352,485 |
                                 | Fire          649,510    24,007,936 |
                                 |_____________________________________|
                                                    |
____________________________________________________|______________________________________________________________________________
                   |                                                    |                                          |
        ___________|_________________                      _____________|_____________                 ____________|______________
       | PUBLIC EMPLOYEES BENEFIT     |                   |      GATES, McDONALD      |               |    NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL   |
       |SERVICES CORPORATION (PEBSCO) |                   |      & COMPANY (GATES)    |               |  INSTITUTION DISTRIBUTORS |
 ______| Common Stock: 236,494 Shares |                   | Common Stock: 254 Shares  |               |      AGENCY, INC. (NFIDAI)|
|  ____| -------------                |                   | -------------             |___       _____| Common Stock: 1,000 Shares|
| |    |               Cost           |                   |                           |   |     |  ___| -------------             |
| |    | NW Corp.-     ----           |                   |               Cost        |   |     | |   |               Cost        |
| |    | 100%          $ 7,830,936    |                   |               ----        |   |     | |   | NW Corp.      ----        |
| |    |______________________________|                   | NW Corp.-     $25,683,532 |   |     | |   | 100%          $19,501,000 |
| |                                                       | 100%                      |   |     | |   |___________________________|
| |                                                       |___________________________|   |     | |
| |                                                                                       |     | |
| |                                                        ___________________________    |     | |                                
| |     ____________________________                      |  GATES, McDONALD & COMPANY|   |     | |    ___________________________ 
| |    |     PEBSCO SECURITIES      |                     |     OF NEW YORK, INC.     |   |     | |   |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS     |
| |    |           CORP.            |                     | Common Stock: 3 Shares    |   |     | |   |     DISTRIBUTORS AGY.     |
| |____| Common Stock: 5,000 Shares |                     | -------------             |___|     | |   |      OF ALABAMA, INC.     |
| |    | -------------              |                     |                           |   |     | |___|Common Stock: 10,000 Shares|
| |    |                  Cost      |                     |                Cost       |   |     | |   |-----------                |
| |    |                  ----      |                     |                ----       |   |     | |   |               Cost        |
| |    |     PEBSCO-100%  $25,000   |                     | Gates-100%     $106,947   |   |     | |   |               ----        |
| |    |____________________________|                     |                           |   |     | |   | NFIDAI-100%    $100       |
| |                                                       |___________________________|   |     | |   |___________________________|
| |                                                                                       |     | |                                
| |                                                                                       |     | |                                
| |                                                        ___________________________    |     | |                                
| |     ____________________________                      |  GATES, McDONALD & COMPANY|   |     | |                                
| |    |          PEBSCO OF         |                     |         OF NEVADA         |   |     | |    ___________________________ 
| |    |           ALABAMA          |                     |                           |   |     | |   |    LANDMARK FINANCIAL     |
| |    |Common Stock: 100,000 Shares|                     |   Common Stock: 40 Shares |___|     | |   |        SERVICES OF        |
| |____|-------------               |                     |                           |         | |   |       NEW YORK, INC.      |
| |    |                   Cost     |                     |   Gates-100%    Cost      |         | |___|Common Stock: 10,000 Shares|
| |    |                   ----     |                     |                 ----      |         | |   |-------------              |
| |    |  PEBSCO-100%      $1,000   |                     |                 $93,750   |         | |   |               Cost        |
| |    |____________________________|                     |___________________________|         | |   |               ----        |
| |                                                                                             | |   | NFIDAI-100%    $10,100    |
| |                                                                                             | |   |___________________________|
| |                                                                                             | |                                
| |                                                                                             | |                                
| |     ____________________________                                                            | |                                
| |    |         PEBSCO OF          |                                                           | |                                
| |    |         ARKANSAS           |                                                           | |    ___________________________ 
| |    | Common Stock: 50,000 Shares|                                                           | |   |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS     |
| |____| -------------              |                                                           | |   |      SECURITIES CORP.     |
| |    |                  Cost      |                           ________________________________|_|___|Common Stock: 10,000 Shares|
| |    |                  ----      |                          |  AFFILIATE AGENCY, INC.   |    | |   |-------------              |
| |    | PEBSCO-100%      $500      |                          |                           |    | |   |               Cost        |
| |    |____________________________|                          |  Common Stock: 100 Shares |    | |   |               ----        |
| |                                                            |                           |    | |   | NFIDAI-100%   $153,000    |
| |                                                            |   NFIDAI-100%   Cost      |    | |   |___________________________|
| |                                                            |                 ----      |    | |                                
| |     ___________________________                            |                 $100      |    | |                                
| |    | PEBSCO OF MASSACHUSETTS   |                           |___________________________|    | |                                
| |    |  INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.   |                                                            | |    ___________________________ 
| |____| Common Stock: 1,000 Shares|                                                            | |   |                           |
| |    | -------------             |                                                            | |   |     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| |    |                   Cost    |                                                            | |___|        DISTRIBUTORS       |
| |    |                   ----    |                                                            |  ___|       AGENCY OF OHIO,     |
| |    | PEBSCO-100%      $1,000   |                                                            | |   |            INC.           |
| |    |___________________________|                                                            | |   |___________________________|
| |                                                                                             | |                                
| |                                                                                             | |                                












| |                                                                                             | |                                
| |     ___________________________                                                             | |    ___________________________ 
| |    |         PEBSCO OF         |                                                            | |   |                           |
| |    |         MONTANA           |                                                            | |___|     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| |____| Common Stock: 500 Shares  |                                                            |  ___|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY    |
| |    | -------------             |                                                            | |   |     OF OKLAHOMA, INC.     |
| |    |                  Cost     |                                                            | |   |___________________________|
| |    |                  ----     |                                                            | |                              
| |    | PEBSCO-100%      $500     |                                                            | |                           
| |    |___________________________|                                                            | |                           
| |                                                                                             | |                                
| |     ___________________________                                                             | |                                
| |    |         PEBSCO OF         |                                                            | |    ___________________________ 
| |    |         NEW MEXICO        |                                                            | |   |                           |
| |    |                           |                                                            | |___|    FINANCIAL HORIZONS     |
| |____|Common Stock: 1,000 Shares |                                                            |  ___|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY    |
| |    |-------------              |                                                            | |   |       OF TEXAS, INC.      |
| |    |                   Cost    |                                                            | |   |___________________________|
| |    |                   -----   |                                                            | |                                
| |    | PEBSCO-100%      $1,000   |                                                            | |                                
| |    |___________________________|                                                            | |    ___________________________ 
| |                                                                                             | |   |                           |
| |     ___________________________                                                             | |___|         AFFILIATE         |
| |____|                           |                                                            |_____|         AGENCY OF         |
|______|         PEBSCO OF         |                                                                  |         OHIO, INC.        |
       |        TEXAS, INC.        |                                                                  |                           |
       |___________________________|                                                                  |___________________________|
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
</TABLE>
                                                    
<PAGE>   61
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE                                           (right side)
<S>                     <C>                             <C>                                      
                       _______________________________________
                      |                                       |
______________________|          NATIONWIDE MUTUAL            |
______________________|        FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY         |
                      |               (FIRE)                  |
                      |_______________________________________|
________________________________________|                                                  










                                                    
____________________________________________________________________
                        |                        |                  |
           _____________|_____________           |      ____________|______________
          |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          |     |    NATIONWIDE HMO, INC.   |
          |  INVESTOR SERVICES, INC.  |          |     |         (NW HMO)          |
          |           (NEA)           |          |     | Common Stock: 100 Shares  |
   _______| Common Stock: 500 Shares  |          |_____| ------------              |
  |  _____| -------------             |          |     |               Cost        |
  | |     |               Cost        |          |     |               ----        |
  | |     | NW Corp.-     ----        |          |     | NW Corp.-                 |
  | |     | 100%          $5,000      |          |     | 100%          $14,603,732 |
  | |     |___________________________|          |     |___________________________|
  | |                                            |                   
  | |      ___________________________           |      ___________________________ 
  | |     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          |     |    INHEALTH MANAGEMENT    |
  | |     |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |          |     |       SYSTEMS, INC.       |
  | |_____|      OF ALABAMA, INC.     |          |     | Common Stock: 100 Shares  |
  | |     | Common Stock: 500 Shares  |          |_____| -------------             |
  | |     | -------------             |          |     |                           |
  | |     |               Cost        |          |     |               Cost        |
  | |     |               ----        |          |     | NW HMO        ----        |
  | |     | NEA-100%      $5,000      |          |     | INC.-100%   $25,149       |
  | |     |___________________________|          |     |___________________________|
  | |                                            |                                  
  | |      ___________________________           |      ___________________________ 
  | |     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          |     |         INHEALTH          |
  | |     |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |          |     |        AGENCY, INC.       |
  | |     |      OF MONTANA, INC.     |          |     | Common Stock: 100 Shares  |
  | |_____| Common Stock: 500 Shares  |          |_____| -------------             |
  | |     | -------------             |                |               Cost        |
  | |     |               Cost        |                | NW HMO        ----        |
  | |     |               -----       |                | INC.-99%   $116,077       |
  | |     | NEA-100%      $500        |                |___________________________|
  | |     |___________________________|          
  | |                                            
  | |      ___________________________           
  | |     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          
  | |     |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |          
  | |_____|       OF NEVADA, INC.     |          
  | |     | Common Stock:  500 Shares |          
  | |     | -------------  Cost       |          
  | |     |                ----       |          
  | |     | NEA-100%       $500       |          
  | |     |___________________________|          
  | |                                            
  | |      ___________________________           
  | |     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          
  | |     |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |          
  | |_____|        OF OHIO, INC.      |          
  | |     | Common Stock:  100 Shares |          
  | |     | -------------  Cost       |          
  | |     |                ----       |          
  | |     | NEA-91%        $5,000     |          
  | |     |___________________________|          
  | |                                            
  | |      ___________________________           
  | |     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          
  | |     |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |          
  | |_____|      OF WYOMING, INC.     |          
  | |     | Common Stock:  500 Shares |          
  | |     | -------------  Cost       |          
  | |     |                ----       |          
  | |     | NEA-100%       $500       |          
  | |     |___________________________|          
  | |                                            
  | |      ___________________________           
  | |     |                           |          
  | |     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          
  | |_____|     INVESTOR SERVICES     |          
  | |     |       OF TEXAS, INC.      |          
  | |     |                           |          
  | |     |___________________________|          









  | |                                                               
  | |      ___________________________        
  | |     |                           |       
  | |_____|      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |       
  |_______|     INVESTOR SERVICES     |       
          |      OF OKLAHOMA, INC.    |       
          |                           |       
          |___________________________|       
                                              






Subsidiary Companies     --  Solid Line
Contractual Association  --  Double Line

December 31, 1995
</TABLE>
                                    Page 2


                                    77 of 82
<PAGE>   62
Item 27.      NUMBER OF CONTRACT OWNERS

              The number of Contract Owners of Qualified and Non-Qualified
              Contracts as of February 22, 1996 was 3 and 1, respectively.

Item 28.      INDEMNIFICATION

              Provision is made in the Company's Amended Code of Regulations and
              expressly authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State
              of Ohio, for indemnification by the Company of any person who was
              or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
              threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
              whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative by reason
              of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or
              employee of the Company, against expenses, including attorneys'
              fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
              reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action,
              suit or proceeding, to the extent and under the circumstances
              permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Ohio.
              Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
              Securities Act of 1933 ("Act") may be permitted to directors,
              officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant to the
              foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed that in the
              opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
              indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
              and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
              indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
              by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
              officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful
              defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
              director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
              securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the
              opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
              precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
              question whether such indemnification by it is against public
              policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
              adjudication of such issue.

Item 29.      PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

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

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

         (b)           NATIONWIDE ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.
                             DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        POSITIONS AND OFFICES
              NAME AND BUSINESS ADDRESS                   WITH UNDERWRITER
<S>                                          <C>  
         Joseph J. Gasper                                President and Director
         One Nationwide Plaza
         Columbus, Ohio  43215
         
         D. Richard McFerson                     Chairman of the Board of Directors and
         One Nationwide Plaza                                 Chairman and
         Columbus, OH  43215                      Chief Executive Officer--Nationwide
                                                   Insurance Enterprise and Director
         Gordon E. McCutchan
         One Nationwide Plaza                       Executive Vice President-Law and
         Columbus, OH  43215                        Corporate Services and Director
         
         Robert A. Oakley                      Executive Vice President - Chief Financial
         One Nationwide Plaza                             Officer and Director
         Columbus, Ohio  43215
</TABLE>




                                    78 of 82
<PAGE>   63
         (b)           NATIONWIDE ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.
                             DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

<TABLE>
<S>                          <C>    
Robert J. Woodward           Executive Vice President - Chief Investment
One Nationwide Plaza                     Officer and Director
Columbus, Ohio 43215

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

James F. Laird, Jr.                   Vice President and General
One Nationwide Plaza                           Manager
Columbus, OH  43215

Peter J. Neckermann                         Vice President
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215

Harry S. Schermer                    Vice President - Investments
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215

Rae I. Mercer                                 Secretary
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215

William G. Goslee                             Treasurer
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, Ohio  43215
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               (c) NAME OF       NET UNDERWRITING        COMPENSATION ON
                 PRINCIPAL         DISCOUNTS AND          REDEMPTION OR       BROKERAGE
                UNDERWRITER        COMMISSIONS            ANNUITIZATION      COMMISSIONS         COMPENSATION
               ------------      ----------------        ---------------     -----------         ------------
<S>                                <C>                 <C>                   <C>                 <C>    
                 Nationwide            N/A                      N/A              N/A                 N/A
                  Advisory
                  Services,
                    Inc.
</TABLE>




                                    79 of 82
<PAGE>   64
Item 30.      LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
              Robert O. Cline
              Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company
              One Nationwide Plaza
              Columbus, OH  43216

Item 31.      MANAGEMENT SERVICES
              Not Applicable

Item 32.      UNDERTAKINGS
              The Registrant hereby undertakes to:

              (a)   file a post-effective amendment to this registration
                    statement as frequently as is necessary to ensure that the
                    audited financial statements in the registration statement
                    are never more than 16 months old for so long as payments
                    under the variable annuity contracts may be accepted;
              (b)   include either (1) as part of any application to purchase a
                    contract offered by the prospectus, a space that an
                    applicant can check to request a Statement of Additional
                    Information, or (2) a post card or similar written
                    communication affixed to or included in the prospectus that
                    the applicant can remove to send for a Statement of
                    Additional Information; and
              (c)   deliver any Statement of Additional Information and any
                    financial statements required to be made available under
                    this form promptly upon written or oral request.

   
              The Registrant hereby 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 risks assumed by the Company.
    

              The Registrant hereby represents that any contract offered by the
              prospectus and which is issued pursuant to Section 403(b) of the
              Code, is issued by the Registrant in reliance upon, and in
              compliance with, the Securities and Exchange Commission's
              no-action letter to the American Council of Life Insurance
              (publicly available November 28, 1988) which permits withdrawal
              restrictions to the extent necessary to comply with IRC Section
              403(b)(11).

                                    80 of 82
<PAGE>   65
                                   Offered by
                  Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company




                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY




                        Nationwide VA Separate Account-B

                  Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contract




                                   PROSPECTUS




                                   May 1, 1996




                                    81 of 82
<PAGE>   66
   
                                   SIGNATURES

     As required by the Securities Act of 1933, and the Investment Company Act
of 1940, the Registrant, NATIONWIDE VA SEPARATE ACCOUNT-B, certifies that it
meets the requirements of Securities Act Rule 485(b) for effectiveness of this
Registration Statement and has caused this Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf in the City of Columbus, and State of Ohio, on this 20th day of
December, 1996.

                                     NATIONWIDE VA SEPARATE ACCOUNT-B
                              ---------------------------------------------
                                             (Registrant)

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





                                           By/s/JOSEPH P. RATH
                              ---------------------------------------------
                                            Joseph P. Rath
                                          Vice President and
                                       Associate General Counsel

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 20th day of
December, 1996.
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              SIGNATURE                   TITLE
<S>                         <C>    
LEWIS J. ALPHIN                         Director
- -------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin

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

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

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

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

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

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

D. RICHARD MCFERSON         Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - Nationwide 
- -------------------------          Insurance Enterprise and Director
D. Richard McFerson

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

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

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

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

ARDEN L. SHISLER                        Director                            Attorney-in-Fact
- -------------------------
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>




                                    82 of 82
<PAGE>   67
                              POWER OF ATTORNEY


        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned as
directors and/or officers of NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, an Ohio
corporation, which has filed or will file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
various Registration Statements and amendments thereto for the registration
under said Act of Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts in connection
with the 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 and 
Nationwide Variable Account-8; 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 the
Nationwide Multiple Maturity Separate Account, and the registration of Group
Flexible Fund Retirement Contracts in connection with the Nationwide DC
Variable Account, Nationwide DCVA-II, and the 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 the Nationwide VLI Separate Account, Nationwide 
VLI Separate Account-2 and Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3 of Nationwide Life
Insurance Company, hereby constitutes and appoints D. Richard McFerson, Joseph
J. Gasper, Gordon E. McCutchan, W. Sidney Druen, and Joseph P. Rath, and each
of them with power to act without the others, his/her attorney, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for and in his/her name, place and stead,
in any and all capacities, to approve, and sign such Registration Statements
and any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix the corporate seal of
said corporation thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
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 9th day of August, 1996.

                                                                            
- -------------------------------------    -------------------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin, Director                David O. Miller, Director            
                                                                              
                                                                              
- -------------------------------------    -------------------------------------
Keith W. Eckel, Director                 C. Ray Noecker, Director             
                                                                              
                                                                              
- -------------------------------------    -------------------------------------
Willard J. Engel, Director               Robert A. Oakley, Executive Vice     
                                         President and Chief Financial Officer
                                                                              
- -------------------------------------                                         
Fred C. Finney, Director                 -------------------------------------
                                         James F. Patterson, Director         
                                                                              
- -------------------------------------                                         
Charles F. Fuellgraf, Jr., Director      -------------------------------------
                                         Arden L. Shisler, Director           
                                                                              
- -------------------------------------                                         
Joseph J. Gasper, President and Chief    -------------------------------------
Operating Officer and Director           Robert L. Stewart, Director          
                                                                              
                                                                              
- -------------------------------------    -------------------------------------
Henry S. Holloway, Chairman of the       Nancy C. Thomas, Director            
Board, Director                                                               
                                                                              
                                         -------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------    Harold W. Weihl, Director            
D. Richard McFerson, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer-Nationwide
Insurance Enterprise and Director




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