IDS LIFE OF NEW YORK ACCOUNT SBS
485BPOS, 1998-04-30
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM N-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Post-Effective Amendment No.      8         (File No. 33-45776)            [x]
                             ---------

                                     and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

 Amendment No.              9       (File No. 811-6560)                    [x]
                       ---------

                        (Check appropriate box or boxes)

                        IDS LIFE OF NEW YORK ACCOUNT SBS
                   (formerly IDS Life of New York Account SLB)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           (Exact Name of Registrant)

                     IDS Life Insurance Company of New York
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               (Name of Depositor)

20 Madison Avenue Extension, Albany, New York                          12203
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices)              (Zip Code)

Depositor's Telephone Number, including Area Code             (612) 671-4085
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                Colin M. Lancaster, IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

It  is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box) 
     [ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485 
     [x] on May 1, 1998 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485 
     [ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of Rule 485 
     [ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of Rule 485

If appropriate, check the following box:
     [ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
         previously filed post-effective amendment.
<PAGE>
                              CROSS REFERENCE SHEET

Cross reference sheet showing location in the prospectus of the information
called for by the items enumerated in Part A and B of Form N-4.

Negative answers omitted from the prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information are so indicated.
<PAGE>
                                     PART A

Item No.      Section in Prospectus

1             Cover
2             Definitions
3  (a)        Annuity and Certificate Expense
   (b)        About the Annuity
4  (a)        Condensed Financial Information
   (b)        Performance Information
   (c)        Financial Statements
5  (a)        Who Issues the Annuity
   (b)        About the Annuity
   (c)        About the Variable Account, Portfolios and Funds
   (d)        Cover
   (e)        Voting rights
   (f)        NA
   (g)        NA
6  (a)        Certificate Charges and Charges Against the Variable Account 
              Annuity and Certificate Expenses
   (b)        Surrender Charge
   (c)        Calculation
   (d)        Surrendering Your Certificate
   (e)        Investment Goals and Policies of the Portfolio and Funds
   (f)        NA
7  (a)        Buying the Certificate
   (b)        About the Variable Account, Portfolios and the Funds; 
              Transferring Your Money Between Accounts
   (c)        About the Variable Account, Portfolios and Funds; Subaccounts 
              Available for Investment
   (d)        Cover
8  (a)        Payout Options
   (b)        Retirement Date
   (c)        Payout Options
   (d)        Payout Options
   (e)        Payout Options
   (f)        Changing Ownership
9  (a)        Payment in Case of Death
   (b)        Payment in Case of Death
10 (a)        Buying the Certificate
   (b)        Settlement Value of Your Certificate
   (c)        Additional Information About the Annuity and Certificate
   (d)        Who Issues the Annuity
11 (a)        Surrendering Your Certificate; Surrender Charges
   (b)        NA
   (c)        Receiving Payment When You Request a Surrender
   (d)        NA
   (e)        Ten Day Free Look
12 (a)        Taxes
   (b)        About the Variable Account, Portfolios and Funds
   (c)        Federal Tax Information
13            NA
14            Table of contents of the Statement of Additional Information

<PAGE>
                                     PART B

Item No.      Section in Statement of Additional Information

15 (a)        Cover
   (b)        NA
16            Table of Contents
17 (a)        NA
   (b)        NA
   (c)        Who Issues the Annuity*
18 (a)        NA
   (b)        NA
   (c)        Independent Auditors
   (d)        NA
   (e)        NA
   (f)        NA
19 (a)        Distribution of the Certificates*
   (b)        Certificate charges*
20 (a)        Principal Underwriter
   (b)        Principal Underwriter
   (c)        NA
   (d)        NA
21 (a)        Performance Information
   (b)        Performance Information
22
23 (a)        Financial Statements
   (b)        Financial Statements

*Designates section in the prospectus, which is hereby incorporated by reference
in this Statement of Additional Information.
<PAGE>
   
Symphony Annuity
Prospectus/May 1, 1998
    

This prospectus describes interests in a master group flexible premium deferred
annuity (Annuity) and related certificates (Certificates) offered by IDS Life
Insurance Company of New York (IDS Life of New York). Individuals eligible to
participate in the Annuity include members of the general public. Participation
in the Annuity will be accounted for separately by the issuance of a Certificate
showing your interest in the Annuity. The Annuity is a deferred group annuity in
which purchase payments are accumulated on a fixed and/or variable basis and
which pays retirement benefits to the Certificate owner. The Annuity and related
Certificates are available for qualified and nonqualified retirement plans.

IDS Life of New York Account SBS
Group Flexible Premium Deferred Combination Fixed and Variable Annuity

Sold by:

IDS Life Insurance Company of New York
20 Madison Avenue Extension
P.O. Box 5144
Albany, NY 12205
Telephone: 800-336-3646

   
This prospectus contains the information about the variable accounts that you
should know before investing. Refer to "About the Variable Account, the
Portfolios and the Funds" in this prospectus.

This prospectus is valid only when accompanied or preceded by the prospectuses
of Greenwich Street Series Fund and the IDS Life Retirement Annuity Mutual
Funds. Please read these documents carefully and keep them for future reference.
    

These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and
Exchange Commission or any state securities commission nor has the Securities
and Exchange Commission or any state securities commission passed upon the
accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.

   
IDS Life of New York is not a bank or financial institution, and the securities
it offers are not deposits or obligations of, backed or guaranteed or endorsed
by any bank or financial institution nor are they insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other agency.
    
<PAGE>
A Statement of Additional Information (SAI) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) is available without charge by contacting IDS Life of
New York at the telephone number or address shown above.

The Table of Contents of the SAI appears on page __ of this prospectus.
<PAGE>
Definitions

Some terms used in this prospectus:

Accumulation Unit -- A measure of the value of your investment in each of the
subaccounts. Prior to the retirement date, these units are used to calculate the
value of your Certificate.

Annuitant -- The person on whose life annuity payments depend. Calculation of
annuity retirement payments depends on the annuitant's age.

Certificate Value -- The total value of your Certificate before any applicable
surrender charge and any certificate charge have been deducted.

Certificate Year -- A period of 12 months, starting on the effective date of
your Certificate and on each anniversary of the effective date.

Fixed Account -- An additional account into which you may choose to allocate
purchase payments and which is included in your certificate value. Purchase
payments allocated to the Fixed Account will earn interest at a rate guaranteed
by IDS Life of New York which will change from time to time.

Owner (You, Your) -- The person or party owning the Certificate.

Payment Year -- Each certificate year in which you make a purchase payment and
each succeeding year measured from the end of the certificate year during which
you made such a payment. For example, if you make an initial purchase payment of
$15,000 and then make a subsequent purchase payment of $10,000 during the fourth
certificate year, the sixth certificate year will be the sixth payment year with
respect to your initial purchase payment and the third payment year with respect
to your subsequent purchase payment.

Portfolios and Funds -- The Money Market Portfolio, Intermediate High Grade
Portfolio, Diversified Strategic Income Portfolio, Equity Income Portfolio,
Equity Index Portfolio, Growth & Income Portfolio, Appreciation Portfolio, Total
Return Portfolio, International Equity Portfolio and Emerging Growth Portfolio
(collectively, the Portfolios), IDS Life Special Income Fund, IDS Life Capital
Resource Fund, and IDS Life Managed Fund (collectively, the Funds). You may
choose to allocate your purchase payments to one or more of the subaccounts
investing in shares of one of these Portfolios or Funds, each of which is an
open-end investment company or a series of an open-end investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act).

Purchase Payments -- Payments made to IDS Life of New York for purchase of a
Certificate.
<PAGE>
Retirement Date -- The date on which retirement payments begin.

Surrender Charge -- A deferred sales charge that may be applied if you surrender
your Certificate.

Surrender Value -- The total value of your Certificate after any applicable
surrender charge and any certificate charge have been deducted.

   
Valuation Date -- Any normal business day, Monday through Friday, except for the
following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day,
Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and
Christmas Day.
    

Variable Account -- IDS Life of New York Account SBS, a separate account of IDS
Life of New York. Pursuant to the laws of the state of New York, assets
attributable to the Variable Account are held by IDS Life of New York in one or
more subaccounts. Each subaccount invests in a corresponding Portfolio or Fund.
The New York Money Market subaccount invests in shares of the Money Market
Portfolio; the New York Intermediate High Grade subaccount invests in shares of
the Intermediate High Grade Portfolio; the New York Diversified Strategic Income
subaccount invests in shares of the Diversified Strategic Income Portfolio; the
New York Equity Income subaccount invests in shares of the Equity Income
Portfolio; the New York Equity Index subaccount invests in shares of the Equity
Index Portfolio; the New York Growth & Income subaccount invests in shares of
the Growth & Income Portfolio; the New York Appreciation subaccount invests in
shares of the Appreciation Portfolio; the New York Total Return subaccount
invests in shares of the Total Return Portfolio; the New York International
Equity subaccount invests in shares of the International Equity Portfolio; the
New York Emerging Growth subaccount invests in shares of the Emerging Growth
Portfolio; the New York Capital Resource subaccount invests in shares of the IDS
Life Capital Resource Fund; the New York Special Income subaccount invests in
shares of the IDS Life Special Income Fund; and the New York Managed subaccount
invests in shares of the IDS Life Managed Fund.

Summary of Contents

About the Annuity

Purpose of the Annuity -- The Annuity allows you to invest in any or all of the
thirteen subaccounts of the Variable Account as well as in the Fixed Account.
Retirement payments are paid on a fixed basis (page ).

An Annuity or Certificate may be returned within 20 days after its delivery for
a full refund of the purchase payment (page ).

Who Issues the Annuity -- IDS Life of New York, a subsidiary of IDS Life
Insurance Company (IDS Life), issues the Annuity (page ).
<PAGE>
About the Variable Account of the Portfolios and Funds

Subaccounts Available for Investment -- There are thirteen separate subaccounts
of the Variable Account available for investment in addition to the Fixed
Account (page ).

The Variable Account is registered as a single unit investment trust under 
the 1940 Act (page   ).

Investment Goals and Policies of the Portfolios and Funds -- Each Portfolio and
Fund has a different investment policy. The Money Market Portfolio invests in
high-quality short-term money market instruments. The Intermediate High Grade
Portfolio invests in high-quality intermediate-term U.S. government securities
and corporate bonds of U.S. issuers. The Diversified Strategic Income Portfolio
invests primarily in three types of fixed-income securities -- U.S. government
and mortgage-related securities, foreign government securities and corporate
securities rated below investment grade. The Equity Income Portfolio invests
primarily in dividend-paying common stocks, concentrating in securities of
companies in the utility industry. The Equity Index Portfolio invests in the
common stocks of the companies represented in Standard & Poor's 500 Composite
Stock Price Index (S&P 500). The Growth & Income Portfolio invests in
dividend-paying equity securities meeting certain specified investment criteria.
The Appreciation Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities. The Total
Return Portfolio invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of dividend-paying
common stocks. The International Equity Portfolio invests at least 65 percent of
its assets in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of established
non-U.S. issuers. The Emerging Growth Portfolio invests at least 65 percent of
its total assets in common stocks of small and medium-sized companies, both
domestic and foreign, considered to be emerging growth companies. The IDS Life
Capital Resource Fund invests primarily in U.S. common stocks and other
securities convertible into common stock, diversified over many different
companies in a variety of industries. The IDS Life Special Income Fund invests
primarily in high-quality, lower-risk corporate bonds issued by many different
companies in a variety of industries, and in government bonds. The IDS Life
Managed Fund invests primarily in U.S. common stocks listed on national
securities exchanges, securities convertible into common stock, warrants, fixed
income securities (primarily high-quality corporate bonds) and money market
instruments (page ).

Using the Annuity and Certificates

Buying the Certificate -- Applications are subject to acceptance at IDS Life of
New York's home office in Albany (page ).

IRAs and Other Qualified Plans -- Certificates may be issued in connection with
IRAs, Tax-sheltered Annuities (TSAs) under 403(b) plans, 401(k) plans and other
qualified plans as well as in connection with nonqualified retirement plans
(page ).
<PAGE>
Purchase Payments -- You must make an initial lump sum purchase payment for the
Certificate and you may make additional purchase payments. The initial purchase
payment must be at least $5,000 for nonqualified Certificates and at least $500
for qualified Certificates. After making the initial purchase payment, you may
make additional payments of at least $500 for nonqualified Certificates and at
least $50 for qualified Certificates. Additional purchase payments can be mailed
directly to IDS Life of New York. The maximum total purchase payments for your
Certificate is $1,000,000. IDS Life of New York reserves the right to increase
this maximum amount on a uniform basis for all Certificate owners in a class
(page ).

   
Your purchase payments also may be allocated to the Fixed Account and/or to the
subaccount(s) you choose. For nonqualified Certificates, the minimum value of
your investment in a subaccount or in the Fixed Account is $500. This $500
minimum value does not apply to qualified Certificates (page ).
    

Transferring Your Money Between Accounts -- Until the retirement date, you can
give us written or telephone instructions to redistribute your investment among
the thirteen subaccounts of the Variable Account. There are some restrictions on
transferring to or from the Fixed Account. Transfers must be for at least $500
or, if less, your entire balance in the subaccount unless you establish
automated transfers of certificate values (page ).

You may establish automated transfers of certificate values between the
subaccounts and/or the Fixed Account. The minimum automated transfer amount is
$100. This service is subject to restrictions (page 16).

Certificate Charges and Charges Against the Variable Account -- IDS Life of New
York charges your Certificate $30 per year for administrative services (page ).

IDS Life of New York charges the subaccounts of the Variable Account a daily
asset charge at an effective annual rate of 0.25 percent of the daily net asset
value of the subaccounts for administrative and operating expenses related to
the subaccounts (page ).

IDS Life of New York charges the subaccounts of the Variable Account a daily
mortality and expense risk fee at an effective annual rate of 1.25 percent of
the daily net asset value of the subaccounts (page ).

A surrender charge applies if you make a full or partial surrender of your
certificate value during the first six payment years following a purchase
payment. The surrender charge starts at 6 percent of a purchase payment in the
first payment year and is reduced by 1 percent each payment year thereafter.
There is no surrender charge after six payment years. In addition, there is no
surrender charge when certificate values are applied to a retirement payment
plan or for a death benefit. After the first certificate year, each year you may
surrender up to 10 percent of your certificate value on your prior certificate
anniversary without incurring a surrender charge. There also is no surrender
charge after the first certificate year on certificate earnings, as defined
herein (page ).
<PAGE>
The above charges will not increase during the term of the Certificate. For some
sales, certain administrative and surrender charges may be reduced or eliminated
altogether (page ).

Surrendering Your Certificate -- You may surrender all or part of your
Certificate's value at any time before the retirement date. You will pay income
tax on the taxable part of your surrender and a 10 percent IRS penalty tax may
apply. In addition, income tax withholding at the rate of 20 percent may be
imposed on surrenders from Certificates purchased under certain qualified plans
(page ).

The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) imposes restrictions on
your right to receive a distribution from a TSA (page ).

You may establish systematic withdrawals of up to 10 percent of the certificate
value at the beginning of the certificate year. Systematic withdrawals may be
made in one of three ways (page ).

A partial surrender must be for at least $500. You cannot make a surrender that
would reduce the value of your investment in a subaccount or in the Fixed
Account to less than $500 unless the value of your investment in a subaccount or
in the Fixed Account is fully withdrawn (page ).

IDS Life of New York may ask you to return the Certificate if you make a
complete surrender (page ).

Payment usually will be mailed within seven days after IDS Life of New York
receives your surrender request (page ).

Payment  in Case of  Death  before  Retirement  Payments  Begin  -- Prior to the
retirement  date,  if  you  or  the  annuitant  die  before  the  initial  fifth
certificate  anniversary,  the  beneficiary  will be paid the greater of: 1) the
certificate value; or 2) the amount of purchase payments (minus any surrenders).
On or after the initial fifth certificate anniversary, and each subsequent fifth
certificate  anniversary,  the  beneficiary  will be paid the greater of: 1) the
certificate value; or 2) a minimum guaranteed death benefit which equals: a) the
death benefit calculated as of the previous fifth certificate anniversary;  plus
b) any purchase payments made since the previous fifth certificate  anniversary;
minus c) any surrenders since the previous fifth  certificate  anniversary (page
).

In most cases, your spouse may keep the Certificate in force (page ).

Beneficiaries will receive payment in a single lump sum or may request that
payments be made under one of the retirement payment plans IDS Life of New York
offers (page ).

Settlement Value of Your Certificate -- The amount available on the retirement
date to apply to a retirement payment plan equals the then current certificate
value (page ).
<PAGE>
IDS Life of New York calculates retirement payments due based on the certificate
value on the retirement date. Payments are made on a fixed basis (page ).

Payout Options at Retirement -- At retirement, you may choose one of five
payment plans or make other arrangements. If you do not choose one of the five
payment plans, IDS Life of New York will make payments under Plan B with 120
monthly payments guaranteed (page ).

If you purchased your Certificate in connection with a qualified plan, the
payment schedule must meet the requirements of that plan (page ).

If monthly payments would be less than $50, IDS Life of New York reserves the
right to reduce the frequency of the retirement payments or to pay the
certificate value in one lump sum payment (page ).

If you or the annuitant die after retirement payments begin, any amount payable
will be as provided in the retirement payment plan in effect (page ).

Changing Ownership -- You may change ownership of your Certificate by filing a
change of ownership form with IDS Life of New York. Certain restrictions apply
concerning transfer of ownership of a qualified Certificate, and certain
transfers of nonqualified Certificates may have adverse federal income tax
consequences (page ).

Federal Tax Information -- According to current interpretations of federal
income tax law, there is no federal income tax on any increase in the
Certificate's value until payments are made. Consult your tax advisor (page ).

If you surrender your Certificate or if retirement payments begin, you will be
taxed on the amount that exceeds your investment in the Certificate. Under
certain circumstances, if you surrender all or part of your Certificate or if
retirement payments begin before you reach age 59-1/2, a 10 percent IRS penalty
tax may apply. In addition, 20 percent income tax withholding may be imposed on
distributions from Certificates purchased to fund qualified plans including
401(k) plans and TSAs (but not IRAs) (page ).

Additional Information about the Annuity and Certificates

Accumulation Units -- When your purchase payments are allocated to a subaccount,
they will be converted into accumulation units. The accumulation unit value
increases or decreases with the performance of the relevant Portfolio (page ).

   
About the Portfolios and Funds -- As Certificate owner, you have voting rights
in the Greenwich Street Series Fund and its Portfolios and in the Funds. IDS
Life of New York may, in its discretion, substitute investments in shares of the
Portfolios and Funds with shares of other registered investment companies under
certain conditions (page ).
    
<PAGE>
Information on the Fixed Account of the Annuity -- The Annuity also allows you
to allocate purchase payments to a Fixed Account where they will earn interest
at a rate guaranteed by IDS Life of New York, which will change from time to
time. Subject to restrictions, you may transfer certificate values from the
Fixed Account to the subaccounts and you may establish automated transfers of
certificate values between the Fixed Account and the subaccounts. Automated
transfers from the Fixed Account may not exceed an amount that, if continued,
would deplete the Fixed Account within 12 months. This prospectus applies only
to the variable features of the Annuity. Information about the Fixed Account is
found on page .

Annuity and Certificate Expenses

   
The following information is presented to help you understand the various costs
and expenses that you bear directly or indirectly as the owner of a Certificate.
The information shows the expenses of the Variable Account as well as the
expenses of the underlying Portfolios and Funds. For more information about
charges, see page __.
    

Annual Certificate Charges
- --------------------------- -------------------------- ------------------------

Surrender Charge                  Payment Year                Percentage

(Contingent Deferred                    1                           6%
Sales Charge as a                       2                           5
percentage of purchase                  3                           4
payments)                               4                           3
                                        5                           2
                                        6                           1
                                   7 and later                      0

Annual Certificate Administrative Charge    $30

Annual Variable Account Charges
Variable Account Administrative Charge
(as a percentage of daily net asset value).................................0.25%

Mortality and Expense Risk Fee
(as a percentage of daily net asset value).................................1.25%
Total Variable Account Annual Expenses.....................................1.50%
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Operating Expenses of the Portfolios and Funds
(as a percentage of average daily net assets)

                                Inter-     Diversified                                             Inter-
                       Money    mediate    Strategic Equity  Equity Growth                Total    national Emerging
                       Market   High Grade Income    Income  Index  & Income  AppreciationReturn   Equity   Growth
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                   <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>     <C>    <C>       <C>         <C>      <C>      <C>
   
Management fees          .50%     .60%       .65%      .65%    .21%   .64%      .75%        .75%    1.05%     .95%
Other Expenses           .70      .35        .13       .12     .55    .12       .05         .04      .26      .31
                       ==============================================================================================
Total Operating         1.20%     .95%       .78%      .77%    .76%   .77%      .80%        .79%    1.31%    1.26%
Expenses of
Portfolios #
                       ==============================================================================================
</TABLE>    
Example*
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming (1)
5-percent annual return and (2) surrender at the end of each time period:
<TABLE>
<S>                    <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>    <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>      <C>
   
1 year                  $ 88.12  $ 85.55    $ 83.81   $ 83.71  $83.61  83.71   $ 84.02     $ 83.91  $ 89.24  $ 83.73
3 years                  126.21   118.55     113.32    113.01  112.70 113.01    113.94      113.63   129.56   128.04
5 years                  166.87   154.17     145.46    144.94  144.43 144.94    146.48      145.97   172.41   169.90
10 years                 310.53   288.56     268.22    267.19  266.16 267.19    270.28      269.25   321.32   316.43
    

You would pay the following expenses on the same investment assuming no
surrender or selection of a retirement payment plan at the end of each period:
   
1 year                  $ 28.12  $ 25.55    $ 23.81   $ 23.71 $ 23.61 $ 23.71   $ 24.02     $ 23.91  $ 29.24  $ 28.73
3 years                   86.21    78.55      73.32     73.01   72.70   73.01     73.94       73.63    89.56    88.04
5 years                  146.87   134.17     125.46    124.94  124.43  124.94    126.48      125.97   152.41   149.90
10 years                 310.53   285.56     268.22    267.19  266.16  267.19    270.28      269.25   321.32   316.43
</TABLE>
This example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses. Actual expenses may be more or less than those shown.


*  In this example, the $30 annual certificate administrative charge is
   approximated as a .043 percent charge based on the average Certificate size.

#  Annualized operating expenses of underlying portfolios at Dec. 31, 1997.
    
<PAGE>
   
                       IDS Life    IDS Life
                       Capital     Special    IDS Life
                       Resource    Income     Managed
- ---------------------------------------------------------
Management fees         0.60%       0.60%      0.59%
Other Expenses          0.07        0.07       0.05
                       ==================================
Total Operating         0.67%       0.67%      0.64%
Expenses of Funds #
                       ==================================
    

Example*

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming (1)
5-percent annual return and (2) surrender at the end of each time period:

   
1 year                   $ 82.68     $ 82.68    $ 82.38
3 years                   109.93      109.93     109.00
5 years                   139.78      139.78     138.23
10 years                  256.85      256.85     253.72
    

You would pay the following expenses on the same investment assuming no
surrender or selection of a retirement payment plan at the end of each time
period.

   
1 year                   $ 22.68     $ 22.68    $ 22.38
3 years                    69.93       69.93      69.00
5 years                   119.78      119.78     118.23
10 years                  256.85      256.85     253.72
    

This example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses. Actual expenses may be more or less than those shown.

   
*  In this example, the$30 annual certificate administrative charge is
   approximated as a .043 percent charge based on the average Certificate size.

#  Annualized operating expenses of underlying
   Mutual Funds at Dec. 31, 1997.
    
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
Condensed Financial Information (Unaudited)

The following table gives per-unit  information  about the financial  history of
each subaccount.

Year ended Dec. 31,
                                         1997        1996        1995        1994        1993

Subaccount BMO (Investing in shares of Money Market Portfolio)*

<S>                                     <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>  
Accumulation unit                       $1.10       $1.07       $1.03       $1.01       $1.00
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value                 $1.13       $1.10       $1.07       $1.03       $1.01
at end of period

Number of accumulation                    460         343         395         539         450
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating                      1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%
expense to average
net assets

Simple yield                            3.05%       2.52%       2.75%       2.14%        .70%

Compound yield                          3.09%       2.55%       2.79%       2.16%        .70%


Subaccount BIH (Investing in shares of Intermediate High Grade Portfolio)*

Accumulation unit                       $1.14       $1.14       $0.98       $1.03       $1.00
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value                 $1.22       $1.14       $1.14       $0.98       $1.03
at end of period

Number of accumulation                  1,684       1,324       1,390         734         733
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating                      1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%
expense to average
net assets


Subaccount BDS (Investing in shares of Diversified Strategic Income Portfolio)*

Accumulation unit                       $1.28       $1.16       $1.02       $1.06       $1.00
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value                 $1.36       $1.28       $1.16       $1.02       $1.06
at end of period

Number of accumulation                  1,841       2,397       2,704       2,866       2,055
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating                      1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%
expense to average
net assets


Subaccount BEM (Investing in shares of Equity Income Portfolio)*

Accumulation unit                       $1.23       $1.18       $0.90       $1.02       $1.00
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value                 $1.50       $1.23       $1.18       $0.90       $1.02
at end of period

Number of accumulation                  1,115       1,410       1,677       1,926       1,561
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating                      1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%
expense to average
net assets


Subaccount BEX (Investing in shares of Equity Index Porfolio)*

Accumulation unit                       $1.64       $1.37       $1.02       $1.03       $1.00
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value                 $2.14       $1.64       $1.37       $1.02       $1.03
at end of period

Number of accumulation                  1,247       1,208       1,249       1,274       1,128
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating                      1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%
expense to average
net assets


Subaccount BGI (Investing in shares of Growth and Income Porfolio)*

Accumulation unit                       $1.52       $1.29       $1.00       $1.05       $1.00
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value                 $1.84       $1.52       $1.29       $1.00       $1.05
at end of period

Number of accumulation                  1,709       1,764       1,819       1,820       1,335
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ration of operating                     1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%
expense to average
net assets


Subaccount BAP (Investing in shares of Appreciation Portfolio)*

Accumulation unit                       $1.51       $1.28       $1.01       $1.03       $1.00
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value                 $1.88       $1.51       $1.28       $1.01       $1.03
at end of period

Number of accumulation                  3,082       3,249       3,536       3,267       2,093
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating                      1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%
expense to average
net assets


Subaccount BTR (Investing in shares of Total Return Portfolio)**

Accumulation unit                       $1.66       $1.34       $1.09       $1.03       $1.00
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value                 $1.91       $1.66       $1.34       $1.09       $1.03
at end of period

Number of accumulation                  1,430       1,396       1,401         975         211
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating                      1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%
expense to average
net assets


Subaccount BIE (Investing in shares of International Equity Portofolio)**

Accumulation unit                       $1.16       $0.97       $0.91       $1.00       $1.00
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value                 $1.12       $1.16       $0.97       $0.91       $1.00
at end of period

Number of accumulation                  1,227       1,430       1,467       1,872         315
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ration of operating                     1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%
expense to average
net assets


Subaccount BEG (Investing in shares of Emerging Growth Portfolio)**

Accumulation unit                       $1.55       $1.33       $0.95       $1.04       $1.00
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value                 $1.85       $1.55       $1.33       $0.95       $1.04
at end of period

Number of accumulation                    582         635         727         706         148
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating                      1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%
expense to average
net assets


Subaccount BCR (Investing in shares of IDS Life Capital Resource Fund)***

Accumulation unit                       $1.20       $1.13       $1.01       $1.00         --
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value                 $1.47       $1.20       $1.13       $1.01         --
at end of period

Number of accumulation                     13          13           0           0         --
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating                      1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%         --
expense to average
net assets


Subaccount BSI (Investing in shares of IDS Life Special Income Fund)***

Accumulation unit                       $1.09       $1.12       $0.99       $1.00         --
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value                 $1.12       $1.09       $1.12       $0.99         --
at end of period

Number of accumulation                     13           0           0           0         --
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating                      1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%         --
expense to average
net assets


Subaccount BMG (Investing in shares of IDS Life Managed Fund)***

Accumulation unit                       $1.39       $1.21       $0.99       $1.00         --
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value                 $1.64       $1.39       $1.21       $0.99         --
at end of period

Number of accumulation                      0          12           0           0         --
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating                      1.50%       1.50%       1.50%       1.50%         --
expense to average
net assets


* Operations commenced on March 15, 1993.
** Operations commenced on Dec.2, 1993.
***Operations commenced on Nov. 28, 1994.  BCR, BSI, and BMG had no activity in 
1995. BSI had no activity in 1996.
    
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Financial Statements
   
Complete financial statements of the Variable Account including audited
individual and combined statements of net assets as of Dec. 31, 1997, and the
related statements of operations for the year then ended, and the statements of
changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, are
presented in the SAI dated May 1, 1998. The audited financial statements of IDS
Life Insurance Company of New York including balance sheets as of Dec. 31, 1997,
and 1996, and related statements of income, stockholder's equity and cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended Dec. 31, 1997 also are presented
in the SAI.
    

Performance Information

Yield

Performance information for the subaccounts of the Variable Account, including
the simple yield and effective yield for the New York Money Market subaccount,
and yield and total return for the remaining subaccounts, may appear from time
to time in advertisements or sales literature.

The simple yield of the New York Money Market subaccount is based on income
received by a hypothetical investment over a given seven-day period (less
expenses accrued during the period), and then "annualized" by assuming that the
seven-day yield would be received for 52 weeks and is stated in terms of an
annual percentage return on the investment. The effective yield of the New York
Money Market subaccount is calculated in a manner similar to that used to
calculate simple yield. However, when annualized, the income earned by the
investment is assumed to be reinvested.

The effective yield will be slightly higher than the simple yield due to the
compounding effect of this assumed reinvestment.

Yield quotations for remaining subaccounts are based on all investment income
per accumulation unit earned during a given 30-day period, less expenses accrued
during the period (net investment income). Yield quotations are computed by
dividing this net investment income by the value of an accumulation unit on the
last day of the period.

Average Annual Total Return

Average annual total return quotations will be expressed in terms of the average
annual compounded rate of return of a hypothetical investment in a Certificate
over a period of one, five and 10 years (or, if less, up to the life of the
subaccount). The average annual total return quotations will reflect the
deduction of all applicable charges including the administrative charge, the
Variable Account administrative charge and the mortality and expense risk fee.
Quotations will be made that reflect the deduction of the applicable surrender
charge (assuming a surrender at the end of the illustrated period). Additional
average annual total return quotations may be made that do not reflect a
surrender charge
<PAGE>
deduction (assuming no surrender at the end of the illustrated period). A
subaccount also may use aggregate total return figures for various periods,
representing the cumulative change in the value of an investment in the
subaccount for the specific period (again reflecting changes in a subaccount's
accumulation unit value. The calculation assumes reinvestment of investment
earnings and reflects the deduction of all applicable charges, including the
contract administrative charge, mortality and expense fee, variable account
administrative charge and surrender charge, assuming a surrender at the end of
the illustrated period. Optional aggregate total return quotations may be made
that do not reflect a surrender charge deduction (assuming no surrender).
Aggregate total returns may be shown by means of schedules, charts or graphs.

Performance information reflects only the performance of a hypothetical
investment in the subaccount during the particular time period on which the
calculations are based. Performance information should be considered in light of
the investment objectives and policies, characteristics and quality of the
Portfolio of the Fund in which the subaccount invests, and the market conditions
during the given time period and is not intended to indicate future performance.
Advertised yields and total return figures for the subaccounts include all
charges attributable to the Certificate which have the effect of decreasing the
advertised performance of a subaccount. For this reason, performance information
for a subaccount should not be compared to that for mutual funds that sell their
shares directly to the public. See the SAI for a description of the methods used
to determine yield and total return information for the subaccounts.

About the Annuity

Purpose of the Annuity

The goal of the Annuity is to allow you, the Certificate owner, to build up
funds for retirement. You do this by investing in any one or more of thirteen
subaccounts of the Variable Account or in the Fixed Account. Each subaccount
invests only in shares of a single Portfolio or Fund. You can direct payments to
go to anyone, but you will still be taxed on the income as owner. You can choose
from a variety of retirement payment plans.

The Annuity is a variable annuity. A variable annuity differs from a fixed
annuity in that during the accumulation period, the certificate value may vary
from day to day. You assume the risk of gain or loss according to the
performance of your investment. There is no guarantee that your Certificate's
value at the retirement date will equal or exceed the total of your purchase
payments. Read this prospectus carefully to decide if a variable annuity will
help meet your retirement goals. You also must read the accompanying separate
prospectuses describing the Portfolios and the Funds to help you decide on the
best investments for your needs. Keep these prospectuses for future reference.
<PAGE>
An Annuity or Certificate may be returned within 20 days after its delivery for
a full refund of the purchase payment. Return it to your Smith Barney Financial
Consultant or mail it to IDS Life of New York's home office at the address on
the cover page of this prospectus. No fees or charges will be deducted.

Who Issues the Annuity

IDS Life Insurance Company of New York issues the Annuity. IDS Life of New York
is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IDS Life, which itself is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of American Express Financial Corporation. American Express Financial
Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the American Express Company.
American Express Company is a financial services company principally engaged
through subsidiaries (in addition to American Express Financial Corporation) in
travel related services, international banking services, financial services and
portfolio management advice.

IDS Life of New York is a stock life insurance company organized in 1972 under
the laws of the State of New York. Its home office is at 20 Madison Avenue
Extension, Albany, New York and its mailing address is P.O. Box 5144, Albany, NY
12205. IDS Life of New York is licensed in New York and North Dakota and it
conducts a conventional life insurance business in the State of New York.

   
Smith Barney Inc., a Delaware  corporation,  is the principal underwriter of the
Variable Account.  Its home office is 388 Greenwich  Street,  New York, New York
10013. Smith Barney Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Smith Barney (Holdings)
and an indirect wholly-owned  subsidiary of Travelers Group Inc. Travelers Group
Inc. is a diversified  financial services holding company principally engaged in
the business of  providing  investment,  including  asset  management,  consumer
finances and insurance services.
    

About the Variable Account, the Portfolios and the Funds

Subaccounts Available for Investment

You may choose to invest your purchase payments in any or all of thirteen
subaccounts or in the Fixed Account. Each of the subaccounts invests only in a
single Portfolio or Fund:

o        The New York Money Market subaccount (BMO) invests in shares of the 
         Money Market Portfolio;

o        The New York Intermediate High Grade subaccount (BIH) invests in 
         shares of the Intermediate High Grade Portfolio;

o        The New York Diversified Strategic Income subaccount (BDS) invests in 
         shares of the Diversified Strategic Income Portfolio;

o        The New York Equity Income subaccount (BEM) invests in shares of the 
         Equity Income Portfolio;
<PAGE>
o        The New York Equity Index subaccount (BEX) invests in shares of the 
         Equity Index Portfolio;

o        The New York Growth & Income subaccount (BGI) invests in shares of the
         Growth & Income Portfolio;

o        The New York Appreciation subaccount (BAP) invests in shares of the 
         Appreciation Portfolio;

o        The New York Total Return subaccount (BTR) invests in shares of the 
         Total Return Portfolio;

o        The New York International Equity subaccount (BIE) invests in shares 
         of the International Equity Portfolio; and

o        The New York Emerging Growth subaccount (BEG) invests in the shares of
         the Emerging Growth Portfolio.

o        The New York Capital Resource subaccount (BCR) invests in shares of the
         IDS Life Capital Resource Fund.

o        The New York Special Income subaccount (BSI) invests in shares of the
         IDS Life Special Income Fund.

o        The New York Managed subaccount (BMG) invests in shares of the IDS Life
         Managed Fund.

Income, capital gains and capital losses of each subaccount are credited or
charged to that subaccount alone. No subaccount will be charged with liabilities
or expenses of any other subaccount or of IDS Life of New York's general
business. All obligations arising under the certificates are general obligations
of IDS Life of New York.

The Variable Account was established on October 8, 1991 under New York law. On
Oct. 14, 1993 the name of the Variable Account was changed from IDS Life of New
York Account SLB to IDS Life of New York Account SBS. The Variable Account is
registered as a single unit investment trust under the 1940 Act. The Variable
Account meets the definition of a separate account under the federal securities
laws. This registration does not involve any supervision by the SEC of IDS Life
of New York's management or investment practices and policies.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued final regulations relating to the
diversification requirements under section 817(h) of the Code. Each Portfolio
and Fund intends to comply with those diversification requirements. See the
accompanying prospectuses for further tax information regarding the Portfolios
and Funds.
<PAGE>
The U.S. Treasury and the IRS have been developing a revenue ruling concerning
investment control. The ruling may address the number of subaccounts offered
under an annuity and the number of exchanges among the subaccounts that would be
allowed before an Annuity or Certificate owner would be considered to have
investment control and thus would be currently taxed on the income earned on the
underlying portfolio assets. This issue is still being studied by the IRS and
the timing of further action is unknown. IDS Life of New York reserves the right
to modify the Annuity and related Certificates, as necessary, to prevent the
Annuity or Certificate owner from being currently taxed as the owner of the
underlying assets of the Variable Account for federal income tax purposes.

IDS Life of New York intends to comply with all U.S. Treasury guidance to insure
that the Annuity continues to qualify as an annuity for federal income tax
purposes.

Investment Goals and Policies of the Portfolios and Funds

The investment goals of the Portfolios and Funds are as follows:

The Money Market Portfolio's goal is maximum current income to the extent
consistent with the preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity. In
seeking to achieve its goal, the Portfolio will invest in short-term money
market instruments deemed to present minimal credit risks and considered to be
"Eligible Securities" as defined by the SEC.

The Intermediate High Grade Portfolio's goal is to provide as high a level of
current income as is consistent with the protection of capital. In seeking to
achieve its goal, the Portfolio will invest, under normal market conditions,
substantially all, but not less than 65 percent, of its assets in U.S.
government securities and in high-grade corporate bonds of U.S. issuers (i.e.,
bonds rated within the two highest rating categories by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or, if not rated, bonds
believed to be of comparable quality).

   
The Diversified Strategic Income Portfolio's goal is high current income. In
seeking to achieve its goal, the Portfolio will allocate and reallocate its
assets primarily among three types of fixed-income securities -- U.S. government
and mortgage-related securities, foreign government securities and corporate
securities rated below investment grade (commonly known as junk bonds). See the
section of the Greenwich Street Series Fund's prospectus entitled "Medium-,
Lower- and Unrated Securities" for further information on these bonds.
    

The Equity Income Portfolio's primary goal is current income. Long-term capital
appreciation is a secondary goal. In seeking to achieve its goals, the Portfolio
will invest principally in dividend-paying common stocks of companies whose
prospects for dividend growth and capital appreciation are considered favorable,
concentrating at least 25 percent of its assets in the utility industry.
<PAGE>
The Equity Index Portfolio's goal is to provide investment results that, before
deduction of operating expenses, match the price and yield performance of U.S.
publicly traded common stocks, as measured by the S&P 500. Once the Portfolio
reaches a sufficient asset size, it will seek to achieve its goal by owning all
500 stocks in the S&P 500 in proportion to their actual market capitalization
weightings.

The Growth & Income Portfolio's goal is income and long-term capital growth. In
seeking to achieve its goal, the Portfolio will invest in income-producing
equity securities, including dividend-paying common stocks, securities that are
convertible into common stocks and warrants meeting certain specified investment
criteria.

The Appreciation Portfolio's goal is long-term appreciation of capital. In
seeking to achieve its goal, the Portfolio will invest primarily in equity and
equity-related securities that are believed to afford attractive opportunities
for appreciation.

The Total Return Portfolio's goal is to provide shareholders with total return,
consisting of long-term capital appreciation and income. In seeking to achieve
its goal, the Portfolio will primarily invest in a diversified portfolio of
dividend-paying common stocks.

The International Equity Portfolio's goal is to provide a total return on its
assets from growth of capital and income. In seeking to achieve its goal, under
normal market conditions the Portfolio will invest at least 65 percent of its
assets in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of established non-United
States issuers.

The Emerging Growth Portfolio's goal is to provide capital appreciation. In
seeking to achieve its goal, the Portfolio will invest at least 65 percent of
its total assets in common stocks of small and medium-sized companies, both
domestic and foreign, in the early stages of their life cycle, that its
investment adviser believes have the potential to become major enterprises.

The IDS Life Capital Resource Fund's goal is capital appreciation. In seeking to
achieve its goal, the Fund will invest primarily in U.S. common stocks and other
securities convertible into common stock, diversified over many different
companies in a variety of industries.

The IDS Life Special Income Fund's goal is to provide a high level of current
income while conserving the value of the investment for the longest period of
time. In seeking to achieve its goal, the Fund will invest primarily in
high-quality, lower-risk corporate bonds issued by many different companies in a
variety of industries, and in government bonds.

The IDS Life Managed Fund's goal is maximum total investment return. In seeking
to achieve its goal, the Fund will invest primarily in U.S. common stocks,
securities convertible into common stock, warrants, fixed income securities
(primarily high-quality corporate bonds) and money market instruments. The Fund
invests in many different companies in a variety of industries.
<PAGE>
There is no guarantee that the Portfolios and Funds will meet their investment
goals. Whether they achieve their goals depends on a number of factors including
their managements' ability to manage the risks of changing economic conditions.

The organizations that perform services for the Portfolios and Funds are listed
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name                                                   Service
<S>                                                    <C>
Van Kampen American Capital Asset Management, Inc.     Investment Adviser to the Emerging Growth Portfolio

American Express Financial Corporation                 Investment Advisor to IDS Life Capital Resource,
                                                       IDS Life Special Income and IDS Life Managed Funds

IDS Life Insurance Company                             Investment Manager to IDS Life Capital Resource,
                                                       IDS Life Special Income and IDS Life Managed Funds

Smith Barney Global Capital Management, Inc.           Sub-Investment Adviser to the Diversified Strategic
                                                       Income Portfolio

   
Mutual Management Corp. (MMC)                          Investment Adviser to the Money Market Portfolio,
                                                       the Intermediate High Grade Portfolio, the
                                                       Diversified Strategic Income Portfolio, the Equity
                                                       Income Portfolio, the Growth & Income Portfolio,
                                                       the Appreciation Portfolio, the Total Return
                                                       Portfolio and the International Equity Portfolio
                                                       and Administrator to each Portfolio
    

Travelers Investment Management Company                Investment Adviser to the Equity Index Portfolio

   
Davis Skaggs Investment Management, a division of MMC  Investment Adviser to the Total Return Portfolio
    

PNC Bank, National Association                         Custodian to all Portfolios except International
                                                       Equity Portfolio and Diversified Strategic Income
                                                       Portfolio

The Chase Manhattan Bank                               Custodian to International Equity Portfolio and
                                                       Diversified Strategic Income Portfolio

American Express Trust Company                         Custodian to the Funds

Morgan Stanley Trust Company                           Subcustodian to the Funds

First Data Investor Services Group, Inc.               Transfer and Dividend paying Agent

Smith Barney Inc.                                      Distributor
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
   
Detailed information about each Portfolio and Fund, including the risks related
to investing in them is in the separate prospectuses. For prospectuses, please
refer to the accompanying prospectuses or contact your Smith Barney financial
consultant or IDS Life Insurance Company of New York at 800-336-3646. You should
read the Portfolio and Fund prospectuses and consider carefully, and on a
continuing basis, which Portfolio or Fund, or combination of them is best suited
to your long-term investment needs. There is no assurance that the investment
objectives of the Portfolios and Funds will be attained nor is there any
guarantee that the certificate value will equal or exceed the total purchase
payments made. Some Portfolios and Funds may involve more risk than others --
please monitor your investments accordingly. There are deductions from, and fees
and expenses paid out of, the assets of the Portfolios and Funds that are
described in these prospectuses.
    

All funds are available to serve as the underlying investment for variable
annuities, and some funds are available to serve as the underlying investment
for variable annuities and variable life insurance contracts and qualified
plans. It is conceivable that in the future it may be disadvantageous for
variable annuity separate accounts, variable life insurance separate accounts
and/or qualified plans to invest in the available funds simultaneously. Although
IDS Life of New York and the funds do not currently foresee any such
disadvantages, the boards of directors or trustees of the appropriate funds will
monitor events in order to identify any material conflicts between such contract
owners, policyowners and qualified plans to determine what action, if any,
should be taken in response to a conflict. If a board were to conclude that
separate funds should be established for variable life insurance, variable
annuities and qualified plan separate accounts, the variable contract holders
would not bear any expenses associated with establishing separate funds. Please
refer to the fund prospectuses for risk disclosure regarding mixed and shared
funding.

Using the Annuity and Certificate

Buying the Certificate

Your Smith Barney Financial Consultant will help you prepare your application,
which will be sent with your purchase payment to IDS Life of New York's home
office in Albany. If your application is complete, IDS Life of New York will
apply your payment as of the next close of business after it is received at IDS
Life of New York's home office. If IDS Life of New York cannot accept your
application within five business days, it will be declined and your payment will
be returned to you.

When IDS Life of New York accepts your application, a Certificate will be sent
to you. Please remember that investment performance, expenses and deduction of
certain charges affect accumulation unit value.
<PAGE>
   
When you apply for the Certificate, you can select the Fixed Account and/or the
subaccount(s) in which you wish to invest and the amounts to be allocated to
each. You also select how you wish to make purchase payments. Your purchase
payments will be allocated to the Fixed Account and/or the subaccount(s)
according to your election as of the next close of business after your payment
is received at IDS Life of New York's home office in Albany.
    

IDS Life of New York reserves the right to impose a maximum issue age for
nonqualified Certificates of age 75 and a maximum issue age for qualified
Certificates of age 65.

Ownership -- As owner, you have all rights and may receive all benefits under
the Certificate. The Certificate can be owned in joint tenancy only in spousal
situations.

Retirement Date -- A retirement date is established when you apply for the
Certificate. If you need to change it, send written instructions to IDS Life of
New York's home office at least 30 days before you wish the change to become
effective.

For nonqualified Certificates, the retirement date cannot be later than the
annuitant's 85th birthday or 10 years after issue, whichever is later.

If you are buying this Certificate to fund a Section 401(k) plan, custodial or
trusteed plan, IRA or TSA plan, to avoid penalty taxes retirement payments
generally must be:

o        on or after the annuitant turns 59 1/2; and
o        for IRAs, by April 1 of the year following the calendar year when the 
         annuitant reaches age 70 1/2; or
o        for all other qualified Annuities, by April 1 of the year which the
         annuitant reaches age 70 1/2 or the calendar year when the annuitant
         retires.

However, in no case can the retirement date be later than the annuitant's 85th
birthday or 10 years after issue, whichever is later.

Naming a Beneficiary -- You may name a beneficiary under your Certificate. If
the annuitant dies before the retirement date and there is no beneficiary, then
you will be the beneficiary. If you die before the retirement date and there is
no beneficiary, then your estate will be the beneficiary.

IRAs and Other Qualified Plans

The Certificate may be bought in connection with a retirement plan qualified
under Sections 401, 403 or 408 of the Code. These plans include:

o        IRAs and Simplified Employee Pension plans (SEPs);

o        Custodial and trusteed pension and profit sharing plans;
<PAGE>
o        Section 401(k) plans; and

o        Section 403(b) plans (TSAs).

Your purchase of the Certificate in connection with a qualified plan will be
subject to applicable federal law and any rules of the plan itself.

Purchase Payments

Amount of Purchase Payments -- You must make an initial lump sum purchase
payment for the Certificate and you may make additional purchase payments for
the Certificate. The initial purchase payment must be at least $5,000 for
nonqualified Certificates and at least $500 for qualified Certificates. After
making the initial purchase payment, you may make additional payments of at
least $500 for nonqualified Certificates and at least $50 for qualified
Certificates. Additional purchase payments can be mailed directly to IDS Life of
New York. The maximum total purchase payments for your Certificate in the first
and later years is $1,000,000. IDS Life of New York reserves the right to
increase this maximum amount on a uniform basis for all Certificate owners in a
class.

Qualified Plans -- If you invest in the Certificate in connection with a
qualified plan, that plan's limits on annual contributions also will apply.

   
Allocating your Purchase Payments -- Your purchase payment(s) also may be
allocated to the Fixed Account and/or the subaccount(s) you have selected as of
IDS Life of New York's next close of business currently the same as the close of
the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), after IDS Life of New York receives and
accepts your payment at its home office in Albany. For nonqualified
Certificates, the minimum value of your investment in a subaccount or in the
Fixed Account is $500. This $500 minimum does not apply to qualified
Certificates.
    

Transferring Your Money Between Accounts

   
Prior to retirement, you may make unlimited transfers of your money from one
subaccount to another by making a written request. There are some restrictions
on transferring to or from the Fixed Account as discussed in the section called
"Information on the Fixed Account of the Annuity." IDS Life of New York will
process the transfer request at its next close of business after we receive it.
There is no charge for transfers. However, unless the transfer is an automated
transfer described below, IDS Life of New York does require that your transfer
be for:
    

o        at least $500; or

o        your entire balance in that subaccount, if less.
<PAGE>
Automated Transfers -- You may establish automated transfers of certificate
values between the subaccounts and/or the Fixed Account through a one-time
written request or other method acceptable to IDS Life of New York. The minimum
automated transfer amount is $100. Such transfers may be made on a monthly,
quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. You may start or stop this service at
any time, but you must give IDS Life of New York 30 days' notice to change any
automated transfer instructions that are currently in place. Automated transfers
are subject to all of the other Annuity provisions and terms, including
provisions relating to the transfer of money between subaccounts.

For information on restrictions on automated transfers of certificate values
between the Fixed Account and the subaccounts see the section called
"Information on the Fixed Account of the Annuity."

Before transferring any part of your certificate value, you should consider the
risks involved in switching investments. IDS Life of New York may, in its sole
discretion and subject to regulatory approval, suspend or modify these transfer
privileges at any time.

   
Telephone Transfers -- You also may request a transfer by telephone. IDS Life of
New York has the authority to honor any telephone requests believed to be
authentic and will use reasonable procedures to confirm that they are. This
includes asking identifying questions and tape recording calls. As long as the
procedures are followed, neither IDS Life of New York nor its affiliates will be
liable for any loss resulting from fraudulent requests. At times when the volume
of telephone requests is unusually high, IDS Life of New York will take special
measures to seek to ensure that your call is answered as promptly as possible. A
telephone transfer request will not be allowed within 30 days of a phoned-in
address change.
    

You may request that telephone transfers not be authorized from your account by
writing IDS Life of New York.

Certificate Charges and Charges Against the Variable Account

Certificate Administrative Charge -- IDS Life of New York charges your
Certificate an administrative fee of $30 each year. This charge is for
establishing and maintaining your records. IDS Life of New York deducts it from
the certificate value on each certificate anniversary. If you fully surrender
your Certificate, IDS Life of New York will deduct a reduced certificate
administrative charge that is prorated based on the number of days from your
last certificate anniversary to the date of full surrender. The certificate
administrative charge cannot be increased and does not apply after a retirement
payment plan begins.
<PAGE>
Variable Account Administrative Charge -- This charge is deducted daily from the
subaccounts of the Variable Account. The charge equals an effective annual rate
of 0.25 percent of the daily net asset value of the subaccounts and is paid to
IDS Life of New York.

It covers certain administrative and operating expenses of the subaccounts
incurred by IDS Life of New York such as accounting, legal and data processing
fees, and expenses involved in the preparation and distribution of reports and
prospectuses. The Variable Account administrative charge cannot be increased and
does not apply after a retirement payment plan begins.

Mortality and Expense Risk Fee -- This charge is deducted daily from the
subaccounts of the Variable Account. The charge equals an effective annual rate
of 1.25 percent of the daily net asset value of the subaccounts and is paid to
IDS Life of New York. It covers IDS Life of New York's annuity mortality risk
and expense risk. IDS Life of New York estimates that approximately two-thirds
of this fee is for assumption of the mortality risk, and one-third is for
assumption of the expense risk.

The mortality risk arises from IDS Life of New York's guarantee to pay a death
benefit and guarantee to make retirement payments according to the terms of the
Certificate no matter how long a specific annuitant lives and no matter how long
the entire group of IDS Life of New York annuitants live. If, as a group, IDS
Life of New York annuitants outlive the life expectancy that has been assumed in
the actuarial tables, IDS Life of New York must take money from its general
assets to meet its obligations. If, as a group, IDS Life of New York annuitants
do not live as long as expected, IDS Life of New York could profit from the
mortality risk fee.

The expense risk is the risk that the certificate administrative charge and
Variable Account administrative charge, which cannot be increased, will not
cover IDS Life of New York's expenses. Any deficit would have to be made up from
IDS Life of New York's general assets. Any profit realized by IDS Life of New
York from the mortality and expense risk fee would be available to it for any
proper corporate purpose, including, among other things, payment of distribution
(selling) expenses. IDS Life of New York does not expect that the surrender
charge, which is discussed in the following paragraphs, will cover sales and
distribution expenses incurred by IDS Life of New York in connection with the
Certificates.

Surrender Charges -- If you surrender part or all of your Certificate, you may
be subject to a surrender charge. A surrender charge applies if all or part of
the certificate value is surrendered during the first six payment years
following a purchase payment. The surrender charge starts at 6 percent of a
purchase payment in the first payment year and is reduced by 1 percent each
payment year thereafter. This means that there is no surrender charge after six
payment years. In addition, there is no surrender charge when certificate values
are applied to a retirement payment plan or for a death benefit. The surrender
charge is used to help defray expenses incurred in the sale of the Certificates
including commissions and other promotional or distribution expenses associated
with the printing
<PAGE>
and distribution of prospectuses and sales material. After the first certificate
year, you may surrender up to 10 percent of your prior certificate anniversary
value in one or more surrenders each certificate year without incurring a
surrender charge. The 10 percent free withdrawal provision is subject to other
Annuity provisions and terms including those on partial surrenders.

In addition, after the first certificate year there is no surrender charge on
certificate earnings, which equal:

1)       the certificate value at the time of surrender; minus

2)       the sum of all purchase payments received that have not been 
         previously surrendered; minus

3)       the amount of the 10 percent free withdrawal, if applicable.

For purposes of determining the amount of any surrender charge, surrenders will
be deemed to be taken first from any applicable 10 percent free withdrawal
amount; next, from certificate earnings (in excess of any 10 percent free
withdrawal amount); and finally from purchase payments (on a first in-first out
basis).

Surrender Charge Calculation -- The following example illustrates how the
surrender charge is calculated:

Assumptions:
   
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial purchase payment at Certificate issue date of May 1, 1998.....$10,000
Subsequent purchase payment on July 1, 2001............................20,000
Account value on Certificate anniversary on April 29, 2002.............40,000
Account value on October 12, 2002......................................42,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Full Surrender on October 12, 2002:
<S>                <C>               <C>               <C>
- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- -------------------------------------------------------------

Basis of           Rate of           Dollar Amount
Charge             Surrender Charge  of Charge         Explanation of Charge

$  4,000           None              $     0           10% of prior certificate anniversary contract value
                                                       surrendered free
    
$  8,000           None              $     0           No charge on certificate earnings

$ 10,000           2%                $   200           Payment made in certificate year 1; surrendered at payment
                                                       year 5 rate

$ 20,000           5%                $ 1,000           Payment made in certificate year 4; surrendered at payment
                                                       year 2 rate
- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- -------------------------------------------------------------

Total Surrender Charge:              $ 1,200
==================================== ================= =============================================================
<PAGE>
Partial Surrender of $25,000 on October 12, 2002:
- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
Basis of           Rate of           Dollar Amount
Charge             Surrender Charge  of Charge         Explanation of Charge

   
$  4,000           None              $     0           10% of prior certificate anniversary contract value
                                                       surrendered free
    

$  8,000           None              $     0           No charge on certificate earnings

$ 10,000           2%                $   200           Payment made in certificate year 1; surrendered at payment
                                   year 5 rate

$  3,000           5%                $   150           Payment made in certificate year 4; surrendered at payment
                                   year 2 rate
- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- -------------------------------------------------------------

Total Surrender Charge:              $   350
==================================== ================= =============================================================
</TABLE>
Surrender Charge on Partial Surrender -- The surrender charge is deducted from
the certificate value remaining after the owner is paid the partial surrender
amount requested. For example, if the owner requested a partial surrender net
check amount of $1,000 and the surrender charge rate that applied to that amount
were 5 percent, the owner would receive the $1,000 requested and the surrender
charge amount would be $52.63 for a total withdrawal of $1,052.63.

Possible Reduction in Charges -- In some cases, IDS Life of New York may expect
to incur lower sales and administrative expenses or perform fewer services. In
those cases, IDS Life of New York may, in its discretion, reduce or eliminate
certain administrative and surrender charges. However, IDS Life of New York
expects this to occur infrequently, if at all.

Surrendering Your Certificate

As owner, you may surrender all or part of your Certificate's value at any time
before the retirement date by making a written request.

You may have to pay surrender charges as previously explained. Also, if you
fully surrender your Certificate, a prorated portion of the certificate
administrative charge based on the number of days from your last certificate
anniversary to the date of full surrender will be deducted at the time of
surrender. No surrenders may be made after the retirement date.

You may have to pay a 10 percent IRS penalty tax for surrenders made before you
reach age 59-1/2. In addition, if you purchased the Certificate in connection
with a qualified plan such as a 401(k) plan or a TSA (but not an IRA) and the
amount surrendered is paid to you instead of being directly rolled over to an
IRA or another eligible qualified plan, 20 percent income tax withholding may be
imposed. See the section called "Federal Tax Information." Finally, certain
restrictions may apply to participants in TSA plans. See the section called
"Tax-Sheltered Annuities."

Tax-Sheltered Annuities -- The Code imposes certain restrictions on an owner's
right to receive early distributions attributable to salary reduction
contributions from a Certificate purchased in connection with a retirement plan
qualified under Section 403(b) as a TSA.
<PAGE>
Distributions attributable to salary reduction contributions made after Dec. 31,
1988, plus the earnings on them, or to transfers or rollovers of such amounts
from other contracts, may be made from the TSA only if the owner has attained
age 59-1/2, has become disabled as defined in the Code, has separated from the
service of the employer that purchased the Certificate or has died.
Additionally, if the owner should encounter a financial hardship (within the
meaning of the Code), he or she may receive a distribution of all certificate
values attributable to salary reduction contributions made after Dec. 31, 1988,
but not of the earnings on them. These restrictions do not apply to the Dec. 31,
1988 value or to transfers or exchanges of contract values within the
Certificate or to another registered variable annuity contract or investment
vehicle available through the employer.

Even though a distribution may be permitted under these rules (e.g., for
hardship or after separation from service), it may nonetheless be subject to a
10 percent IRS penalty tax (in addition to income tax) as a premature
distribution and to 20 percent income tax withholding. See the section called
"Federal Tax Information." In addition, for certain types of contributions under
a Section 403(b) annuity to be excluded from taxable income, the employer must
comply with certain nondiscrimination requirements. You should consult your
employer to determine whether the nondiscrimination rules apply to you.

Systematic Withdrawals - IDS Life of New York allows you to establish systematic
withdrawals of certificate values through a one-time written request or other
method acceptable to IDS Life of New York. Amounts of up to 10 percent of the
certificate value at the beginning of the certificate year may be withdrawn. The
minimum systematic withdrawal amount from the certificate is $100, and such
withdrawals can be made on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. You
may designate systematic withdrawals be made from the Annuity in one of the
following ways:

o        withdrawing a specific total dollar amount prorated from all
         subaccounts and/or the Fixed Account in which you have a balance (if no
         other choice is made, amounts will be withdrawn under this method);

o        withdrawing a specific total dollar amount and also specifying which
         percentage of that total amount will be withdrawn from all subaccounts
         and/or the Fixed Account in which you have a balance; or

o        withdrawing only the interest credited to the Fixed Account over the
         systematic withdrawal period.

The minimum certificate value required to begin systematic withdrawals is
$5,000. You may start or stop this service at any time, but must give IDS Life
of New York 30 days' notice to change any systematic withdrawal instructions
that are currently in place. IDS Life of New York will not deduct surrender
charges for first-year systematic withdrawals of amounts up to 10 percent of the
initial purchase payment.
<PAGE>
Systematic withdrawals may result in income taxes, withholding taxes and penalty
taxes being applied to all or a portion of the amount withdrawn. You should
consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of systematic
withdrawals.

Partial Surrenders -- The minimum amount you may surrender is $500. You cannot
make a partial surrender if it would reduce the value of your investment in a
subaccount or in the Fixed Account to less than $500 unless the value of your
investment in a subaccount or in the Fixed Account is fully withdrawn.

If you have a balance in more than one subaccount and/or in the Fixed Account
and request a partial surrender, IDS Life of New York will withdraw money from
all the subaccounts and/or the Fixed Account in the same proportion as your
value in each subaccount or in the Fixed Account bears to your total certificate
value, unless you request otherwise.

A partial surrender request not exceeding $40,000 may be made by telephone. IDS
Life of New York has the authority to honor any telephone requests believed to
be authentic and will use reasonable procedures to confirm that they are. This
includes asking identifying questions and tape recording calls. As long as the
procedures are followed, neither IDS Life of New York nor its affiliates will be
liable for any loss resulting from fraudulent requests. At times when the volume
of telephone requests is unusually high, IDS Life of New York will take special
measures to ensure that your call is answered as promptly as possible. A
telephone surrender request will not be allowed within 30 days of a phoned-in
address change.

You may request that telephone withdrawals not be authorized from your account
by writing IDS Life of New York.

   
Total Surrenders -- IDS Life of New York will compute the value of your
Certificate at the next close of business, currently the same as the close of
the NYSE, after receipt of your request for a complete surrender. IDS Life of
New York may ask you to return the Certificate.
    

Receiving Payment -- Payment will be mailed within seven days after IDS Life of
New York receives your request. However, IDS Life of New York may postpone
payment if:

o   the surrender value includes a purchase payment check that has not cleared;

o   the NYSE is closed, except for normal holiday and weekend closings;

o   trading on the NYSE is restricted according to the rules of the SEC;

o   an emergency, as defined by the rules of the SEC, makes it
    impracticable for the Portfolios and Funds to sell securities or to
    value the Portfolios' or Funds' net assets; or
<PAGE>
o   the SEC permits a delay in payment for the protection of owners.

   
NOTE: You will be charged a fee if you request express mail delivery of 
      your surrender check.
    

Payment in Case of Death before Retirement Payments Begin

Prior to the retirement date, if you or the annuitant die before the initial
fifth certificate anniversary, IDS Life of New York will pay the beneficiary the
greater of:

1)       the certificate value; or

2)       the amount of purchase payments (minus any surrenders).

On or after the initial fifth certificate anniversary, and each subsequent fifth
certificate anniversary, IDS Life of New York will pay the beneficiary the
greater of:

1)       the certificate value; or

2)       a minimum guaranteed death benefit which equals:

    a)       the death benefit calculated as of the previous fifth certificate 
             anniversary; plus

    b)       any purchase payments made since the previous fifth certificate 
             anniversary; minus

    c)       any surrenders since the previous fifth certificate anniversary.

If Your Spouse is Sole Beneficiary -- If you, as owner of the Certificate, die
before the retirement date and your spouse is the only beneficiary of the
Certificate, your spouse may keep the Certificate as owner and annuitant. To do
this, within 60 days after IDS Life of New York receives proof of death, it must
receive written instructions from your spouse to keep the Certificate in force.

Section 401(k) Plans, TSAs, Custodial and Trusteed Plans, and IRAs -- If you buy
the Certificate in connection with a Section 401(k) plan, custodial or trusteed
plan or as an IRA or TSA and you die before reaching age 70-1/2 and your spouse
is the only beneficiary, your spouse may keep the Certificate in force until the
date on which you would have reached age 70-1/2 or any other date permitted by
the Code. To do this, within 60 days after IDS Life of New York receives proof
of death, it must receive written instructions from your spouse to keep the
Certificate in force.

Paying the Beneficiary -- Unless you have given IDS Life of New York other
written instructions, IDS Life of New York will pay the beneficiary in a single
lump sum payment. The beneficiary may elect to receive payment any time within 5
years after the date of death. Payments made from a Certificate purchased to
fund certain qualified plans
<PAGE>
to a surviving spouse instead of being directly rolled over into an IRA may be
subject to 20 percent income tax withholding. See the section called "Federal
Tax Information." IDS Life of New York may make payments under any retirement
payment plan available under this Annuity if:

o        the beneficiary asks IDS Life of New York in writing within 60 days 
         after IDS Life of New York receives proof of death;

o        payments begin no later than one year after death or other date as 
         permitted by the Code; and

o        the payment period does not extend beyond the beneficiary's life or
         life expectancy in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code.

When paying the certificate value to the beneficiary, IDS Life of New York will
determine the Certificate's value at the next close of the NYSE after IDS Life
of New York's death claim requirements are fulfilled. Interest, if any, is paid
at a rate no less than that required by applicable law. IDS Life of New York
will mail payment to the beneficiary within seven days after all death claim
requirements are fulfilled.

Settlement Value of Your Certificate

The amount available on the retirement date to provide payments under a
retirement payment plan is the current value of your investment, called the
certificate value. Because Portfolio or Fund investments (other than those in
the Money Market Portfolio) fluctuate in value each day, there can be no
guarantee that the certificate value will exceed, or even equal, the amount of
your purchase payments. You will receive quarterly statements showing your
certificate value and any other information required by applicable law at least
annually.

On your retirement date, the certificate value is applied to IDS Life of New
York's current fixed table of settlement rates, which will be at least as
favorable as that contained in the Certificate.

IDS Life of New York then calculates lifetime annuity payments according to the
retirement payment plan you choose.

A unisex table of settlement rates will apply, except when the Certificate is
used to fund an IRA or a nonqualified plan.

Payout Options at Retirement

As the owner of the  Certificate,  you have the right to decide  how  retirement
payments  are to be made.  You may select one of the  retirement  payment  plans
outlined  below,  or you and IDS Life of New York  may  mutually  agree on other
payment arrangements. Annuity
<PAGE>
payments will be made on a fixed basis. A fixed annuity is one with payments
that are guaranteed by IDS Life of New York as to dollar amount. Fixed annuity
payments after the first payment will never be more or less than the first
payment.

Retirement Payment Plans -- You may choose any one of these payment plans by
giving IDS Life of New York written instructions at least 30 days before the
retirement date:

o        Plan A - Life Annuity - No Refund -- Monthly payments are made until
         the annuitant's death. Payments end with the last monthly payment
         before the annuitant's death; no further payments will be made. You
         should understand that if the annuitant dies after only the first
         monthly payment, no further payments will be made.

o        Plan B - Life Annuity with 5, 10 or 15 Years Certain -- Monthly
         payments are made until the annuitant's death. However, payments are
         guaranteed for 5, 10 or 15 years. If the annuitant dies before all
         guaranteed payments have been made, IDS Life of New York will continue
         making those guaranteed payments to you, if living; if not, to your
         beneficiary; or, if no beneficiary is named, to your estate.

o        Plan C - Life Annuity - Installment Refund -- Monthly payments are made
         until the annuitant's death. However, payments are guaranteed to
         continue for at least the number of months determined by dividing the
         certificate value at the time of retirement by the amount of the
         monthly payment. If the annuitant dies before all guaranteed payments
         have been made, IDS Life of New York will continue making those
         guaranteed payments to you, if living; if not, to your beneficiary; or,
         if no beneficiary is named, to your estate.

o        Plan D - Joint and Last Survivor Life Annuity - No Refund -- Monthly
         payments are made while both the annuitant and a joint annuitant are
         living. If either annuitant dies, monthly payments continue at the full
         amount until the death of the surviving annuitant. Payments end with
         the death of the second annuitant, and no further payments will be
         made. You should understand that if both the annuitant and the joint
         annuitant die after only the first monthly payment, no further payments
         will be made.

   
o        Plan E - Period Certain Annuity -- Monthly payments are made for a
         period of years that you elect. The period of years may be no less than
         10 years and no more than 30 years. Even if the annuitant lives beyond
         the period of years selected, no further payments will be made.
         However, if the annuitant dies before the end of the period selected,
         IDS Life of New York will continue making monthly payments to you, if
         living; if not, to your beneficiary; or, if no beneficiary is named, to
         your estate.
    
<PAGE>
Restrictions for Some Qualified Plans -- If your Certificate was purchased in
connection with a Section 401(k) plan, custodial or trusteed plan, or as a TSA
or an IRA, you must select a payment plan (in accordance with the applicable
provisions of the Code) that provides for payments:

o        over the life of the annuitant;

o        over the joint lives of the annuitant and beneficiary;

o        for a period not exceeding the life expectancy of the annuitant; or

o        for a period not exceeding the joint life expectancies of the 
         annuitant and beneficiary.

If IDS Life of New York Does Not Receive Instructions -- You must give IDS Life
of New York written instructions for paying retirement benefits at least 30 days
before the retirement date. If you do not, IDS Life of New York will make
payments under Plan B, with 120 monthly payments guaranteed.

If Monthly Payments Would be Less than $50 -- IDS Life of New York will
calculate your certificate value at the retirement date. If the calculations
show that monthly payments would be less than $50, IDS Life of New York reserves
the right to change the frequency of the retirement payments or to pay the
certificate value in one lump sum.

Death After Retirement Payments Begin -- If you or the annuitant die after
retirement payments begin, any amount payable, as provided in the retirement
payment plan in effect, will be continued to the beneficiary, if living; if not,
the owner, if living; if not, the owner's estate.

Changing Ownership

You may change ownership of your Certificate at any time by filing a change of
ownership on a form approved by IDS Life of New York and sent to our home
office. No change of ownership will be binding upon IDS Life of New York until
the change is received and recorded. IDS Life of New York takes no
responsibility for the validity of the change.

If you have a qualified plan, the Certificate may not be sold, assigned,
transferred, discounted or pledged as collateral for a loan or as security for
the performance of an obligation or for any other purpose to any person other
than IDS Life of New York. However, if the owner is a trust or custodian, or an
employer acting in a similar capacity, ownership of a Certificate may be
transferred to the annuitant.

The value of any part of a nonqualified Certificate assigned or pledged is taxed
like a cash withdrawal to the extent allocable to investment in the Certificate.
<PAGE>
Transfer of a nonqualified Certificate to another person without adequate
consideration is considered a gift and the transfer may be considered a
surrender of the Certificate for federal income tax purposes. The income on the
Certificate will be taxed to the transferor (original owner), who may be subject
to a 10 percent IRS penalty tax for early withdrawal. The transferee's (new
owner's) investment in the Certificate will be the value of the Certificate at
the time of the transfer. Consult with your tax advisor before taking any
action.

Federal Tax Information

Under current law, there is no liability for federal income tax on any increase
in the Certificate's value until payments are made, except as discussed above in
"Changing Ownership." However, since federal tax consequences cannot always be
anticipated, you should consult a tax advisor if you have any questions about
the taxation of your Certificate.

You are not taxed on your investment in the Certificate. Your investment
generally includes purchase payments made into the Certificate with after-tax
dollars. If the investment in the Certificate was made by you or on your behalf
with pre-tax dollars as part of a qualified retirement plan, such amounts are
not considered to be part of your investment in the Certificate and will be
taxed when paid to you.

If you surrender part or all of your Certificate before the date on which
retirement payments begin, you will be taxed on the payments that you receive to
the extent that the value of your Certificate exceeds your investment. In
addition, you may have to pay a 10 percent IRS penalty tax for early withdrawal
and, for surrenders from Certificates purchased to fund qualified plans and
TSAs, 20 percent income tax withholding may be imposed.

If payments begin under a nonqualified Certificate, a portion of each payment
will be subject to tax and a portion of each payment will be considered a return
of part of your investment in the Certificate and will not be taxed. All amounts
received after your investment is recovered will be subject to tax. If payments
begin under a qualified Certificate, for example an IRA, TSA, or Section 401(k)
plan, all of the payments generally will be subject to taxation except to the
extent that the contributions were made with after-tax dollars.

Unlike life insurance proceeds, the death benefit under your Certificate is not
tax exempt. The gain, if any, is taxable as ordinary income to the beneficiary
in the year(s) he or she receives the payments.

Federal tax law requires that all nonqualified deferred contracts issued by the
same company to the same owner during a calendar year be treated as a single,
unified contract. The amount of income included and taxed in a distribution (or
a transaction deemed a distribution under federal tax law) taken from any one of
such contracts is determined by aggregating all such contracts.
<PAGE>
The income earned on a Certificate held by such entities as corporations,
partnerships or trusts generally will be treated as ordinary income received
during that year.

You may have to pay a 10 percent IRS penalty tax on any amount includable in
your ordinary income. This penalty will not apply to any amount received:

o        after you reach age 59-1/2;

o        because of your death;

o        because you become disabled (as defined in the Code);

o        if the distribution is part of a series of substantially equal periodic
         payments made at least annually, over your life or life expectancy (or
         joint lives or life expectancies of you and your designated
         beneficiary); or

o        if it is allocable to an investment before Aug. 14, 1982 (except for 
         Certificates in qualified plans).

These are the major exceptions to the 10 percent IRS penalty tax. Additional
exceptions may apply depending upon whether your Certificate is qualified. For
qualified Certificates, other penalties apply if you surrender a Certificate
before the plan specifies that payments can be made under the plan.

In general if you receive all or a portion of the value of a Certificate you
purchased to fund a qualified plan such as a 401(k) plan or TSA (but not an
IRA), mandatory 20 percent income tax withholding will be imposed at the time
the payment is made. In addition, federal income tax and the 10 percent IRS
penalty tax for early withdrawals may apply to amounts properly includable in
income. This mandatory 20 percent income tax withholding will not be imposed if:

o        instead of receiving the payment, you elect to have the payment rolled
         over directly to an IRA or another eligible qualified plan;

o        the payment is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments
         made at least annually, over your life or life expectancy (or joint
         lives or life expectancies of you and your designated beneficiary) or
         made over a period of 10 years or more; or

o        the payment is a minimum distribution required under the Code.

These are the major exceptions to the mandatory 20 percent income tax
withholding. Payments made to a surviving spouse instead of being directly
rolled over to an IRA may be subject to 20 percent income tax withholding. For
taxable distributions that are not
<PAGE>
subject to the mandatory 20 percent withholding, federal income tax will be
withheld from the taxable part of your distribution unless you elect otherwise.
State withholding also may be imposed on taxable distributions.

You will receive a 1099 tax information form for any year in which you receive a
taxable distribution from your Certificate according to our records.

Our discussion of federal tax laws is based on our understanding of these laws
as they are currently interpreted. Either federal tax laws or current
interpretations of them may change. You are urged to consult your tax advisor
regarding your specific circumstances.

Additional Information about the Annuity and Certificates

Accumulation Units

When your purchase payments are allocated to the subaccount(s) you have chosen,
they will be converted into accumulation units. The number of accumulation units
to be credited to your Certificate is determined by dividing the purchase
payment by the accumulation unit value.

Accumulation Unit Value -- The accumulation unit value for each subaccount was
originally set at $1. IDS Life of New York determines the current accumulation
unit value by taking the last accumulation unit value for that subaccount and
multiplying it by the current net investment factor.

Net Investment Factor -- The net investment factor is determined by:

   
o        adding the Portfolio's or Fund's current net asset value per share and
         the per share amount of any current dividend or capital gain
         distribution made by the Portfolio or Fund and held in the subaccount;
    

o        dividing that sum by the last net asset value per share; and

o        subtracting the percentage factor representing the mortality and
         expense risk fee and Variable Account administrative charge from the
         result.

Because the net investment factor may be greater or less than one, the
accumulation unit value may increase or decrease. You bear this investment risk.

Distribution of the Certificates

Smith Barney Inc. is the principal  underwriter of the Certificate.  IDS Life of
New York pays total  commissions  of up to 7.0% of the total  purchase  payments
received on the Certificates.
<PAGE>
About the Portfolios and Funds

   
Voting Rights -- As the Certificate owner, you have voting rights in the
Greenwich Street Series Fund and the Portfolios and in the Funds, the shares of
which are held by the subaccounts in which you have invested. IDS Life of New
York will vote the shares of each Portfolio and Funds in which you have a
beneficial interest according to the instructions received from you. The number
of votes you have is determined by applying your percentage interest in the
subaccount to the total number of votes allowed to the subaccount.
    

IDS Life of New York calculates votes separately for each subaccount, and will
do this not more than 60 days before a meeting of beneficial owners of the
Portfolios and Funds. Owners with an interest in the matter or matters being
considered will receive notice of these meetings, proxy materials and a
statement of the number of votes to which they are entitled.

If you do not give IDS Life of New York voting instructions, it will vote your
shares in the same proportion as the votes for which it has received
instructions. IDS Life of New York also will vote the shares for which it has
voting rights in the same proportion as the votes for which it has received
instructions. See the accompanying prospectuses for a detailed description of
voting rights in the Portfolios and Funds.

   
However, no such substitution or change will be made without any necessary
approval of the SEC and state insurance department. IDS Life of New York will
notify owners of any substitution or change.
    

Information on the Fixed Account of the Annuity

In addition to the thirteen subaccounts of the Variable Account described in
this prospectus, the Annuity has a Fixed Account available for allocation of
purchase payments. Generally, the information in the section called "Using the
Annuity and Certificate" applies in a like manner to the Fixed Account.
However, there are some differences.
<PAGE>
The Fixed Account operates like a traditional annuity. Fixed annuity cash values
increase based on interest rates that may change from time to time but are
guaranteed by IDS Life of New York. Interest is credited and compounded daily to
yield an effective annual interest rate. The minimum guaranteed interest rate is
4 percent. Purchase payments and transfers to the Fixed Account become part of
the general account of IDS Life of New York. In contrast, purchase payments and
transfers to the subaccounts of the Variable Account go into a segregated asset
account; they are not mingled with IDS Life of New York's main portfolio of
investments that support fixed annuity obligations. The gains achieved or losses
suffered by the segregated asset account have no effect on the Fixed Account.

The Annuity allows you to transfer certificate values between the Fixed Account
and the subaccounts, but such transfers are restricted as follows:

1.       You may transfer certificate values from the Fixed Account to the
         subaccount(s) or from the subaccount(s) to the Fixed Account up to six
         times per certificate year, subject to restrictions #2 and #3 below.

2.       If a transfer is made from the Fixed Account to the subaccount(s), no
         subsequent transfer from any subaccount back to the Fixed Account may
         be made for six months from the last transfer date from the Fixed
         Account.

3.       Except for automated transfers of certificate values, transfers must be
         for at least $500 or your entire balance in the Fixed Account, if less.

IDS Life of New York may, in its sole discretion and subject to regulatory
approval, suspend or modify these transfer privileges at any time.

The Annuity allows you to make automated transfers of certificate values between
the Fixed Account and the subaccounts, but such transfers may not exceed an
amount that, if continued, would deplete the Fixed Account within 12 months. The
minimum automated transfer amount is $100. Such transfers may be made on a
monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. The limit on transfers between
the Fixed Account and subaccounts to six times per year may be waived if the
automated transfer of certificate values service is in effect. You may start or
stop this service at any time, but you must give IDS Life of New York 30 days'
notice to change any automated transfer instructions that are currently in
place. Automated transfers are subject to all of the other Annuity provisions
and terms.

If you make any type of transfer from the Fixed Account, you may not transfer
certificate values from any subaccount back to the Fixed Account for six months
from the last transfer date from the Fixed Account.

The mortality and expense risk charge and the Variable Account administrative
charge do not apply to values allocated to the Fixed Account. However, the other
charges described in this prospectus do apply to the Fixed Account.
<PAGE>
Because of exemptive and exclusionary provisions, interests in IDS Life of New
York's general account have not been registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (1933 Act), nor is the general account registered as an
investment company under the 1940 Act. Accordingly, neither the general account
of IDS Life of New York nor any interests therein are generally subject to the
provisions of the 1933 or 1940 Acts, and IDS Life of New York has been advised
that the staff of the SEC has not reviewed the disclosures in this prospectus
that relate to the Fixed Account. Disclosures regarding the Fixed Account of the
Annuity and the general account of IDS Life of New York, however, may be subject
to certain generally applicable provisions of the federal securities laws
relating to the accuracy and completeness of statements made in the
prospectuses.

   
Year 2000

The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs having been written using
two digits rather than four to define a year. Any programs that have
time-sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather
that 2000. This could result in the failure of major systems or miscalculations,
which could have a material impact on the operations of the Variable Account.
The Variable Account has no computer systems of its own but is dependent upon
the systems maintained by AEFC and certain other third parties.

A comprehensive review of AEFC's computer systems and business processes has
been conducted to identify the major systems that could be affected by the Year
2000 issue. Steps are being taken to resolve any potential problems including
modification to existing software and the purchase of new software. These
measures are scheduled to be completed and tested on a timely basis. AEFC's goal
is to complete internal remediation and testing of each system by the end of
1998 and to continue compliance efforts through 1999. The Year 2000 issue
readiness of unaffiliated investment managers and other third parties whose
system failures could have an impact on the Variable Account operations
currently us being evaluated. The potential materiality of any such impact is 
not known at this time.
    
<PAGE>
Table of Contents of the SAI

                                                                   Page
Performance Information................................................

Rating Agencies........................................................

Principal Underwriter..................................................

Independent Auditors...................................................

Prospectus.............................................................

Financial Statements
         IDS Life of New York Account SBS
         IDS Life Insurance Company of New York

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you would like to receive a copy of the SAI for:

         Symphony Annuity
         (IDS Life of New York Account SBS)

please return this request to:

         IDS Life Insurance Company of New York
         P.O. Box 5144
         Albany, New York 12205

         Your name__________________________________________________________

         Address____________________________________________________________

         City_________________________ State______ Zip______________________

<PAGE>
                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                       for

                                SYMPHONY ANNUITY

                        IDS LIFE OF NEW YORK ACCOUNT SBS

   
                                   May 1, 1998
    


IDS Life of New York Account SBS is a separate account established and
maintained by IDS Life Insurance Company of New York (IDS Life of New York).

   
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI), dated May 1, 1998, is not a
prospectus. It should be read together with the Account's prospectus, dated May
1, 1998, which may be obtained from your Smith Barney Financial Consultant, or
by writing or calling IDS Life of New York Annuity Service at the address or
telephone number below.

IDS Life Insurance Company of New York
20 Madison Avenue Extension
Albany, NY  12205
800-336-3446
    
<PAGE>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

Performance Information..................................................3

Rating Agencies..........................................................5

Principal Underwriter....................................................5

Independent Auditors.....................................................5

Prospectus...............................................................6

Financial Statements

         - IDS Life of New York Account SBS
         - IDS Life Insurance Company of New York
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Calculation of Yield for the New York Money Market Subaccount

Simple yield for the New York Money Market subaccount will be based on the: (a)
change in the value of a hypothetical investment (exclusive of capital changes)
at the beginning of a seven-day period for which yield is to be quoted; (b)
subtracting a pro rata share of subaccount expenses accrued over the seven-day
period; (c) dividing the difference by the value of the subaccount at the
beginning of the period to obtain the base period return; and (d) annualizing
the results (i.e., multiplying the base period return by 365/7). Calculation of
effective yield begins with the same base period return used in the calculation
of yield, which is then annualized to reflect compounding according to the
following formula:

Effective Yield = [(Base Period Return + 1) x (365/7)] - 1

   
Annualized yield based on seven-day period ended Dec. 31, 1997, the Account's
simple yield was 3.05% and its effective yield was 3.09%.
    

Calculation of Yield for the Non Money Market Subaccounts

For a subaccount other than the Money Market subaccount, quotations of yield
will be based on all investment income earned during a particular 30-day period,
less expenses accrued during the period (net investment income) and will be
computed by dividing net investment income per accumulation unit by the value of
an accumulation unit on the last day of the period, according to the following
formula:

                           YIELD = 2 [(a-b + 1)6 - 1]
                                          cd

where:         a =  dividends and investment income earned during the period.
               b =  expenses accrued for the period (net of reimbursements).
               c    = the average daily number of accumulation units outstanding
                    during the period that were entitled to receive dividends.
               d =  the maximum offering price per accumulation unit on the last
                    day of the period.

Yield on the subaccount is earned from the increase in the net asset value of
shares of the portfolio or fund in which the subaccount invests and from
dividends declared and paid by the fund, which are automatically invested in
shares of the portfolio or fund.
<PAGE>
Calculation of Average Annual Total Return

Quotations of average annual total return for any subaccount will be expressed
in terms of the average annual compounded rate of return of a hypothetical
investment in the certificate over a period of one, five and ten years (or, if
less, up to the life of the subaccount), calculated according to the following
formula:

                                  P(1+T)n = ERV

where:         P =  a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000.
               T =  average annual total return.
               n =  number of years.
             ERV    = Ending Redeemable Value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment
                    made at the beginning of the one-, five or ten-year (or
                    other) period at the end of the one-, five- or ten-year (or
                    other) period (or fractional portion thereof).

Subaccount total return figures reflect the deduction of the certificate
administrative charge, Variable Account administrative charge and mortality and
expense risk fee. Performance figures will be shown with the deduction of the
applicable surrender charge; in addition, performance figures may be shown
without the deduction of a surrender charge. The Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) requires that an assumption be made that the owner surrenders
the entire certificate at the end of the one, five and ten year periods (or, if
less, up to the life of the subaccount) for which performance is required to be
calculated.

Aggregate Total Return

Aggregate total return represents the cumulative change in the value of an
investment over a specific period of time (reflecting change in a subaccount's
accumulation unit value) and is computed by the following formula:

                                     ERV - P
                                        P

where:         P =  a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000.
             ERV    = Ending Redeemable Value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment
                    made at the beginning of the one-, five-, or ten-year (or
                    other) period at the end of the one-, five, or ten-year (or
                    other) period (or fractional portion thereof).

Subaccount total return figures reflect the deduction of the contract
administrative charge, Variable Account administrative charge, and mortality and
expense risk fee.

   
Performance of the accounts may be quoted or compared to rankings, yields, or
returns or used in variable annuity accumulation or settlement illustration as
published or prepared by independent rating or statistical services or
publishers or publications such as The Bank Rate Monitor National Index,
Barron's, Business Week, CDA Technologies, Donoghue's Money Market Fund Report,
Financial Services Week, Financial Times, Financial World, Forbes, Fortune,
Global Investor, Institutional Investor, Investor's Daily, Kiplinger's Personal
Finance, Lipper Analytical Services, Money, Morningstar, Mutual Fund Forecaster,
Newsweek, The New York Times, Personal Investor, Stanger Report, Sylvia Porter's
Personal Finance, USA Today, U.S. News and World Report, The Wall Street Journal
and Wiesenberger Investment Companies Service.
    
<PAGE>
RATING AGENCIES

The following chart reflects the ratings given to IDS Life Insurance Company of
New York by independent rating agencies. These agencies evaluate the financial
soundness and claims-paying ability of insurance companies based on a number of
different factors. This information does not relate to the management or
performance of the variable subaccounts. This information relates only to the
fixed account and reflects IDS Life of New York's ability to make annuity
payouts and to pay death benefits and other distributions from the certificate.

            Rating agency                          Rating

              A.M. Best                              A+
                                                  (Superior)

            Duff & Phelps                            AAA

               Moody's                               Aa2

PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

The principal underwriter for the Account is Smith Barney Inc., which offers the
variable annuity on a continuous basis.

   
Surrender charges received by IDS Life of New York for 1997, 1996 and 1995
aggregated $688,445, $551,374, and $464,724, respectively. Commissions paid by
IDS Life of New York for 1997, 1996 and 1995 aggregated $1,067,783, $1,036,511,
and $681,615, respectively. The surrender charges were applied toward payment of
commissions.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The financial statements of IDS Life of New York Account SBS including the
statements of net assets as of Dec. 31, 1997, and the related statements of
operations for the year then ended and the statements of changes in net assets
for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial statements
of IDS Life Insurance Company of New York (a wholly-owned subsidiary of IDS Life
Insurance Company) at Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of the three years in
the period ended Dec. 31, 1997, appearing in this SAI, have been audited by
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their reports appearing
herein.
    

PROSPECTUS

   
The prospectus dated May 1, 1998, is hereby incorporated in this SAI by
reference.
    
<PAGE>
IDS Life of New York Account SBS

Annual Financial Information

Report of Independent Auditors

The Board of Directors
IDS Life Insurance Company of New York

We have  audited the  accompanying  individual  and combined  statements  of net
assets of the segregated  asset  subaccounts of IDS Life of New York Account SBS
(comprised of subaccounts BMO, BIH, BDS, BEM, BEX, BGI, BAP, BTR, BEG, BIE, BCR,
BSI and BMG) as of December 31, 1997,  and the related  statements of operations
for the year then ended and the  statements of changes in net assets for each of
the two years in the period  then  ended.  These  financial  statements  are the
responsibility  of the management of IDS Life Insurance Company of New York. Our
responsibility  is to express an opinion on these financial  statements based on
our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included
confirmation  of securities  owned at December 31, 1997 with the  affiliated and
unaffiliated  mutual  fund  managers.  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 individual and combined  financial  position of the
segregated asset subaccounts of IDS Life of New York Account SBS at December 31,
1997 and the individual and combined results of their operations and the changes
in their  net  assets  for the  periods  described  above,  in  conformity  with
generally accepted accounting principles.


ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 13, 1998
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

IDS Life of New York Account SBS

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Net Assets                                                                                             Dec. 31, 1997

                                                                               Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets                                                    BMO             BIH             BDS            BEM             BEX
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments in shares of mutual funds,
at market value:
Smith Barney Series Fund Money Market Portfolio
 521,786 shares at net asset value
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>          
 of  $1.00 per share (cost $521,783)                     $ 521,786  $            -   $           -    $         -      $        -   
Smith Barney Series Fund Intermediate High Grade Portfolio
 189,648 shares at net asset value
 of  $10.89 per share (cost $1,959,222)                          -       2,065,265               -              -               -
Smith Barney Series Fund Diversified Strategic Income Portfolio
 230,029 shares at net asset value
 of  $10.89 per share (cost $2,310,742)                          -               -       2,505,015              -               -
Smith Barney Series Fund Equity Income Portfolio
 109,466 shares at net asset value
 of  $15.31 per share (cost $1,266,161)                          -               -               -      1,675,920               -
Smith Barney Series Fund Equity Index Portfolio
 113,267 shares at net asset value
 of  $23.55 per share (cost $1,465,108)                          -               -               -              -       2,667,435
Smith Barney Series Fund Growth & Income Portfolio
 169,949 shares at net asset value
 of  $18.54 per share (cost $2,082,682)                          -               -               -              -               -
Smith Barney Series Fund Appreciation Portfolio
 308,959 shares at net asset value
 of  $18.73 per share (cost $4,002,640)                          -               -               -              -               -
Smith Barney Series Fund Total Return Portfolio
 154,889 shares at net asset value
 of  $17.62 per share (cost $1,964,037)                          -               -               -              -               -
Smith Barney Series Fund Emerging Growth Portfolio
 63,840 shares at net asset value
 of  $16.87 per share (cost $777,720)                            -               -               -              -               -
Smith Barney Series Fund International Equity Portfolio
 116,710 shares at net asset value
 of  $11.78 per share (cost $1,174,447)                          -               -               -              -               -
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund
 660 shares at net asset value
 of  $28.58 per share (cost $17,478)                             -               -               -              -               -
IDS Life Special Income Fund
 1,202 shares at net asset value
 of  $11.80 per share (cost $14,394)                             -               -               -              -               -
IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc.
 0 shares at net asset value
 of  $0 per share (cost $0 )                                     -               -               -              -               -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           521,786       2,065,265       2,505,015      1,675,920       2,667,435
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends receivable                                             -               -               -              -               -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                               521,786       2,065,265       2,505,015      1,675,920       2,667,435
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable to IDS Life of New York for:
Mortality and expense risk fee                                 550           2,331           2,829          1,901           3,031
Administrative charge                                          110             466             566            380             606
Payable to mutual funds for investments
purchased                                                        -               -               -              -               -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities                                              660           2,797           3,395          2,281           3,637
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets applicable to contracts in
accumulation period                                       $521,126      $2,062,468      $2,501,620     $1,673,639      $2,663,798
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation units outstanding                             460,369       1,683,871       1,841,311      1,115,107       1,246,827
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value per accumulation unit                        $1.13           $1.22           $1.36          $1.50           $2.14
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

IDS Life of New York Account SBS

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Net Assets - continued                                                                                 Dec. 31, 1997

                                                                                    Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets                                                   BGI             BAP             BTR            BEG             BIE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments in shares of mutual funds,
at market value:
Smith Barney Series Fund Money Market Portfolio
 521,786 shares at net asset value
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>         
 of  $1.00 per share (cost $521,783)                     $        -      $        -      $        -     $        -      $        -  
Smith Barney Series Fund Intermediate High Grade Portfolio
 189,648 shares at net asset value
 of  $10.89 per share (cost $1,959,222)                           -               -               -              -               -
Smith Barney Series Fund Diversified Strategic Income Portfolio
 230,029 shares at net asset value
 of  $10.89 per share (cost $2,310,742)                           -               -               -              -               -
Smith Barney Series Fund Equity Income Portfolio
 109,466 shares at net asset value
 of  $15.31 per share (cost $1,266,161)                           -               -               -              -               -
Smith Barney Series Fund Equity Index Portfolio
 113,267 shares at net asset value
 of  $23.55 per share (cost $1,465,108)                           -               -               -              -               -
Smith Barney Series Fund Growth & Income Portfolio
 169,949 shares at net asset value
 of  $18.54 per share (cost $2,082,682)                   3,150,849               -               -              -               -
Smith Barney Series Fund Appreciation Portfolio
 308,959 shares at net asset value
 of  $18.73 per share (cost $4,002,640)                           -       5,786,801               -              -               -
Smith Barney Series Fund Total Return Portfolio
 154,889 shares at net asset value
 of  $17.62 per share (cost $1,964,037)                           -               -       2,729,151              -               -
Smith Barney Series Fund Emerging Growth Portfolio
 63,840 shares at net asset value
 of  $16.87 per share (cost $777,720)                             -               -               -      1,076,988               -
Smith Barney Series Fund International Equity Portfolio
 116,710 shares at net asset value
 of  $11.78 per share (cost $1,174,447)                           -               -               -              -       1,374,841
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund
 660 shares at net asset value
 of  $28.58 per share (cost $17,478)                              -               -               -              -               -
IDS Life Special Income Fund
 1,202 shares at net asset value
 of  $11.80 per share (cost $14,394)                              -               -               -              -               -
IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc.
 0 shares at net asset value
 of  $0 per share (cost $0)                                       -               -               -              -               -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          3,150,849       5,786,801       2,729,151      1,076,988       1,374,841
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends receivable                                             -               -               -              -               -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                             3,150,849       5,786,801       2,729,151      1,076,988       1,374,841
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable to IDS Life of New York for:
Mortality and expense risk fee                               3,570           6,540           3,076          1,276           1,567
Administrative charge                                          714           1,308             615            255             314
Payable to mutual funds for investments
purchased                                                        -               -               -              -               -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities                                            4,284           7,848           3,691          1,531           1,881
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets applicable to contracts in
accumulation period                                     $3,146,565      $5,778,953      $2,725,460     $1,075,457      $1,372,960
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation units outstanding                           1,708,537       3,081,905       1,430,157        581,926       1,226,952
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value per accumulation unit                        $1.84           $1.88           $1.91          $1.85           $1.12
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

IDS Life of New York Account SBS

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Net Assets - continued                                                                        Dec. 31, 1997
                                                                                                                
                                                                     Segregated Asset Subaccount                 
                                                           ------------------------------------------------      Combined
Assets                                                           BCR             BSI             BMG             Variable
                                                                                                                  Account
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments in shares of mutual funds,
at market value:
Smith Barney Series Fund Money Market Portfolio
 521,786 shares at net asset value
<S>                                                               <C>              <C>              <C>        <C>               
 of  $1.00 per share (cost $521,783)                              $      -         $     -          $    -     $  521,786        
Smith Barney Series Fund Intermediate High Grade Portfolio
 189,648 shares at net asset value
 of  $10.89 per share (cost $1,959,222)                                  -               -               -      2,065,265
Smith Barney Series Fund Diversified Strategic Income Portfolio
 230,029 shares at net asset value
 of  $10.89 per share (cost $2,310,742)                                  -               -               -      2,505,015
Smith Barney Series Fund Equity Income Portfolio
 109,466 shares at net asset value
 of  $15.31 per share (cost $1,266,161)                                  -               -               -      1,675,920
Smith Barney Series Fund Equity Index Portfolio
 113,267 shares at net asset value
 of  $23.55 per share (cost $1,465,108)                                  -               -               -      2,667,435
Smith Barney Series Fund Growth & Income Portfolio
 169,949 shares at net asset value
 of  $18.54 per share (cost $2,082,682)                                  -               -               -      3,150,849
Smith Barney Series Fund Appreciation Portfolio
 308,959 shares at net asset value
 of  $18.73 per share (cost $4,002,640)                                  -               -               -      5,786,801
Smith Barney Series Fund Total Return Portfolio
 154,889 shares at net asset value
 of  $17.62 per share (cost $1,964,037)                                  -               -               -      2,729,151
Smith Barney Series Fund Emerging Growth Portfolio
 63,840 shares at net asset value
 of  $16.87 per share (cost $777,720)                                    -               -               -      1,076,988
Smith Barney Series Fund International Equity Portfolio
 116,710 shares at net asset value
 of  $11.78 per share (cost $1,174,447)                                  -               -               -      1,374,841
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund
 660 shares at net asset value
 of  $28.58 per share (cost $17,478)                                18,861               -               -         18,861
IDS Life Special Income Fund
 1,202 shares at net asset value
 of  $11.80 per share (cost $14,394)                                     -          14,181               -         14,181
IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc.
 0 shares at net asset value
 of  $0 per share (cost $0 )                                             -               -               -              -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    18,861          14,181               -     23,587,093
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends receivable                                                     -              88               -             88
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                                        18,861          14,269               -     23,587,181
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable to IDS Life of New York for:
Mortality and expense risk fee                                          22              16               -         26,709
Administrative charge                                                    4               3               -          5,341
Payable to mutual funds for investments
purchased                                                                -              69               -             69

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities                                                       26              88               -         32,119
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets applicable to contracts in
accumulation period                                               $ 18,835        $ 14,181             $ -   $ 23,555,062
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation units outstanding                                      12,843          12,690               -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value per accumulation unit                                $1.47           $1.12           $1.64
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

IDS Life of New York Account SBS

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Operations                                                                          For the year ended Dec. 31, 1997

                                                                                    Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             BMO             BIH             BDS            BEM             BEX
Investment income
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>     
Dividend income from mutual funds                          $ 18,090       $ 130,958       $ 207,570       $ 78,205        $ 72,267
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risk fee                                5,156          23,793          33,861         20,027          29,994
Administrative charge                                         1,031           4,759           6,772          4,005           5,999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses                                                6,187          28,552          40,633         24,032          35,993
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income (loss) - net                               11,903         102,406         166,937         54,173          36,274
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments - net

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain (loss) on sales of investments in mutual funds:
Proceeds from sales                                         169,750          74,487         800,246        483,366         160,565
Cost of investments sold                                    169,749          70,269         712,327        405,603          89,390
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                           1           4,218          87,919         77,763          71,175
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of investments                                       5          28,961         (91,948)       171,680         495,233
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain (loss) on investments                                    6          33,179          (4,029)       249,443         566,408
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations                                  $ 11,909       $ 135,585       $ 162,908      $ 303,616       $ 602,682
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

IDS Life of New York Account SBS

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Operations - continued                                                              For the year ended Dec. 31, 1997

                                                                                    Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                                       ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           BGI             BAP             BTR            BEG             BIE
Investment income
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>               <C>    
Dividend income from mutual funds                        $ 251,153       $ 369,021       $ 109,947      $ 125,149         $ 3,017
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risk fee                              37,199          68,442          30,936         13,509          19,966
Administrative charge                                        7,440          13,688           6,187          2,702           3,993
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses                                              44,639          82,130          37,123         16,211          23,959
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income (loss) - net                             206,514         286,891          72,824        108,938         (20,942)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments - net

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain (loss) on sales of investments in mutual funds:
Proceeds from sales                                        283,507         614,833         468,379        240,089         334,804
Cost of investments sold                                   178,987         422,010         338,579        163,331         275,851
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                    104,520         192,823         129,800         76,758          58,953
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of investments                                248,869         698,471         141,461         13,116         (91,306)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain (loss) on investments                             353,389         891,294         271,261         89,874         (32,353)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations                                $ 559,903     $ 1,178,185       $ 344,085      $ 198,812       $ (53,295)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

IDS Life of New York Account SBS

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Operations - continued                                                     For the year ended Dec. 31, 1997

                                                                         Segregated Asset Subaccount                
                                                                ------------------------------------------       Combined
                                                                    BCR             BSI             BMG          Variable
Investment income                                                                                                 Account
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                  <C>             <C>             <C>      <C>        
Dividend income from mutual funds                                    $ 515           $ 651           $ 107    $ 1,366,650
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risk fee                                         219              62              95        283,259
Administrative charge                                                   44              12              19         56,651
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses                                                         263              74             114        339,910
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income (loss) - net                                         252             577              (7)     1,026,740
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments - net
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain (loss) on sales of investments in mutual funds:
Proceeds from sales                                                    116               -          16,667      3,646,809
Cost of investments sold                                               119               -          16,230      2,842,445
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                                 (3)              -             437        804,364
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of investments                                          3,186            (213)           (477)     1,617,038
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain (loss) on investments                                       3,183            (213)            (40)     2,421,402
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations                                          $ 3,435           $ 364           $ (47)   $ 3,448,142
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

IDS Life of New York Account SBS

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets                                                              For the year ended Dec. 31, 1997

                                                                                Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations                                                  BMO             BIH             BDS            BEM             BEX

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>     
Investment income (loss) - net                             $ 11,903       $ 102,406       $ 166,937       $ 54,173        $ 36,274
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                           1           4,218          87,919         77,763          71,175
Net change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of investments                                       5          28,961         (91,948)       171,680         495,233
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations                                    11,909         135,585         162,908        303,616         602,682
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Transactions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract purchase payments                                        -               -           9,250          1,002               -
Net transfers*                                              246,033         435,930        (310,923)         1,886         157,307
Surrender benefits and contract charges                    (113,729)        (24,048)       (416,699)      (366,749)        (82,032)
Death benefits                                                    -               -               -         (5,232)              -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from contract transactions              132,304         411,882        (718,372)      (369,093)         75,275
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning of year                             376,913       1,515,001       3,057,084      1,739,116       1,985,841
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of year                                 $ 521,126     $ 2,062,468     $ 2,501,620    $ 1,673,639     $ 2,663,798
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accumulation Unit Activity
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at beginning of year                      342,709       1,324,173       2,397,158      1,409,996       1,208,198
Contract purchase payments                                        -               -           7,154            844               -
Net transfers*                                              219,667         380,530        (239,465)        (1,885)         78,081
Surrender benefits and contract charges                    (102,007)        (20,832)       (323,536)      (289,677)        (39,452)
Death benefits                                                    -               -               -         (4,171)              -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end of year                            460,369       1,683,871       1,841,311      1,115,107       1,246,827
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Includes  transfer activity from (to) other subaccounts and transfers from (to)
IDS Life of New  York's  fixed  account.
  
See  accompanying  notes to  financial statements.

</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

IDS Life of New York Account SBS

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets - continued                                                  For the year ended Dec. 31, 1997

                                                                                Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations                                                 BGI             BAP             BTR            BEG             BIE

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>             <C>              <C>           <C>             <C>       
Investment income (loss) - net                            $ 206,514       $ 286,891        $ 72,824      $ 108,938       $ (20,942)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                     104,520         192,823         129,800         76,758          58,953
Net change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of investments                                 248,869         698,471         141,461         13,116         (91,306)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations                                   559,903       1,178,185         344,085        198,812         (53,295)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Transactions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract purchase payments                                    8,487          18,728          39,268          1,494           1,501
Net transfers*                                               92,265         183,845         421,173         32,472         (53,403)
Surrender benefits and contract charges                    (196,957)       (487,735)       (389,946)      (140,652)       (182,784)
Death benefits                                                    -          (7,124)              -              -               -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from contract transactions              (96,205)       (292,286)         70,495       (106,686)       (234,686)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning of year                           2,682,867       4,893,054       2,310,880        983,331       1,660,941
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of year                               $ 3,146,565     $ 5,778,953     $ 2,725,460    $ 1,075,457     $ 1,372,960
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accumulation Unit Activity
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at beginning of year                    1,764,354       3,249,343       1,395,812        635,093       1,430,246
Contract purchase payments                                    4,896          10,959          22,336            931           1,252
Net transfers*                                               54,490         109,188         241,847         30,057         (47,765)
Surrender benefits and contract charges                    (115,203)       (283,107)       (229,838)       (84,155)       (156,781)
Death benefits                                                    -          (4,478)              -              -               -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end of year                          1,708,537       3,081,905       1,430,157        581,926       1,226,952
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Includes  transfer activity from (to) other subaccounts and transfers from (to)
IDS Life of New  York's  fixed  account.  

See  accompanying  notes to  financial statements.

</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

IDS Life of New York Account SBS

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets - continued                                          For the year ended Dec. 31, 1997

                                                                          Segregated Asset Subaccount                 
                                                               ----------------------------------------------    Combined
Operations                                                           BCR             BSI             BMG         Variable
                                                                                                                  Account
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                  <C>             <C>              <C>     <C>        
Investment income (loss) - net                                       $ 252           $ 577            $ (7)   $ 1,026,740
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                                 (3)              -             437        804,364
Net change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of investments                                          3,186            (213)           (477)     1,617,038
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations                                            3,435             364             (47)     3,448,142
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Transactions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract purchase payments                                               -               -               -         79,730
Net transfers*                                                           -          13,817         (16,634)     1,203,768
Surrender benefits and contract charges                                 (2)              -              (2)    (2,401,335)
Death benefits                                                           -               -               -        (12,356)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from contract transactions                          (2)         13,817         (16,636)    (1,130,193)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning of year                                     15,402               0          16,683     21,237,113
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of year                                         $ 18,835        $ 14,181             $ -   $ 23,555,062
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Activity
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at beginning of year                              12,845               -          12,010
Contract purchase payments                                               -               -               -
Net transfers*                                                           -          12,690         (12,008)
Surrender benefits and contract charges                                 (2)              -              (2)
Death benefits                                                           -               -               -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end of year                                    12,843          12,690               -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Includes  transfer activity from (to) other subaccounts and transfers from (to)
IDS Life of New  York's  fixed  account.  

See  accompanying  notes to  financial statements.

</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

IDS Life of New York Account SBS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets*                                                              For the year ended Dec. 31, 1996

                                                                     Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations                               BMO          BIH          BDS           BEM           BEX          BGI            BAP

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>            <C>      
Investment income (loss) - net          $ 12,505     $ (11,839)    $ (6,694)    $ (17,501)    $ 36,047     $ (34,771)     $ 326,083
Net realized gain (loss) on investments        2         5,009       40,222        39,821       42,379        77,440        201,938
Net change in unrealized appreciation
or depreciation of investments                (2)       10,148      250,197        52,896      258,634       376,808        252,993
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations                 12,505         3,318      283,725        75,216      337,060       419,477        781,014
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Transactions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract purchase payments                     -           320        6,665             -          319        79,541        158,409
Net transfers**                          (34,126)       24,317      278,066      (122,361)     (29,084)       (9,054)       (53,766)
Surrender benefits and contract charges  (22,104)      (87,647)    (657,405)     (166,322)     (34,973)     (142,793)      (473,742)
Death benefits                                 -       (11,367)           -       (28,226)           -        (7,388)       (31,371)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from 
contract transactions                    (56,230)      (74,377)    (372,674)     (316,909)     (63,738)      (79,694)      (400,470)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning of year          420,638     1,586,060    3,146,033     1,980,809    1,712,519     2,343,084      4,512,510
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of year              $ 376,913   $ 1,515,001  $ 3,057,084   $ 1,739,116  $ 1,985,841   $ 2,682,867    $ 4,893,054
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accumulation Unit Activity
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at beginning of year   394,848     1,390,013    2,704,108     1,676,729    1,248,903     1,818,942      3,535,742
Contract purchase payments                     -           286        5,527             -          222        56,769        115,144
Net transfers**                          (31,937)       21,344      234,161      (103,771)     (18,397)       (5,546)       (42,451)
Surrender benefits and contract charges  (20,202)      (77,535)    (546,638)     (138,973)     (22,530)     (100,952)      (336,324)
Death benefits                                 -        (9,935)           -       (23,989)           -        (4,859)       (22,768)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end of year         342,709     1,324,173    2,397,158     1,409,996    1,208,198     1,764,354      3,249,343
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Subaccount BSI had no activity in the year ended Dec. 31, 1996.
**Includes transfer activity from (to) other subaccounts and transfers from (to)
IDS Life of New York's fixed account.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

IDS Life of New York Account SBS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets* - continued                                                  For the year ended Dec. 31, 1996

                                                                Segregated Asset Subaccount                             
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------   Combined
Operations                                    BTR           BEG            BIE            BCR            BMG           Variable
                                                                                                                        Account
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>          <C>              <C>            <C>          <C>      
Investment income (loss) - net                $ 4,569       $ 6,845      $ (19,863)       $ 2,208        $ 1,206      $ 298,795
Net realized gain (loss) on investments        27,683       136,067         52,782              -             (1)       623,342
Net change in unrealized appreciation
or depreciation of investments                410,364        23,695        259,814         (1,803)           477      1,894,221
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
   from operations                            442,616       166,607        292,733            405          1,682      2,816,358
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Transactions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract purchase payments                      2,515       128,416         77,745              -              -        453,930
Net transfers**                                81,480       (56,936)        85,992         15,000         15,003        194,531
Surrender benefits and contract charges       (93,019)     (224,036)      (209,771)            (3)            (2)    (2,111,817)
Death benefits                                      -             -         (9,983)             -              -        (88,335)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from 
contract transactions                          (9,024)     (152,556)       (56,017)        14,997         15,001     (1,551,691)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning of year             1,877,288       969,280      1,424,225              -              -     19,972,446
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of year                 $ 2,310,880     $ 983,331    $ 1,660,941       $ 15,402       $ 16,683   $ 21,237,113
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accumulation Unit Activity
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at beginning of year      1,401,048       726,609      1,466,940              -              -
Contract purchase payments                      1,742        83,146         70,256              -              -
Net transfers**                                56,398       (32,999)        92,196         12,847         12,012
Surrender benefits and contract charges       (63,376)     (141,663)      (189,737)            (2)            (2)
Death benefits                                      -             -         (9,409)             -              -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end of year            1,395,812       635,093      1,430,246         12,845         12,010
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Subaccount BSI had no activity in the year ended Dec. 31, 1996.
**Includes transfer activity from (to) other subaccounts and transfers from (to)
IDS Life of New York's fixed account.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
IDS Life of New York Account SBS

Notes to Financial Statements
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Organization

IDS Life of New York Account SBS (the Variable  Account) was established on Oct.
8, 1991 as a single unit investment  trust of IDS Life Insurance  Company of New
York (IDS Life of New York) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the "1940  Act").  Operations  of the Variable  Account  commenced on March 15,
1993.

The  Variable  Account is  comprised  of various  subaccounts.  Each  subaccount
invests exclusively in shares of ten portfolios  (collectively,  the Portfolios)
of the Greenwich  Street Series Fund (the mutual fund) or three funds of the IDS
Life Retirement  Annuity Mutual Funds  (collectively,  the Funds). The assets of
each  subaccount of the Variable  Account are not  chargeable  with  liabilities
arising out of the business  conducted by any other segregated asset accounts or
by IDS Life of New York.

The mutual  fund is  registered  under the 1940 Act as a  diversified,  open-end
management  investment company.  The mutual fund currently offers a selection of
ten portfolios. Purchase payments allocated to the Money Market (BMO) subaccount
invest in shares of the Money  Market  Portfolio,  the  Intermediate  High Grade
(BIH) subaccount invests in shares of the Intermediate High Grade Portfolio; the
Diversified   Strategic  Income  (BDS)  subaccount  invests  in  shares  of  the
Diversified  Strategic  Income  Portfolio;  the Equity  Income (BEM)  subaccount
invests  in shares of the  Equity  Income  Portfolio;  the  Equity  Index  (BEX)
subaccount invests in shares of the Equity Index Portfolio;  the Growth & Income
(BGI)  subaccount  invests  in  shares  of the  Growth & Income  Portfolio;  the
Appreciation (BAP) subaccount  invests in shares of the Appreciation  Portfolio;
the Total  Return  (BTR)  subaccount  invests  in  shares  of the  Total  Return
Portfolio;  the  Emerging  Growth  (BEG)  subaccount  invests  in  shares of the
Emerging Growth Portfolio; and the International Equity (BIE) subaccount invests
in shares of the International Equity Portfolio.

IDS Life  Capital  Resource  Fund and IDS Life  Special  Income  Fund  commenced
operations Oct. 13, 1981. IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc. commenced operations April
30, 1986. These mutual funds are registered under the Investment  Company Act of
1940 as diversified, open-end management investment companies. Purchase payments
allocated to the Capital Resource (BCR) subaccount  invest in shares of IDS Life
Capital Resource Fund; the Special Income (BSI) subaccount  invests in shares of
IDS Life Special Income Fund; and the Managed (BMG) subaccount invests in shares
of IDS Life Managed Fund.

IDS Life Insurance  Company,  parent company of IDS Life of New York,  serves as
investment  manager for the Funds.  IDS Life of New York serves as issuer of the
contracts  investing  in  the  Variable  Account.   American  Express  Financial
Corporation  serves as investment advisor to the Funds. Smith Barney Inc. serves
as distributor for the mutual fund. Mutual Management Corp. serves as investment
advisor to the Money Market  Portfolio,  the Intermediate  High Grade Portfolio,
the Diversified  Strategic Income Portfolio,  the Equity Income  Portfolio,  the
Growth  &  Income  Portfolio,  the  Appreciation  Portfolio,  the  Total  Return
Portfolio  and  the  International   Equity  Portfolio.   Travelers   Investment
Management  Company serves as investment  advisor to the Equity Index Portfolio.
Davis Skaggs  Investment  Management  serves as investment  advisor to the Total
Return Portfolio.  Van Kampen American Capital Asset Management,  Inc. serves as
investment advisor to the Emerging Growth Portfolio. Smith Barney Global Capital
Management,  Inc. serves as sub-investment  advisor to the Diversified Strategic
Income  Portfolio.  Mutual  Management  Corp.  serves as  administrator  to each
Portfolio.
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Investments in the Mutual Fund

Investments  in shares of the  Portfolios of the mutual fund or in shares of the
Funds  are  stated  at market  value  which is the net asset  value per share as
determined by the  respective  portfolio or fund.  Investment  transactions  are
accounted  for on the  date the  shares  are  purchased  and  sold.  The cost of
investments sold and redeemed is determined on the average cost method. Dividend
distributions  received from the  Portfolios  and/or the Funds are reinvested in
additional  shares of the  Portfolios or the Funds and are recorded as income by
the subaccounts on the ex-dividend date.

Unrealized  appreciation  or  depreciation  of investments  in the  accompanying
financial  statements  represents the  subaccounts'  share of the Portfolios' or
Funds' undistributed net investment income,  undistributed realized gain or loss
and the unrealized appreciation or depreciation on their investment securities.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the  reported  amounts  of assets  and  liabilities  and  disclosures  of
contingent  assets and  liabilities at the date of the financial  statements and
the  reported  amounts of increase  and  decrease in net assets from  operations
during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Federal Income Taxes

IDS Life of New York is taxed as a life insurance company.  The Variable Account
is treated  as part of IDS Life of New York for  federal  income  tax  purposes.
Under existing  federal income tax law, no income taxes are payable with respect
to any investment income of the Variable Account.

- ------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Mortality and Expense Risk Fee

IDS Life of New York makes  guarantees  to the Variable  Account  that  possible
future adverse changes in  administrative  expenses and mortality  experience of
the annuitants will not affect the Variable  Account.  The mortality and expense
risk fee paid to IDS Life of New York is  deducted  daily  and is  equal,  on an
annual basis, to 1.25 percent of the daily net asset value of each subaccount.

- ------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Administrative Charge

IDS Life of New York deducts a daily charge equal,  on an annual basis,  to 0.25
percent  of the daily  net asset  value of each  subaccount.  It covers  certain
administrative and operating expenses of the subaccounts incurred by IDS Life of
New York  such as  accounting,  legal and data  processing  fees,  and  expenses
involved in the preparation and distribution of reports and prospectuses.
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Contract Charge

IDS  Life  of New  York  deducts  a  contract  charge  of $30  per  year on each
certificate  anniversary.  This  charge  reimburses  IDS  Life of New  York  for
expenses  incurred in establishing  and maintaining  the Annuity  records.  This
charge  cannot be increased  and does not apply after a retirement  payment plan
begins. IDS Life of New York does not expect to profit from this charge.

- ------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Surrender Charge

IDS Life of New York  will use a  surrender  charge to help it  recover  certain
expenses  relating  to the sale of the  Annuity.  The  surrender  charge will be
deducted for surrenders  during the first six payment years following a purchase
payment. Charges by IDS Life of New York for surrenders are not identified on an
individual  segregated  asset account basis.  Charges for all  segregated  asset
accounts  amount to $688,445 in 1997 and $551,374 in 1996.  Such charges are not
treated as a separate expense of the subaccounts or Variable  Account.  They are
ultimately  deducted  from contract  surrender  benefits paid by IDS Life of New
York.
<PAGE>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Investment Transactions

The subaccounts' purchases of Portfolio or Fund shares including reinvestment of
dividend distributions, were as follows:

                                                            Year ended Dec. 31,
Subaccount     Investment                                    1997          1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  BMO          Money Market Portfolio..................$  314,123    $   91,737
  BIH          Intermediate High Grade Portfolio.......   589,569        65,385
  BDS          Diversified Strategic Income Portfolio..   248,185       424,099
  BEM          Equity Income Portfolio.................   168,423        60,466
  BEX          Equity Index Portfolio..................   273,142        99,722
  BGI          Growth & Income Portfolio...............   394,565       183,364
  BAP          Appreciation Portfolio..................   610,835       762,900
  BTR          Total Return Portfolio..................   612,361       142,486
  BEG          Emerging Growth Portfolio...............   242,570       258,213
  BIE          International Equity Portfolio..........    78,871       307,162
  BCR          IDS Life Capital Resource Fund..........       372        17,252
  BSI          IDS Life Special Income Fund............    14,394            --
  BMG          IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc..............        --        17,617
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Combined Variable Account...............$3,547,410    $2,430,403
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Year 2000 Issue (Unaudited)

The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs having been written using
two  digits  rather  than  four  to  define  a  year.  Any  programs  that  have
time-sensitive  software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather
than 2000. This could result in the failure of major systems or miscalculations,
which could have a material  impact on the  operations of the Variable  Account.
The Variable  Account has no computer  systems of its own but is dependent  upon
the systems maintained by AEFC and certain other third parties.

A  comprehensive  review of AEFC's computer  systems and business  processes has
been  conducted to identify the major systems that could be affected by the Year
2000 issue.  Steps are being taken to resolve any potential  problems  including
modification  to  existing  software  and the  purchase of new  software.  These
measures are scheduled to be completed and tested on a timely basis. AEFC's goal
is to  complete  internal  remediation  and testing of each system by the end of
1998 and to continue compliance efforts through 1999.

The Year 2000 readiness of other third parties whose system  failures could have
an impact on Variable  Account's  operations is currently being  evaluated.  The
potential materiality of any such impact is not known at this time.
<PAGE>



<PAGE>

Report of Independent Auditors

The Board of Directors
IDS Life Insurance Company of New York
 
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of IDS Life
Insurance Company of New York (a wholly owned subsidiary of IDS
Life Insurance Company) as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
related statements of income, stockholder's equity and cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position
of IDS Life Insurance Company of New York at December 31, 1997
and 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.



Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 5, 1998



<PAGE>

IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE SHEETS                              Dec. 31, 1997    Dec. 31, 1996

ASSETS                                                (thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments:
Fixed maturities:
Held to maturity, at amortized cost (Fair value:
1997, $562,979; 1996, $604,635)                 $ 535,651        $ 585,812
Available for sale, at fair value (Fair value:
1996, $582,962; 1996, $590,608)                   603,576          601,623
Mortgage loans on real estate                     178,826          160,017
Policy loans                                       23,349           20,077
Other investments                                     970            1,374
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total investments                               1,342,372        1,368,903
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued investment income                          20,205           21,068
Deferred policy acquisition costs                 126,614          119,183
Other assets                                        4,227            3,950
Separate account assets                         1,236,759          950,018
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                   $2,730,177       $2,463,122
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits:
Fixed annuities                                  $964,483       $1,054,954
Universal life-type insurance                     147,744          142,278
Traditional life, disability income
and long-term care insurance                       50,469           45,338
Policy claims and other policyholders' funds        4,013            3,155
Deferred income taxes                              11,445            9,046
Amounts due to brokers                             29,054            3,007
Other liabilities                                  28,931           25,463
Separate account liabilities                    1,236,759          950,018
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities                               2,472,898        2,233,259
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholder's equity:
Capital stock, $10 par value per share;
200,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding   2,000            2,000
Additional paid-in capital                         49,000           49,000
Net unrealized gain on investments                 13,175            6,937
Retained earnings                                 193,104          171,926
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total stockholder's equity                        257,279          229,863
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity     $2,730,177       $2,463,122
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes.

<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                                     Years ended Dec. 31,
                                               1997         1996         1995
                                                         (thousands)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues:
Traditional life, disability income
and long-term care insurance
premiums                                     $ 12,376    $  10,931      $ 9,280
Policyholder and contractholder charges        18,319       15,832       13,216
Mortality and expense risk fees                11,312        8,574        6,213
Net investment income                         106,274      109,468      110,924
Net realized gains (losses) on investments        547       (1,424)       1,548
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total revenues                                148,828      143,381      141,181
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits and expenses:
Death and other benefits:
Traditional life, disability income
and long-term care insurance                    3,633        4,182        3,354
Universal life-type insurance
and investment contracts                        3,852        4,409        4,548
Increase in liabilities for future
policy benefits for traditional life,
disability income and
long-term care insurance                        3,979        2,324        1,958
Interest credited on universal life-type
insurance and investment contracts             62,294       65,099       68,630
Amortization of deferred policy
acquisition costs                              17,201       16,071       13,085
Other insurance and operating expenses         10,220        8,972        7,474
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total benefits and expenses                   101,179      101,057       99,049
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes                     47,649       42,324       42,132
Income taxes                                   16,471       14,640       14,745
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                   $ 31,178     $ 27,684     $ 27,387
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes.


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

 STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

                                Three years ended December 31, 1997
                                           (thousands)

                                        Additional  Net Unrealized
                               Capital   Paid-In     Gains (Losses) Retained
                                Stock    Capital    on Investments  Earnings     Total
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                            <C>      <C>           <C>           <C>        <C>     
Balance, December 31, 1994     $2,000   $ 49,000      $ (12,369)    $133,090   $171,721
  Net income                       --         --             --       27,387     27,387
  Change in net unrealized
   gains (losses) on investments   --         --         27,710           --     27,710
  Cash dividends                   --         --             --       (8,000)    (8,000)
  Loss on investment transfer
   to parent                       --         --             --         (235)      (235)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1995      2,000     49,000         15,341      152,242    218,583
  Net income                       --         --             --       27,684     27,684
  Change in net unrealized
   gains (losses) on investments   --         --         (8,404)          --     (8,404)
  Cash dividends                   --         --             --       (8,000)    (8,000)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996      2,000     49,000          6,937      171,926    229,863
  Net income                       --         --             --       31,178     31,178
  Change in net unrealized
   gains (losses) on investments   --         --          6,238           --      6,238
  Cash dividends                   --         --             --      (10,000)   (10,000)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1997     $2,000    $49,000       $ 13,175     $193,104   $257,279
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                               Years ended Dec. 31,
                                                 1997        1996       1995
                                                        (thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                                    $31,178      $27,684      $27,387
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Policy loan issuance, excluding universal
life-type insurance                            (3,073)      (2,473)      (2,093)
Policy loan repayment, excluding universal
life-type insurance                             1,897        1,571          881
Change in accrued investment income               863        1,504       (1,055)
Change in deferred policy acquisition
costs, net                                     (7,431)      (9,087)     (11,017)
Change in liabilities for future policy
benefits for traditional life, disability income
and long-term care insurance                    5,131        2,861        1,931
Change in policy claims and other
policyholders' funds                              858         (489)         427
Deferred income tax benefit                      (960)      (2,095)      (1,301)
Change in other liabilities                     3,468        4,434        2,429
(Accretion of discount)
amortization of premium, net                     (352)        (652)        (480)
Net realized (gain) loss on investments          (547)       1,424       (1,548)
Policyholder and contractholder
charges, non-cash                              (8,772)      (7,831)      (6,962)
Other, net                                       (557)      (1,781)        (508)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities     $21,703      $15,070      $ 8,091
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Fixed maturities held to maturity:
Purchases                                   $      -- $         --    $ (37,540)
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls    36,511       39,082       34,216
Sales                                          12,616       14,465       28,905
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Purchases                                    (101,818)     (97,370)    (133,503)
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls    84,229       71,939       44,234
Sales                                          27,055       15,669        8,839
Other investments, excluding policy loans:
Purchases                                     (33,243)     (14,802)      (1,939)
Sales                                          14,233       12,659        5,993
Change in amounts due from broker                 995           --           --
Change in amounts due to broker                26,047       (6,993)      10,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing 
activities                                     66,625       34,649      (40,795)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Activity related to universal life-type insurance
and investment contracts:
Considerations received                       112,732      131,011      159,431
Surrenders and death benefits                (251,259)    (236,689)    (190,695)
Interest credited to account balances          62,294       65,099       68,630
Universal life-type insurance policy loans:
Issuance                                       (4,848)      (4,490)      (4,870)
Repayment                                       2,753        3,350        2,946
Cash dividend to parent                       (10,000)      (8,000)      (8,000)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing 
activities                                    (88,328)     (49,719)      27,442
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash
equivalents                                        --           --       (5,262)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year     --           --        5,262
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year        $  --        $  --       $   --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes.

<PAGE>

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ($ thousands)

1.    Summary of significant accounting policies
      ------------------------------------------

      Nature of business

      IDS Life Insurance Company of New York (the Company) is engaged in the
      insurance and annuity business in the state of New York.  The Company's
      principal products are deferred annuities and universal life insurance
      which are issued primarily to individuals.  It offers single premium
      and flexible premium deferred annuities on both a fixed and variable
      dollar basis.  Immediate annuities are offered as well.  The Company's
      insurance products include universal life (fixed and variable), whole
      life, single premium life and term products (including waiver of
      premium and accidental death benefits).  The Company also markets
      disability income and long-term care insurance.

      Basis of presentation

      The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of IDS Life Insurance Company
      (IDS Life), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express
      Financial Corporation (AEFC), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of
      American Express Company.  The accompanying financial statements have
      been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting
      principles which vary in certain respects from reporting practices
      prescribed or permitted by the New York Department of Insurance as
      reconciled in Note 11.

      The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
      accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
      and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
      liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
      date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues
      and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ
      from those estimates.

      Investments

      Fixed maturities that the Company has both the positive intent and the
      ability to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity and
      carried at amortized cost.  All other fixed maturities and all
      marketable equity securities are classified as available for sale and
      carried at fair value.  Unrealized gains and losses on securities
      classified as available for sale are reported as a separate component
      of stockholder's equity, net of deferred income taxes.

      Realized investment gains or losses are determined on an identified
      cost basis.

      Prepayments are anticipated on certain investments in mortgage-backed
      securities in determining the constant effective yield used to
      recognize interest income.  Prepayment estimates are based on
      information received from brokers who deal in mortgage-backed
      securities.

      Mortgage loans on real estate are carried at amortized cost less
      allowances for mortgage loan losses.  The estimated fair value of the
      mortgage loans is determined by a discounted cash flow analysis using
      mortgage interest rates currently offered for mortgages of similar
      maturities.

<PAGE>
1.    Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
      ------------------------------------------------------

      Impairment of mortgage loans is measured as the excess of the loan's
      recorded investment over its present value of expected principal and
      interest payments discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, or
      the fair value of collateral.  The amount of the impairment is recorded
      in an allowance for mortgage loan losses.  The allowance for mortgage
      loan losses is maintained at a level that management believes is
      adequate to absorb estimated losses in the portfolio.  The level of the
      allowance account is determined based on several factors, including
      historical experience, expected future principal and interest payments,
      estimated collateral values, and current and anticipated economic and
      political conditions.  Management regularly evaluates the adequacy of
      the allowance for mortgage loan losses.

      The Company generally stops accruing interest on mortgage loans for
      which interest payments are delinquent more than three months.  Based
      on management's judgment as to the ultimate collectibility of
      principal, interest payments received are either recognized as income
      or applied to the recorded investment in the loan.

      The cost of interest rate caps is amortized to investment income over
      the life of the contracts and payments received as a result of these
      agreements are recorded as investment income when realized.  The
      amortized cost of interest rate caps is included in other investments.

      Policy loans are carried at the aggregate of the unpaid loan balances
      which do not exceed the cash surrender values of the related policies.

      When evidence indicates a decline, which is other than temporary, in
      the underlying value or earning power of individual investments, such
      investments are written down to the fair value by a charge to income.

      Statements of cash flows

      The Company considers investments with a maturity at the date of their
      acquisition of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  These
      securities are carried principally at amortized cost which approximates
      fair value.

      Supplementary information to the statements of cash flows for the years
      ended December 31 is summarized as follows:
 
                                         1997        1996         1995 
                                         ----        ----         ---- 
       Cash paid during the year for:
         Income taxes                 $17,811     $15,247      $15,026
         Interest on borrowings         1,026         777          742

      Recognition of profits on annuity contracts and insurance policies

      Profits on fixed deferred annuities are recognized by the Company over
      the lives of the contracts, using primarily the interest method.
      Profits represent the excess of investment income earned from
      investment of contract considerations over interest credited to
      contract owners and other expenses.

      The retrospective deposit method is used in accounting for universal
      life-type insurance.  This method recognizes profits over the lives of
      the policies in proportion to the estimated gross profits expected to
      be realized.


<PAGE>

1.    Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
      ------------------------------------------------------

      Premiums on traditional life, disability income and long-term care
      insurance policies are recognized as revenue when due, and related
      benefits and expenses are associated with premium revenue in a manner
      that results in recognition of profits over the lives of the insurance
      policies.  This association is accomplished by means of the provision
      for future policy benefits and the deferral and subsequent amortization
      of policy acquisition costs.

      Policyholder and contractholder charges include the monthly cost of
      insurance charges and issue and administrative fees.  These charges
      also include the minimum death benefit guarantee fees received from the
      variable life insurance separate accounts.  Mortality and expense fees
      are charged to the variable annuity and variable life insurance
      separate accounts.

      Deferred policy acquisition costs

      The costs of acquiring new business, principally sales compensation,
      policy issue costs, underwriting and certain sales expenses, have been
      deferred on insurance and annuity contracts.
      The deferred acquisition costs for most single premium deferred
      annuities and installment annuities are amortized in relation to
      accumulation values and surrender charge revenue.  The costs for
      universal life-type insurance and certain installment annuities are
      amortized as a percentage of the estimated gross profits expected to be
      realized on the policies.  For traditional life, disability income and
      long-term care insurance policies, the costs are amortized over an
      appropriate period in proportion to premium revenue.

      Liabilities for future policy benefits

      Liabilities for universal life-type insurance and deferred annuities
      are accumulation values.

      Liabilities for fixed annuities in a benefit status are based on
      mortality tables with various interest rates ranging from 5% to 9.5%,
      depending on year of issue.

      Liabilities for future benefits on traditional life insurance are based
      on the net level premium method, using anticipated mortality, policy
      persistency and interest earning rates.  Anticipated mortality rates
      are based on established industry mortality tables.  Anticipated policy
      persistency rates vary by policy form, issue age and policy duration
      with persistency on cash value plans generally anticipated to be better
      than persistency on term insurance plans.  Anticipated interest rates
      range from 4% to 10%, depending on policy form, issue year and policy
      duration.

      Liabilities for future disability income and long-term care policy
      benefits include both policy reserves and claim reserves.  Policy
      reserves are based on the net level premium method, using anticipated
      morbidity, mortality, policy persistency and interest earning rates.
      Anticipated morbidity and mortality rates are based on established
      industry morbidity and mortality tables.  Anticipated policy
      persistency rates vary by policy form, issue age, policy duration and,
      for disability income policies, occupation class.  Anticipated interest
      rates for disability income and long-term care policy reserves are 3%
      to 9.5% at policy issue and grade to ultimate rates of 5% to 7% over 4
      to 10 years.

      Claim reserves are calculated based on claim continuance tables and
      anticipated interest earnings.  Anticipated claim continuance rates are
      based on a national survey.  Anticipated interest rates for claim
      reserves for both disability income and long-term care range from 6% to
      8%.



<PAGE>


1.    Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
      ------------------------------------------------------

      Reinsurance

      The maximum amount of life insurance risk retained by the Company on
      any one life is $750 of life and waiver of premium benefits plus $50 of
      accidental death benefits.  The maximum amount of disability income
      risk retained by the Company on any one life is $6 of monthly benefit
      for benefit periods longer than three years.  The excesses are
      reinsured with other life insurance companies on a yearly renewable
      term basis.  Long-term care policies are primarily reinsured on a
      coinsurance basis.

      Federal income taxes

      The Company's taxable income is included in the consolidated federal
      income tax return of American Express Company.  The Company provides
      for income taxes on a separate return basis, except that, under an
      agreement between AEFC and American Express Company, tax benefit is
      recognized for losses to the extent they can be used on the
      consolidated tax return.  It is the policy of AEFC and its subsidiaries
      that AEFC will reimburse subsidiaries for all tax benefits.

      Included in other liabilities at December 31, 1997 and 1996 are $5,026
      and $5,161, respectively, payable to IDS Life for federal income taxes.

      Separate account business

      The separate account assets and liabilities represent funds held for
      the exclusive benefit of the variable annuity and variable life
      insurance contract owners.  The Company receives mortality and expense
      risk fees from the variable annuity separate accounts.

      The Company makes contractual mortality assurances to the variable
      annuity contract owners that the net assets of the separate accounts
      will not be affected by future variations in the actual life expectancy
      experience of the annuitants and the beneficiaries from the mortality
      assumptions implicit in the annuity contracts.  The Company makes
      periodic fund transfers to, or withdrawals from, the separate accounts
      for such actuarial adjustments for variable annuities that are in the
      benefit payment period.  For variable life insurance, the Company
      guarantees that the rates at which insurance charges and administrative
      fees are deducted from contract funds will not exceed contractual
      maximums.  The Company also guarantees that the death benefit will
      continue payable at the initial level regardless of investment
      performance so long as minimum premium payments are made.
 
      Reclassifications

      Certain 1996 and 1995 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the
      1997 presentation.
 
<PAGE>

 
2.    Investments
      -----------

      Fair values of investments in fixed maturities represent quoted market
      prices and estimated  values when quoted prices are not available.
      Estimated values are determined by established procedures involving,
      among other things, review of market indices, price levels of current
      offerings of comparable issues, price estimates and market data from
      independent brokers and financial files.
 
      The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of
      investments in fixed maturities at December 31, 1997 are as follows:

                                                  Gross      Gross     
                                     Amortized  Unrealized Unrealized   Fair
       Held to maturity                Cost       Gains      Losses     Value
       ----------------                ----       -----      ------     -----
      
       U.S. Government agency
         obligations                 $  3,690  $     253  $      --  $  3,943
       Corporate bonds and
         obligations                  476,108      27,361        444   503,025
       Mortgage-backed securities      55,853         452        294    56,011
                                      -------      ------        ---   -------
                                     $535,651     $28,066       $738  $562,979
                                      =======      ======        ===   =======

                                                   Gross      Gross   
                                    Amortized   Unrealized  Unrealized   Fair
       Available for sale              Cost        Gains      Losses     Value
       ------------------              ----        -----      ------     -----

       State and municipal
        obligations                  $    104    $     10    $    --  $    114
       Corporate bonds and
       obligations                    281,555      14,272      1,635   294,192
       Mortgage-backed securities     301,303       8,253        286   309,270
                                      -------      ------      -----   -------
                                     $582,962     $22,535     $1,921  $603,576
                                      =======      ======      =====   =======


      The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of
      investments in fixed maturities at December 31, 1996 are as follows:

                                                   Gross      Gross
                                     Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized   Fair
       Held to maturity                Cost        Gains      Losses     Value
       ----------------                ----        -----      ------     -----

       U.S. Government agency
        obligations                  $  4,498     $   144    $    --  $  4,642
       Corporate bonds and
        obligations                   523,807      23,060      2,964   543,903
       Mortgage-backed securities      57,507         409      1,826    56,090
                                      -------      ------      -----   -------
                                     $585,812     $23,613     $4,790  $604,635
                                      =======      ======      =====   =======

                                                  Gross       Gross   
                                    Amortized   Unrealized  Unrealized   Fair
       Available for sale              Cost       Gains       Losses     Value
       ------------------           ---------   ----------  ----------   -----

       State and municipal
       obligations                   $    105     $    10    $    --  $    115
       Corporate bonds and
       obligations                    260,966       8,857      1,181   268,642
       Mortgage-backed securities     329,537       5,788      2,459   332,866
                                      -------      ------      -----   -------
                                     $590,608     $14,655     $3,640  $601,623
                                      =======      ======      =====   =======


<PAGE>


2.    Investments (continued)
      -----------------------

      The amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturities at
      December 31, 1997 by contractual maturity are shown below.  Expected
      maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers
      may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call
      or prepayment penalties.

                                               Amortized        Fair
       Held to maturity                          Cost           Value
       ----------------                        ---------        -----

       Due in one year or less                   $18,376      $ 18,593
       Due from one to five years                 84,712        89,432
       Due from five to ten years                309,104       325,967
       Due in more than ten years                 67,606        72,976
       Mortgage-backed securities                 55,853        56,011
                                                 -------       -------
                                                $535,651      $562,979
                                                 =======       =======

                                                Amortized        Fair
       Available for sale                         Cost           Value
       ------------------                       ---------        -----

       Due in one year or less                   $12,635      $ 12,747
       Due from one to five years                 39,808        42,497
       Due from five to ten years                139,686       145,567
       Due in more than ten years                 89,530        93,495
       Mortgage-backed securities                301,303       309,270
                                                 -------       -------
                                                $582,962      $603,576
                                                 =======       =======



      During the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, fixed
      maturities classified as held to maturity were sold with amortized cost
      of $12,737, $14,507 and $27,971, respectively.  Net gains and losses on
      these sales were not significant.  The sale of these fixed maturities
      was due to significant deterioration in the issuers' creditworthiness.

      Fixed maturities available for sale were sold during 1997 with proceeds
      of $27,055 and gross realized gains and losses of $461 and $309,
      respectively.  Fixed maturities available for sale were sold during
      1996 with proceeds of $15,669 and gross realized gains and losses of
      $28 and $1,541, respectively.  Fixed maturities available for sale were
      sold during 1995 with proceeds of $8,839 and gross realized gains and
      losses of $nil and $74, respectively.

      At December 31, 1997, bonds carried at $259 were on deposit with the
      state of New York as required by law.


<PAGE>

2.    Investments (continued)
      -----------------------

      At December 31, 1997, investments in fixed maturities comprised
      85 percent of the Company's total invested assets.  These securities
      are rated by Moody's and Standard & Poor's (S&P), except for securities
      carried at approximately $117 million which are rated by AEFC internal
      analysts using criteria similar to Moody's and S&P.  A summary of
      investments in fixed maturities, at amortized cost, by rating on
      December 31 is as follows:

         Rating                              1997             1996
       ---------                             ----             ----
       Aaa/AAA                           $  367,242      $  396,097
       Aa/AA                                  9,685          13,996
       Aa/A                                  13,646          10,197
       A/A                                  162,275         196,542
       A/BBB                                 81,463          62,488
       Baa/BBB                              343,519         336,706
       Baa/BB                                21,519          51,639
       Below investment grade               119,264         108,755
                                          ---------       ---------
                                         $1,118,613      $1,176,420
                                          =========       =========

      At December 31, 1997, 96 percent of the securities rated Aaa/AAA are
      GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC mortgage-backed securities.  No holdings of any
      other issuer are greater than one percent of the Company's total
      investments in fixed maturities.

      At December 31, 1997, approximately 13 percent of the Company's
      investments were mortgage loans on real estate.  Summaries of mortgage
      loans by region of the United States and by type of real estate are as
      follows:

                              December 31, 1997          December 31, 1996
                            -----------------------   -----------------------
                            On Balance  Commitments   On Balance  Commitments
       Region                  Sheet    to Purchase      Sheet    to Purchase
       ------                  -----    -----------      -----    -----------
       West North Central    $ 27,833  $       --      $ 23,191      $1,342
       East North Central      33,515          --        33,430       1,708
       South Atlantic          34,182       2,750        35,501          --
       Middle Atlantic         24,485          --        22,889          --
       Pacific                  9,873          --        12,986          --
       Mountain                32,864       6,417        15,425          --
       New England              8,624          --         8,805          --
       East South Central       8,698          --         8,825          --
       West South Central         252          --           265          --
                              -------       -----       -------       -----
                              180,326       9,167       161,317       3,050
       Less allowance for
        losses                  1,500          --         1,300          --
                              -------       -----       -------       -----
                             $178,826       $9,167     $160,017      $3,050
                              =======        =====      =======       =====

                               December 31, 1997         December 31, 1996
                            ----------------------  ------------------------
                            On Balance Commitments  On Balance   Commitments
        Property type          Sheet   to Purchase     Sheet     to Purchase
       --------------          -----   -----------     -----     -----------
       Apartments            $ 68,823     $    --    $ 70,292        $1,708
       Department/retail       54,622       6,417      48,476         1,342
       stores
       Office buildings        25,042       1,650      18,684            --
       Industrial buildings    17,975       1,100      11,956            --
       Nursing/retirement       6,035          --       6,477            --
       Medical buildings        7,577          --       5,167            --
       Hotels/motels              252          --         265            --
                              -------       -----     -------         -----
                              180,326       9,167     161,317         3,050
       Less allowance for
        losses                  1,500          --       1,300            --
                              -------       -----     -------         -----
                             $178,826      $9,167    $160,017        $3,050
                              =======       =====     =======         =====

<PAGE>

2.    Investments (continued)
      -----------------------

      Mortgage loan fundings are restricted by state insurance regulatory
      authority to 80 percent or less of the market value of the real estate
      at the time of origination of the loan.  The Company holds the mortgage
      document, which gives it the right to take possession of the property
      if the borrower fails to perform according to the terms of the
      agreement.  The fair value of the mortgage loans is determined by a
      discounted cash flow analysis using mortgage interest rates currently
      offered for mortgages of similar maturities.  Commitments to purchase
      mortgages are made in the ordinary course of business.  The fair value
      of the mortgage commitments is $nil.

      At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company's recorded investment in
      impaired loans was $1,299 and $1,327, with allowances of $300 and $300,
      respectively.  During 1997 and 1996, the average recorded investment in
      impaired loans was $1,312 and $1,628, respectively.

      The Company recognized $126 and $152 of interest income related to
      impaired loans for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996,
      respectively.

      The following table presents changes in the allowance for investment
      losses related to all loans:

                                               1997         1996        1995 
                                               ----         ----        ---- 
       Balance, January 1                    $1,300      $   445        $445
       Provision for investment losses          200          855          --
                                              -----        -----         ---
       Balance, December 31                  $1,500       $1,300        $445
                                              =====        =====         ===

      Net investment income for the years ended December 31 is summarized as
      follows:

                                         1997          1996         1995
                                         ----          ----         ----
       Interest on fixed maturities   $ 92,007      $ 95,574     $ 97,092
       Interest on mortgage loans       14,228        14,171       13,888
       Other investment income           1,715         1,293        1,291
       Interest on cash equivalents         91            67          186
                                       -------       -------      -------
                                       108,041       111,105      112,457
       Less investment expenses          1,767         1,637        1,533
                                       -------       -------      -------
                                      $106,274      $109,468     $110,924
                                       =======       =======      =======
 
      Net realized gains (losses) on investments for the years ended December
      31 is summarized as follows:
 
                                        1997        1996        1995 
                                        ----        ----        ---- 
       Fixed maturities                 $844      $  (572)     $1,997
       Mortgage loans                   (200)        (855)       (487)
       Other investments                 (97)           3          38
                                        ----       ------       -----
                                        $547      $(1,424)     $1,548
                                         ===        =====       =====

      Changes in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
      for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows:
                                        1997         1996           1995
                                        ----         ----           ----
       Fixed maturities
        available for sale              9,599      (13,215)        43,726


<PAGE>

3.    Income taxes
      ------------

      The Company qualifies as a life insurance company for federal income
      tax purposes.  As such, the Company is subject to the Internal Revenue
      Code provisions applicable to life insurance companies.

      The income tax expense for the years ending December 31 consists of the
      following:

                                       1997         1996           1995
                                       ----         ----           ----
       Federal income taxes:
       Current                       $16,371      $15,735        $15,146
       Deferred                         (960)      (2,095)        (1,301)
                                      ------     --------       --------
                                      15,411       13,640         13,845
       State income taxes-current      1,060        1,000            900
                                      ------       ------         ------
       Income tax expense            $16,471      $14,640        $14,745
                                      ======       ======         ======
 
 
      Increases (decreases) to the federal tax provision applicable to pretax
      income based on the statutory
      rate are attributable to:
                                        1997           1996            1995
                                  --------------  --------------  -------------
                                  Provision Rate  Provision Rate  Provision Rate
                                  --------- ----  --------- ----  --------- ----
      Federal income taxes based
        on the statutory rate      $16,677  35.0%  $14,814  35.0% $14,746  35.0%
      Increases (decreases)
        are attributable to:
          Tax-excluded interest
            and dividend income       (569) (1.2)     (458) (1.1)    (464) (1.1)
          State tax, net benefit       689   1.4       650   1.5      585   1.4
          Other, net                  (326) (0.6)     (366) (0.8)    (122) (0.3)
                                    ------  ----    ------  ----   ------  ----
      Federal income taxes         $16,471  34.6%  $14,640  34.6% $14,745  35.0%
                                    ======  ====    ======  ====   ======  ====
 
      A portion of life insurance company income earned prior to 1984 was not
      subject to current taxation but was accumulated, for tax purposes, in a
      "policyholders' surplus account."  At December 31, 1997, the Company
      had a policyholders' surplus account balance of $798.  The
      policyholders' surplus account is only taxable if dividends to the
      stockholder exceed the stockholder's surplus account or if the Company
      is liquidated.  Deferred income taxes of $279 have not been established
      because no distributions of such amounts are contemplated.

      Significant components of the Company's deferred income tax assets and
      liabilities as of December 31  are as follows:
                                                    1997       1996
       Deferred income tax assets:
       Policy reserves                            $28,922    $28,809
       Other                                        5,467      4,018
                                                    -----      -----
            Total deferred income tax assets       34,389     32,827


       Deferred income tax liabilities:
       Deferred policy acquisition costs           36,594     35,302
       Investments                                  9,240      6,571
                                                   ------    -------
            Total deferred income tax
              liabilities                          45,834     41,873
                                                   ------     ------
            Net deferred income tax liabilities   $11,445     $9,046
                                                   ======      =====


<PAGE>



3.    Income taxes (continued)
      ------------------------

      The Company is required to establish a valuation allowance for any
      portion of the deferred income tax assets that management believes will
      not be realized.  In the opinion of management, it is more likely than
      not that the Company will realize the benefit of the deferred tax
      assets and, therefore, no such valuation allowance has been established.

4.    Stockholder's equity
      --------------------

      Retained earnings available for distribution as dividends to the parent
      are limited to the Company's surplus as determined in accordance with
      accounting practices prescribed by the New York Department of
      Insurance.  All dividend distributions must be approved by the New York
      Department of Insurance.  Statutory unassigned surplus aggregated
      $115,828 and $94,007 as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively
      (see Note 3 with respect to the income tax effect of certain
      distributions and Note 11 for a reconciliation of net income and
      stockholder's equity per the accompanying financial statements to
      statutory net income and surplus).

5.    Benefit plans
      -------------

      The Company participates in the American Express Company Retirement
      Plan which covers all permanent employees age 21 and over who have met
      certain employment requirements.  Employer contributions to the plan
      are based on participants' age, years of service and total compensation
      for the year.  Funding of retirement costs for this plan complies with
      the applicable minimum funding requirements specified by ERISA.  The
      Company's share of the total net periodic pension cost was $39, $34 and
      $33 in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

      The Company has a "Sales Benefit Plan" which is an unfunded,
      noncontributory retirement plan for all eligible financial advisors.
      Total plan costs for 1997, 1996 and 1995, which are calculated on the
      basis of commission earnings of the individual financial advisors, were
      $1,965, $1,474 and $1,392, respectively.  Such costs are included in
      deferred policy acquisition costs.

      The Company also participates in defined contribution pension plans of
      American Express Company which cover all employees who have met certain
      employment requirements.  Company contributions to the plans are a
      percent of either each employee's eligible compensation or basic
      contributions.  Costs of these plans charged to operations in 1997,
      1996 and 1995 were $312, $248 and $231, respectively.

      The Company participates in defined benefit health care plans of AEFC
      that provide health care and life insurance benefits to retired
      employees and retired financial advisors.  The plans include
      participant contributions and service-related eligibility
      requirements.  Upon retirement, such employees are considered to have
      been employees of AEFC.  AEFC expenses these benefits and allocates the
      expenses to its subsidiaries.  Accordingly, costs of such benefits to
      the Company are included in employee compensation and benefits and
      cannot be identified on a separate company basis.


<PAGE>



6.    Incentive plan and related party operating expenses
      ---------------------------------------------------

      The Company maintains a "Persistency Payment Plan."  Under the terms of
      this plan, financial advisors earn additional compensation based on the
      volume and persistency of insurance sales.  The total costs for the
      plan for 1997, 1996 and 1995 were $1,490, $1,424 and $1,720,
      respectively.  Such costs are included in deferred policy acquisition
      costs.

      Charges by IDS Life and AEFC for the use of joint facilities, marketing
      services and other services aggregated $11,589, $12,389 and $12,122 for
      1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.  Certain of these costs are included
      in deferred policy acquisition costs.

7.    Commitments and contingencies
      -----------------------------

      At December 31, 1997 and 1996, traditional life insurance and universal
      life-type insurance in force aggregated $4,513,251 and $4,053,561,
      respectively, of which $220,798 and $203,963 were reinsured at the
      respective year ends.

      In addition, the Company has a stop loss reinsurance agreement with IDS
      Life covering ordinary life benefits.  IDS Life agrees to pay all death
      benefits incurred each year which exceed 125 percent of normal claims,
      where normal claims are defined in the agreement as .095 percent of the
      mean retained life insurance in force.  Premiums ceded to IDS Life
      amounted to $115, $98 and $85 for the years ended December 31, 1997,
      1996 and 1995, respectively.  Claim recoveries under the terms of this
      reinsurance agreement were $963, $861 and $1,426 in 1997, 1996 and
      1995, respectively.

      Premiums ceded to reinsurers other than IDS Life amounted to $1,583,
      $747 and $667 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,
      respectively.  Reinsurance recovered from reinsurers other than IDS
      Life amounted to $1,366, $66 and $576 for the years ended
      December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.

      Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its primary
      obligations to policyholders.

      The Company has an agreement to assume a block of extended term life
      insurance business.  The amount of insurance in force related to this
      agreement was $303,263 and $345,943 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, 
      respectively.  The accompanying statement of income includes premiums of 
      $nil for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, and decreases 
      in liabilities for future policy benefits of $1,889, $2,010 and $2,039 
      related to this agreement for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 
      1995, respectively.

8.    Lines of credit
      ---------------

      The Company has an available line of credit with AEFC aggregating
      $25,000.  The line of credit is at 45 basis points over the Federal
      Funds rate.   A $20,000 line of credit with another bank expired on
      June 30, 1997 and the Company did not seek renewal.  Outstanding
      borrowings under these agreements were $nil at December 31, 1997 and
      1996.

9.    Derivative financial instruments
      --------------------------------

      The Company enters into transactions involving derivative financial
      instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate risk, including
      hedging specific transactions. The Company does not hold derivative
      instruments for trading purposes.  The Company manages risks associated
      with these instruments as described below.


<PAGE>


9.    Derivative financial instruments (continued)
      --------------------------------------------

      Market risk is the possibility that the value of the derivative
      financial instruments will change due to fluctuations in a factor from
      which the instrument derives its value, primarily an interest rate.
      The Company is not impacted by market risk related to derivatives held
      for non-trading purposes beyond that inherent in cash market
      transactions.  Derivatives held for purposes other than trading are
      largely used to manage risk and, therefore, the cash flow and income
      effects of the derivatives are inverse to the effects of the underlying
      transactions.

      Credit risk is the possibility that the counterparty will not fulfill
      the terms of the contract.  The Company monitors credit risk related to
      derivative financial instruments through established approval
      procedures, including setting concentration limits by counterparty and
      industry, and requiring collateral, where appropriate.  A vast majority
      of the Company's counterparties are rated A or better by Moody's and
      Standard & Poor's.

      Credit risk related to interest rate caps is measured by replacement
      cost of the contracts.  The replacement cost represents the fair value
      of the instruments.

      The notional or contract amount of a derivative financial instrument is
      generally used to calculate the cash flows that are received or paid
      over the life of the agreement.  Notional amounts are not recorded on
      the balance sheet.  Notional amounts far exceed the related credit
      exposure.

      The Company's holdings of derivative financial instruments are as
      follows:

 
                             Notional    Carrying     Fair      Total Credit
       December 31, 1997      Amount      Amount      Value       Exposure
       -----------------      ------      ------      -----       --------
       Assets:
       Interest rate caps    $200,000      $ 970       $ 62          $ 62
                              =======        ===         ==            ==

       December 31, 1996 
       ----------------- 
       Assets:
       Interest rate caps    $250,000     $1,374       $832         $832
                              =======      =====        ===          ===

      The fair values of derivative financial instruments are based on market
      values, dealer quotes or pricing models.  The interest rate caps expire
      on various dates through 2000.

      Interest rate caps are used to manage the Company's exposure to
      interest rate risk.  These instruments are used primarily to protect
      the margin between interest rates earned on investments and the
      interest rates credited to related annuity contract holders.

10.   Fair values of financial instruments
      ------------------------------------

      The Company discloses fair value information for most on- and
      off-balance sheet financial instruments for which it is practicable to
      estimate that value.  Fair values of life insurance obligations,
      receivables and all non-financial instruments, such as deferred
      acquisition costs, are excluded.  Off-balance sheet intangible assets,
      such as the value of the field force, are also excluded.  Management
      believes the value of excluded assets and liabilities is significant.
      The fair value of the Company, therefore, cannot be estimated by
      aggregating the amounts presented.
 
<PAGE>


10.   Fair values of financial instruments (continued)
      ------------------------------------------------


                                                1997                1996
                                         ------------------  -----------------
                                         Carrying     Fair   Carrying    Fair
       Financial Assets                   Amount      Value   Amount     Value
       ----------------                   ------      -----   ------     -----
       Investments:
       Fixed maturities (Note 2):
       Held to maturity                  $ 535,651 $ 562,979  $585,812  $604,635
       Available for sale                  603,576   603,576   601,623   601,623
       Mortgage loans on real estate       178,826   187,992   160,017   164,444
       (Note 2)
       Other:
       Derivative financial                    970        62     1,374       832
       instruments (Note 9)
       Separate accounts assets (Note 1) 1,236,759 1,236,759   950,018   950,018
       

       Financial Liabilities
       Future policy benefits for
         fixed annuities                   880,809   852,391   979,030   946,359
       Separate account liabilities      1,136,408 1,086,565   880,160   838,492
 
      At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the carrying amount and fair value of
      future policy benefits for fixed annuities exclude life
      insurance-related contracts carried at $78,853 and $72,252,
      respectively, and policy loans of $4,821 and $3,672, respectively.  The
      fair value of these benefits is based on the status of the annuities at
      December 31, 1997 and 1996.  The fair value of deferred annuities is
      estimated as the carrying amount less any surrender charges and related
      loans.  The fair value for annuities in non-life contingent payout
      status is estimated as the present value of projected benefit payments
      at rates appropriate for contracts issued in 1997 and 1996.

      At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the fair value of liabilities related to
      separate accounts is estimated as the carrying amount less applicable
      surrender charges and less variable insurance contracts carried at
      $100,351and $69,859, respectively.


<PAGE>



11.   Statutory insurance accounting practices
      ----------------------------------------

      Reconciliations of net income for 1997, 1996 and 1995 and stockholder's
      equity at December 31, 1997 and 1996, as shown in the accompanying
      financial statements, to that determined using statutory accounting
      practices are as follows:

                                              1997          1996         1995
                                              ----          ----         ----
       Net income, per accompanying
          financial statements               $31,178      $27,684       $27,387
       Deferred policy acquisition costs      (7,432)      (9,087)      (11,017)
       Adjustments of future policy
          benefit liabilities                 (4,928)      (9,683)      (10,655)
       Deferred income tax benefit              (960)      (2,095)       (1,301)
       Provision for losses on                   296          877            --
       investments
       IMR gain/loss transfer and               (119)       1,010          (331)
       amortization
       Adjustment to separate account         10,267        8,863        20,769
       reserves
       Other, net                                430          116           948
                                              ------       ------        ------
       Net income, on basis of
          statutory accounting practices     $28,732      $17,685       $25,800
                                              ======       ======        ======


       Stockholder's equity, per accompanying
          financial statements              $257,279     $229,863
       Deferred policy acquisition costs    (126,614)    (119,183)
       Adjustments of future policy            9,452       13,458
       benefit
        
       liabilities
       Deferred income taxes                  11,445        9,046
       Asset valuation reserve               (16,698)     (19,446)
       Adjustments of separate account        53,456       43,189
       liabilities
       Adjustments of investments to
       amortized cost                        (20,613)     (11,016)
       Premiums due, deferred and advance      1,237        1,149
       Deferred revenue liability              1,941        1,342
       Allowance for losses                    1,645        1,349
       Non-admitted assets                      (552)        (634)
       Interest maintenance reserve           (1,551)      (1,432)
       Other, net                             (1,463)        (281)
                                             --------     --------
       Stockholder's equity, on basis of
       statutory accounting practices       $168,963     $147,404
                                             =======      =======



<PAGE>



12.   Year 2000 Issue (unaudited)
      ---------------------------

      The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs having been
      written using two digits rather than four to define a year.  Any
      programs that have time-sensitive software may recognize a date using "00"
      as the year 1900 rather than 2000.  This could result in the failure of
      major systems or miscalculations, which could have a material impact on
      the operations of the Company.  All of the systems used by the Company are
      maintained by AEFC and are utilized by multiple subsidiaries and
      affiliates of AEFC.  The Company's business is heavily dependent upon
      AEFC's computer systems and has significant interactions with systems of 
      third parties.

      A comprehensive review of AEFC's computer systems and business
      processes, including those specific to the Company, has been 
      conducted to identify the major systems that could be affected by the
      Year 2000 issue.  Steps are being taken to resolve any potential 
      problems including modification to existing software and the purchase
      of new software.  These measures are scheduled to be completed and
      tested on a timely basis.  AEFC's goal is to complete internal remediation
      and testing of each system by the end of 1998 and to continue compliance 
      efforts through 1999.

      AEFC is evaluating the Year 2000 readiness of advisors and other third
      parties whose system failures could have an impact on the Company's
      operations.  The potential materiality of any such impact is not known at
      this time.



<PAGE>
PART C.

Item 24.       Financial Statements and Exhibits

(a)     Financial Statements included in Part B of this Registration Statement:

         IDS Life of New York Account SBS:

                  Statements of Net Assets as of Dec. 31, 1997.
                  Statements of Operations for year ended Dec. 31, 1997.
                  Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended 
                    Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996.
                  Notes to Financial Statements.
                  Report of Independent Auditors dated March 13, 1998.

         IDS Life Insurance Company of New York:

                  Balance Sheets as of Dec. 31, 1997 and Dec. 31, 1996.
                  Statements of Income for the years ended Dec. 31, 1997, 
                    1996 and 1995.
                  Statements of Stockholder's Equity, for the years ended 
                    Dec. 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.
                  Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended Dec. 31, 1997, 
                    1996 and 1995.
                  Notes to Financial Statements.
                  Report of Independent Auditors dated February 5, 1998.

         Exhibit to Financial Statements included in Part C:

         Financial Statement Schedules I, III, IV, and V as required by
         Regulation S-X.

         Schedule I        -        Consolidated Summary of Investments Other 
                                    than Investments in Related Parties
         Schedule III      -        Supplementary Insurance Information
         Schedule IV       -        Reinsurance
         Schedule V        -        Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

         Report of Independent Auditors dated February 5, 1998.

         All other schedules to the financial statements required by Article 7
         of Regulation S-X are not required under the related instructions or
         are inapplicable and, therefore, have been omitted.

(b)      Exhibits:

1.1      Copy of Resolution of the Board of Directors of IDS Life Insurance
         Company of New York establishing Account SLB on October 8, 1991, filed
         electronically as Exhibit 1.1 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to
         Registration Statement No. 33-45776 is incorporated herein by
         reference.
<PAGE>
1.2      Copy of Consent in Writing in Lieu of a Meeting of Resolution of the
         Board of Directors of IDS Life Insurance Company of New York Account
         SLB establishing three additional subaccounts on October 8, 1991, filed
         electronically as Exhibit 1.2 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to
         Registration Statement No. 33-45776 is incorporated herein by
         reference.

2.       Not applicable.

3.       Form of Distribution Agreement between IDS Life Insurance Company of 
         New York and Shearson Lehman Brothers Inc., the principal underwriter,
         filed electronically as Exhibit 3 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 
         to Registration Statement No. 33-45776 is incorporated herein by
         reference.

4.1      Revised form of Group Flexible Premium Deferred Combination Fixed and 
         Variable Annuity Contract (No. 39377 GP) filed electronically as 
         Exhibit 4.1 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to Registration 
         Statement No. 33-45776 is incorporated herein by reference.

4.2      Copy of Group Deferred Variable Annuity Certificate (No. 39377) filed 
         electronically as Exhibit 4.2 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to 
         Registration Statement No. 33-45776 is incorporated herein 
         by reference.

5.1      Revised form of Group Deferred Variable Annuity Application 
         (No. 38614 GP) filed electronically as Exhibit 5.1 to Post-Effective 
         Amendment No. 5 to Registration Statement No. 33-45776 is
         incorporated herein by reference.

5.2      Copy of Variable Annuity Group Enrollment Application (No. 38614) 
         filed electronically as Exhibit 5.2 to Post-Effective Amendment 
         No. 5 to Registration Statement No. 33-45776 is incorporated 
         herein by reference.

6.1      Copy of the Revised Charter of IDS Life of New York, dated 
         April 1992, filed electronically as Exhibit 6.1 to Post-Effective 
         Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement No. 33-45776/811-6560
         is hereby incorporated by reference.

6.2      Copy of the Amended By-Laws of IDS Life of New York, dated May 1992, 
         filed electronically as Exhibit 6.1 to Post-Effective Amendment 
         No. 4 to Registration Statement No. 33-45776/811-6560
         is hereby incorporated by reference.

7.       Not applicable.

8.       Not applicable.

9.       Opinion of counsel and consent to its use as to the legality of the
         securities being registered, filed electronically herewith.

10.      Consent of Independent Auditors, filed electronically herewith.

11.      Financial Statement Schedules and Report of Independent Auditors, filed
         electronically herewith.

12.      Not applicable.
<PAGE>
13.      Copy of schedule for computation of each performance quotation filed 
         electronically as Exhibit 13 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to 
         Registration Statement No. 33-45776 is incorporated herein 
         by reference.

14.      Financial Data Schedule, filed electronically herewith.

15.      Power of Attorney to sign this Registration Statement dated March 26,
         1997, filed electronically as Exhibit 15 to Post-Effective Amendment
         No. 5 to Registration Statement No. 33-45776, is incorporated 
         herein by reference.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Item 25.          Directors and Officers of the Depositor (IDS Life Insurance Company of New York)
                  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                              Positions and Offices with Depositor
Name                                 Principal Business Address
- ------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>                                      <C>
Mario Alaia                          20 Madison Avenue Extension              Claims Officer and Assistant
                                     Albany, NY                                    Secretary

Darrell C. Beckstrom                 IDS Tower 10                             Underwriting Officer
                                     Minneapolis, MN  55440

John C. Boeder                       20 Madison Avenue Extension              Director
                                     Albany, NY

Eugene C. Chen                       20 Madison Avenue Extension              Chief Actuary
                                     Albany, NY

Roger C. Corea                       20 Madison Avenue Extension              Director
                                     Albany, NY

Charles A. Cuccinello                20 Madison Avenue Extension              Director
                                     Albany, NY

Darlene S. Farron                    20 Madison Avenue Extension              Treasurer
                                     Albany, NY

Milton R. Fenster                    20 Madison Avenue Extension              Director
                                     Albany, NY

Donna M. Gaglione                    20 Madison Avenue Extension              Secretary
                                     Albany, NY

Robert R. Grew                       20 Madison Avenue Extension              Director
                                     Albany, NY

Margaret M. Grogan, M.D.             Bethlehem Terrace Apts.                  Medical Director
                                     Slingerland, NY

Lorraine R. Hart                     IDS Tower 10                             Investment Officer
                                     Minneapolis, MN  55440

<PAGE>

Robert A. Hatton                     IDS Tower 10                             Director, Vice President and Chief
                                     Minneapolis, MN  55440                        Operating Officer

Richard W. Kling                     IDS Tower 10                             Director, Chairman of the Board and
                                     Minneapolis, MN  55440                        President

Edward Landes                        IDS Tower 10                             Director
                                     Minneapolis, MN  55440

Thomas V. Nicolosi                   Suite 220                                Director
                                     500 Mamaroneck Avenue
                                     Harrison, NY  10528

Stephen P. Norman                    World Financial Center                   Director
                                     New York, NY

Carl N. Platou                       IDS Tower 10                             Director
                                     Minneapolis, MN  55440

Gordon H. Ritz                       404 WCCO Radio Bldg.                     Director
                                     Minneapolis, MN

F. Dale Simmons                      IDS Tower 10                             Vice President and Assistant
                                     Minneapolis, MN  55440                        Treasurer

Richard M. Starr                     20 Madison Avenue Extension              Director
                                     Albany, NY

William A. Stoltzmann                IDS Tower 10                             Counsel and Assistant Secretary
                                     Minneapolis, MN  55440

Michael R. Woodward                  20 Madison Avenue Extension              Director
                                     Albany, NY
</TABLE>
Item 26.          Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the 
                  Depositor or Registrant

                  IDS Life Insurance Company of New York is a wholly-owned
                  subsidiary of IDS Life Insurance Company which is a
                  wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express Financial
                  Corporation. American Express Financial Corporation is a
                  wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express Company (American
                  Express).

                  The following list includes the names of major subsidiaries of
                  American Express.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Jurisdiction of
Name of Subsidiary                                                                      Incorporation

I. Travel Related Services
<S>                                                                                  <C> 
     American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.                             New York
<PAGE>
II. International Banking Services

     American Express Bank Ltd.                                                         Connecticut

III. Companies engaged in Financial Services

     Advisory Capital Strategies Group Inc.                                             Minnesota
     American Centurion Life Assurance Company                                          New York
     American Enterprise Investment Services Inc.                                       Minnesota
     American Enterprise Life Insurance Company                                         Indiana
     American Express Asset Management Group Inc.                                       Minnesota
     American Express Asset Management International Inc.                               Delaware
     American Express Asset Management International (Japan) Ltd.                       Japan
     American Express Asset Management Ltd.                                             England
     American Express Client Service Corporation                                        Minnesota
     American Express Corporation                                                       Delaware
     American Express Financial Advisors Inc.                                           Delaware
     American Express Financial Corporation                                             Minnesota
                                                                                        Delaware
     American Express Insurance Agency of Arizona Inc.                                  Arizona
     American Express Insurance Agency of Idaho Inc.                                    Idaho
     American Express Insurance Agency of Nevada Inc.                                   Nevada
     American Express Insurance Agency of Oregon Inc.                                   Oregon
     American Express Minnesota Foundation                                              Minnesota
     American Express Property Casualty Insurance Agency of Kentucky Inc.               Kentucky
     American Express Property Casualty Insurance Agency of Maryland Inc.               Maryland
     American Express Property Casualty Insurance Agency of Pennsylvania Inc.           Pennsylvania
     American Express Trust Company                                                     Minnesota
     American Partners Life Insurance Company                                           Arizona
     IDS Cable Corporation                                                              Minnesota
     IDS Cable II Corporation                                                           Minnesota
     IDS Capital Holdings Inc.                                                          Minnesota
     IDS Certificate Company                                                            Delaware
     IDS Futures Corporation                                                            Minnesota
     IDS Insurance Agency of Alabama Inc.                                               Alabama
     IDS Insurance Agency of Arkansas Inc.                                              Arkansas
     IDS Insurance Agency of Massachusetts Inc.                                         Massachusetts
     IDS Insurance Agency of New Mexico Inc.                                            New Mexico
     IDS Insurance Agency of North Carolina Inc.                                        North Carolina
     IDS Insurance Agency of Utah Inc.                                                  Utah
     IDS Insurance Agency of Wyoming Inc.                                               Wyoming
     IDS Life Insurance Company                                                         Minnesota
     IDS Life Insurance Company of New York                                             New York
     IDS Management Corporation                                                         Minnesota
     IDS Partnership Services Corporation                                               Minnesota
     IDS Plan Services of California, Inc.                                              Minnesota
     IDS Property Casualty Insurance Company                                            Wisconsin
     IDS Real Estate Services, Inc.                                                     Delaware
     IDS Realty Corporation                                                             Minnesota
     IDS Sales Support Inc.                                                             Minnesota
     IDS Securities Corporation                                                         Delaware
     Investors Syndicate Development Corp.                                              Nevada
     North Dakota Public Employee Payment Company                                       Minnesota
</TABLE>
Item 27.       Number of Contractowners

                  On February 28, 1998, there were 76 contract owners of
                  qualified contracts. There were 350 owners of nonqualified
                  contracts.
<PAGE>
Item 28.       Indemnification

                  The By-Laws of the depositor provide that to the extent
                  permitted and in the manner prescribed by law, the Corporation
                  shall indemnify any person made, or threatened to be made, a
                  party to any action, suit or proceeding, civil or criminal, by
                  reason of the fact that he, his testator or intestate, is or
                  was Director or Officer of the Corporation or of any other
                  corporation of any type or kind, domestic or foreign, which he
                  served in any capacity at the request of the Corporation,
                  against judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and
                  reasonable expenses (which the Corporation may advance),
                  including attorneys' fees, actually and necessarily incurred
                  as a result of such action, suit or proceeding, or any appeal
                  therein.

                  The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive
                  of any other right to which any such person may be entitled.
                  Neither the adoption of this provision nor any modification or
                  repeal hereof, or of any provision of any applicable law
                  shall, unless otherwise required by law, enlarge or diminish
                  any right of indemnification of a Director or Officer as it
                  existed at the time of accrual of the alleged cause of action
                  asserted in the threatened or pending action, suit or
                  proceeding in which the expenses were incurred or other amount
                  was paid.

                  The Board, in its discretion, may authorize the Corporation to
                  indemnify any person, other than a Director or Officer, for
                  expenses incurred or other amounts paid in any civil or
                  criminal action, suit or proceeding, to which such person was,
                  or was threatened to be, made a party by reason of the fact
                  that he, his testator or intestate, is or was an employee or
                  agent of the Corporation or of any other corporation of any
                  type or kind, domestic or foreign, which he served in any
                  capacity at the request of the Corporation, against judgments,
                  fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses
                  (which the Corporation may advance), as a result of such
                  action, suit or proceeding, or any appeal therein.

                  Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the
                  Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to director, officers
                  and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
                  foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been
                  advised 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.
<PAGE>
Item 29. Principal Underwriters.

       (a)      Smith Barney Inc. currently acts as principal underwriter for 
                various investment companies and various series of unit 
                investment trusts.

                Smith Barney Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Smith Barney 
                Holdings Inc. ("Holdings") and an indirect wholly-owned 
                subsidiary of The Travelers Inc.

       (b)      The information required by this Item 29 with respect
                to each director and officer of Smith Barney Inc. is
                incorporated by reference to Schedule A of Form BD
                filed by Smith Barney Inc. pursuant to the Securities
                Exchange Act of 1934.

       (c)      Not applicable.

Item 30.       Location of Accounts and Records

                  IDS Life Insurance Company of New York
                  20 Madison Avenue Extension
                  Albany, NY  12203

Item 31.       Management Services

                  Not applicable.

Item 32. Undertakings

       (a), (b) & (c)    These undertakings were filed with Pre-Effective 
                         Amendment No. 1 to  Registration Statement 
                         No. 33-45776/811-6560.

                  (d)    The sponsoring insurance company represents that the
                         fees and charges deducted under the contract, in the
                         aggregate, are reasonable in relation to the services
                         rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred, and
                         the risks assumed by the insurance company.
<PAGE>
                                                SIGNATURES

As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of
1940, IDS Life Insurance Company of New York, on behalf of the Registrant,
certifies that it meets the requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to
its Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of
1933 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf
in the City of Minneapolis, and State of Minnesota, on the 29th day of April,
1998.


                                         IDS LIFE OF NEW YORK ACCOUNT SBS
                                                       (Registrant)

                                 By IDS Life Insurance Company of New York
                                                       (Sponsor)

                                 By /s/   Richard W. Kling*
                                          Richard W. Kling
                                          President

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 29th day of
April, 1998.

Signature                                            Title

/s/  Richard W. Kling*                               Director, Chairman of the
     Richard W. Kling                                Board and President

/s/  John C. Boeder*                                 Director
     John C. Boeder

/s/  Roger C. Corea*                                 Director
     Roger C. Corea

/s/  Charles A. Cuccinello*                          Director
     Charles A. Cuccinello

/s/  Milton R. Fenster*                              Director
     Milton R. Fenster

/s/  Darlene S. Farron*                              Treasurer
     Darlene S. Farron

/s/  Robert A. Hatton*                               Director, Vice President
     Robert A. Hatton                                and Chief Operating Officer

/s/  Edward Landes*                                  Director
     Edward Landes
<PAGE>
Signature                                            Title

/s/  Thomas V. Nicolosi*                             Director
     Thomas V. Nicolosi

/s/  Stephen P. Norman*                              Director
     Steven P. Norman

/s/  Carl Platou*                                    Director
     Carl Platou

/s/  Gordon H. Ritz*                                 Director
     Gordon H. Ritz

/s/  Richard M. Starr*                               Director
     Richard M. Starr

/s/  Michael R. Woodward*                            Director
     Michael R. Woodward


*Signed   pursuant  to  Power  of  Attorney,   dated  March  26,   1997,   filed
electronically as Exhibit 15 to  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 7 to Registration
Statement No. 33-45776 by:



- --------------------------
Colin M. Lancaster
<PAGE>
                                CONTENTS OF POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 8


This Registration Statement is comprised of the following papers and documents:

The Cover Page.

Cross-reference sheet.

Part A.

         The prospectus.

Part B.

         Statement of Additional Information.

         Financial Statements.

Part C.

         Other Information.

         The signatures.

Exhibits.

 

IDS LIFE OF NEW YORK ACCOUNT SBS (Symphony - NY)
Registration No. 33-45776/811-6560

EXHIBIT INDEX

9.       Opinion of Counsel.

10.      Consent of Independent Auditors.

11.      Financial Statement Schedules and Report of Independent Auditors.

14.      Financial Data Schedules:
                  IDS Life of New York Account SBS
                  New York Life Insurance Company


April 29, 1998

IDS Life Insurance Company of New York
20 Madison Avenue Extension
Albany, NY  12203

RE:      Registration Statement on Form N-4
         File No.: 33-45776

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am familiar with the establishment of the IDS Life of New York Account SBS
("Account"), which is a separate account of IDS Life Insurance Company of New
York ("Company") established by the Company's Board of Directors according to
applicable insurance law. I also am familiar with the above-referenced
Registration Statement filed by the Company on behalf of the Account with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

I have made such examination of law and examined such documents and records as
in my judgment are necessary and appropriate to enable me to give the following
opinion:

 1.  The Company is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing
     under applicable state law and is duly licensed or qualified to do business
     in each jurisdiction where it transacts business. The Company has all
     corporate powers required to carry on its business and to issue the
     contracts.

 2.  The Account is a validly created and existing separate account of the
     Company and is duly authorized to issue the securities registered.

 3.  The contracts issued by the Company during the past fiscal year, when
     offered and sold in accordance with the prospectus contained in the
     Registration Statement and in compliance with applicable law, were legally
     issued and represent binding obligations of the Company in accordance with
     their terms.

I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.

Sincerely,



Colin M. Lancaster
Associate Counsel


                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Independent Auditors"
and to the use of our reports dated February 5, 1998 on the financial statements
and schedules of IDS Life Insurance Company of New York and our report dated
March 13, 1998 on the financial statements of IDS Life of New York Account SBS
in Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registration Statement (Form N-4, No.
33-45776) and related Prospectus for the registration of the IDS Life Account
SBS to be offered by IDS Life Insurance Company of New York.




Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 27, 1998




<PAGE>


Report of Independent Auditors


The Board of Directors
IDS Life Insurance Company of New York

We have audited the financial  statements of IDS Life  Insurance  Company of New
York (a wholly owned  subsidiary of IDS Life  Insurance  Company) as of December
31, 1997 and 1996,  and for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1997 and have issued our report  thereon  dated  February 5, 1998  (included
elsewhere  in  this  Registration  Statement).  Our  audits  also  included  the
financial  statement  schedules listed in the index to financial  statement 
schedules of this Registration Statement. These schedules are the responsibility
of the Company's  management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion based
on our audits.

In our opinion,  the  financial  statement  schedules  referred to above,  when
considered  in  relation  to the basic  financial  statements  taken as a whole,
present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.




Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 5, 1998


<PAGE>

IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
SCHEDULE I - CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS
OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES ($ thousands)
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997


- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Column A                             Column B     Column C      Column D

Type of Investment                    Cost        Value      Amount at which
                                                              shown in the
                                                              balance sheet
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed maturities:
    Held to maturity:
        United States Government and
          government agencies and
          authorities (a)         $    59,543 $     59,954 $          59,543
        All other corporate bonds     476,108      503,025           476,108
                                   ----------  -----------  ----------------
             Total held to maturity   535,651      562,979           535,651

    Available for sale:
        United States Government and
          government agencies and
          authorities (b)             293,815      301,506           301,506
        States, municipalities and
           political subdivisions         104          114               114
        All other corporate bonds     289,043      301,956           301,956
                                    ----------  -----------  ----------------
             Total available for sale 582,962      603,576           603,576

Mortgage loans on real estate         178,826    XXXXXXXXX           178,826
Policy loans                           23,349    XXXXXXXXX            23,349
Other investments                         970    XXXXXXXXX               970
                                    ----------               ----------------

             Total investments    $ 1,321,758   $XXXXXXXXX   $     1,342,372
                                    ==========               ================

(a)- Includes mortgage-backed securities with a cost and market value of
     $55,853 and $56,011, respectively.
(b)- Includes mortgage-backed securities with a cost and market value of
     $293,815 and $301,506, respectively.
(c)- Includes mortgage-backed securities with a cost and market value
     of $7,488 and $7,764, respectively.

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
SCHEDULE III - SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION ($ thousands)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997

 Column A   Column B    Column C  Column D  Column E Column F Column G   Column H    Column I       Column J   Column K

  Segment   Deferred    Future    Unearned  Other    Premium   Net        Benefits,   Amortization   Other      Premiums
            policy      policy    premiums  policy   revenue   investment claims,     of deferred    operating  written
            acquisition benefits,           claims             income*    losses and  policy         expenses*
            cost        losses,             and                           settlement  acquisition
                        claims and          benefits                      expenses    costs
                        loss                payable
                        expenses
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>        <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>     <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>            <C>
Annuities  $68,386      $964,483   $    -      $  1,848 $     -   $ 89,268   $   495     $  12,266      $ 4,653      N/A



Life, DI and
Long-term Care
Insurance   58,228       198,213        -         2,165  12,376     17,006    10,969         4,935        5,567      N/A


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

Total      $126,614     $1,162,696 $    -      $  4,013 $12,376   $106,274   $11,464     $  17,201      $10,220      N/A

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

*Allocations of net investment income and other operating  expenses are based on
 various assumptions and estimates.

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
SCHEDULE III - SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION ($ thousands)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996

 Column A   Column B Column C  Column D Column E Column F Column G  Column H    Column I   Column J  Column K

  Segment   Deferred  Future    Unearned Other   Premium    Net     Benefits, Amortization Other     Premiums
            policy    policy    premiums policy  revenue investment  claims,  of deferred  operating written
          acquisition benefits,          claims           income*   losses and  policy     expenses*
             cost     losses,            and                      settlement  acquisition
                      claims and         benefits                  expenses     costs
                      loss               payable
                      expenses
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>        <C>      <C>                <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>          <C>
Annuities  $67,568  $1,054,954$     -  $  1,055  $     -  $ 93,319  $    80   $  11,257    $ 3,923      N/A



Life, DI and
Long-term Care
Insurance   51,615     187,616      -     2,100   10,931    16,149   10,835       4,814      5,049      N/A


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

Total      $119,183 $1,242,570$     -  $  3,155  $10,931  $109,468  $10,915   $  16,071    $ 8,972      N/A

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*Allocations of net investment income and other operating expenses are based on
 various assumptions and estimates.

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
SCHEDULE III - SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION ($ thousands)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995

 Column A      Column B   Column C  Column D Column E  Column F Column G   Column H  Column I     Column J   Column K

  Segment     Deferred    Future    Unearned Other     Premium    Net      Benefits,  Amortization  Other    Premiums
               policy     policy    premiums policy    revenue  investment claims,    of deferred  operating  written
              acquisition benefits,          claims              income*  losses and  policy        expenses*
                cost      losses,            and                         settlement   acquisition
                          claims and         benefits                      expenses    costs
                          loss               payable
                          expenses
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>          <C>        <C>                <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>
Annuities    $  65,283  $1,109,167$     -  $   2,222  $     -  $ 95,323  $     171  $    9,138  $ 6,908       N/A



Life, DI and
Long-term Care
Insurance       44,517     178,952      -      1,422    9,280    15,601      9,689       3,947      566       N/A


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

Total        $ 109,800  $1,288,119$     -  $   3,644  $ 9,280  $110,924  $   9,860  $   13,085  $ 7,474       N/A

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

</TABLE>
*Allocations of net investment income and other operating expenses are based on
 various assumptions and estimates.


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
SCHEDULE IV - REINSURANCE ($ thousands)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Column A               Column B       Column C       Column D      Column E   Column F

                                Gross amount  Ceded to other  Assumed from     Net    % of amount
                                               companies     other companies  Amount  assumed to net

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>                <C>
For the year ended
  December 31, 1997

Life insurance in force        $  4,209,990  $     220,798  $     303,263  $ 4,292,455        7.07%
===================================================================================================

Premiums:
  Life insurance & annuities   $      2,822  $         346  $          --  $    2,476         0.00%
  DI & long-term care insurance      10,658            759             --       9,899         0.00%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total premiums                 $     13,480  $       1,105  $           0  $   12,375         0.00%
===================================================================================================

For the year ended
  December 31, 1996

Life insurance in force        $  3,707,618  $     203,963  $     345,943  $ 3,849,598         8.99%
===================================================================================================

Premiums:
  Life insurance & annuities   $      2,634  $         222  $          --  $    2,412         0.00%
  DI & long-term care insurance       8,651            132             --       8,519         0.00%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total premiums                 $     11,285  $         354  $           0  $   10,931         0.00%
===================================================================================================

For the year ended
  December 31, 1995

Life insurance in force        $  3,110,745  $     163,462  $    392,106  $ 3,339,389       11.74%
===================================================================================================

Premiums:
  Life insurance & annuities   $      2,327  $         185  $          --  $    2,142         0.00%
  DI & long-term care insurance       7,221             83             --       7,138         0.00%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total premiums                 $      9,548  $         268  $           0  $    9,280         0.00%
===================================================================================================

</TABLE>


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
SCHEDULE V - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS ($ thousands)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Column A                Column B                    Column C      Column D      Column E

                                           Additions
                               ---------------------------------
                               Balance at                  Charged to
      Description              Beginning    Charged to     Other Accounts-Deductions-   Balance at End
                               of Period  Costs & Expenses  Describe      Describe      of Period
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>
For the year ended
  December 31, 1997
- ---------------------------
Reserve for Mortgage Loans .     $1,300      $  200        $    0        $    0        $1,500
Reserve for Fixed Maturities     $   49      $   96        $    0        $    0        $  145

For the year ended
  December 31, 1996
- ---------------------------
Reserve for Mortgage Loans .     $  445      $  855        $    0        $    0        $1,300
Reserve for Fixed Maturities     $   26      $   23        $    0        $    0        $   49

For the year ended
  December 31, 1995
- ---------------------------
Reserve for Mortgage Loans .     $  445      $    0        $    0        $    0        $  445
Reserve for Fixed Maturities     $    0      $   26        $    0        $    0        $   26
</TABLE>




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                              6
<MULTIPLIER>                                                           1
<CURRENCY>                                                   U.S. DOLLAR
       
<S>                                                                  <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                            DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                               JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                 DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                        1
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                           17556414
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                          23587093
<RECEIVABLES>                                                         88
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                         0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                   0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                  23587181
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                               0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                              0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                               (32119)
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                        0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                               0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                           14402495
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                           15181937
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                                 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                                                0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                                               0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                                               0
<NET-ASSETS>                                                    23555062
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                                1366650
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                                      0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                         0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                                   (339910)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                          1026740
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                                          804364
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                                        1617038
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                                            3448142
<EQUALIZATION>                                                         0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                                              0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                                               0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                                  0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                                          1174922
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                                     (1954364)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                                    0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                                           2317949
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                                                0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                                              0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                                                0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                                             0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                     0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                                  (339910)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                            22396088
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                                  0
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                                        0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                                                0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                                   0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                                              0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                                   0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                                    0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                                        0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                                 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                                   0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                      7
<MULTIPLIER>                                                1000
<CURRENCY>                                           U.S. DOLLAR
       
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