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EQUITABLE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF IOWA SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
EQUI-SELECT SERIES TRUST
SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS
The following supersedes information appearing in the Prospectuses of
Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa Separate Account A ("Separate Account")
and Equi-Select Series Trust dated April 1, 1996.
The purpose of this supplement is to notify you of a proposal to substitute
shares of the International Equity Portfolio of the Warburg Pincus Trust for
shares of the International Stock Portfolio of the Equi-Select Series Trust.
On April 4, 1996, the Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa (the
"Company") filed an application with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("Commission") requesting an order approving the Substitution. Upon obtaining
the order from the Commission approving the Substitution, and subject to any
prior approval by applicable insurance authorities, the Company and the Separate
Account propose to effect the Substitution as soon as is practicable.
The Company has proposed the Substitution to provide a transfer of the
assets of the International Stock Portfolio of Equi-Select Series Trust that in
the future may be expected to be of insufficient size to promote consistent
investment performance or to reduce operating expenses. The transfer of assets
is also expected to assist the Company in further expanding assets with
resulting benefits to Owners.
An Owner, prior to the date of Substitution, may transfer his or her
International Stock Portfolio's Sub-Account's value to any other sub-account of
the Separate Account without any limitation or charge being imposed. Moreover,
following the Substitution for a period of 30 days, the Company will permit
transfers from the International Equity Portfolio's Sub-Account to any other
sub-account of the Separate Account without any limitation or charge being
imposed. After the 30 days, any transfers from the International Equity
Portfolio's Sub-Account will be subject to the restrictions described in the
Prospectus.
A complete list of all Portfolios of the Equi-Select Series Trust and
Warburg Pincus Trust in which the Separate Account invests is set forth in the
Prospectus. You may obtain Prospectuses by writing or calling the Company at the
address or telephone number set out below.
The Company believes, based on its review of existing federal income tax
laws and regulations, that the Substitution will not have any tax consequences
to Owners.
The Company will effect the Substitution by simultaneously placing an order
to redeem the shares of the International Stock Portfolio of the Equi-Select
Series Trust and an order to purchase shares of the International Equity
Portfolio of the Warburg Pincus Trust. The Company will bear the expenses
attributable to the Substitution. The Company will send affected Owners a notice
within five days after the Substitution.
The Subadvisory Agreement between Equitable Investment Services, Inc.
("EISI"), the Trust's Investment Adviser, and Strong Capital Management, Inc.,
with respect to the International Stock Portfolio of Equi-Select Series Trust,
will be terminated at such time as there are no further assets held in the
International Stock Portfolio.
CUSTOMER SERVICES: 800-344-6864
Issued by: Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa
Distributed by: Equitable of Iowa Securities Network, Inc.
604 Locust Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
The date of this Supplement is April 4, 1996.
