File No. 33-79170, 811-8524
Filed under Rule 497(e)
EQUITABLE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF IOWA
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
JANUARY 5, 1998
TO THE
EQUITABLE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF IOWA SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
EQUI-SELECT VARIABLE ANNUITY PROSPECTUS FOR INDIVIDUAL FLEXIBLE
PURCHASE PAYMENT DEFERRED VARIABLE AND FIXED ANNUITY CONTRACTS
DATED MAY 1, 1997 AS AMENDED MAY 28, 1997, JUNE 26, 1997,
JULY 9, 1997 AND OCTOBER 24, 1997
__________
The following information supplements the information
contained in the prospectus regarding Qualified Contracts,
Section b. Individual Retirement Annuities on page 30 of the
prospectus. Insert after paragraph (2) the following paragraph:
(3) ROTH IRAs
Effective immediately, the Company is offering Contracts in
connection with ROTH Individual Retirement Annuities ("ROTH
IRAs"). New Section 408A of the Code permits eligible
individuals to contribute to ROTH IRAs. Under applicable
limitations, certain amounts may be contributed to a ROTH IRA.
The contributions are not deductible from the individual's gross
income, but if certain qualifications are met, distributions of
earnings are not included in federally taxable income. Rollovers
from regular IRAs or conversions of regular IRAs to ROTH IRAs are
permitted, but the owner must include the amount rolled over or
converted in federally taxable income (with the ability to spread
the tax liability over four years if the rollover or conversion
takes place in 1998). ROTH IRAs are subject to limitations on
eligibility, contributions, transferability, and distributions.
Purchasers of Contracts to be qualified as ROTH IRAs should
obtain competent tax advice as to the tax treatment and
suitability of such an investment. Please check with Customer
Service for state availability.
The following information supplements the information
contained in the prospectus regarding Tax Treatment of
Withdrawals - Qualified Contracts beginning on page 31 of the
prospectus. Insert the following paragraph after the first
paragraph:
Generally, earnings on a ROTH IRA accrue federally tax-
deferred, and all distributions are not subject to federal income
tax or 10% penalty tax if five years have passed since the first
contribution was made or any conversion from a traditional IRA
was effected, and the distribution is made (a) once the owner is
59 1/2 or older, (b) upon the death or disability of the owner,
or (c) for a limited amount, for qualified first-time home buyer
expenses. Distributions that do not meet these conditions would
be subject to ordinary federal income tax and may be subject to
the 10% penalty tax.
This supplement should be retained with your Equi-Select
Prospectus.
Equi-Select
5344-ROTH 1/5/98
