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NOTE: This filing contains two supplements which are substantially similar.
The first supplement will be delivered to existing contract holders.
The second will accompany the current prospectuses.
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File No. 33-79170, 811-8524
Filed under Rule 497(e)
EQUITABLE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF IOWA
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
February 22, 1999
to the
Equi-Select Variable Annuity Prospectus
Dated June 1, 1998
as supplemented June 8, 1998, July 17, 1998, August 18, 1998 and
October 22, 1998
ALL-GROWTH SERIES AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES SERIES
On December 18, 1998, we, together with The GCG Trust (the "GCG
Trust"), our affiliated insurance companies and the separate
accounts invested in the Trust, filed an application for an order
of Substitution (the "Application") with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). This Application requests
permission from the SEC for separate accounts investing in the All-
Growth Portfolio of the GCG Trust to substitute shares of Mid-Cap
Growth Portfolio (the "Substitution"). We also plan to file a
similar application for separate accounts investing in the Growth
Opportunities Portfolio.
As part of our overall management of the separate accounts, we
are taking this action to replace these investment options with
another that is significantly similar in investment objective and
style, but with lower expenses and a better history of total
returns. YOU WILL INCUR NO COSTS, AS ALL EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH
THE APPLICATION(S) AND THE SUBSTITUTION(S) WILL BE BORNE BY US AND
OUR AFFILIATES. This supplement is for your information and you
need take no action at this time. We will notify you as to the
status of the Application(s) and our plan for Substitution(s).
As of May 1, 1999, we will no longer accept allocations into
either the All-Growth Portfolio or the Growth Opportunities
Portfolio. Of course, until we implement the Substitutions, you
may freely reallocate your account value from either the All-Growth
Portfolio or the Growth Opportunities Portfolio to any other
currently available investment option free of any charges and
without it being counted as a reallocation. Once we have
implemented these substitutions, for thirty days afterward you may
reallocate your account value from the Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio to
any other currently available investment option free of
reallocation charges and without it being counted as a
reallocation.
Several additional changes as described briefly in the following
paragraphs are taking place in the GCG Trust. Please refer to a
supplement to the GCG Trust Prospectus, also dated February 22,
1999, describing these changes to the Trust in greater detail.
GROWTH & INCOME SERIES
Alliance Capital Management L.P. will become Portfolio Manager
to the Growth & Income Series effective upon the closing of a sales
transaction involving the current Portfolio Manager, Robertson,
Stephens & Company Investment Management, L.P. ("Robertson,
Stephens"), or upon the close of business on February 26, 1999,
whichever occurs first.
5334-Update 2/22/99
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VALUE + GROWTH SERIES
Janus Capital Corporation will become Portfolio Manager to the
Value + Growth Series to become effective upon the closing of a
sales transaction involving the current Portfolio Manager,
Robertson, Stephens, or the close of business on February 26, 1999,
whichever occurs first. Also the name of the Series has been
changed to the "Growth Series" to become effective with the other
changes.
MULTIPLE ALLOCATION SERIES
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. ("T. Rowe Price") will become
Portfolio Manager to the Multiple Allocation Series effective upon
the closing of a sales transaction involving the current Portfolio
Manager, Zweig Advisors Inc. ("Zweig"), or upon the close of
business on February 26, 1999, whichever occurs first. The name of
the Series has been changed to the "Equity Income Series" to become
effective with the other changes. Also, the investment objective
will change to reflect the investment style of T. Rowe Price. This
objective will become effective upon shareholder approval.
STRATEGIC EQUITY SERIES
A I M Capital Management, Inc. will become Portfolio Manager to
the Strategic Equity Series effective upon the closing of a sales
transaction involving the current Portfolio Manager, Zweig, or upon
the close of business on February 26, 1999, whichever occurs first.
CAPITAL APPRECIATION SERIES
AIM will become Portfolio Manager to the Strategic Equity Series
effective on April 1, 1999.
DEVELOPING WORLD SERIES AND HARD ASSET SERIES
Baring International Investment Limited will become Portfolio
Manager to the Developing World Series and the Hard Assets Series
effective on March 1, 1999.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Effective March 19, 1999, the location of the Company's Customer
Service Center will be West Chester, PA 19380, and the address of
The GCG Trust and Directed Services, Inc., the Trust's Manager and
Distributor, will be 1475 Dunwoody Drive, West Chester, PA 19380.
This supplement should be retained with your Equitable Life
Insurance Company of Iowa Prospectus.
5334-Update 2/22/99
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EQUITABLE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF IOWA
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
February 22, 1999
to the
Equi-Select Variable Annuity Prospectus
Dated June 1, 1998
as supplemented June 8, 1998, July 17, 1998, August 18, 1998 and
October 22, 1998
ALL-GROWTH SERIES AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES SERIES
On December 18, 1998, we, together with The GCG Trust (the "GCG
Trust"), our affiliated insurance companies and the separate
accounts invested in the Trust, filed an application for an order
of Substitution (the "Application") with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). This Application requests
permission from the SEC for separate accounts investing in the All-
Growth Portfolio of the GCG Trust to substitute shares of Mid-Cap
Growth Portfolio (the "Substitution"). We also plan to file a
similar application for separate accounts investing in the Growth
Opportunities Portfolio.
As part of our overall management of the separate accounts, we
are taking this action to replace these investment options with
another that is significantly similar in investment objective and
style, but with lower expenses and a better history of total
returns. CONTRACT OWNERS WILL INCUR NO COSTS, AS ALL EXPENSES
ASSOCIATED WITH THE APPLICATION(S) AND THE SUBSTITUTION(S) WILL BE
BORNE BY US AND OUR AFFILIATES. This supplement is for your
information and you need take no action at this time. We will
notify you as to the status of the Application(s) and our plan for
Substitution(s).
As of May 1, 1999, we will no longer accept allocations into
either the All-Growth Portfolio or the Growth Opportunities
Portfolio. Of course, until we implement the Substitutions,
contract owners may freely reallocate their account value from
either the All-Growth Portfolio or the Growth Opportunities
Portfolio to any other currently available investment option free
of any charges and without it being counted as a reallocation.
Once we have implemented these substitutions, for thirty days
afterward all contract owners may reallocate their account value
from the Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio to any other currently available
investment option free of reallocation charges and without it being
counted as a reallocation.
Several additional changes as described briefly in the following
paragraphs are taking place in the GCG Trust. Please refer to a
supplement to the GCG Trust Prospectus, also dated February 22,
1999, describing these changes to the Trust in greater detail.
GROWTH & INCOME SERIES
Alliance Capital Management L.P. will become Portfolio Manager
to the Growth & Income Series effective upon the closing of a sales
transaction involving the current Portfolio Manager, Robertson,
Stephens & Company Investment Management, L.P. ("Robertson,
Stephens"), or upon the close of business on February 26, 1999,
whichever occurs first.
5344-Update2 2/22/99
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
VALUE + GROWTH SERIES
Janus Capital Corporation will become Portfolio Manager to the
Value + Growth Series to become effective upon the closing of a
sales transaction involving the current Portfolio Manager,
Robertson, Stephens, or the close of business on February 26, 1999,
whichever occurs first. Also the name of the Series has been
changed to the "Growth Series" to become effective with the other
changes.
MULTIPLE ALLOCATION SERIES
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. ("T. Rowe Price") will become
Portfolio Manager to the Multiple Allocation Series effective upon
the closing of a sales transaction involving the current Portfolio
Manager, Zweig Advisors Inc. ("Zweig"), or upon the close of
business on February 26, 1999, whichever occurs first. The name of
the Series has been changed to the "Equity Income Series" to become
effective with the other changes. Also, the investment objective
will change to reflect the investment style of T. Rowe Price. This
objective will become effective upon shareholder approval.
STRATEGIC EQUITY SERIES
A I M Capital Management, Inc. will become Portfolio Manager to
the Strategic Equity Series effective upon the closing of a sales
transaction involving the current Portfolio Manager, Zweig, or upon
the close of business on February 26, 1999, whichever occurs first.
CAPITAL APPRECIATION SERIES
AIM will become Portfolio Manager to the Strategic Equity Series
effective on April 1, 1999.
DEVELOPING WORLD SERIES AND HARD ASSET SERIES
Baring International Investment Limited will become Portfolio
Manager to the Developing World Series and the Hard Assets Series
effective on March 1, 1999.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Effective March 19, 1999, the address of the Company's Customer
Service Center, West Chester, PA 19380, The GCG Trust and Directed
Services, Inc., the Trust's Manager and Distributor, will be 1475
Dunwoody Drive, West Chester, PA 19380.
This supplement should be retained with your Equitable Life
Insurance Company of Iowa Prospectus.
5334-Update2 2/22/99
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