AMERICAN ENTERPRISE VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
485BPOS, 1996-12-16
Previous: IBS FINANCIAL CORP, SC 13D/A, 1996-12-16
Next: FIDELITY ADVISOR KOREA FUND INC, POS 8C, 1996-12-16



<PAGE>
PAGE 1
                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                      Washington, D.C.  20549

                             FORM N-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
      
     Post-Effective Amendment No.   6   (File No. 33-54471)      X 

                              and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT
OF 1940                    

     Amendment No.   7   (File No. 811-7195)                     X 

           AMERICAN ENTERPRISE VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
___________________________________________________________________
                    (Exact Name of Registrant) 

            American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
___________________________________________________________________
                        (Name of Depositor)

  80 South 8th Street, P.O. Box 534, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0534    
  (Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Depositor's Telephone Number, including Area Code (612) 671-3678   

  Mary Ellyn Minenko, IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010     
              (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check
appropriate box)
    immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
 X  on Jan. 6, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
    60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
    on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) 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.

The Registrant has registered an indefinite number or amount of
securities under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 
24-f of the Investment Company Act of 1940.  Registrant's Rule 24f-
2 Notice for its most recent fiscal year ended was filed on or
about February 23, 1996.
<PAGE>
PAGE 2
                       CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Cross reference sheet showing location in the prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information of the information called for by the items enumerated in Part A and B of
Form N-4.

Negative answers omitted from prospectus and Statement of Additional Information are
so indicated.

          PART A                                          PART B
  <C>             <C>                           <C>          <C>  
                                                             Section in
                  Section                                    Statement of
  Item No.        in Prospectus                 Item No.     Additional Information
    1             Cover page                      15         Cover page

    2             Key terms                       16         Table of contents

    3(a)          Expense summary                 17(a)      NA
     (b)          In brief                          (b)      NA
                                                    (c)      About American Enterprise Life*
    4(a)          Condensed financial
                    information                   18(a)      NA
     (b)          Performance information           (b)      NA
     (c)          Financial statements              (c)      Independent auditors
                                                    (d)      NA
    5(a)          About American                    (e)      NA
                    Enterprise Life                 (f)      NA
     (b)          The variable account
     (c)          The funds                       19(a)      Making the most of your annuity*
     (d)          Cover page and the funds          (b)      NA
     (e)          Voting rights                           
     (f)          NA                              20(a)      Principal underwriter
                                                    (b)      Principal underwriter
    6(a)          Charges                           (c)      NA
     (b)          Expense summary                   (d)      NA
     (c)          Other information on              (d)      NA
                    charges                  
     (d)          Distribution of                 21(a)      Performance information
                    contracts                       (b)      Performance information
     (e)          NA
     (f)          NA                              22         Calculating Annuity Payouts
                                         
    7(a)          Buying your annuity;            23(a)      NA
                  Benefits in case of               (b)      NA
                  death; The annuity
                    payout period
     (b)          The variable account;
                  Transferring money between
                    accounts; Transfer policies
     (c)          The funds; Other information
                    on charges
     (d)          The funds 

    8(a)          The annuity payout period
     (b)          Setting the retirement date
     (c)          Annuity payout plans
     (d)          The annuity payout period
     (e)          Annuity payout plans
     (f)          Death after annuity payouts
                    begin

    9(a)          Benefits in case of death
     (b)          Benefits in case of death

   10(a)          Buying your annuity;
                    Valuing your investment
     (b)          Valuing your investment
     (c)          Valuing your investment
     (d)          About American Enterprise
                    Life

   11(a)          Withdrawals from your contract
     (b)          NA
     (c)          Receiving payment when you
                    request a withdrawal
    <PAGE>
PAGE 3
     (d)          If installment payments
     (e)          Ten-day free look

   12(a)          Taxes
     (b)          Key terms
     (c)          NA

   13             NA

   14             Table of contents of the
                    Statement of Additional Information

*Designates section in the prospectus, which is hereby incorporated by reference
in this Statement of Additional Information.
/TABLE
<PAGE>
PAGE 4
   
AEL Personal PortfolioSM
Jan. 6, 1997
Variable Annuity Prospectus
    
The AEL Personal PortfolioSM is a flexible premium variable annuity
contract offered by American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
(American Enterprise Life) a subsidiary of IDS Life Insurance
Company (IDS Life), which is a subsidiary of American Express
Financial Corporation.  Purchase payments may be allocated among
different accounts, providing variable and/or fixed returns and
payouts.  The annuity is available for qualified and nonqualified
retirement plans.

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account

Sold by:  American Enterprise Life Insurance Company.
Administrative Office:  80 South Eighth Street, P.O. Box 534,
Minneapolis, MN  55440-0534.  Telephone:  612-671-7700.

THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT
THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE INVESTING.  Refer to "The variable
account" in this prospectus.
   
THE PROSPECTUS IS ACCOMPANIED OR PRECEDED BY THE FOLLOWING
PROSPECTUSES:  THE RETIREMENT ANNUITY MUTUAL FUND PROSPECTUS
(DESCRIBING IDS LIFE AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND, IDS LIFE INTERNATIONAL
EQUITY FUND, IDS LIFE CAPITAL RESOURCE FUND, IDS LIFE MANAGED FUND,
IDS LIFE SPECIAL INCOME FUND, AND IDS LIFE MONEYSHARE FUND); THE
OCC ACCUMULATION TRUST,FORMERLY KNOWN AS QUEST FOR VALUE
ACCUMULATION TRUST (DESCRIBING OCC ACCUMULATION TRUST MANAGED
PORTFOLIO AND OCC ACCUMULATION TRUST U.S. GOVERNMENT INCOME
PORTFOLIO); THE PUTNAM VARIABLE TRUST, FORMERLY KNOWN AS PUTNAM
CAPITAL MANAGER TRUST, (DESCRIBING PUTNAM VT DIVERSIFIED INCOME
FUND, PUTNAM VT GROWTH AND INCOME FUND, PUTNAM VT HIGH YIELD FUND
AND PUTNAM VT NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND); AND GT GLOBAL VARIABLE
INVESTMENT FUNDS (DESCRIBING GT GLOBAL VARIABLE LATIN AMERICA FUND
AND GT GLOBAL VARIABLE NEW PACIFIC FUND).  PLEASE KEEP THESE
PROSPECTUSES 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.

AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE IS NOT A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, AND THE
SECURITIES IT OFFERS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY ANY FINANCIAL INSTITUTION NOR ARE THEY
INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL
RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.  INVESTMENTS IN THE ANNUITY
INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISK INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.

<PAGE>
PAGE 5
   
A Statement of Additional Information (SAI) dated Jan. 6, 1997,
1996 (incorporated by reference into this prospectus) has been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and is
available without charge by contacting American Enterprise Life at
the telephone number above or by completing and sending the order
form on the last page of this prospectus.  The table of contents of
the SAI is on the last page of this prospectus.
    
<PAGE>
PAGE 6
                         Table of contents
   
Key terms.....................................................
The AEL Personal PortfolioSM in brief.........................
Expense summary...............................................
Condensed financial information (unaudited)...................
Financial statements..........................................
Performance information.......................................
The variable account..........................................
The funds.....................................................
     IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund..........................
     IDS Life International Equity Fund.......................
     IDS Life Capital Resource Fund...........................
     IDS Life Managed Fund....................................
     IDS Life Special Income Fund.............................
     IDS Life Moneyshare Fund.................................
     OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio.................
     OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government Income Portfolio..
     Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund........................
     Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund.........................
     Putnam VT High Yield Fund................................
     Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund.........................
     GT Global Variable Latin America Fund....................
     GT Global Variable New Pacific Fund......................
The fixed account.............................................
Buying your annuity...........................................
     The retirement date......................................
     Beneficiary..............................................
     How to make payments.....................................
Charges.......................................................
     Contract administrative charge...........................
     Variable account administrative charge...................
     Mortality and expense risk fee...........................
     Withdrawal charge........................................
     Waiver of withdrawal charges.............................
     Premium taxes............................................
Valuing your investment.......................................
     Number of units..........................................
     Accumulation unit value..................................
     Net investment factor....................................
     Factors that affect variable subaccount
         accumulation units...................................
Making the most of your annuity...............................
     Automated dollar-cost averaging..........................
     Transferring money between subaccounts...................
     Transfer policies........................................
     Two ways to request a transfer or a withdrawal...........
Withdrawals from your contract................................
     Withdrawal policies......................................
     Receiving payment when you request a withdrawal..........
Changing ownership............................................
Benefits in case of death.....................................
The annuity payout period.....................................
     Annuity payout plans.....................................
     Death after annuity payouts begin........................
Taxes.........................................................
Voting rights.................................................
    <PAGE>
PAGE 7
Substitution of investments...................................
Distribution of the contracts.................................
About American Enterprise Life................................
Regular and special reports...................................
      Services................................................
      Table of contents of the Statement of Additional
      Information.............................................

<PAGE>
PAGE 8
Key terms

These terms can help you understand details about your annuity.

Annuity - A contract purchased from an insurance company that
offers tax-deferred growth of the contract owner's investment until
earnings are withdrawn, and that can be tailored to meet the
specific needs of the individual during retirement.

Accumulation unit - A measure of the value of each variable
subaccount before annuity payouts begin.

Annuitant - The person on whose life or life expectancy the annuity
payouts are based.

Annuity payouts - An amount paid at regular intervals under one of
several plans available to the owner and/or any other payee.  This
amount may be paid on a variable or fixed basis.

Annuity unit - A measure of the value of each variable subaccount
used to calculate the annuity payouts you receive.

Beneficiary - The person designated to receive annuity benefits in
case of the owner's or annuitant's death.

Close of business - When the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) closes,
normally 3 p.m. Central time.

Code - Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Contract value - The total value of your annuity before any
applicable withdrawal charge and any contract administrative charge
have been deducted.

Contract year - A period of 12 months, starting on the effective
date of your contract and on each anniversary of the effective
date.

Fixed account - An account to which you may allocate purchase
payments.  Amounts allocated to this account earn interest at rates
that are declared periodically by American Enterprise Life.

Mutual funds (funds) - Fourteen mutual funds or portfolios, each
with a different investment objective.  (See "The funds.")  You may
allocate your purchase payments into variable subaccounts investing
in shares of any or all of these funds.

Owner (you, your) - The person who controls the annuity (decides on
investment allocations, transfers, payout options, etc.).  Usually,
but not always, the owner is also the annuitant.  The owner is
responsible for taxes, regardless of whether he or she receives the
annuity's benefits.

Purchase payments - Payments made to American Enterprise Life for
an annuity.
<PAGE>
PAGE 9
Qualified annuity - An annuity purchased for a retirement plan that
is subject to applicable federal law and any rules of the plan
itself.  These plans include:

o  Individual Retirement Annuities (IRAs)
o  Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEPs)

All other annuities are considered nonqualified annuities.

Retirement date - The date when annuity payouts are scheduled to
begin.  This date is first established when you start your
contract.  You can change it in the future.

Withdrawal charge - A deferred sales charge that may be applied if
you make a withdrawal from your annuity before the retirement date.

Withdrawal value - The amount you are entitled to receive if you
fully withdraw your annuity.  It is the contract value minus any
applicable withdrawal charge and contract administrative charge.

Valuation date - Any normal business day, Monday through Friday,
that the NYSE is open.  The value of each variable subaccount is
calculated at the close of business on each valuation date.

Variable account - Consists of fourteen separate subaccounts to
which you may allocate purchase payments; each invests in shares of
one mutual fund.  (See "The variable account.")  The value of your
investment in each variable subaccount changes with the performance
of the particular fund.

The AEL Personal PortfolioSM in brief

Purpose:  The AEL Personal PortfolioSM is designed to allow you to
build up funds for retirement.  You do this by making one or more
investments (purchase payments) that may earn returns that increase
the value of the annuity.  Beginning at a specified future date
(the retirement date), the annuity provides lifetime or other forms
of payouts to you or to anyone you designate.

Ten-day free look:  You may return your annuity to your agent or
our Minneapolis administrative office within 10 days after it is
delivered to you and receive a full refund of the contract value. 
No charges will be deducted.  However, you bear the investment risk
from the time of purchase until return of the contract; the refund
amount may be more or less than the payment you made.  (Exceptions: 
If the law so requires, all of your purchase payments will be
refunded.)

Accounts:  You may allocate your purchase payments among any or all
of:

o     fourteen variable subaccounts of the variable account, each
      of which invests in mutual funds with a particular investment
      objective.  The value of each variable subaccount varies with
      the performance of the particular fund.  We cannot guarantee 
<PAGE>
PAGE 10
      that the value at the retirement date will equal or exceed
      the total of purchase payments allocated to the variable
      subaccounts.  (p.  )

o     one fixed account, which earns interest at rates that are
      adjusted periodically by American Enterprise Life.  (p.  )

Buying the annuity:  Your agent will help you complete and submit
an application.  Applications are subject to acceptance at our
Minneapolis administrative office.  You may buy a nonqualified
annuity or a qualified annuity.  Payment must be made in a lump sum
with the option of additional payments in the future.  In some
states there are time limitations for making additional payments. 
(p.)

o     Minimum initial payment - $2,000
o     Minimum additional payment - $50
o     Maximum total payment(s) (without prior approval) -
      $1,000,000

Transfers:  Subject to certain restrictions you may redistribute
your money among accounts without charge at any time until annuity
payouts begin, and once per contract year among the variable
subaccounts thereafter.  You may establish automated transfers
among the fixed account and variable subaccount(s).  (p.  )

Withdrawals:  You may withdraw all or part of your contract value
at any time before the retirement date.  You also may establish
automated partial withdrawals.  Withdrawals may be subject to
charges and tax penalties (including a 10% IRS penalty if
withdrawals are made prior to your reaching age 59 1/2) and may
have other tax consequences; also, certain restrictions apply.  
(p.  )

Changing ownership:  You may change ownership of a nonqualified
annuity by written instruction, however, such changes of
nonqualified annuities may have federal income tax consequences. 
Certain restrictions apply concerning change of ownership of a
qualified annuity.  (p.  )

Payment in case of death:  If you or the annuitant dies before
annuity payouts begin, we will pay the beneficiary an amount at
least equal to the contract value.  (p.  )

Annuity payouts:  The contract value of your investment can be
applied to an annuity payout plan that begins on the retirement
date.  You may choose from a variety of plans to make sure that
payouts continue as long as they are needed.  If you purchased a
qualified annuity, the payout schedule must meet requirements of
the qualified plan.  Payouts may be made on a fixed or variable
basis, or both.  Total monthly payouts include amounts from each
variable subaccount and the fixed account.  (p.  )

<PAGE>
PAGE 11
Taxes:  Generally, your annuity grows tax-deferred until you fully
withdraw it or begin to receive payouts.  (Under certain
circumstances, IRS penalty taxes may apply.)  Even if you direct
payouts to someone else, you will still be taxed on the income if
you are the owner.  (p.  )

Charges:  Your AEL Personal PortfolioSM is subject to a $30 annual
contract administrative charge, a 0.15% variable account
administrative charge, a 1.25% mortality and expense risk fee, a
withdrawal charge and any premium taxes that may be imposed by
state or local governments.  Premium taxes are deducted either from
your purchase payments or upon total withdrawal or when annuity
payments begin.  (p.  )

Expense summary

The purpose of this summary is to help you understand the various
costs and expenses associated with the AEL Personal PortfolioSM.

You pay no sales charge when you purchase the AEL Personal
PortfolioSM.  All costs that you bear directly or indirectly for
the variable subaccounts and underlying mutual funds are shown
below.  Some expenses may vary as explained under "Contract
charges."

Direct charges.  These are deducted directly from the contract
value.  They include:

Withdrawal charge:  The withdrawal charge starts at 7% of the
purchase payment in the first contract year of payment receipt and
decreases by 1% each contract year thereafter. There is no
withdrawal charge on earnings and on purchase payments we received
in any contract year six or more years prior to the contract year
of withdrawal. 

Annual contract administrative charge:  $30.

Indirect charges.  The variable account pays these expenses out of
its assets.  They are reflected in the variable subaccounts' daily
accumulation unit values and are not charged directly to your
account.  They include:

Mortality and expense risk fee:  1.25% per year, deducted from the
subaccounts of the variable account as a percentage of the average
daily net assets of the underlying fund.

Variable account administrative charge:  0.15% per year, deducted
from the subaccounts of the variable account as a percentage of the
average daily net assets of the underlying fund.

Operating expenses of underlying mutual funds:  management fees and
other expenses deducted as a percentage of average net assets as
follows: *

<PAGE>
PAGE 12
   
<TABLE><CAPTION>
                                                                                                                OCC***
                        IDS Life       IDS Life       IDS Life                 IDS Life                     Accumulation
                       Aggressive    International    Capital      IDS Life     Special       IDS Life      Trust Managed
                         Growth         Equity        Resource      Managed     Income       Moneyshare       Portfolio
                                                                                                            (after expense
                                                                                                             limitations)
<S>                       <C>            <C>            <C>          <C>         <C>            <C>             <C>  
Management fees           .64%           .86%           .63%         .62%        .63%           .54%            .80%

Other expenses            .04            .09            .04          .03         .04            .05             .14

Total                     .68%**         .95%**         .67%**       .65%**      .67%**         .59%**          .94%

                           OCC***
                       Accumulation
                     Trust U.S. Gov-     Putnam VT       Putnam VT                                GT Global          GT Global
                      ernment Income    Diversified     Growth and    Putnam VT   Putnam VT New    Variable           Variable
                        Portfolio          Income         Income      High Yield  Opportunities   Latin America      New Pacific
                     (after expense                                                              (after expense    (after expense
                      limitations)                                                                reimbursements)   reimbursements)

Management fees            .60%             .70%            .52%        .70%         .70%            1.00%             1.00%

Other expenses             .40              .15             .05         .09          .14              .25               .25

Total                     1.00%             .85%+           .57%+       .79%+        .84%+           1.25++            1.25++

  *Premium taxes imposed by some state and local governments are not reflected in this table. 
 **Annualized operating expenses of underlying mutual funds at Dec. 31, 1995.
***The annual expenses of the OCC Accumulation Trust Portfolios as of Dec. 31, 1995 have been restated to reflect new management
   fee and expense limitation agreements in effect as of May 1, 1996.  Effective May 1, 1996, the expenses of the Portfolios of the
   OCC Accumulation Trust are contractually limited by OpCap Advisors so that their respective annualized operating expenses do not
   exceed 1.25% of their respective average daily net assets.  Furthermore, through April 30, 1997, the annualized operating
   expenses of the Managed and U.S. Government Income Portfolios will be voluntary limited by OpCap Advisors so that annualized
   operating expenses of these Portfolios do not exceed 1.00% of their respective average daily net assets.  Without such voluntary
   expense limitations, and taking into account the revised contractual provisions effective May 1, 1996 concerning management fees
   and expense limitations, the Management Fees, Other Expenses and Total Portfolio Annual Expenses incurred for the fiscal year
   ended Dec. 31, 1995 would have been .80%, .14% and .94%, respectively, for the Managed Portfolio and .60%, .65% and 1.25%,
   respectively, for the U.S. Government Income Portfolio.
  +Operating expenses of the underlying mutual funds at Dec. 31, 1995.
 ++Figures in the "Other Expenses" and "Total" columns are restated from the amounts you would have incurred in 1995 to reflect fee
   and reimbursement or waiver arrangements.  If there had been no reimbursement of expenses by LGT Asset Management and no expense
   reductions, the actual expenses of each Fund, expressed as a percentage of net assets, with "Management fees" stated first, then
   "Other expenses," followed by "Total," would have been as follows: GT Global Variable Latin America Fund, 1.00%, 0.69%, 1.69%;
   and GT Global Variable New Pacific Fund, 1.00%, 0.61%, 1.61%.

Example:*

                                                                                                                OCC
                        IDS Life       IDS Life       IDS Life                 IDS Life                     Accumulation
                       Aggressive    International    Capital      IDS Life     Special       IDS Life      Trust Managed
                         Growth         Equity        Resource      Managed     Income       Moneyshare       Portfolio

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming 5% annual return and full withdrawal at the end of each time
period:

 1 year                 $ 92.87       $ 95.55         $ 92.77      $ 92.57      $ 92.77       $ 91.97        $ 95.45     

 3 years                 120.49        128.53          120.20       119.60       120.20        117.80         128.23   

 5 years                 150.75        164.15          150.25       149.25       150.25        146.24         163.65

10 years                 258.90        285.57          257.89       255.88       257.89        249.81         284.60

You would pay the following expenses on the same investment assuming no withdrawal or selection of an annuity payout plan at the
end of each time period:

 1 year                 $ 22.87       $ 25.55         $ 22.77      $ 22.57      $ 22.77       $ 21.97        $ 25.45  

 3 years                  70.49         78.53           70.20        69.60       70.20          67.80          78.23  

 5 years                 120.75        134.15          120.25       119.25      120.25         116.24         133.65
                  
10 years                 258.90        285.57          257.89       255.88      257.89         249.81         284.60
/TABLE
<PAGE>
PAGE 13
<TABLE><CAPTION>
                          OCC
                      Accumulation
                       Trust U.S.             Putnam VT       Putnam VT                                   GT Global      GT Global
                       Government            Diversified      Growth and    Putnam VT   Putnam VT New     Variable       Variable
                    Income Portfolio           Income           Income      High Yield  Opportunities   Latin America   New Pacific

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming 5% annual return and full withdrawal at the end of each time
period:
 <S>                <C>                      <C>               <C>          <C>         <C>            <C>              <C>
 1 year             $ 96.04                  $ 94.56           $ 91.77      $ 93.96     $ 94.46        $ 98.50          $ 98.50
               
 3 years             130.01                   125.56            117.20       123.78      125.27         137.36           137.36
     
 5 years             166.60                   159.21            145.23       156.24      158.72         178.77           178.77
                  
10 years             290.42                   275.79            247.78       269.87      274.81         314.23           314.23
     
You would pay the following expenses on the same investment assuming no withdrawal or selection of an annuity payout plan at the
end of each time period:

 1 year             $ 26.04                  $ 24.56           $ 21.77      $ 23.96     $ 24.46        $ 28.50          $ 28.50
         
 3 years              80.01                    75.56             67.20        73.78       75.27          87.36            87.36
      
 5 years             136.60                   129.21            115.23       126.24      128.72         148.77           148.77
     
10 years             290.42                   275.79            247.78       269.87      274.81         314.23           314.23
</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 contract administrative charge is
approximated as a .170% charge based on the estimated average
contract size. 

<PAGE>
PAGE 14
   
Condensed Financial Information (unaudited)

The following tables give per-unit information about the financial
history of each variable subaccount.
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Condensed Financial Information (unaudited)
<S>                                                 <C>                   <C>
                                                        Nine month           Period from
                                                      period ended            Feb. 21 to
                                                    Sept. 30, 1996        Dec. 31, 1995*
________________________________________________________________________________________
Subaccount ECR (Investing in shares of Capital Resource Fund) 
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.20                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.23                 $1.20
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted)..........................     2,069                   818
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
________________________________________________________________________________________
Subaccount ESI (Investing in shares of Special Income Fund)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.17                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.20                 $1.17
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end 
of period (000 omitted).................................     1,162                   414
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
________________________________________________________________________________________
Subaccount EMS (Investing in shares of Moneyshare Fund)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.03                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.06                 $1.03
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end 
of period (000 omitted).................................       124                   132
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
Simple yield............................................      4.90%                 3.53%
Compound yield..........................................      5.02%                 3.59%
________________________________________________________________________________________
Subaccount EMG (Investing in shares of Managed Fund)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.18                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.27                 $1.18
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end 
of period (000 omitted).................................     1,375                   589
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
________________________________________________________________________________________
Subaccount EIE (Investing in shares of International Equity Fund)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.17                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.24                 $1.17
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end 
of period (000 omitted).................................       591                   220
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
________________________________________________________________________________________
Subaccount EAG (Investing in shares of Aggressive Growth Fund)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.28                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.42                 $1.28
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end 
of period (000 omitted).................................     1,135                   473
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
________________________________________________________________________________________
Subaccount EMD (Investing in shares of OCC Accumulation Trust 
Managed Portfolio)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.31                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.48                 $1.31
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end 
of period (000 omitted).................................     2,076                   436
Ratio of operating expense to average net
assets..................................................      1.50%                 1.50%
________________________________________________________________________________________
Subaccount EUS (Investing in shares of OCC Accumulation Trust 
U.S. Government Trust Portfolio)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.09                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.09                 $1.09
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end 
of period (000 omitted).................................     1,081                   413
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
________________________________________________________________________________________
*Operations commenced on Feb. 21, 1995.
<PAGE>
PAGE 15

Condensed Financial Information (unaudited) continued
 
                                                        Nine month           Period from
                                                      period ended            Feb. 21 to
                                                    Sept. 30, 1996        Dec. 31, 1995*
________________________________________________________________________________________
Subaccount EPA (Investing in shares of GT 
Global Variable New Pacific Fund)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.07                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.29                 $1.07
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end 
of period (000 omitted).................................       480                   193
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
________________________________________________________________________________________
Subaccount ELA (Investing in shares of GT 
Global Variable Latin America Fund)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $0.98                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.15                 $0.98
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted)..........................       605                   303
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
________________________________________________________________________________________
Subaccount ENO (Investing in shares of Putnam VT 
New Opportunities Fund)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.39                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.61                 $1.39
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end 
of period (000 omitted).................................     2,513                   691
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
________________________________________________________________________________________
Subaccount EGI (Investing in shares of Putnam VT 
Growth and Income Fund)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period..................................................     $1.27                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.42                 $1.27
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end 
of period (000 omitted).................................     3,131                 1,152
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
________________________________________________________________________________________
Subaccount EHY (Investing in shares of Putnam VT 
High Yield Fund)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of
period..................................................     $1.14                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.24                 $1.14
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end 
of period (000 omitted).................................     1,092                   480
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
________________________________________________________________________________________
Subaccount EDI (Investing in shares of Putnam VT 
Diversified Income Fund)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.15                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.19                 $1.15
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end 
of period (000 omitted).................................     1,577                   601
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
________________________________________________________________________________________
*Operations commenced on Feb. 21, 1995.
</TABLE> 
The SAI dated Jan. 6, 1997, contains:

The audited financial statements of the variable account including:

- - statements of net assets as of Dec. 31, 1995;

- - statements of operations for the period from Feb. 21, 1995
  (commencement of operations) to Dec. 31, 1995; and

- - statements of changes in net assets for the period from Feb. 21,
  1995 (commencement of operations) to Dec. 31, 1995.

<PAGE>
PAGE 16
The unaudited financial statements of the variable account
including:

- - statements of net assets as of Sept. 30, 1996;

- - statements of operations for the nine months ended Sept. 30,
  1996; and

- - statements of changes in net assets for the nine months ended
  Sept. 30, 1996.

The audited financial statements of American Enterprise Life
including:

- - balance sheets as of Dec. 31, 1995 and Dec. 31, 1994; and

- - related statements of income and cash flows for each of the
  three years in the period ended Dec. 31, 1995.

The unaudited financial statements of American Enterprise Life
including:

- - balance sheet as of Sept. 30, 1996; and

- - related statements of income and cash flows for the nine months
  ended Sept. 30, 1996.
    
Performance information

Performance information for the variable subaccounts may appear
from time to time in advertisements or sales literature.  In all
cases, such information reflects the performance of a hypothetical 
investment in a particular account during a particular time period. 

The following performance figures are calculated on the basis of
historical performance of the funds.  The performance figures
relating to these funds assume that the contract was in existence
prior to Jan. 12, 1995, which it was not.  Beginning Jan. 12, 1995,
when these funds became available as investment options under the
contract, actual values are used for the calculations.

Calculations are performed as follows:

Simple yield - IDS Life Moneyshare Subaccount:  Income over a given
seven-day period (not counting any change in the capital value of
the investment) is annualized (multiplied by 52) by assuming that
the same income is received for 52 weeks.  This annual income is
then stated as an annual percentage return on the investment.

Compound yield - IDS Life Moneyshare Subaccount:  Calculated like
simple yield, except that, when annualized, the income is assumed
to be reinvested.  Compounding of reinvested returns increases the
yield as compared to a simple yield.

<PAGE>
PAGE 17
Yield - Special Income Subaccount:  Net investment income (income
less expenses) per accumulation unit during a given 30-day period
is divided by the value of the unit on the last day of the period. 
The result is converted to an annual percentage.

Average annual total return:  Expressed as an average annual
compounded rate of return of a hypothetical investment over a
period of one, five and 10 years (or up to the life of the account 
if it is less than 10 years old).  This figure reflects deduction
of all applicable charges, including the contract administrative
charge, variable account administrative charge, mortality and
expense risk fee, and withdrawal charge, assuming a full
withdrawalat the end of the illustrated period.  Optional average
annual total return quotations may be made that do not reflect a
withdrawal charge deduction (assuming no withdrawal).

Aggregate total return:  Represents the cumulative change in the
value of an investment over a specified period of time (reflecting
change 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 withdrawal charge, assuming a withdrawal
at the end of the illustrated period.  Optional total return
quotations may be made that do not reflect a withdrawal charge
deduction (assuming no withdrawal).  Aggregate total return may be
shown by means of schedules, charts or graphs.  Performance
information should be considered in light of the investment
objectives and policies, characteristics and quality of the fund in
which the subaccount invests, and the market conditions during the
given time period.  Such information is not intended to indicate
future performance.  Because advertised yields and total return
figures include all charges attributable to the annuity, which has
the effect of decreasing advertised performance, subaccount
performance should not be compared to that of mutual funds that
sell their shares directly to the public.  (See the SAI for a
further description of methods used to determine yield and total
return for the subaccounts.)

If you would like additional information about actual performance,
contact American Enterprise Life at the address or telephone number
on the cover.

The variable account

Purchase payments can be allocated to any or all of the subaccounts
of the variable account that invest in shares of the following
funds:

                                                         Subaccount

IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund                              EAG
IDS Life International Equity Fund                           EIE
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund                               ECR
IDS Life Managed Fund                                        EMG
IDS Life Special Income Fund                                 ESI
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund                                     EMS<PAGE>
PAGE 18
   
OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio                     EMD
OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government
    Income Portfolio                                         EUS
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund                            EDI
Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund                             EGI
Putnam VT High Yield Fund                                    EHY
Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund                             ENO
GT Global Variable Latin America Fund                        ELA
GT Global Variable New Pacific Fund                          EPA
    
Each variable subaccount meets the definition of a separate account
under federal securities laws.  Income, capital gains and capital
losses of each subaccount are credited or charged to that
subaccount alone.  No variable subaccount will be charged with
liabilities of any other variable account or of our general
business.  All obligations arising under the contracts are general
obligations of IDS Life.

The variable account was established under Indiana law on July 15,
1987, and the subaccounts are registered together as a single unit
investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940
Act).  This registration does not involve any supervision of our
management or investment practices and policies by the SEC.  All
obligations arising under the contracts are general obligations of
American Enterprise Life.

The funds

IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund
Objective: capital appreciation.  Invests primarily in common stock
of small- and medium-size companies.

IDS Life International Equity Fund
Objective: capital appreciation.  Invests primarily in common stock
of foreign issuers and foreign securities convertible into common
stock.

IDS Life Capital Resource Fund
Objective: capital appreciation.  Invests primarily in U.S. common
stocks and other securities convertible into common stock,
diversified over many different companies in a variety of
industries.

IDS Life Managed Fund
Objective: maximum total investment return.  Invests primarily in
U.S. common stocks, securities convertible into common stock,
warrants, fixed income securities (primarily high-quality corporate
bonds) and money market instruments.

IDS Life Special Income Fund
Objective: to provide a high level of current income while
conserving the value of the investment for the longest time period. 
Invests primarily in high-quality, lower-risk corporate bonds
issued by many different companies in a variety of industries, and
in government bonds.

<PAGE>
PAGE 19
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund
Objective: maximum current income consistent with liquidity and
conservation of capital.  Invests in high-quality money market
securities with remaining maturities of 13 months or less.  The
fund also will maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio
maturity not exceeding 90 days.  The fund attempts to maintain a
constant net asset value of $1 per share.

OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio
Objective: Growth of capital over time.  Invests primarily in
common stocks, bonds and money market and cash equivalent
securities, the percentages of which will vary based on
management's assessment of relative investment values.

OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government Income Portfolio
Objective: to provide a high level of current income together with
protection of capital.  Invests exclusively in debt obligations,
including mortgage-backed securities, issued or guaranteed by the
United States government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
   
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund
Objective: high current income consistent with capital
preservation.  Invests in the following three sectors of the fixed
income securities markets: U.S. government sector, high yield
sector and international sector.

Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund
Objective: capital growth and current income.  Invests primarily in
common stocks that offer potential for capital growth, current
income, or both.

Putnam VT High Yield Fund
Objective: high current income and, when consistent with this
objective, a secondary objective of capital growth.  Invests
primarily in high-yielding, lower-rated fixed income securities,
constituting a portfolio which Putnam Investment Management, Inc.
("Putnam Management") believes does not involve undue risk to
income or principal.

Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund
Objective: long-term capital appreciation.  Invests principally in
common stocks of companies in sectors of the economy which Putnam
Management believes may possess above average long-term growth
potential.
    
GT Global Variable Latin America Fund
Objective: capital appreciation.  Invests primarily in a broad
range of securities including common and preferred stock, rights,
warrants and securities convertible into common stock, as well as
bonds, notes, debentures or other forms of indebtedness of Latin
American issuers.

(If your annuity was purchased in California, you cannot allocate
payments to the subaccount that invests in this fund.)

GT Global Variable New Pacific Fund
Objective: long-term growth of capital.  Invests under normal
circumstances, at least 65% of its assets in equity securities of <PAGE>
PAGE 20
issuers domiciled in Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, New
Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and
Thailand.

(If your annuity was purchased in California, you cannot allocate
payments to the subaccount that invests in this fund.)

All funds are available to serve as the underlying investment for
variable annuities, and some funds also are available to serve as
the underlying investment for variable life insurance contracts. 
It is conceivable that in the future it may be disadvantageous for
variable annuity separate accounts and variable life insurance
separate accounts to invest in the available funds simultaneously. 

Although American Enterprise Life and the funds do not currently
foresee any such disadvantages either to variable annuity contract
owners or to variable life insurance policy owners, the boards of
directors or trustees of the appropriate funds will monitor events
in order to identify any material conflicts between such contract
owners and policy owners and 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 and variable annuity separate accounts, the variable
annuity contract holders would not bear any expenses associated
with establishing separate funds.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued final regulations
relating to the diversification requirements under Section 817(h)
of the Code.  Each mutual fund intends to comply with these
requirements.

The U.S. Treasury and the IRS have indicated they may provide
additional guidance concerning how many variable subaccounts may be
offered and how many exchanges among variable subaccounts may be
allowed before the owner is considered to have investment control,
and thus is currently taxed on income earned within variable
subaccount assets.  We do not know at this time what the additional
guidance will be or when action will be taken.  We reserve the 
right to modify the contract, as necessary, to ensure that the
owner will not be subject to current taxation as the owner of the
variable subaccount assets.

We intend to comply with all federal tax laws to ensure that the
contract continues to qualify as an annuity for federal income tax
purposes.  We reserve the right to modify the contract as necessary
to comply with any new tax laws.

IDS Life, IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, MN 55440, is the investment
manager for each of the IDS Life funds.  OpCap Advisors, One World
Financial Center, New York, NY 10281, is the investment manager for
the OCC Accumulation Trust portfolios.  Putnam Investment
Management, Inc., One Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109, is the
investment manager for the Putnam VT funds.  Chancellor LGT Asset
Management, 50 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94111, is the
investment manager for the GT Global Funds.

The investment managers cannot guarantee that the funds will meet
their investment objectives.  Please read the prospectuses for the <PAGE>
PAGE 21
funds for complete information on investment risks, deductions,
expenses and other facts you should know before investing.  These 
prospectuses are available by contacting American Enterprise Life
at the administrative office address or telephone number on the
front of this prospectus.

The fixed account

Purchase payments can also be allocated to the fixed account.  The
value of the fixed account increases as interest is credited to the
account.  Purchase payments and transfers to the fixed account
become part of the general account of American Enterprise Life, the
company's main portfolio of investments.  Interest is credited and
compounded daily to produce an effective annual interest rate.  We
may change the interest rates from time to time.

Because of exemptive and exclusionary provisions, interests in the
fixed account have not been registered under the Securities Act of
1933 (1933 Act), nor is the fixed account registered as an
investment company under the 1940 Act.  Accordingly, neither the
fixed account nor any interests in it are generally subject to the
provisions of the 1933 or 1940 Acts, and we have 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, however, may be subject to certain generally
applicable provisions of the federal securities laws relating to
the accuracy and completeness of statements made in prospectuses.

Buying your annuity

Your agent will help you prepare and submit your application, and
send it along with your initial purchase payment to our Minneapolis
administrative office.  As the owner, you have all rights and may
receive all benefits under the contract.  The annuity can be owned
in joint tenancy only in spousal situations.  You cannot buy a
nonqualified annuity or be an annuitant if you are 86 or older (age
76 or older for qualified annuities).  (In Pennsylvania, the
annuitant must be under age 81.) 

When you apply, you can select:
o  the subaccount(s) or fixed account in which you want to invest;
o  how you want to make purchase payments;
o  the date you want to start receiving annuity payouts (the
   retirement date); and
o  a beneficiary.
   
If your application is complete, we will process it and apply your
purchase payment to your subaccount(s) and fixed account within two
days after we receive it.  If your application is accepted, we will
send you a contract.  If we cannot accept your application within
five days, we will decline it and return your payment.  We will
credit additional purchase payments to your account(s) at the next
close of business. In most states, additional purchase payments may
be made to nonqualified and qualified annuities until the
retirement date.  In Maryland and Washington, additional purchase
payments may be made to nonqualified annuities until the later of <PAGE>
PAGE 22
the annuitant's 63rd birthday or the third contract anniversary,
and additional purchase payments may be made to qualified annuities
until the annuitant's 63rd birthday.
    
The retirement date

Annuity payouts will be scheduled to begin on the retirement date. 
This date can be aligned with your actual retirement from a job, or
it can be a different future date, depending on your needs and 
goals and on certain restrictions.  You can also change the date,
provided you send us written instructions at least 30 days before
annuity payouts begin.

For nonqualified annuities, the retirement date must be:
   
o  no earlier than the 60th day after the contract's effective
   date; and
o  no later than the annuitant's 85th birthday (or before the 10th
   contract anniversary, if purchased after age 75) or
o  no later than the annuitant's 82nd birthday (or before the
   eighth contract anniversary, if purchased after age 74) for
   annuities purchased in Pennsylvania.
    
For qualified annuities, to avoid IRS penalty taxes, the retirement
date generally must be:

o  on or after the annuitant reaches age 59 1/2;
o  by April 1 of the year following the calendar year when the 
   annuitant reaches age 70 1/2. 

If you are taking the minimum IRA distribution as required by the
Code from another tax-qualified investment, or in the form of
partial withdrawals from this annuity, annuity payouts can start as
late as the annuitant's 85th birthday or the 10th contract
anniversary.  (In Pennsylvania, annuity payouts must start no later
than the annuitant's 82nd birthday or the eighth contract
anniversary.)

Beneficiary

If death benefits become payable before the retirement date, your
named beneficiary will receive all or part of the contract value. 
If there is no named beneficiary, then you or your estate will be
the beneficiary.  (See "Payment in case of death" for more about
beneficiaries.) 

Minimum payment

If single payment:

Nonqualified:       $2,000
Qualified:          $2,000

Minimum additional purchase payment(s):     $50

Maximum payment(s):     $1,000,000 of cumulative payments without
                        prior approval<PAGE>
PAGE 23
How to make payments

By letter

Send your check along with your name and account number to:

Regular mail:
   
American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
80 South Eighth Street
P.O. Box 534
Minneapolis, MN  55440-0534
    
Express mail:

American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
Attention:  Unit 829
733 Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN  55402

Charges

Contract administrative charge

This fee is for establishing and maintaining your records.  We
deduct $30 from the contract value on your contract anniversary at
the end of each contract year.  We will waive this charge when the
contract value is $50,000 or more on the current contract
anniversary.  If you take a full withdrawal from your contract, the
$30 annual charge will be deducted at the time of withdrawal
regardless of contract value.  The annual charge cannot be
increased and does not apply after annuity payouts begin.

Variable account administrative charge
This charge is applied daily to the variable subaccounts and
reflected in the unit values of the subaccounts.  Annually, it
totals 0.15% of their average daily net assets.  It covers certain
administrative and operating expenses of the subaccounts 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.

Mortality and expense risk fee
This fee is to cover the mortality risk and expense risk and is
applied daily to the variable subaccounts and reflected in the unit
values of the subaccounts.  The subaccounts pay this fee at the
time dividends are distributed from the funds in which they invest. 
Annually the fee totals 1.25% of the subaccounts average daily net
assets.  Approximately two-thirds of this amount is for our
assumption of mortality risk, and one-third is for our assumption
of expense risk.  This fee does not apply to the fixed account.

Mortality risk arises because of our guarantee to make annuity
payouts according to the terms of the contract, no matter how long
a specific annuitant lives and no matter how long the entire group
of American Enterprise Life annuitants live.  If, as a group,
American Enterprise Life annuitants outlive the life expectancy we
have assumed in our actuarial tables, then we must take money from <PAGE>
PAGE 24
our general assets to meet our obligations.  If, as a group,
American Enterprise Life annuitants do not live as long as
expected, we could profit from the mortality risk fee.  Expense 
risk arises because the contract administrative charge and variable
account administrative charge cannot be increased and may not cover
our expenses.  Any deficit would have to be made up from our
general assets.

We do not plan to profit from the contract administrative charge or
the variable account administrative charge.  However, we hope to
profit from the mortality and expense risk fee.  We may use any
profits realized from this fee for any proper corporate purpose,
including, among others, payment of distribution (selling)
expenses.  We do not expect that the withdrawal charge, discussed
in the following paragraphs, will cover sales and distribution
expenses.

Withdrawal charge
If you withdraw part or all of your contract, you may be subject to
a withdrawal charge.  The withdrawal amount you request is
determined by drawing from your total contract value in the
following order:

1.  First we withdraw up to 10% of your prior anniversary account
value not yet withdrawn this contract year.  There is no withdrawal
charge on withdrawals totaling up to 10% of your prior anniversary
value each contract year.

2.  Next we withdraw any contract earnings (contract value minus
all purchase payments received and not previously withdrawn) in
excess of the annual 10% free withdrawal amount.  There is no
withdrawal charge on contract earnings.

3.  Next, if necessary, we withdraw the old purchase payments,
starting with the first purchase payment made and not previously
withdrawn.  There is no withdrawal charge on old payments that we
received in any contract year six or more years prior to the
contract year of withdrawal.

4.  Finally, if necessary, we withdraw new purchase payments. 
These are payments that we received during the contract year of
withdrawal and during the six immediately preceding contract years. 
There is a withdrawal charge on new payments.  We determine your
withdrawal charge by multiplying each of your new payments by the
applicable withdrawal charge percentage, and then summing the total
withdrawal charges.

The new payment withdrawal charge percentage depends on the number
of contract years since you made the payment(s).

<PAGE>
PAGE 25
Contract Years From                           Withdrawal Charge
  Payment Receipt                                Percentage
         1                                           7%
         2                                           6%
         3                                           5%
         4                                           4%
         5                                           3%
         6                                           2%
         7                                           1%
    Thereafter                                       0%

Withdrawal charge calculation example

We determine your withdrawal charge by multiplying each of your new
payments by the applicable withdrawal charge percentage and then
summing the total withdrawal charges.

For example, the withdrawal charge on a total withdrawal request
for a contract with this history:

o     The contract date is July 1, 1996 with a contract year of
      July 1 through June 30 and with an anniversary date of July 1
      each year

o     We received these payments - $10,000 July 1, 1996, $8,000
      Dec. 31, 2002 and $6,000 Feb. 20, 2004

o     The owner withdraws the contract for its total withdrawal
      value of $38,101 on Aug. 5, 2006 and had not made any other
      withdrawals during that contract year

o     The prior anniversary July 1, 2006 contract value was $38,488
is calculated this way:

Withdrawal Charge       Explanation
   $  0                 $3,848.80 is 10% of the prior anniversary
                        account value withdrawn without withdrawal
                        charge; and

      0                 $10,252.20 is contract earnings in excess
                        of the 10% free withdrawal amount withdrawn
                        without withdrawal charge; and

      0                 $10,000 July 1, 1996 payment is an old
                        payment withdrawn without withdrawal
                        charge; and

    240                 $8,000 Dec. 31, 2002 payment is a new
                        payment in its fifth contract year from
                        receipt, withdrawn with a 3% withdrawal
                        charge; and

    240                 $6,000 Feb. 20, 2004 payment is a new
                        payment in its fourth contract year from
                        receipt withdrawn with a 4% withdrawal
                        charge.
__________
   $480<PAGE>
PAGE 26
The withdrawal charge is calculated so that the total amount minus
any withdrawal charge equals the amount you request.  If you take a
full withdrawal from your contract, the $30 contract charge will be
deducted.

Waiver of withdrawal charges
There are no withdrawal charges for:
   
o     withdrawals during the year totaling up to 10% of your prior
      contract anniversary contract value;
o     contract earnings - if any - in excess of the annual 10% free
      withdrawal amount;
o     required minimum distributions from a qualified annuity after
      you reach age 70 1/2 (for those amounts required to be
      distributed from this annuity only);
o     contracts settled using an annuity payout plan; and
o     death benefits.
    
If your contract includes a "Waiver of Withdrawal Charges" Annuity
Endorsement, we will waive withdrawal charges that are normally
assessed upon full or partial withdrawal if you provide proof
satisfactory to us that, as of the date you request the withdrawal,
you or the annuitant are confined to a hospital or nursing home and
have been for the prior 60 days.

To qualify, the nursing home must meet the following criteria:

o     be licensed by an appropriate licensing agency to provide
      nursing care; and
o     provide 24-hour-a-day nursing services; and
o     have a doctor available for emergency situations; and
o     have a nurse on duty or on call at all times; and
o     maintain clinical records; and
o     have appropriate methods for administering drugs.

To the extent permitted by state law, this endorsement is included
in contracts issued when the owner and annuitant are under age 76
on the date that we issue the contract.

Possible group reductions:  In some cases lower sales and
administrative expenses may be incurred due to the size of the
group, the average contribution and the use of group enrollment
procedures.  In such cases, we may be able to reduce or eliminate
the contract administrative and withdrawal charges.  However, we
expect this to occur infrequently.

Premium taxes
Certain state and local governments impose premium taxes that may
reach to 3.5%.  These taxes are dependent upon the state of
residence or the state in which the contract was sold.  In some 
cases, premium taxes are deducted from your purchase payments
before they are allocated.  In other cases, the deduction is made
when you fully withdraw your contract or when annuity payouts
begin.

<PAGE>
PAGE 27
Valuing your investment

Here is how your fixed account and variable subaccounts are valued:

Fixed account:  The amounts allocated to the fixed account are
valued directly in dollars and equal the sum of your purchase
payments and transfer amounts plus interest earned, less any
amounts withdrawn or transferred and any contract administrative
charge.

Variable subaccounts:  Amounts allocated to the variable
subaccounts are converted into accumulation units.  Each time you
make a purchase payment or transfer amounts into one of the
variable subaccounts, a certain number of accumulation units are
credited to your contract for that subaccount.  Conversely, each
time you take a partial withdrawal, transfer amounts out of a
variable subaccount, or are assessed a contract administrative
charge, a certain number of accumulation units are subtracted from 
your contract.

The accumulation units are the true measure of investment value in
each subaccount during the accumulation period.  They are related
to, but not the same as, the net asset value of the underlying
fund.

The dollar value of each accumulation unit can rise or fall daily
depending on the performance of the underlying mutual fund and on
certain fund expenses.  Here is how unit values are calculated:

Number of units
To calculate the number of accumulation units for a particular
subaccount, we divide your investment, after deduction of any
premium taxes, by the current accumulation unit value.

Accumulation unit value
The current accumulation unit value for each variable subaccount
equals the last value times the subaccount's current net investment
factor.

Net investment factor

o     Determined each business day by adding the underlying mutual
      fund's current net asset value per share plus per-share
      amount of any current dividend or capital gain distribution;
      then
o     dividing that sum by the previous net asset value per share;
      and
o     subtracting the percentage factor representing the mortality
      and expense risk fee and the variable account administrative
      charge from the result.

Because the net asset value of the underlying mutual fund may
fluctuate, the accumulation unit value may increase or decrease.
You bear this investment risk in a variable subaccount.

<PAGE>
PAGE 28
Factors that affect variable subaccount accumulation units
Accumulation units may change in two ways; in number and in value. 
Here are the factors that influence those changes:

The number of accumulation units you own may fluctuate due to:

o     additional purchase payments allocated to the variable
      subaccounts;
o     transfers into or out of the variable subaccount(s);
o     partial withdrawals;
o     withdrawal charges; and/or
o     contract administrative charges.

Accumulation unit values may fluctuate due to:

o     changes in underlying mutual fund(s) net asset value;
o     dividends distributed to the variable subaccount(s);
o     capital gains or losses of underlying mutual funds;
o     mutual fund operating expenses;
o     mortality and expense risk fees; and/or
o     variable account administrative charges.

Making the most of your annuity

Automated dollar-cost averaging*

You can use automated transfers to take advantage of dollar-cost
averaging (investing a fixed amount at regular intervals).  For
example, you might have a set amount transferred monthly from a
relatively conservative variable subaccount to a more aggressive
one, or to several others.

This systematic approach can help you benefit from fluctuations in
accumulation unit values caused by fluctuations in the market
value(s) of the underlying mutual fund(s).  Since you invest the
same amount each period, you automatically acquire more units when
the market value falls, fewer units when it rises.  The potential
effect is to lower your average cost per unit.  For specific
features contact your agent.
   
<TABLE><CAPTION>
                               How dollar-cost averaging works
<S>                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>  
                               Month       Amount       Accumulation   Number of units
                                          invested       unit value      purchased
By investing an                Jan         $100             $20            5.00
equal number of
dollars each month....         Feb          100              18            5.56

                               Mar          100              17            5.88

you automatically              Apr          100              15            6.67
buy more units
when the per unit              May          100              16            6.25
market price is low....
                               Jun          100              18            5.56

                               Jul          100              17            5.88

                               Aug          100              19            5.26

and fewer units                Sep          100              21            4.76
when the per unit
market price is                Oct          100              20            5.00
high.
</TABLE>
    <PAGE>
PAGE 29
You have paid an average price of only $17.91 per unit over the 10
months, while the average market price actually was $18.10.

Dollar-cost averaging does not guarantee that any variable
subaccount will gain in value, nor will it protect against a
decline in value if market prices fall.  However, if you can
continue to invest regularly throughout changing market conditions,
it can be an effective strategy to help meet your long term goals.

* Some restrictions may apply.

Transferring money between subaccounts
You may transfer money from any one subaccount, or the fixed
account, to another before the annuity payouts begin.  Certain
restrictions apply to transfers involving the fixed account.  If we
receive your request before the close of business, we will process
it that day.  Requests received after the close of business will be
processed the next business day.  There is no charge for transfers. 
Before making a transfer, you should consider the risks involved in
switching investments.

We may suspend or modify transfer privileges at any time.  The
right to transfer contract values between the subaccounts is
subject to modification if we determine, in our sole discretion,
that the exercise of that right by one or more contract owners is,
or would be, to the disadvantage of other contract owners.  Any
modification could be applied to transfers to or from some or all
of the subaccounts.  These modifications could include, but not be
limited to, the requirement of a minimum time period between each
transfer, not accepting transfer requests of an agent acting under
a power of attorney on behalf of more than one contract owner or
limiting the dollar amount that may be transferred between the
subaccounts and the fixed account by a contract owner at any one
time.  We may apply these modifications or restrictions in any
manner reasonably designed to prevent any use of the transfer right
we consider to be to the disadvantage of other contract owners. 
(For information on transfers after annuity payouts begin, see "The
annuity payout period.")

Transfer policies

o     You may transfer contract values between the variable
      subaccounts or from the subaccount(s) to the fixed account at
      any time.  However, if you have made a transfer from the
      fixed account to the subaccount(s), you may not make a
      transfer from any subaccount back to the fixed account for
      six months following that transfer.

o     You may transfer contract values from the fixed account to
      the variable subaccount(s) on or within 30 days before or
      after the contract anniversary (except for automated
      transfers, which can be set up for transfer periods of your
      choosing subject to certain minimums).

o     If we receive your request on or within 30 days before or
      after the contract anniversary date, the transfer from the
      fixed account to the variable subaccount(s) will be effective
      on the day we receive it.<PAGE>
PAGE 30
o     We will not accept requests for transfers from the fixed
      account at any other time.

o     Once annuity payouts begin no transfers may be made to or
      from the fixed account, but transfers may be made once per
      contract year among the variable subaccounts.

Two ways to request a transfer or a withdrawal

1     By letter

Send your name, account number, Social Security Number or Taxpayer
Identification Number and signed request for a transfer or
withdrawal to:

Regular mail:
American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
80 South Eighth Street
P.O. Box 534
Minneapolis, MN  55440-0534
   
Express mail:
American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
Attention:  Unit 829
733 Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN  55402
    
Minimum amount
Mail transfers:   $500 or entire variable subaccount or fixed
                  account balance
Mail withdrawals: $500 or entire variable subaccount or fixed
                  account balance
   
Maximum amount
Mail transfers:   Contract Value
Mail withdrawals: Contract Value
    
2     By automated transfers and automated partial withdrawals

Your agent can help you set up automated transfers among your
accounts or partial withdrawals from the accounts.

You can start or stop this service by written request or other
method acceptable to American Enterprise Life.  You must allow 30
days for American Enterprise Life to change any instructions that
are currently in place.

o     Automated transfers may not exceed an amount that, if
      continued, would deplete the fixed account or subaccount(s)
      from which you are transferring within 24 months.

o     Automated transfers and automated partial withdrawals are
      subject to all of the contract provisions and terms,
      including transfer of contract values between accounts. 
      Automated withdrawals may be restricted by applicable law
      under some contracts.

<PAGE>
PAGE 31
o     Automated partial withdrawals may result in IRS taxes and
      penalties on all or part of the amount withdrawn.

Minimum amount
Automated transfers or withdrawals: $100 monthly/$250 quarterly

   
Maximum amount
Automated transfers or withdrawals: Contract Value (except for
                                    automated transfers from the
                                    fixed account)
    
Withdrawals from your contract

As owner, you may withdraw all or part of your contract at any time
before annuity payouts begin by sending a written request to
American Enterprise Life.  For total withdrawals we will compute
the value of your contract at the close of business after we
receive your request.  We may ask you to return the contract.  You 
may have to pay withdrawal charges (see "Withdrawal charge") and
IRS taxes and penalties (see "Taxes").  No withdrawals may be made
after annuity payouts begin.

Withdrawal policies
If you have a balance in more than one account and request a
partial withdrawal, we will withdraw money from all your accounts
in the same proportion as your value in each account correlates to
your total contract value, unless you request otherwise.

Receiving payment when you request a withdrawal

By regular or express mail:

o     Payable to owner.

o     Normally mailed to address of record within seven days after
      receiving your request.  However, we may postpone the payment
      if:

      -the withdrawal amount includes a purchase payment check that
      has not cleared;
      -the NYSE is closed, except for normal holiday and weekend
      closings;
      -trading on the NYSE is restricted, according to SEC rules;
      -an emergency, as defined by SEC rules, makes it impractical
      to sell securities or value the net assets of the accounts;
      or
      -the SEC permits us to delay payment for the protection of
      security holders.

Changing ownership
   
You may change ownership of your nonqualified  annuity at any time
by filing a change of ownership on a form approved by us and sent
to our Minneapolis administrative office.  The change will become
binding upon us when we receive and record it.  We will honor any
change of ownership request believed to be authentic and will use <PAGE>
PAGE 32
reasonable procedures to confirm that it is.  If these procedures
are followed, we take no responsibility for the validity of the
change.
    
If you have a nonqualified annuity, you may lose your tax
advantages by transferring, assigning or pledging any part of it. 
(See "Taxes.")

If you have a qualified annuity, you may not sell, assign,
transfer, discount or pledge your contract as collateral for a
loan, or as security for the performance of an obligation or for
any other purpose to any person except American Enterprise Life. 
However, if the owner is a trust or custodian, or an employer
acting in a similar capacity, ownership of a contract may be
transferred to the annuitant.

Benefits in case of death

If you or the annuitant dies (or, for qualified annuities, if the
annuitant dies) before annuity payouts begin, we will pay the
beneficiary as follows:

For contracts where both the owner and annuitant were 75 or younger
on the date the contract was issued and if all withdrawals you have
made from this contract have been without withdrawal charges, the
beneficiary receives the greater of:

1.    the contract value; or

2.    the total purchase payments paid less any amounts withdrawn;
      or

3.    on or after the fifth contract anniversary, the death benefit
      as of the most recent fifth contract anniversary adjusted by
      adding any purchase payments made since that most recent
      fifth contract anniversary and by subtracting any amounts
      withdrawn since that most recent fifth contract anniversary.

For contracts where both the owner and annuitant were 75 or younger
on the date the contract was issued and you have made withdrawals
subject to withdrawal charges, the beneficiary receives the
contract value. 

For contracts where either the owner or annuitant were 76 or older
on the date the contract was issued, the beneficiary receives the
contract value.

If your spouse is sole beneficiary under a nonqualified annuity and
you die before the retirement date, your spouse may keep the
annuity as owner.  To do this your spouse must, within 60 days
after we receive proof of death, give us written instructions to
keep the contract in force.

Under a qualified annuity, if the annuitant dies before reaching
age 70 1/2 and before the retirement date, and the spouse is the
only beneficiary, the spouse may keep the annuity in force until
the date on which the annuitant would have reached age 70 1/2 or <PAGE>
PAGE 33
such other date permitted by the Code.  To do this, the spouse must
give us written instructions within 60 days after we receive proof
of death.

Payments:  We will pay the beneficiary in a single sum unless you
have given us other written instructions, or the beneficiary may
receive payouts under any annuity payout plan available under this
contract if:

o  the beneficiary asks us in writing within 60 days after we
   receive proof of death;
o  payouts begin no later than one year after death; and
o  the payout period does not extend beyond the beneficiary's life
   or life expectancy.

When paying the beneficiary, we will determine the contract's value
at the next close of business after our death claim requirements
are fulfilled.  Interest, if any, will be paid from the date of
death at a rate no less than required by law.  We will mail payment
to the beneficiary within seven days after our death claim
requirements are fulfilled.  (See "Taxes.")

The annuity payout period

As owner of the contract, you have the right to decide how and to
whom annuity payouts will be made starting at the retirement date. 

You may select one of the annuity payout plans outlined below, or
we will mutually agree on other payout arrangements.  The amount
available for payouts under the plan you select is the contract
value on your retirement date.  No withdrawal charges are deducted
under the payout plans listed below.

You also decide whether annuity payouts are to be made on a fixed
or variable basis, or a combination of fixed and variable.  Amounts
of fixed and variable payouts depend on:
o  the annuity payout plan you select;
o  the annuitant's age and, in most cases, sex;
o  the annuity table in the contract; and
o  the amounts you allocated to the account(s) at settlement.

In addition, for variable payouts only, amounts depend on the
investment performance of the subaccount(s) you select.  These
payouts will vary from month to month because the performance of
the underlying mutual funds will fluctuate.  (In the case of fixed
annuities, payouts remain the same from month to month.)

For information with respect to transfers between accounts after
annuity payouts begin, see "Transfer policies."

Annuity payout plans

You may choose any one of these annuity payout plans by giving us
written instructions at least 30 days before contract values are to
be used to purchase the payout plan:

<PAGE>
PAGE 34
o Plan A - Life annuity - no refund:  Monthly payouts are made
until the annuitant's death.  Payouts end with the last payout
before the annuitant's death; no further payouts will be made. 
This means that if the annuitant dies after only one monthly payout
has been made, no more payouts will be made.

o Plan B - Life annuity with five, 10 or 15 years certain:  Monthly
payouts are made for a guaranteed payout period of five, 10 or 15
years that the annuitant elects.  This election will determine the
length of the payout period to the beneficiary if the annuitant 
should die before the elected period has expired.  The guaranteed
payout period is calculated from the retirement date.  If the
annuitant outlives the elected guaranteed payout period, payouts
will continue until the annuitant's death.

o Plan C - Life annuity - installment refund:  Monthly payouts are
made until the annuitant's death, with our guarantee that payouts
will continue for some period of time.  Payouts will be made for at
least the number of months determined by dividing the amount
applied under this option by the first monthly payout, whether or
not the annuitant is living.

o Plan D - Joint and last survivor life annuity - no refund: 
Monthly payouts are made to the annuitant and a joint annuitant
while both are living.  If either annuitant dies, monthly payouts
continue at the full amount until the death of the surviving
annuitant.  Payouts end with the death of the second annuitant.

o Plan E - Payouts for a specified period (available as a fixed
payout only):  Monthly payouts are made for a specific payout
period of 10 to 30 years chosen by the annuitant.  Payouts will be 
made only for the number of years specified whether the annuitant
is living or not.  Depending on the time period selected, it is 
foreseeable that an annuitant can outlive the payout period
selected.  In addition, a 10% IRS penalty tax could apply under
this payout plan.  (See "Taxes.")

Restrictions for some qualified plans:  If you purchased a
qualified annuity, you must select a payout plan that provides for
payouts:

o  over the life of the annuitant;
o  over the joint lives of the annuitant and a designated
   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 a designated beneficiary.

If we do not receive instructions:  You must give us written
instructions for the annuity payouts at least 30 days before the
annuitant's retirement date.  If you do not, we will make payouts
under Plan B, with 120 monthly payouts guaranteed.

If monthly payouts would be less than $20:  We will calculate the
amount of monthly payouts at the time the contract value is used to
purchase a payout plan.  If the calculations show that monthly <PAGE>
PAGE 35
payouts would be less than $20, we have the right to pay the
contract value to the owner in a lump sum or to change the
frequency of the payouts.

Death after annuity payouts begin  

If you or the annuitant dies after annuity payouts begin, any
amount payable to the beneficiary will be provided in the annuity
payout plan in effect.

Taxes

Generally, under current law, any increase in your contract value
is taxable to you only when you receive a payout or withdrawal. 
(However, see detailed discussion below.)  Any portion of the
annuity payouts and any withdrawals you request that represent
ordinary income are normally taxable.  You will receive a 1099 tax
information form for any year in which a taxable distribution was
made.

Annuity payouts under nonqualified annuities:  A portion of each
payout will be ordinary income and subject to tax, and a portion of
each payout will be considered a return of part of your investment
and will not be taxed.  All amounts received after your investment
in the annuity is fully recovered will be subject to tax.

Tax law requires that all nonqualified deferred annuity contracts
issued by the same company to the same owner during a calendar year
are to be taxed as a single, unified contract when distributions
are taken from any one of such contracts.

Annuity payouts under qualified annuities:  Under a qualified
annuity, the entire payout generally will be includable as ordinary
income and subject to tax except to the extent that contributions
were made with after-tax dollars.  If you or your employer invested
in your contract with pre-tax dollars as part of a qualified
retirement plan, such amounts are not considered to be part of your
investment in the contract and will be taxed when paid to you.

Withdrawals:  If you withdraw part or all of your contract before
your annuity payouts begin, your withdrawal payment will be taxed
to the extent that the value of your contract immediately before
the withdrawal exceeds your investment.  You also may have to pay a
10% IRS penalty for withdrawals before reaching age 59 1/2.  For
qualified annuities, other penalties may apply if you make
withdrawals from your annuity before your plan specifies that you
can receive payouts.
   
Death benefits to beneficiaries:  The death benefit under an
annuity is not tax-exempt.  Any amount received by the beneficiary
that represents previously deferred earnings within the contract is
taxable as ordinary income to the beneficiary in the year(s) he or
she receives the payments.
    
Annuities owned by corporations, partnerships or trusts:  Any
annual increase in the value of annuities held by such entities
generally will be treated as ordinary income received during that <PAGE>
PAGE 36
year.  This provision is effective for purchase payments made after
Feb. 28, 1986.  However, if the trust was set up for the benefit of
a natural person only, the income will continue to be tax-deferred.

Penalties:  If you receive amounts from your contract before
reaching age 59 1/2, you may have to pay a 10% IRS penalty on the 
amount includable in your ordinary income.  However, this penalty
will not apply to any amount received by you or your beneficiary:
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 beneficiary); or
o  if it is allocable to an investment before Aug. 14, 1982 (except
   for qualified annuities).

For a qualified annuity, other penalties or exceptions may apply if
you make withdrawals from your annuity before your plan specifies
that payouts can be made.

Withholding, generally:  If you receive all or part of the contract
value from an annuity, withholding may be imposed against the
taxable income portion of the payment.  Any withholding that is
done represents a prepayment of your tax due for the year.  You
take credit for such amounts on the annual tax return that you
file.

If the payment is part of an annuity payout plan, the amount of
withholding generally is computed using payroll tables.  You can
provide us with a statement of how many exemptions to use in
calculating the withholding.  As long as you've provided us with a
valid Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number, you
can elect not to have any withholding occur.

If the distribution is any other type of payment (such as a partial
or full withdrawal) withholding is computed using 10% of the
taxable portion.  Similar to above, as long as you've provided us
with a valid Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification
Number, you can elect not to have this withholding occur.

Some states also impose withholding requirements similar to the
federal withholding described above.  If this should be the case,
any payment from which federal withholding is deducted may also
have state withholding deducted.  The withholding requirements may
differ if payment is being made to a non-U.S. citizen or if the
payment is being delivered outside the United States.

Transfer of ownership of a nonqualified annuity:  If you make such
a transfer without receiving adequate consideration, the transfer
is considered a gift, and also may be considered a withdrawal for
federal income tax purposes.  If the gift is a currently taxable
event, the amount of deferred earnings at the time of the transfer
will be taxed to the original owner, who also may be subject to a
10% IRS penalty as discussed earlier.  In this case, the new
owner's investment in the annuity will be the value of the annuity
at the time of the transfer.<PAGE>
PAGE 37
Collateral assignment of a nonqualified annuity:  If you
collaterally assign or pledge your contract, earnings on purchase
payments you made after Aug. 13, 1982 will be taxed to you like a
withdrawal.

Important:  Our discussion of federal tax laws is based upon our
understanding of these laws as they are currently interpreted. 
Federal tax laws or current interpretations of them may change. 
For this reason and because tax consequences are complex and highly
individual and cannot always be anticipated, you should consult a
tax advisor if you have any questions about taxation of your
contract.

Tax qualification

The contract is intended to qualify as an annuity for federal
income tax purposes.  To that end, the provisions of the contract
are to be interpreted to ensure or maintain such tax qualification,
notwithstanding any other provisions of the contract.  We reserve
the right to amend the contract to reflect any clarifications that
may be needed or are appropriate to maintain such qualification or
to conform the contract to any applicable changes in the tax
qualification requirements.  We will send you a copy of any such
amendments.

Voting rights

As contract owner with investments in the variable subaccount(s),
you may vote on important mutual fund policies until annuity
payouts begin.  Once they begin, the person receiving them has
voting rights.  We will vote fund shares according to the
instructions of the person with voting rights.

Before annuity payouts begin, the number of votes you have is
determined by applying your percentage interest in each variable
subaccount to the total number of votes allowed to the subaccount.

After annuity payouts begin, the number of votes you have is equal
to:

o     the reserve held in each subaccount for your contract,
      divided by
o     the net asset value of one share of the applicable underlying
      mutual fund.

As we make annuity payouts, the reserve for the contract decreases;
therefore, the number of votes also will decrease.

We calculate votes separately for each account.  Notice of these
meetings, proxy materials  and a statement of the number of votes
to which the voter is entitled, will be sent.

We will vote shares for which we have not received instructions in
the same proportion as the votes for which we have received
instructions.  We also will vote the shares for which we have
voting rights in the same proportion as the votes for which we have
received instructions.<PAGE>
PAGE 38
Substitution of investments

If shares of any fund should not be available for purchase by the
appropriate variable subaccount or if, in the judgment of American
Enterprise Life's Management, further investment in such shares is
no longer appropriate in view of the purposes of the subaccount,
investment in the subaccount may be discontinued or another 
registered open-end management investment company may be
substituted for fund shares held in the subaccounts if American
Enterprise Life believes it would be in the best interest of
persons having voting rights under the contract.  The variable
account may be operated as a management company under the 1940 Act
or it may be deregistered under this Act if the registration is no
longer required.  In the event of any such substitution or change,
American Enterprise Life, without the consent or approval of the 
owners, may amend the contract and take whatever action is
necessary and appropriate.  However, no such substitution or change
will be made without the necessary approval of the SEC and state
insurance departments.  American Enterprise Life will notify owners
of any substitution or change.

Distribution of the contracts

The contracts will be distributed by banks and financial
institutions either directly or through a network of third-party
marketers.  American Express Financial Advisors Inc., the principal
underwriter for the variable account, will pay commissions for the
distribution of the contracts to the broker-dealers of the banks or
financial institutions or the broker-dealers of the third-party
marketers who have entered into distribution agreements with
American Express Financial Advisors.  These commissions will not be
more than 7% of purchase payments received on the contracts.
From time to time, American Enterprise Life may pay or permit other
promotional incentives, in cash or credit or other compensation.

About American Enterprise Life

The AEL Personal PortfolioSM is issued by American Enterprise Life. 
American Enterprise Life is a wholly owned subsidiary of IDS Life,
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
Company is a financial services company principally engaged through
subsidiaries (in addition to American Express Financial
Corporation) in travel related services, investment services and
international banking services.

American Enterprise Life is a stock life insurance company
organized in 1981 under the laws of the state of Indiana.  Its
administrative office is located at 80 South Eighth Street,
Minneapolis, MN 55402.  Its statutory address is 100 Capitol Center
South, 201 North Illinois Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.  American
Enterprise Life is licensed in the state of Indiana and it conducts
a conventional life insurance business.

American Express Financial Advisors Inc. is the principal
underwriter for the variable account.  Its home office is IDS Tower
10, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010.  American Express Financial <PAGE>
PAGE 39
Advisors is registered with the SEC under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 as a broker-dealer and is a member of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.  American Express Financial
Advisors is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Financial
Corporation.

The American Express Financial Corporation family of companies
offers not only insurance and annuities, but also mutual funds,
investment certificates and a broad range of financial management
services.

Other subsidiaries provide investment management and related
services for pension, profit-sharing, employee savings and
endowment funds of businesses and institutions.

Regular and special reports

Services

To help you track and evaluate the performance of your annuity,
American Enterprise Life provides:

Quarterly statements showing the value of your investment.

Annual reports containing required information on the annuity and
its underlying investments.

Table of contents of the Statement of Additional Information

Performance information...............................
Calculating annuity payouts...........................
Rating agencies.......................................
Principal underwriter.................................
Independent auditors..................................
Saving for retirement.................................
Prospectus............................................
Financial statements - 
     American Enterprise Variable Annuity
     Account..........................................
     American Enterprise Life Insurance
     Company..........................................

___________________________________________________________________
Please check the appropriate box to receive a copy of the Statement
of Additional Information for:

____ AEL Personal PortfolioSM

____ IDS Life Retirement Annuity Mutual Funds

____ The OCC Accumulation Trust
   
____ The Putnam Variable Trust
    
____ GT Global Variable Investment Funds

<PAGE>
PAGE 40
Mail your request to:

American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
80 South Eighth Street
P.O. Box 534
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0534

American Enterprise Life will mail your request to:

Your name _____________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________

City __________________________ State ____________ Zip ________
<PAGE>
PAGE 41
















                STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                for

                     AEL PERSONAL PORTFOLIOSM

           AMERICAN ENTERPRISE VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
   
                           Jan. 6, 1997
    

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account is a separate account
established and maintained by American Enterprise Life Insurance
Company (American Enterprise Life).
   
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI), dated Jan. 6, 1997,
is not a prospectus.  It should be read together with the Account's
prospectus, dated Jan. 6, 1997, which may be obtained from your
agent, or by writing or calling American Enterprise Life Insurance
Company at the address or telephone number below.
    


American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
Administrative Offices
80 South Eighth Street
P.O. Box 534
Minneapolis, MN  55440-0534
(612) 671-7700
<PAGE>
PAGE 42
                         TABLE OF CONTENTS

Performance Information...................................... 

Calculating Annuity Payouts.................................. 

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

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

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

Saving for Retirement........................................ 

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

<PAGE>
PAGE 43
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

The following performance figures are calculated on the basis of
historical performance of the funds.  The performance figures
relating to these funds assume that the contract was in existence
prior to January 12, 1995, which it was not.  Performance figures
are calculated on the basis of historical performance of the funds. 
Before the subaccounts began investing in these funds, the figures
show what the subaccount performance would have been if these
subaccounts had existed during the illustrated periods.  Once these
subaccounts began investing in these funds, actual values are used
for the calculations.

Calculation of Yield for the Subaccount investing in IDS Life
Moneyshare Fund.

Simple yield for the subaccount investing in the IDS Life
Moneyshare Fund 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).

The value of the hypothetical subaccount includes the amount of any
declared dividends, the value of any shares purchased with any
dividend paid during the period and any dividends declared for such
shares.  The variable subaccount's yield does not include any
realized or unrealized gains or losses, nor does it include the
effect of any applicable surrender charge.

Calculation of compound 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:

     Compound Yield = [(Base Period Return + 1) 365/7 ] -1
   
         Annualized Yield based on Seven-Day Period ended
                          Sept. 30, 1996

Subaccount investing in:       Simple Yield        Compound Yield
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund           4.90%                5.02%
    
Calculation of Yield for the Subaccount investing in IDS Life
Special Income Fund.

For the subaccount investing in the IDS Life Special Income Fund
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
<PAGE>
PAGE 44
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 fund in which the subaccount invests
and from dividends declared and paid by the fund, which are
automatically invested in shares of the fund.
   
   Annualized yield based on 30-Day Period ended Sept. 30, 1996

Subaccount investing in:          Yield
IDS Life Special Income           6.53%
    
Calculation of average annual total return

Quotations of average annual total return for a subaccount will be
expressed in terms of the average annual compounded rate of return
of a hypothetical investment in the annuity contract over a period
of one, five and 10 years (or, if less, up to the life of the
account), 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
contract administrative charge, variable account administrative
charge and mortality and expense risk fee.  Performance figures
will be shown with the deduction of the applicable withdrawal
charge.
<PAGE>
PAGE 45
   
    Average Annual Total Return For Period Ended Sept. 30, 1996
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Average Annual Total Return with Withdrawal
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
                                                                                               Since
Subaccount investing in:                                   1 Year     5 Year     10 Year     Inception

IDS LIFE
  Aggressive Growth Fund (1/92)*                            3.94%        --%         --%        10.00% 
  Capital Resource Fund (10/81)                             0.29       8.72       11.85            --
  International Equity Fund (1/92)                          2.28         --          --          7.51
  Managed Fund (4/86)                                       6.24       9.49       10.61            --
  Moneyshare Fund (10/81)                                  -2.99       2.07        3.85            --
  Special Income Fund (10/81)                              -0.27       7.78        7.35            --

OCC ACCUMULATION TRUST
    Managed Portfolio (8/88)                               10.64      17.29          --         18.08

GT GLOBAL
  Variable Latin America Fund (2/93)                        4.10         --          --          7.67
  Variable New Pacific Fund (2/93)                         13.71         --          --          6.08
                                                   
PUTNAM VT
  Diversified Income Fund (9/93)                            1.60         --          --          3.96
  Growth & Income Fund (2/88)                              10.95      12.71          --         13.37
  High Yield Fund (2/88)                                    4.91      12.22          --         10.98
  New Opportunities Fund (5/94)                            16.37         --          --         26.65
 
Average Annual Total Return without Withdrawal
                                                                                             Since
Subaccount Investing in:                                   1 Year     5 Year     10 Year     Inception

IDS Life
  Aggressive Growth Fund (1/92)*                           10.94%        --%         --%        10.45%
  Capital Resource Fund (10/81)                             7.09       9.00       11.85            --   
  International Equity Fund (1/92)                          9.23         --          --          8.00
  Managed Fund (4/86)                                      13.24       9.77       10.61            --
  Moneyshare Fund (10/81)                                   3.56       2.44        3.85            --
  Special Income Fund (10/81)                               6.48       8.07        7.35            --

OCC ACCUMULATION TRUST
  Managed Portfolio (8/88)                                 17.64      17.50          --         18.08

GT GLOBAL
  Variable Latin America (2/93)                            11.10         --          --          8.58
  Variable New Pacific Fund (2/93)                         20.71         --          --          7.03 

PUTNAM VT
  Diversified Income Fund (9/93)                            8.49         --          --          5.11
  Growth & Income Fund (2/88)                              17.95      12.96          --         13.37 
  High Yield Fund (2/88)                                   11.91      12.47          --         10.98 
  New Opportunities Fund (5/94)                            23.37         --          --         28.20 

*inception dates of the funds are shown in parentheses.
</TABLE>
    
Aggregate Total Return

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

                              ERV - P
                                 P
<PAGE>
PAGE 46
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).

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that an
assumption be made that the contract owner withdraws the entire
contract 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.  In addition, performance figures may be
shown without the deduction of a withdrawal charge.

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

Performance of the subaccount may be quoted or compared to
rankings, yields, or returns as published or prepared by
independent rating or statistical services or publishers or
publications such as Barron's, Business Week, Forbes, Fortune,
Institutional Investor, Investor's Daily, Kiplinger's Personal
Finance, Money, Morningstar Mutual Fund Values, Mutual Fund
Forecaster, The New York Times, Stranger's Investment Advisor, USA
Today, U.S. News & World Report and The Wall Street Journal.

CALCULATING ANNUITY PAYOUTS

The Variable Account

The following calculations are done separately for each of the
subaccounts of the variable account.  The separate monthly payouts,
added together, make up your total variable annuity payout.

Initial Payout:  To compute your first monthly payment, we:

o  determine the dollar value of your annuity as of the valuation
date seven days before the retirement date and then deduct any
applicable premium tax.
o  apply the result to the annuity table contained in the contract
or another table at least as favorable.  The annuity table shows
the amount of the first monthly payment for each $1,000 of value
which depends on factors built into the table, as described below.

Annuity Units:  The value of your subaccount is then converted to
annuity units.  To compute the number credited to you, we divide
the first monthly payment by the annuity unit value (see below) on
the valuation date on (or next day preceding) the seventh calendar
day before the retirement date.  The number of units in your
subaccount is fixed.  The value of the units fluctuates with the
performance of the underlying mutual fund.

<PAGE>
PAGE 47
Subsequent Payouts:  To compute later payouts, we multiply:

o  the annuity unit value on the valuation date on or immediately
preceding the seventh calendar day before the payout is due; by
o  the fixed number of annuity units credited to you.

Annuity Table:  The table shows the amount of the first monthly
payment for each $1,000 of contract value according to the age and,
when applicable, the sex of the annuitant.  (Where required by law,
we will use a unisex table of settlement rates.)  The table assumes
that the contract value is invested at the beginning of the annuity
payout period and earns a 5% rate of return, which is reinvested
and helps to support future payouts.

Annuity Unit Values:  This value was originally set at $1 for each
subaccount.  To calculate later value we multiply the last annuity
value by the product of:

o  the net investment factor; and
o  the neutralizing factor.  The purpose of the neutralizing factor
is to offset the effect of the assumed investment rate built into
the annuity table.  With an assumed investment rate of 5%, the
neutralizing factor is 0.999866 for a one day valuation period.

Net Investment Factor:

o  Determined each business day by adding the underlying mutual
fund's current net asset value per share plus per share amount of
any current dividend or capital gain distribution; then
o  dividing that sum by the previous net asset value per share; and
o  subtracting the percentage factor representing the mortality and
expense risk fee from the result.

Because the net asset value of the underlying mutual fund may
fluctuate, the net investment factor may be greater or less than
one, and the accumulation unit value may increase or decrease.  You
bear this investment risk in a variable subaccount.

The Fixed Account

Your fixed annuity payout amounts are guaranteed.  Once calculated,
your payout will remain the same and never change.  To calculate
your annuity payouts we:

o  take the value of your fixed account at the retirement date or
the date you have selected to begin receiving your annuity payouts;
then
o  using an annuity table we apply the value according to the
annuity payout plan you select; and
o  the annuity payout table we use will be the one in effect at the
time you choose to begin your annuity payouts.  The table will be
equal to or greater than the table in your contract.

<PAGE>
PAGE 48
RATING AGENCIES

The following chart reflects the ratings given to American
Enterprise Life 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 of the AEL Personal PortfolioSM.  This
information relates only to the fixed account and reflects American
Enterprise Life's ability to make annuity payouts and to pay death
benefits and other distributions from the annuity.

Rating agency                    Rating

A.M. Best                          A+
                               (Superior)

Duff & Phelps                     AAA

Moody's                           Aa2

PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

The principal underwriter for the accounts is American Express
Financial Advisors Inc. which offers the variable contracts on a
continuous basis.
   
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The financial statements of American Enterprise Variable Annuity
Account as of Dec. 31, 1995, and for the period from Feb. 21, 1995
(commencement of operations) to Dec. 31, 1995 and the financial
statements of American Enterprise Life Insurance Company (a wholly
owned subsidiary of IDS Life Insurance Company) at Dec. 31, 1995
and 1994 and for each of the three years in the period ended Dec.
31, 1995, appearing in this SAI, have been audited by Ernst & Young
LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their reports thereon
appearing elsewhere herein.
    
SAVING FOR RETIREMENT

You may have to save more for retirement because the average person
lives 17 years in retirement.  Social security and pensions will
not cover your expenses in retirement.  Sixty cents of every
retirement dollar must come from your personal savings.

Sources:    Social Security Administration, U.S. Department of
            Health and Human Services.

PROSPECTUS
   
The prospectus dated Jan. 6, 1997, is hereby incorporated in this
SAI by reference.
    
<PAGE>
PAGE 49
<TABLE><CAPTION>
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Statements of Net Assets (Unaudited)                                                                            Sept. 30, 1996
                                        __________________Segregated  Asset Subaccounts_______________________________________
Assets                                         ECR            ESI          EMS           EMG            EIE          EAG    
<S>                                         <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>
Investments in shares of mutual funds,
 at market value:
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund --
 95,791 shares at net asset value of
 $26.70 per share (cost $2,488,657)         $2,557,394     $       --   $     --       $       --     $     --      $       --
IDS Life Special Income Fund, Inc.--
 118,311 shares at net asset value of
 $11.74 per share (cost $1,387,994)                 --      1,389,265         --               --           --              --
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund, Inc. --
 131,151 shares at net asset value
 of $1.00 per share (cost $131,139)                 --             --    131,139               --           --              --
IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc. --
 103,567 shares at net asset value of
 $16.89 per share (cost $1,643,285)                 --             --         --        1,749,251           --              --
IDS Life International Equity Fund --
 53,491 shares at net asset value of
 $13.66 per share (cost $707,129)                   --             --         --               --      730,879              --
IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund --
 96,117 shares at net asset value of
 $16.77 per share (cost $1,484,916)                 --             --         --               --           --       1,612,327
OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio --
 91,156 shares at net asset value of
 $33.69 per share (cost $2,838,730)                 --             --         --               --           --              --
OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government
 Income Portfolio -- 113,797 shares
 at net asset value of $10.32 per share
 (cost $1,187,569)                                  --             --         --               --           --              --
GT Global Variable New Pacific Fund --
 36,834 shares at net asset value of
 $16.88 per share (cost $556,978)                   --             --         --               --           --              --
GT Global Variable Latin America Fund --
 48,784 shares at net asset value of
 $14.32 per share (cost $633,192)                   --             --         --               --           --              --
Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund --
 221,424 shares at net asset value of
 $18.31 per share (cost $3,628,604)                 --             --         --               --           --              --
Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund --
 196,307 shares at net asset value of
 $22.66 per share (cost $4,179,689)                 --             --         --               --           --              --
Putnam VT High Yield Fund --
 107,233 shares at net asset value of
 $12.64 per share (cost $1,302,887)                 --             --         --               --           --              --
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund --
 173,147 shares at net asset value of
 $10.89 per share (cost $1,855,231)                 --             --         --               --           --              --
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                                             2,557,394      1,389,265    131,139        1,749,251      730,879       1,612,327
Dividends receivable                                --          7,703        546               --           --              --
Accounts receivable from American
 Enterprise Life for contract
 purchase payments                               3,051          2,658         --            2,211        1,058           1,774
Total assets                                 2,560,445      1,399,626    131,685        1,751,462      731,937       1,614,101
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Liabilities                                                                                                                   
Payable to American Enterprise Life for:
Mortality and expense risk fee                   2,608          1,457        141            1,832          743           1,656
Issue and administrative fee                       522            291         28              366          149             331
Payable to mutual funds for 
investments purchased                            3,081          8,613        377            8,660        1,067           1,789
Total liabilities                                6,211         10,361        546           10,858        1,959           3,776
Net assets applicable to contracts
 in accumulation period                     $2,554,234     $1,389,265   $131,139       $1,740,604     $729,978      $1,610,325
Accumulation units outstanding               2,068,962      1,161,592    124,073        1,375,275      590,878       1,135,072
Net asset value per accumulation unit       $     1.23     $     1.20   $   1.06       $     1.27     $   1.24      $     1.42
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
PAGE 50
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Statements of Net Assets (Unaudited)(continued)                                                                 Sept. 30, 1996
                                                               ___________________Segregated Asset Subaccounts________________
Assets                                                           EMD                EUS              EPA             ELA 

Investments in shares of mutual funds,
 at market value:
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund --
 95,791 shares at net asset value of
 $26.70 per share (cost $2,488,657)                             $       --          $      --         $     --        $     --
IDS Life Special Income Fund, Inc. --
 118,311 shares at net asset value of
  $11.74 per share (cost $1,387,994)                                    --                 --               --              --
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund, Inc. --
 131,151 shares at net asset value
 of $1.00 per share (cost $131,139)                                     --                 --               --              --
IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc. --
 103,567 shares at net asset value of
 $16.89 per share (cost $1,643,285)                                     --                 --               --              --
IDS Life International Equity Fund --
 53,491 shares at net asset value of
 $13.66 per share (cost $707,129)                                       --                 --               --              --
IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund --
 96,117 shares at net asset value of
 $16.77 per share (cost $1,484,916)                                     --                 --               --              --
OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio --
 91,165 shares at net asset value of
 $33.69 per share (cost $2,838,730)                              3,071,398                 --               --              --
OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government
 Income Portfolio -- 113,797 shares
 at net asset value of $10.32 per share
(cost $1,187,569)                                                       --          1,174,393               --              --
GT Global Variable New Pacific Fund --
 36,834 shares at net asset value of
 $16.88  per share (cost $556,978)                                      --                 --          621,744              --
GT Global Variable Latin America Fund --
 48,784 shares at net asset value of
 $14.32 per share (cost $633,192)                                       --                 --               --         698,466
Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund --
 221,424 shares at net asset value of
 $18.31 per share (cost $3,628,604)                                     --                 --               --              --
Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund --
 196,307 shares at net asset value of
 $22.66 per share (cost $4,179,689)                                     --                 --               --              --
Putnam VT High Yield Fund --
 107,233 shares at net asset value of
 $12.64 per share (cost $1,302,887)                                     --                 --               --              --
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund --
 173,147 shares of net asset value of
  $10.89 per share (cost $1,855,231)                                    --                 --               --              --
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                 3,071,398          1,174,393          621,744         698,466
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dividends receivable                                                    --              1,902               --              --
Accounts receivable from American
 Enterprise Life for contract
  purchase payments                                                     --                  3               --              --
Total assets                                                     3,071,398          1,176,298          621,744         698,466
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Liabilities                                                                                                                   
Payable to American Enterprise Life for:
Mortality and expense risk fee                                       3,106              1,227              640             724
Issue and administrative fee                                           621                245              128             145
Payable to mutual funds for investments purchased                       --                  3               --              --
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Total liabilities                                                    3,727              1,475              768             869
Net assets applicable to contracts
 in accumulation period                                         $3,067,671         $1,174,823         $620,976        $697,597
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Accumulation units outstanding                                   2,076,468          1,080,566          480,027         604,702
Net asset value per accumulation unit                           $     1.48         $     1.09         $   1.29        $   1.15
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
See accompanying notes to financial statements.<PAGE>
PAGE 51
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Statements of Net Assets (Unaudited)(continued)                                                                 Sept. 30, 1996
                                                                                                                      Combined
                                                      ____________________Segregated Asset Subaccounts________________Variable
Assets                                                            ENO            EGI          EHY          EDI         Account

Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market value:
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund --
 95,791 shares at net asset value of
 $26.70 per share (cost $2,488,657)                        $       --        $       --    $       --  $       --   $2,557,394
IDS Life Special Income Fund, Inc. --
 118,311 shares at net asset value of
 $11.74 per share (cost $1,387,994)                                --                --            --          --    1,389,265
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund, Inc. --
 131,151 shares at net asset value
 of $1.00 per share (cost $131,139)                                --                --            --          --      131,139
IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc. --
 103,567 shares at net asset value of
 $16.89 per share (cost $1,643,285)                                --                --            --          --    1,749,251
IDS Life International Equity Fund --
 53,491 shares at net asset value of
 $13.66 per share (cost $707,129)                                  --                --            --          --      730,879
IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund --
 96,117 shares at net asset value of
 $16.77 per share (cost $1,484,916)                                --                --            --          --    1,612,327
OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio --
 91,165 shares at net asset value of
 $33.69 per share (cost $2,838,730)                                --                --            --          --    3,071,398
OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government
 Income Portfolio -- 113,797 shares
 at net asset value of $10.32 per share
 (cost $1,187,569)                                                 --                --            --          --    1,174,393
GT Global Variable New Pacific Fund --
 36,834 shares at net asset value of
 $16.88 per share (cost $556,978)                                  --                --            --          --      621,744
GT Global Variable Latin America Fund --
 48,784 shares at net asset value of
 $14.32 per share (cost $633,192)                                  --                --            --          --      698,466
Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund --
 221,424 shares at net asset value of
 $18.31 per share (cost $3,628,604)                         4,054,283                --            --          --    4,054,283
Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund --
 196,307 shares at net asset value of
 $22.66 per share (cost $4,179,689)                                --         4,448,323            --          --    4,448,323
Putnam VT High Yield Fund --
 107,233 shares at net asset value of
 $12.64  per share (cost $1,302,887)                               --                --     1,355,420          --    1,355,420
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund--
 173,147 shares at net asset value of
 $10.89 per share (cost $1,855,231)                                --                --            --   1,885,576    1,885,576
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________      
                                                            4,054,283         4,448,323     1,355,420   1,885,576   25,479,858
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dividends receivable                                               --                --            --          --       10,151
Accounts receivable from American
 Enterprise Life for contract purchase payments                    --                --            --          --       10,755
Total assets                                                4,054,283         4,448,323     1,355,420   1,885,576   25,500,764
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Liabilities                                                                                                                   
Payable to American Enterprise Life for:
Mortality and expense risk fee                                  4,121             4,553         1,412       1,981       26,201
Issue and administrative fee                                      824               911           283         396        5,240
Payable to mutual funds for investments purchased                  --                --            --          --       23,590
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Total liabilities                                               4,945             5,464         1,695       2,377       55,031
Net assets applicable to contracts 
 in accumulation period                                    $4,049,338        $4,442,859    $1,353,725  $1,883,199  $25,445,733
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Accumulation units outstanding                              2,512,951         3,131,316     1,092,310   1,576,864             
Net asset value per accumulation unit                      $     1.61        $     1.42    $     1.24  $     1.19
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
/TABLE
<PAGE>
PAGE 52
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Statements of Net Assets                                                                                   Dec. 31, 1995
                                                                                                                       
                                               __________________Segregated Asset Subaccounts___________________________
Assets                                              ECR         ESI         EMS         EMG         EIE         EAG    _
<S>                                             <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Investments in shares of mutual funds,
 at market value:
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund -
 37,868 shares at net asset value of
 $25.85 per share (cost $951,789)               $  978,916     $      -    $      -    $      -    $      -    $      -
IDS Life Special Income Fund, Inc. -
 40,387 shares at net asset value of
 $12.01 per share (cost $472,060)                        -      485,183           -           -           -           -
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund, Inc. -
 135,575 shares at net asset value
 of $1.00 per share (cost $135,564)                      -            -     135,564            -           -          -
IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc. -  
 44,341 shares at net asset value of $15.67
 per share (cost $670,739)                               -            -           -     694,967           -           -
IDS Life International Equity Fund -
 19,648 shares at net asset value of $13.05
 per share (cost $246,793)                               -            -           -           -     256,379           -
IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund -
 40,331 shares at net asset value of $15.05
 per share (cost $581,208)                               -            -           -           -           -     606,895
OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio -
 18,934 shares at net asset value of $30.14
 per share (cost $538,519)                               -            -           -           -           -           -
OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government
 Income Portfolio - 42,296 shares at net asset value
 of $10.62 per share (cost $445,484)                     -            -           -           -           -           -
GT Global Variable New Pacific Fund - 
 14,791 shares at net asset value of $13.92,
 per share (cost $200,099)                               -            -           -           -           -           -
GT Global Variable Latin America Fund - 
 24,059 shares at net asset value of $12.42
 per share (cost $289,974)                               -            -           -           -           -           -
Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund -
  61,350 shares at net asset value of $15.63
  per share (cost $888,261)                              -            -           -           -           -           -
Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund -
  68,386 shares at net asset value of $21.47
  per share (cost $1,379,943)                            -            -           -           -           -           -
Putnam VT High Yield Fund-
  44,293 shares at net asset value of $12.37     
  per share (cost $532,565)                              -            -           -           -           -           -
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund -
  62,615 shares at net asset value of $11.03
  per share (cost $665,917)                              -            -           -           -           -           -
                                                   978,916      485,183     135,564     694,967     256,379     606,895
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dividends receivable                                     -        2,436         597           -           -           -
Accounts receivable from American Enterprise
Life for contract purchase payments                 25,569        1,804           -      32,558      21,110       2,876
Total assets                                     1,004,485      489,423     136,161     727,525     277,489     609,771
Liabilities                                                                                                           .
Payable to American Enterprise Life for:
Mortality and expense risk fee                         873          421         142         589         212         550
Issue and administrative fee                           175           84          29         118          43         110
Payable to mutual funds for investments
  purchased                                         25,569        3,735         426      32,558      21,120       2,892
Total liabilities                                   26,617        4,240         597      33,265      21,375       3,552
Net assets applicable to contracts
in accumulation period                          $  977,868     $485,183    $135,564    $694,260    $256,114    $606,219
Accumulation units outstanding                     817,655      413,748     131,600     588,760     219,594     473,162
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net asset value per accumulation unit           $     1.20     $   1.17    $   1.03    $   1.18    $   1.17    $   1.28
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
/TABLE
<PAGE>
PAGE 53
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Statements of Net Assets                                                        Dec. 31, 1995
                                                                              
                        __________________Segregated Asset Subaccounts_______________________
Assets                                               EMD         EUS         EPA        ELA _
<S>                                             <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
Investments in shares of mutual funds,
 at market value:
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund -
 37,868 shares at net asset value of
 $25.85 per share (cost $951,789)               $      -    $      -    $      -     $      -
IDS Life Special Income Fund, Inc. -
 40,387 shares at net asset value of
 $12.01 per share (cost $472,060)                      -           -           -            -
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund, Inc. -
 135,575 shares at net asset value
 of $1.00 per share (cost $135,564)                    -           -           -            -
IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc. -
 44,341 shares at net asset value of $15.67
 per share (cost $670,739)                             -           -           -            -
IDS Life International Equity Fund -
 19,648 shares at net asset value of $13.05
 per share (cost $246,793)                             -           -           -            -
IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund -
 40,331 shares at net asset value of $15.05
 per share (cost $581,208)                             -           -           -            -
OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio -
 18,934 shares at net asset value of $30.14
 per share (cost $538,519)                       570,668           -           -            -
OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government
 Income Portfolio - 42,296 shares at net asset value 
 of $10.62 per share (cost $445,484)                   -     449,153           -            -
GT Global Variable New Pacific Fund -
 14,791 shares at net asset value of $13.92
 per share (cost $200,099)                             -           -     205,895            -
GT Global Variable Latin America Fund -
 24,059 shares at net asset value of $12.42
 per share (cost $289,974)                             -           -           -      298,760
Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund -
  61,350 shares at net asset value of $15.63
  per share (cost $888,261)                            -           -           -            -
Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund -
  68,386 shares at net asset value of $21.47
  per share (cost $1,379,943)                          -           -           -            -
Putnam VT High Yield Fund -
  44,293 shares at net asset value of $12.37
  per share (cost $532,565)                            -           -           -            -
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund -
  62,615 shares of net asset value of $11.03
  per share (cost $665,917)                            -           -           -            -
                                                 570,668     449,153     205,895      298,760
Dividends receivable                                   -         794           -            -
Accounts receivable from American Enterprise
Life for contract purchase payments               13,131       1,405       1,033          798
Total assets                                     583,799     451,352     206,928      299,558
Liabilities                                                                                 .
Payable to American Enterprise Life for:
Mortality and expense risk fee                       497         414         182          282
Issue and administrative fee                          99          83          37           56
Payable to mutual funds for investments
purchased                                         13,131       1,405       1,033          798
Total liabilities                                 13,727       1,902       1,252        1,136
Net assets applicable to contracts
in accumulation period                          $570,072    $449,450    $205,676     $298,422
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Accumulation units outstanding                   435,846     413,258     192,917      303,151
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Net asset value per accumulation unit           $   1.31    $   1.09    $   1.07     $   0.98
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
/TABLE
<PAGE>
PAGE 54
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account                                                               .
Statements of Net Assets                                                                       Dec. 31, 1995
                                                                                                    Combined
                                        __________________Segregated Asset Subaccounts_________     Variable
Assets                                          ENO         EGI            EHY            EDI        Account
<S>                                          <C>       <C>              <C>            <C>         <C>
Investments in shares of mutual funds,
 at market value:
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund -
 37,868 shares at net asset value of
 $25.85 per share (cost $951,789)            $      -  $        -       $      -       $      -    $  978,916
IDS Life Special Income Fund, Inc. -
 40,387 shares at net asset value of
 $12.01 per share (cost $472,060)                   -           -              -              -       485,183
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund, Inc. -
 135,575 shares at net asset value
 of $1.00 per share (cost $135,564)                 -           -              -              -       135,564
IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc. -
 44,341 shares at net asset value of $15.67
 per share (cost $670,739)                          -           -              -              -       694,967
IDS Life International Equity Fund -
 19,648 shares at net asset value of $13.05
 per share (cost $246,793)                          -           -              -              -       256,379
IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund - 
 40,331 shares at net asset value of $15.05
 per share (cost $581,208)                          -           -              -              -       606,895
OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio -
 18,934 shares at net asset value of $30.14
 per share (cost $538,519)                          -           -              -              -       570,668
OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government  
 Income Portfolio - 42,296 shares at net asset value 
 of $10.62 per share (cost $445,484)                -           -              -              -       449,153
GT Global Variable New Pacific Fund -
 14,791 shares at net asset value of $13.92
 per share (cost $200,099)                          -           -              -              -       205,895
GT Global Variable Latin America Fund -
 24,059 shares at net asset value of $12.42
  per share (cost $289,974)                         -           -              -              -       298,760
Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund -
 61,350 shares at net asset value of $15.63
  per share (cost $888,261)                   958,895           -              -              -       958,895
Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund -
 68,386 shares at net asset value of $21.47
 per share (cost $1,379,943)                        -   1,468,244              -              -     1,468,244
Putnam VT High Yield Fund -
 44,293 shares at net asset value of $12.37
 per share (cost $532,565)                          -           -        547,903              -       547,903
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund-
 62,615 shares at net asset value of $11.03
 per share (cost $665,917)                          -           -              -        690,643       690,643
                                              958,895   1,468,244        547,903        690,643     8,348,065
Dividends receivable                                -           -              -              -         3,827
Accounts receivable from American Enterprise
Life for contract purchase payments            23,235       3,575          1,803          1,803       130,700
Total assets                                  982,130   1,471,819        549,706        692,446     8,482,592
Liabilities                                                                                                 .
Payable to American Enterprise Life for:
Mortality and expense risk fee                    810       1,312            504            634         7,422
Issue and administrative fee                      162         262            101            127         1,486
Payable to mutual funds for
investments purchased                          23,235       3,575          1,803          1,803       133,083
Total liabilities                              24,207       5,149          2,408          2,564       141,991
Net assets applicable to contracts in
 accumulation period                         $957,923  $1,466,670       $547,298       $689,882    $8,340,601
Accumulation units outstanding                690,849   1,151,991        480,470        600,567
Net asset value per accumulation unit        $   1.39  $     1.27       $   1.14       $   1.15
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PAGE 55
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Statements of Operations (Unaudited)                                            For the nine month period ended Sept. 30, 1996
                                               __________________________Segregated Asset Subaccounts_________________________
                                                ECR          ESI          EMS         EMG         EIE         EAG          EMD
<S>                                           <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
Investment income (loss):
Dividend income from mutual funds             $15,796     $ 54,759    $  4,209     $ 28,276     $12,001    $  5,139   $ 16,891
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risk fee (Note 3)        16,917        9,861       1,071       11,564       4,635      10,641     16,155
Administrative charge (Note 4)                  3,383        1,972         214        2,313         927       2,128      3,231
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Total expenses                                 20,300       11,833       1,285       13,877       5,562      12,769     19,386
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Investment income
 (loss)-net                                    (4,504)      42,926       2,924       14,399       6,439      (7,630)    (2,495)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments - net
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Realized gain (loss) on sales of
 investments in mutual funds:
Proceeds from sales                            73,889      136,291     142,482       81,245      21,153      35,306     50,852
Cost of investments sold                       72,783      137,961     142,483       76,994      20,439      33,007     46,654
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net realized gain (loss) on investments         1,106       (1,670)         (1)       4,251         714       2,299      4,198
Net change in unrealized appreciation 
or depreciation of investments                 41,610      (11,852)         --       81,738      14,164     101,724    200,519
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net gain (loss) on investments                 42,716      (13,522)         (1)      85,989      14,878     104,023    204,717
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net increase (decrease) from operations       $38,212     $ 29,404    $  2,923     $100,388     $21,317    $ 96,393   $202,222
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
PAGE 56

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Statements of Operations (Unaudited)(continued)                                 For the nine month period ended Sept. 30, 1996
                                                                                                                      Combined
                                          ___________________Segregated Asset Subaccounts_____________________________Variable
                                           EUS         EPA        ELA        ENO        EGI        EHY        EDI      Account

Investment income (loss):
Dividend income from mutual fund         $32,456     $ 6,056    $16,201    $    --    $157,276   $58,665    $78,311   $486,036
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risk fee (Note 3)    7,758       3,968      4,758     24,457      28,751     9,122     13,194    162,852
Administrative charge (Note 4)             1,552         794        952      4,891       5,750     1,824      2,639     32,570
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Total  expenses                            9,310       4,762      5,710     29,348      34,501    10,946     15,833    195,422
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Investment income(loss) - net             23,146       1,294     10,491    (29,348)    122,775    47,719     62,478    290,614
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments - net
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Realized gain (loss) on sales of investments 
in mutual fund portfolios:
Proceeds from sales                       44,823      18,436     19,347     34,059      65,744    153,423   132,707  1,009,757
Cost of investments sold                  44,936      16,726     17,540     31,247      64,256    151,225   133,214    989,465
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net realized gain (loss) on investments     (113)      1,710      1,807      2,812       1,488      2,198      (507)    20,292
Net change in unrealized appreciation 
or depreciation of investments           (16,845)     58,970     56,488    355,045     180,333     37,195     5,619  1,104,708
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net gain (loss) on investments           (16,958)     60,680     58,295    357,857     181,821     39,393     5,112  1,125,000
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net increase (decrease) from operations  $ 6,188     $61,974    $68,786   $328,509    $304,596    $87,112   $67,590 $1,415,614
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PAGE 57
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
________________________________________________________________________________________ 
Statements of Operations                       For the period Feb. 21, 1995 (commencement
                                                           of operations) to Dec. 31, 1995
                                                                                         
                              ________________Segregated Asset Subaccounts________________
                               ECR        ESI     EMS      EMG       EIE      EAG    EMD _
<S>                          <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Investment income (loss):
Dividend income from mutual
funds                        $26,607   $ 7,816  $ 2,941  $ 4,837  $ 2,378  $ 1,295 $     -
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risk
fee (Note 3)                   2,888     1,265      705    1,881      710    1,834   1,671
Administrative charge (Note 4)   578       253      141      376      142      367     334
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Total expenses                 3,466     1,518      846    2,257      852    2,201   2,005
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Investment income
(loss) - net                  23,141     6,298    2,095    2,580    1,526     (906) (2,005)
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments - net
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Realized gain (loss) on sales of
 investments in mutual funds:
Proceeds from sales           28,264    19,561   64,400   21,572   10,599   26,474  20,429
Cost of investments sold      27,170    19,158   64,400   20,704   10,277   25,425  18,860
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Net realized gain (loss)
on investments                 1,094       403        -      868      322    1,049   1,569
Net change in unrealized
appreciation or depreciation
of investments                27,127    13,123        -   24,228    9,586   25,687  32,149
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Net gain on investments       28,221    13,526        -   25,096    9,908   26,736  33,718
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Net increase from operations $51,362   $19,824  $ 2,095  $27,676  $11,434  $25,830 $31,713
__________________________________________________________________________________________
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PAGE 58
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Statements of Operations                                       For the period Feb. 21, 1995 (commencement
                                                                          of operations) to Dec. 31, 1995
                                                                                                 Combined
                                         __Segregated Asset Subaccounts__                        Variable
                              EUS       EPA      ELA      ENO       EGI       EHY         EDI     Account
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
<S>                         <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>    
Investment income (loss):
Dividend income from mutual 
fund portfolios              $ 8,584  $   33   $ 3,436  $    77   $ 1,692   $ 2,689   $ 1,516   $ 63,901
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risk
fee (Note 3)                   1,372     614       796    2,346     3,599     1,575     1,834     23,090
Administrative charge
(Note 4)                         274     123       159      469       720       315       367      4,618
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Total expenses                 1,646     737       955    2,815     4,319     1,890     2,201     27,708
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Investment income
(loss) - net                   6,938    (704)    2,481   (2,738)   (2,627)      799      (685)    36,193
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments - net
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Realized gain (loss) on sales
of investments in  mutual
fund portfolios:
Proceeds from sales           26,701   7,350    11,179   25,751    31,781    26,030    17,763    337,854
Cost of investments sold      26,547   7,192    11,264   24,257    30,224    25,607    17,491    328,576
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net realized gain (loss)
on investments                   154     158       (85)   1,494     1,557       423       272      9,278
Net change in unrealized
appreciation or depreciation
of investments                 3,669   5,796     8,786   70,635    88,301    15,338    24,726    349,151
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net gain on investments        3,823   5,954     8,701   72,129    89,858    15,761    24,998    358,429
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net increase from operations $10,761  $5,250   $11,182  $69,391   $87,231   $16,560   $24,313   $394,622
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PAGE 59
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited)                                 For the nine month period ended Sept. 30, 1996

                                   ________________________________Segregated Asset Subaccounts_______________________________ 
Operations                          ECR            ESI           EMS           EMG           EIE          EAG         EMD
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
<S>                            <C>             <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>         <C>           <C>
Investment income(loss) - net  $   (4,504)     $   42,926     $  2,924     $   14,399     $  6,439    $   (7,630)   $   (2,495)
Net realized gain
(loss) on investments               1,106          (1,670)          (1)         4,251          714         2,299         4,198
Net change in unrealized 
appreciation or depreciation 
of investments                     41,610         (11,852)          --         81,738       14,164       101,724       200,519
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net increase (decrease) 
from operations                    38,212          29,404        2,923        100,388       21,317        96,393       202,222
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Contract Transactions
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Variable annuity contract 
 purchase payments              1,475,565       1,053,760      140,554      1,039,843      467,742       860,124     2,341,539
Net transfers*                    101,797        (125,919)    (147,872)       (47,870)      (9,758)       63,527       (23,124)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits (Note 6)       (39,208)        (35,627)         (30)       (27,840)      (5,437)      (15,938)      (23,038)
Death benefits                         --         (17,536)          --        (18,177)          --            --            --
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Increase (decrease) from 
 contract transactions          1,538,154         874,678       (7,348)       945,956      452,547       907,713     2,295,377
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net assets at 
beginning of period               977,868         485,183      135,564        694,260      256,114       606,219       570,072
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net assets at end of period    $2,554,234      $1,389,265     $131,139     $1,740,604     $729,978    $1,610,325    $3,067,671
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Accumulation Unit Activity
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Units outstanding at beginning 
of period                         817,655         413,748      131,600        588,760      219,594       473,162       435,846
Contract purchase payments      1,206,662         904,932      134,521        868,744      387,948       631,307     1,670,277
Net transfers*                     82,641        (107,716)    (142,019)       (39,221)      (8,361)       45,564       (16,420)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits                (37,996)        (34,139)         (29)       (28,052)      (8,303)      (14,961)      (13,235)
Death benefits                         --         (15,233)          --        (14,956)          --            --            --
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Units outstanding at 
end of period                   2,068,962       1,161,592      124,073      1,375,275      590,878     1,135,072      2,076,468
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Includes transfer activity from (to) other Accounts and transfers from (to)American Enterprise Life for conversion from (to)
the fixed account.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PAGE 60
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Statements  of  Changes in Net Assets                                                                For the nine month period
(Unaudited)(continued)                                                                                    ended Sept. 30, 1996
                                                           ____________________Segregated Asset Subaccounts___________________
Operations                                                          EUS            EPA              ELA             ENO
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
<S>                                                            <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
Investment income (loss) - net                                 $   23,146        $  1,294         $ 10,491          $  (29,348)
Net realized gain
(loss) on investments                                                (113)          1,710            1,807               2,812
Net change in unrealized appreciation
or depreciation of investments                                    (16,845)         58,970           56,488             355,045
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net increase (decrease) from operations                             6,188          61,974           68,786             328,509
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Contract Transactions
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Variable annuity contract purchase payments                       785,195         375,795          348,897           2,404,038
Net transfers*                                                    (48,611)        (15,482)         (13,411)            385,058
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits (Note 6)                                       (17,399)         (6,987)          (5,097)            (26,190)
Death benefits                                                         --              --               --                  --
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Increase (decrease) from contract transactions                    719,185         353,326          330,389           2,762,906
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net assets at beginning of period                                 449,450         205,676          298,422             957,923
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net assets at end of period                                    $1,174,823        $620,976         $697,597          $4,049,338
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Accumulation Unit Activity
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Units outstanding at beginning of period                          413,258         192,917          303,151             690,849
Contract purchase payments                                        730,940         308,008          320,963           1,588,359
Net transfers*                                                    (44,693)        (13,206)         (12,509)            258,156
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits                                                (18,939)         (7,692)          (6,903)            (24,413)
Death benefits                                                         --              --               --                  --
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Units outstanding at end of period                              1,080,566         480,027          604,702           2,512,951
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
* Includes transfer activity from (to) other Accounts and transfers from (to) American Enterprise Life for conversion from (to) 
the fixed account.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
PAGE 61
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Statements of Changes in Net Assets                                                                  For the nine month period
(Unaudited)(continued)                                                                                    ended Sept. 30, 1996
                                                                                                                      Combined
                                                            _______________Segregated Asset Subaccounts_______________Variable
Operations                                                    EGI               EHY                EDI                 Account
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Investment income (loss) - net                             $  122,775       $   47,719          $   62,478          $  290,614
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                         1,488            2,198                (507)             20,292
Net change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of investments                                   180,333           37,195               5,619           1,104,708
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net increase (decrease)
from operations                                               304,596           87,112              67,590           1,415,614
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Contract Transactions
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Variable annuity contract purchase payments                 2,391,802          956,669           1,288,641          15,930,164
Net transfers*                                                339,999         (215,894)           (140,393)            102,047
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits (Note 6)                                   (50,546)         (21,460)            (22,521)           (297,318)
Death benefits                                                 (9,662)              --                  --             (45,375)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Increase (decrease) from contract transactions              2,671,593          719,315           1,125,727          15,689,518
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net assets at beginning of period                           1,466,670          547,298             689,882           8,340,601
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net assets at end of period                                $4,442,859       $1,353,725          $1,883,199         $25,445,733
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Accumulation Unit Activity
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Units outstanding at beginning of period                    1,151,991          480,470             600,567
Contract purchase payments                                  1,774,583          816,592           1,120,209
Net transfers*                                                251,091         (183,144)           (121,031)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits                                            (39,403)         (21,608)            (22,881)
Death benefits                                                 (6,946)              --                  --
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Units outstanding at end of period                          3,131,316        1,092,310           1,576,864
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
* Includes transfer activity from (to) other Accounts and transfers from (to) American Enterprise Life for conversion from (to) 
the fixed account.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PAGE 62
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Statements of Changes in Net Assets                               For the period Feb. 21, 1995 (commencement
                                                                             of operations) to Dec. 31, 1995
                                                                                                           
                                                       Segregated Asset Subaccounts                        .
Operations                    ECR          ESI         EMS         EMG         EIE         EAG         EMD
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
<S>                         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>    
Investment income
(loss) - net                $ 23,141    $  6,298    $  2,095    $  2,580   $  1,526    $   (906)    $ (2,005)
Net realized gain
(loss) on investments          1,094         403           -         868        322       1,049        1,569
Net change in unrealized
appreciation or
depreciation of
investments                   27,127      13,123           -      24,228      9,586      25,687       32,149
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net increase from operations  51,362      19,824       2,095      27,676     11,434      25,830       31,713
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Contract Transactions
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Variable annuity contract
purchase payments            906,083     465,579     192,695     668,364    248,520     557,366      549,262
Net transfers*                26,610         445     (59,226)        816        665      27,715        3,794
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits (Note 6)   (6,187)       (665)          -      (2,596)    (4,505)     (4,692)     (14,697)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Increase from
contract transactions        926,506     465,359     133,469     666,584    244,680     580,389      538,359
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net assets at beginning
of period                          -           -           -           -          -           -            -
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net assets at end
of period                   $977,868    $485,183    $135,564    $694,260   $256,114    $606,219     $570,072
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Accumulation Unit Activity
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Units outstanding at
beginning of period                -           -           -           -          -           -            -
Contract purchase payments   800,247     413,918     189,518     590,321    223,000     454,945      444,358
Net transfers*                22,925         434     (57,918)        767        597      22,093        3,027
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits            (5,517)       (604)          -      (2,328)    (4,003)     (3,876)     (11,539)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Units outstanding at
end of period                817,655     413,748     131,600     588,760    219,594     473,162      435,846
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
* Includes transfer activity from (to) other Accounts and transfers from (to) American Enterprise Life for conversion
from (to) the fixed account.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PAGE 63
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Statements of Changes in Net Assets                                        For the period Feb. 21, 1995 (commencement
                                                                                      of operations) to Dec. 31, 1995
                         ______________________Segregated Asset Subaccounts_____________________________     Variable
Operations                  EUS        EPA        ELA         ENO         EGI          EHY        EDI         Account
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
<S>                     <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>         <C>
Investment income
(loss) - net            $  6,938   $   (704)   $  2,481   $ (2,738)   $   (2,627)   $    799   $   (685)   $   36,193
Net realized gain
(loss) on investments        154        158         (85)     1,494         1,557         423        272         9,278
Net change in unrealized
appreciation  or
depreciation of
investments                3,669      5,796       8,786     70,635        88,301      15,338     24,726       349,151
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net increase
from operations           10,761      5,250      11,182     69,391        87,231      16,560     24,313       394,622
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Contract Transactions
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Variable annuity contract
purchase payments        439,825    201,104     288,402    887,679     1,410,722     555,962    667,230     8,038,793
Net transfers*               347        657         202     20,208         9,040     (24,548)       447         7,172
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits
(Note 6)                  (1,483)    (1,335)     (1,364)   (19,355)      (40,323)       (676)    (2,108)      (99,986)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Increase from
contract transactions    438,689    200,426     287,240    888,532     1,379,439     530,738    665,569     7,945,979
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net assets at beginning
of period                      -          -           -          -             -           -          -             -
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Net assets at end
of period               $449,450   $205,676    $298,422   $957,923    $1,466,670    $547,298   $689,882    $8,340,601
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Accumulation Unit Activity
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Units outstanding at
beginning of period            -          -           -          -             -           -          -
Contract purchase
payments                 414,325    193,497     304,194    690,494     1,177,088     502,860    602,054
Net transfers*               340        627         212     15,447         7,402     (21,772)       430
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits        (1,407)    (1,207)     (1,255)   (15,092)      (32,499)       (618)    (1,917)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Units outstanding at
end of period            413,258    192,917     303,151    690,849     1,151,991     480,470    600,567
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
* Includes transfer activity from (to) other Accounts and transfers from (to) American Enterprise Life for conversion
from (to) the fixed account.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PAGE 64
Notes to Financial Statements
___________________________________________________________________
1. Organization

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account (the Account) was
established under Indiana law on July 15, 1987 and with the
subaccounts is registered together as a single unit investment
trust of American Enterprise Life Insurance Company (American
Enterprise Life) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act").  Operations of the Account commenced on
Feb. 21, 1995.

The Account is comprised of fourteen subaccounts.  Each subaccount
invests exclusively in shares of six funds of the IDS Life
Retirement Annuity Mutual Funds (collectively, the IDS Life Funds),
or in shares of two portfolios of OCC Accumulation Trust
(collectively, the OCC Portfolios), or in shares of two funds of
G.T. Global (collectively, the G.T. Global Funds), or in shares of
four funds of Putnam Capital Manager Trust (collectively, Putnam
Funds).  The assets of each subaccount of the Account are not
chargeable with liabilities arising out of the business conducted
by any other subaccount, account or by American Enterprise Life. 
Purchase payments are allocated to any or all fourteen subaccounts
or in the fixed account.  The purchase payments allocated to the
subaccounts are then invested in shares of the specific Portfolio
or Fund selected.

IDS Life Investment Series, Inc., formerly known as IDS Life
Capital Resource Fund, Inc., is a series mutual fund.  It has three
series of stock representing three separate, diversified funds -
Capital Resource, International Equity and Aggressive Growth.  IDS
Life Investment Series, Inc., IDS Life Special Income Fund, Inc.
and IDS Life Moneyshare Fund, Inc. commenced operations Oct. 13,
1981. IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc. commenced operations April 30,
1986.  These mutual funds are registered under the 1940 Act as
diversified, open-end management investment companies. Purchase
payments allocated to Aggressive Growth (EAG) subaccount invest in
shares of IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund; the International Equity
(EIE) subaccount invests in shares of IDS Life International Equity
Fund; the Capital Resource (ECR) subaccount invests in shares of
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund; the Managed (EMG) subaccount
invests in shares of IDS Life Managed Fund; the Special Income
(ESI) subaccount invests in shares of IDS Life Special Income Fund;
and the Moneyshare (EMS) subaccount invests in shares of IDS Life
Moneyshare Fund.

OCC Accumulation Trust was organized on May 12, 1994 as a
Massachusetts business trust and is registered under the 1940 Act
as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The
Managed Portfolio commenced operations on Sept. 16, 1994.  The U.S.
Government Income Portfolio commenced operations on Jan. 3, 1995.
Purchase payments allocated to the Managed Portfolio (EMD) 
<PAGE>
PAGE 65
subaccount invest in shares of the Quest for Value Managed
Portfolio and the U.S. Government Income (EUS) subaccount invests
in shares of the Quest for Value U.S. Government Income Portfolio.

Putnam Capital Manager was organized on Sept. 24, 1987 as a
Massachusetts business trust and is registered under the 1940 Act
as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The PCM
New Opportunities Fund commenced operations on May 2, 1994.  The
PCM Growth and Income Fund and the PCM High Yield Fund commenced
operations on Feb. 1, 1988. The PCM Diversified Income Fund
commenced operations on Sept. 15, 1993.  Purchase payments
allocated to the PCM New Opportunities (ENO) subaccount invest in
shares of the PCM New Opportunities Fund, The PCM Growth and Income
(EGI) subaccount invests in shares of the PCM Growth and Income
Fund, the PCM High Yield (EHY) subaccount invests in shares of the
PCM High Yield Fund and the PCM Diversified Income (EDI) subaccount
invests in shares of the PCM Diversified Income Fund.

GT Global Variable Investment Series and GT Global Variable
Investment Trust were organized as Massachusetts business trusts on
May 26, 1992 and Sept. 17, 1992, respectively. They are registered
under the 1940 Act as open-end management investment companies. GT
Global Variable Latin America Fund commenced operations on Feb. 10,
1993, is registered as a non-diversified management investment
company and is part of the GT Global Variable Investment Trust.  GT
Global Variable New Pacific Fund commenced operations on Feb. 10,
1993, is registered as a diversified management investment company
and is part of the GT Global Variable Investment Series.  Purchase
payments allocated to the GT Global Variable Latin America (ELA)
subaccount invest in shares of the GT Global Variable Latin America
fund and the GT Global Variable New Pacific (EPA) subaccount
invests in shares of the GT Global Variable New Pacific Fund.

American Enterprise Life issues the contracts which are distributed
by banks and financial institutions either directly or through a
network of third-party marketers.  IDS Life Insurance Company,
parent company of American Enterprise Life, serves as investment
manager and distributor for the IDS Life Funds.  American Express
Financial Corporation serves as investment advisor to the IDS Life
Funds.

OCC Distributors serves as exclusive distributor for the OCC
Portfolios.  OpCap Advisors serves as investment manager for the
Portfolios.  State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as
custodian for the Quest for Value Accumulation Trust.

LGT Asset Management serves as the distributor and the investment
manager for the G.T. Global Funds.  State Street Bank and Trust
Company serves as custodian for the G.T. Global Funds.

Putnam Mutual Funds serves as distributor and prinicpal underwriter
for the Putnam Funds. Putnam Investment Management, Inc. serves as
the Putnam Funds investment manager.  Putnam Fiduciary Trust
Company serves as the Putnam Funds custodian.<PAGE>
PAGE 66
___________________________________________________________________
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Investments in the Mutual Fund
Investments in shares of the IDS Life Funds, the OCC Portfolios,
the G.T. Global Funds, and the Putnam Funds (collectively, 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 or the Funds are reinvested, net of
any expenses payable to American Enterprise Life, in additional
shares of 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 Funds undistributed net investment income, undistributed
realized gain or loss and the unrealized appreciation or
depreciation on their investment securities.

Federal Income Taxes
American Enterprise Life is taxed as a life insurance company.  The
Account is treated as part of American Enterprise Life for federal
income tax purposes. Under existing federal income tax law, no
income taxes are payable with respect to any investment income of
the Account.

___________________________________________________________________
3.  Mortality and Expense Risk Fee

American Enterprise Life makes guarantees to the Account that
possible future adverse changes in administrative expenses and
mortality experience of the annuitants will not affect the Account. 
The mortality and expense risk fee paid to American Enterprise Life
is applied daily to the subaccounts and reflected in the unit
values of the subaccounts.  The subaccounts pay this fee at the
time dividends are distributed from the Funds in which they invest.
It is equal, on an annual basis, to 1.25 percent of the subaccounts
average daily net assets. This fee does not apply to the fixed
account.

___________________________________________________________________
4.  Administrative Charge

American Enterprise Life deducts a daily charge equal, on an annual
basis, to 0.25 percent of the average daily net assets of each
subaccount.  It covers certain administrative and operating
expenses of the subaccounts incurred by American Enterprise Life
such as accounting, legal and data processing fees, and expenses
involved in the preparation and distribution of reports and
prospectuses. This charge cannot be increased.
<PAGE>
PAGE 67
___________________________________________________________________
5.  Contract Administrative Charge

American Enterprise Life deducts an administrative charge of $30
per year on each contract anniversary.  This charge reimburses
American Enterprise Life for expenses incurred in establishing and
maintaining the annuity records.  This charge will be waived when
the contract value is $50,000 or more on the current contract
anniversary.

The $30 annual charge will be deducted at the time of any full
surrender.  This charge cannot be increased and does not apply
after annuity payouts begin.  American Enterprise Life does not
expect to profit from this charge.

___________________________________________________________________
6.  Surrender Charge

American Enterprise Life 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
seven payment years following a purchase payment.  Charges by
American Enterprise Life for surrenders are not available on an
individual segregated asset account basis.  Charges for all
segregated asset accounts amount to $14,355 for the nine month
period ended Sept. 30, 1996 and $nil in 1995.

Such charges are not an expense of the subaccounts or Account. 
They are deducted from contract surrender benefits paid by American
Enterprise Life.

___________________________________________________________________
7.  Investment Transactions

The subaccounts' purchases of Fund shares (net of charges),
including reinvestment of dividend distributions, were as follows:
<TABLE><CAPTION>
                                                                                            For the period
                                                                    For the             from Feb. 21, 1995
                                                                 nine month               (commencement of
                                                               period ended                 operations) to
Subaccount   Investment                                      Sept. 30, 1996                  Dec. 31, 1995
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
<S>          <C>                                                <C>                              <C>
ECR          IDS Life Capital Resource Fund                     $ 1,609,651                      $  978,959
ESI          IDS Life Special Income Fund                         1,053,894                         491,218
EMS          IDS Life Moneyshare Fund                               138,060                         199,964
EMG          IDS Life Managed Fund                                1,049,540                         691,443
EIE          IDS Life International Equity Fund                     480,774                         257,070
EAG          IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund                        936,715                         606,633
EMD          OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio             2,346,865                         557,379
EUS          OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government Portfolio       787,021                         472,031
EPA          GT Global VAriable New Pacific Fund                    373,604                         207,291
ELA          GT Global Variable Latin America Fund                  360,758                         301,238
ENO          Putnam New Opportunities Fund                        2,771,590                         912,517
EGI          Putnam Growth and Income Fund                        2,864,002                       1,410,167
EHY          Putnam High Yield Fund                                 921,547                         558,172
EDI          Putnam Diversified Income Fund                       1,322,528                         683,408
                                                                $17,016,549                      $8,327,490
/TABLE
<PAGE>
PAGE 68

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account

Annual Financial Information

Report of Independent Auditors

The Board of Directors
American Enterprise Life Insurance Company

We have audited the individual and combined statements of net
assets of the segregated asset subaccounts of American Enterprise
Variable Annuity Account (comprising, respectively, the ECR, ESI,
EMS, EMG, EIE, EAG, EMD, EUS, EPA, ELA, ENO, EGI, EHY and EDI
subaccounts) as of December 31, 1995, and the related statements of
operations and the statements of changes in net assets for the
period from February 21, 1995 (commencement of operations) to
December 31, 1995. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the management of American Enterprise Life
Insurance Company. 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, 1995 with
the 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 American
Enterprise Variable Annuity Account at December 31, 1995 and the
individual and combined results of its operations and the changes
in its net assets for the period described above, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.



ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 15, 1996
<PAGE>
PAGE 69

American Enterprise Life Financial Information

The financial statements shown below are those of the insurance
company and not those of any other entity.  They are included in
the prospectus for the purpose of informing investors as to the
financial condition of the insurance company and its ability to
carry out its obligations under its variable contracts.

American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
Balance Sheet (Unaudited)                            Sept. 30, 1996

Assets                                                  (thousands)
Investments:
Fixed maturities:
Held to maturity, at amortized cost (Fair value:
$1,283,488)                                             $1,291,545
Available for sale, at fair value (Amortized cost:
$1,873,442)                                              1,871,495
Mortgage loans on real estate
(Fair value: $557,518)                                     557,916
Other investments                                            3,305
                                                         3,724,261
Cash and cash equivalents                                   26,297
Accrued investment income                                   49,131
Deferred policy acquisition costs                          191,375
Other assets                                                 7,196
Separate account assets                                     25,495
Total assets                                            $4,023,755
Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits for fixed annuities              $3,658,080
Policy claims and other policyholders' funds                28,261
Amounts due to brokers                                      20,683
Deferred income taxes                                        7,151
Other liabilities                                            3,865
Separate account liabilities                                25,495
Total liabilities                                        3,743,535
Stockholder's equity:
Capital stock, $100 par value per share;
100,000 shares authorized,
20,000 shares issued and outstanding                         2,000
Additional paid--in capital                                177,872
Net unrealized loss on investments                          (1,265)
Retained earnings                                          101,613
Total stockholder's equity                                 280,220
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity              $4,023,755
Commitments and contingencies (Note 4)

See accompanying notes.
<PAGE>
PAGE 70

American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
Statement of Income (Unaudited)             Nine month period ended
                                                     Sept. 30, 1996
                                                        (thousands)
Revenues:
Net investment income                                     $197,700
Contractholder charges                                       3,987
Net realized loss on investments                            (4,212)
Total revenues                                             197,475
Benefits and expenses:
Interest credited on investment contracts                  138,006
Amortization of deferred policy
acquisition costs                                           22,414
Other operating expenses                                    10,002
Total expenses                                             170,422
Income before income taxes                                  27,053
Income taxes                                                 9,465
Net income                                                $ 17,588

See accompanying notes.
<PAGE>
PAGE 71
American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)         Nine month period ended
                                                     Sept. 30, 1996
                                                        (thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                                                $ 17,588
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in accrued investment income                         (7,252)
Change in deferred policy acquisition
costs, net                                                 (20,801)
Change in other assets                                      (2,379)
Change in policy claims and other
policyholders' funds                                        16,620
Change in deferred income taxes                              1,697
Change in other liabilities                                 (3,164)
Amortization of premium
(accretion of discount), net                                (1,217)
Net realized loss on investments                             4,212
Other, net                                                    (127)
Net cash provided by operating activities                    5,177 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Fixed maturities held to maturity:
 Purchases                                                 (14,940)
 Maturities                                                 18,241
 Sales                                                      11,904
Fixed maturities available for sale:
 Purchases                                                (527,089)
 Maturities                                                157,513
 Sales                                                      42,542
Other investments:
 Purchases                                                (176,753)
 Sales                                                      10,857
Change in amounts due to brokers                            20,520 
Net cash used in investing activities                     (457,205)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Activity related to investment contracts:
 Considerations received                                   573,985
 Surrenders and other benefits                            (209,561)
 Interest credited to account balances                     138,005
Change in securities sold under repurchase agreements      (67,000)
Net cash provided by financing activities                  435,429 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents                                                (16,599)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of year                                                     42,896
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                  $ 26,297

See accompanying notes.
<PAGE>
PAGE 72

American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
Sept. 30, 1996 ($ Thousands) (Unaudited)

1. General

In the opinion of the management of American Enterprise Life
Insurance Company (the Company), the accompanying unaudited
financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal
recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly its balance
sheet as of Sept. 30, 1996, and the related statement of income and
statement of cash flows for the nine month period ended Sept. 30,
1996.  
  
The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of IDS Life Insurance
Company which is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express
Financial Corporation which is a wholly owned subsidiary of
American Express Company.
  
2. Nature of business
  
The Company is domiciled in Indiana and licensed to transact
insurance business in 46 states. The Company's principal product is
deferred annuities which are issued primarily to individuals.  It
offers single premium and annual premium deferred annuities on both
a fixed and variable dollar basis.  Immediate annuities are offered
as well.

3. Statement 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 market value.
  
Cash paid for interest on borrowings totaled $951 for the nine
months ended Sept. 30, 1996.  Cash paid for income taxes totaled
$11,491 for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 1996.
  
4. Commitments and contingencies
  
The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits, none of which, in
the opinion of the Company counsel, will result in material
liability.
<PAGE>
PAGE 73
<TABLE><CAPTION>
American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
Balance Sheets

                                                                          Dec. 31,
Assets                                                              1995           1994
                                                                         (thousands)     
<S>                                                              <C>           <C> 
Investments:
Fixed maturities:
Held to maturity, at amortized cost (Fair value:
1995, $1,357,977; 1994, $1,040,663)                              $1,308,251    $1,130,752
Available for sale, at fair value (Amortized cost:
1995, $1,546,025; 1994, $1,186,545)                               1,596,985     1,119,371
                                                                  2,905,236     2,250,123
Mortgage loans on real estate
(Fair value:  1995, $419,557; 1994, $204,883)                       393,020       219,445
Other investments                                                     4,055            28
Total investments                                                 3,302,311     2,469,596
Cash and cash equivalents                                            42,896        53,358
Accrued investment income                                            41,879        33,928
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                   170,574       137,648
Deferred income taxes                                                    --        17,065
Other assets                                                          4,817           691
Separate account assets                                               8,483            --
Total assets                                                     $3,570,960    $2,712,286
Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits for fixed annuities                       $3,155,651    $2,480,122
Policy claims and other policyholders' funds                         11,641        15,706
Amounts due to brokers                                                  163        48,872
Securities sold under repurchase agreements                          67,000            --
Deferred income taxes                                                24,177            --
Other liabilities                                                     7,029         4,331
Separate account liabilities                                          8,483            --
Total liabilities                                                 3,274,144     2,549,031
Stockholder's equity:
Capital stock, $100 par value per share;
100,000 shares authorized,
20,000 shares issued and outstanding                                  2,000         2,000
Additional paid--in capital                                         177,872       142,872
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments                            33,124       (43,689)
Retained earnings                                                    83,820        62,072
Total stockholder's equity                                          296,816       163,255
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity                       $3,570,960    $2,712,286
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

See accompanying notes.
/TABLE
<PAGE>
PAGE 74
American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
Statements of Income
<TABLE><CAPTION>
                                                  Years ended Dec. 31,
                                               1995      1994       1993 
                                                       (thousands)         
<S>                                          <C>       <C>         <C>   
Revenues:
Net investment income                        $223,706   $162,201   $124,532
Contractholder charges                          4,214      2,753      1,047
Net realized gain (loss) on investments        (1,154)    (1,190)       576
Total revenues                                226,766    163,764    126,155
Benefits and expenses:
Interest credited on investment contracts     162,662    112,977     78,538
Amortization of deferred policy
acquisition costs                              20,459     14,052     15,992
Other operating expenses                       10,205      6,523      3,369
Total expenses                                193,326    133,552     97,899
Income before income taxes                     33,440     30,212     28,256
Income taxes                                   11,692     10,574     10,033
Net income                                   $ 21,748   $ 19,638   $ 18,223

See accompanying notes.
/TABLE
<PAGE>
PAGE 75
American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
Statements of Cash Flows
<TABLE><CAPTION>
                                                    Years ended Dec. 31,
                                               1995        1994          1993 
                                                        (thousands)            
<S>                                          <C>        <C>         <C> 
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                                   $ 21,748   $   19,638  $    18,223
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash used in operating activities:
Change in accrued investment income            (7,951)      (8,543)      (7,654)
Change in deferred policy acquisition
costs, net                                    (32,926)     (37,642)     (36,800)
Change in other assets                         (4,126)        (512)         (43)
Change in policy claims and other
policyholders' funds                           (4,065)       1,270        1,792
Change in deferred income taxes                  (119)      (3,925)       3,089
Change in other liabilities                     2,698          872         (991)
Amortization of premium
(accretion of discount), net                   (2,321)       1,812       (3,327)
Net realized (gain) loss on investments         1,154        1,190         (576)
Net cash used in operating activities         (25,908)     (25,840)     (26,287)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Fixed maturities held to maturity:
 Purchases                                   (252,583)    (136,330)          --
 Maturities                                    25,754       84,514           --
 Sales                                         33,849        1,469           --
Fixed maturities available for sale:
 Purchases                                   (485,250)    (569,459)          --
 Maturities                                    85,629       64,116           --
 Sales                                         57,576       54,755           --
Fixed maturites:
 Purchases                                         --           --   (1,066,094)
 Maturities                                        --           --      231,446
 Sales                                             --           --      302,122
Other investments:
 Purchases                                   (183,892)    (192,488)     (26,792)
 Sales                                          5,543          112           22
Change in amounts due to brokers              (48,709)      21,181       10,948
Net cash used in investing activities        (762,083)    (672,130)    (548,348)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Activity related to investment contracts:
 Considerations received                      709,127      745,053      769,355
 Surrenders and other benefits               (196,260)    (113,644)    (336,316)
 Interest credited to account balances        162,662      112,977       78,538
Change in securities sold under
 repurchase agreements                         67,000      (30,000)      15,000
Capital contribution from parent               35,000       35,000       50,000
Net cash provided by financing activities     777,529      749,386      576,577
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash
equivalents                                   (10,462)      51,416        1,942
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of year                                        53,358        1,942           --
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year    $  42,896    $  53,358  $     1,942

See accompanying notes.
/TABLE
<PAGE>
PAGE 76
American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements ($ thousands)

1.  Summary of significant accounting policies

Nature of business

American Enterprise Life Insurance Company (the Company) is
domiciled in Indiana and is licensed to transact insurance business
in 46 states at Dec. 31, 1995.  The Company's principal product is
deferred annuities which are issued primarily to individuals.  It
offers single premium and annual premium deferred annuities on both
a fixed and variable dollar basis.  Immediate annuities are offered
as well.

The Company's principal annuity product in terms of amount in force
is the fixed deferred annuity.  The annuity contract guarantees a
minimum interest rate during the accumulation period (the time
before annuity payments begin), although the Company normally pays
a higher rate reflective of current market rates.  The fixed
annuity provides for a surrender charge during the first seven to
ten years after a purchase payment is made.  The Company has also
adopted a practice whereby the higher current rate is guaranteed
for a specified period.  The Company also offers a variable annuity
product under the name AEL Personal Porfolio Annuity.  This is a
fixed/variable annuity offering the purchasers a choice among
mutual funds with portfolios of equities, bonds, managed assets
and/or short-term securities, and the Company's general account, as
the underlying investment vehicles.  With respect to funds applied
to the variable portion of the annuity, the purchaser, rather than
the Company, assumes the investment risks and receives the rewards
inherent in the ownership of the underlying investment.  The AEL
Personal Portfolio Annuity provides for a surrender charge
during the first six years after a purchase payment is made.

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.  American Express Financial
Corporation 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 Indiana Department of Insurance (see Note 4).

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.

<PAGE>
PAGE 77
1.  Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

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 carried as a
separate component of stockholder's equity. 

Management determines the appropriate classification of fixed
maturities at the time of purchase and reevaluates the
classification at each balance sheet date.      

Mortgage loans on real estate are carried principally at the unpaid
principal balances of the related loans.  Other investments include
equity securities.  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.  Equity securities are carried at
market value and the related net unrealized appreciation or
depreciation is reported as a credit or charge to stockholder's
equity.

Realized investment gain or loss is 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.

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 Dec. 31 is summarized as follows:

                                       1995      1994      1993  
Cash paid during the year for:
  Income taxes                       $11,389   $14,750     $7,020
  Interest on borrowings                 979       669        238
<PAGE>
PAGE 78
1.  Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

Recognition of profits on fixed annuity contracts

The Company issues single premium deferred annuity contracts that
provide for a surrender charge at annually decreasing rates upon
withdrawal of the annuity accumulation value by the contract owner. 
No front sales load is deducted from the contract considerations
received on these contracts ("no load" annuities).  All of the
Company's single premium deferred annuity contracts provide for
crediting the contract owners' accumulations at specified rates of
interest.  Such rates are revised by the Company from time to time
based on changes in the market  investment yield rates for fixed-
income securities.

Profits on single premium deferred annuities and installment
annuities are recognized by the Company over the lives of the
contracts and represent the excess of investment income earned from
investment of contract considerations over interest credited to
contract owners and other expenses.

Deferred policy acquisition costs

The costs of acquiring new business, principally sales
compensation, policy issue costs, and certain sales expenses, have
been deferred on annuity contracts.  These costs are amortized
based upon surrender charge revenue and a portion of the excess of
investment income earned from investment of the contract
considerations over the interest credited to contract owners.

Liabilities for future policy benefits

Liabilities for single premium deferred annuities and installment
annuities are accumulation values. Liabilities for fixed annuities
in a benefit status are based on the 1983a Table with various
interest rates ranging from 5.5 percent to 9.5 percent, depending
on year of issue.

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 American Express Financial Corporation
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 American Express Financial Corporation and its
subsidiaries that American Express Financial Corporation will
reimburse a subsidiary for any tax benefit.

Included in other liabilities at Dec. 31, 1995 and 1994 are $1,813
and $1,353, respectively, payable to IDS Life for federal income
taxes.
<PAGE>
PAGE 79
1.  Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

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 investment
management and mortality and expense assurance fees from the
variable annuity and variable life insurance mutual funds and
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. 
 
Accounting changes

The Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) SFAS No. 121,
"Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-
Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of," is effective Jan. 1, 1996.  The
new rule is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's
results of operations or financial condition.

The Company's adoption of SFAS No. 114 as of Jan. 1, 1995 is
discussed in Note 2.

The Company adopted SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain
Investments in Debt and Equity Securities."  The effect of adopting
the new rule was to increase stockholder's equity by approximately
$14 million, net of tax, as of Jan. 1, 1994, but the adoption had
no impact on the Company's net income.

Reclassification

Certain 1994 and 1993 amounts have been reclassified to conform to
the 1995 presentation.

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.
<PAGE>
PAGE 80
2.  Investments (continued)

Changes in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of
investments for the years ended Dec. 31 are summarized as follows:

                                1995          1994        1993  

Fixed maturities:
 Held to maturity              $139,815    $(132,842)   $     --
 Available for sale             118,134      (88,775)         --
 Investment securities               --           --      24,390

Net realized gain (loss) on investments for the years ended Dec. 31
is summarized as follows:

                                 1995         1994        1993  

Fixed maturities               $(1,114)     $(1,198)      $568
Other investments                  (40)           8          8
                               $(1,154)     $(1,190)      $576

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair
value of investments in fixed maturities and equity securities at
Dec. 31, 1995 are as follows:
<TABLE><CAPTION>
                                              Gross         Gross
                               Amortized    Unrealized    Unrealized     Fair
    Held to maturity              Cost        Gains         Losses       Value 
    <S>                        <C>            <C>          <C>        <C>    
    U.S. Government agency
     obligations               $   16,050     $   570      $   --     $   16,620
    State and municipal
     obligations                    3,004         110          --          3,114
    Corporate bonds and
      obligations               1,068,971      53,544       5,427      1,117,088
    Mortgage-backed
     securities                   220,226       2,460       1,531        221,155
                               $1,308,251     $56,684      $6,958     $1,357,977

    Available for sale

    U.S. Government agency
     obligations               $      543     $    14      $   --     $      557
    State and municipal
     obligation                       999          25          --          1,024
    Corporate bonds and
     obligations                  520,978      26,751         436        547,293
    Mortgage-backed
     securities                 1,023,505      26,731       2,125      1,048,111
    Total fixed maturities      1,546,025      53,521       2,561      1,596,985
    Equity securities                   3          --          --              3
                               $1,546,028     $53,521      $2,561     $1,596,988
</TABLE>
The change in net unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale
securities included as a separate component of stockholder's equity
was $76,813 in 1995.

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair
value of investments in fixed maturities and equity securities at
Dec. 31, 1994 are as follows:

<PAGE>
PAGE 81
2.  Investments (continued)
<TABLE><CAPTION>
                                              Gross         Gross
                               Amortized    Unrealized    Unrealized     Fair
    Held to maturity              Cost        Gains         Losses       Value 
    <S>                        <C>             <C>          <C>        <C> 
    U.S. Government agency
     obligations               $    2,030      $   --       $    32    $    1,998
    State and municipal
     obligations                    3,004          41            --         3,045
    Corporate bonds and
     obligations                  886,477       4,270        66,886       823,861
    Mortgage-backed securities    239,241         985        28,467       211,759
                               $1,130,752      $5,296       $95,385    $1,040,663

    Available for sale
    U.S. Government agency
     obligations               $   25,440      $   --       $   476    $   24,964
    State and municipal
     obligations                      999          22            --         1,021
    Corporate bonds and
     obligations                  259,144       1,050         4,953       255,250
    Mortgage-backed securities    900,962         418        63,244       838,136
    Total fixed maturities      1,186,545       1,499        68,673     1,119,371
    Equity securities                  67          --            39            28
                               $1,186,612      $1,499       $68,712    $1,119,399
</TABLE>
The change in net unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale
securities included as a separate component of stockholder's equity
was $(43,695) in 1994.

The amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed
maturities at Dec. 31, 1995 by contractual maturity are shown
below.  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities
because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations
with or without call or prepayment penalties.

                               Amortized        Fair
    Held to maturity              Cost          Value  

    Due in one year or less    $    4,746    $    4,835
    Due from one to five years    127,391       132,641
    Due from five to ten years    748,370       783,865
    Due in more than ten years    207,518       215,480
    Mortgage-backed securities    220,226       221,156
                               $1,308,251    $1,357,977

                                Amortized       Fair
    Available for sale            Cost          Value  

    Due in one year or less    $   45,205    $   45,513
    Due from one to five years    165,582       172,879
    Due from five to ten years    261,512       277,089
    Due in more than ten years     50,222        53,394
    Mortgage-backed securities  1,023,504     1,048,110
                               $1,546,025    $1,596,985

During the year ended Dec. 31, 1995, fixed maturities classified as
held to maturity were sold with proceeds of $33,849 and gross
realized gains and losses on such sales were $552 and $1,512, <PAGE>
PAGE 82
2.  Investments (continued)

respectively.  The sale of these fixed maturities was due to
significant deterioration in the issuers' creditworthiness.  As a
result of adopting the FASB Special Report, "A Guide to
Implementation of Statement 115 on  Accounting for Certain
Investments in Debt and Equity Securities," the Company
reclassified securities with a book value of $14,031 and net
unrealized gains of $15 from held to maturity to available for sale
in December 1995.

In addition, fixed maturites available for sale were sold during
1995 with proceeds of $57,576 and gross realized gains and losses
on such sales were $nil and $646, respectively.

During the year ended Dec. 31, 1994, fixed maturities classified as
held to maturity were sold with proceeds of $1,469 and gross
realized gains and losses on such sales were $nil and $278,
respectively.  The sale of these fixed maturities was due to
significant deterioration in the issuers' creditworthiness.

In addition, fixed maturites available for sale were sold during
1994 with proceeds of $54,755 and gross realized gains and losses
on such sales were $112 and $1,059, respectively.

At Dec. 31, 1995, bonds carried at $2,775 were on deposit with
various states as required by law.

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

                                  1995         1994        1993  

Interest on fixed maturities    $198,829     $151,599    $123,822
Interest on mortgage loans        24,969        9,202         858
Interest on cash equivalents         829        1,452         258
Other                                921          824         210
                                 225,548      163,077     125,148
Less investment expenses           1,842          876         616
                                $223,706     $162,201    $124,532

Securities are rated by Moody's and Standard & Poor's (S&P), except
for securities carried at approximately $85 million which are rated
by American Express Financial Corporation internal analysts using
criteria similar to Moody's and S&P.  A summary of investments in
fixed maturities, at amortized cost, by rating on Dec. 31 is as
follows:
<PAGE>
PAGE 83
2.  Investments (continued)

               Rating                     1995          1994   

    Aaa/AAA                            $1,246,755    $1,151,235
    Aa/AA                                  39,055        27,882
    Aa/A                                   18,076        23,030
    A/A                                   435,957       299,856
    A/BBB                                 148,713       125,633
    Baa/BBB                               671,896       419,369
    Baa/BB                                 81,821        99,036
    Below investment grade                212,003       171,256
                                       $2,854,276    $2,317,297

At Dec. 31, 1995, approximately 92 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 Dec. 31, 1995, approximately 11.9 percent of the Company's
invested assets 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:
<TABLE><CAPTION>
                                       Dec. 31, 1995                Dec. 31, 1994      
                                 On Balance    Commitments    On Balance    Commitments
          Region                    Sheet      to Purchase       Sheet      to Purchase
    <S>                           <C>            <C>           <C>            <C> 
    East North Central            $ 81,456       $ 7,485       $ 43,162       $17,349
    West North Central              34,819         9,980          6,695         7,590
    South Atlantic                  82,442        25,781         52,611        10,301
    Middle Atlantic                 73,958        20,790         51,838         8,132
    New England                     30,481        13,306         19,538         7,590
    Pacific                         15,992         4,158         10,147            --
    West South Central               6,649           832          4,996            --
    East South Central               4,948            --          5,029            --
    Mountain                        62,275           832         25,429         3,253
                                  $393,020       $83,164       $219,445       $54,215

                                       Dec. 31, 1995                Dec. 31, 1994      
                                 On Balance    Commitments    On Balance    Commitments
         Property type              Sheet      to Purchase       Sheet      to Purchase

    Apartments                    $130,601       $14,554        $ 80,016      $13,554
    Department/retail stores       138,378        34,097          78,486       21,686
    Office buildings                59,601         9,980          26,559       10,843
    Industrial buildings            31,259         9,148          21,837        4,879
    Nursing/retirement homes         8,190         1,663           6,521           --
    Mixed Use                        5,317            --              --           --
    Hotels/Motels                    3,266        10,811              --           --
    Other                               --           416              --           --
    Medical buildings               16,408         2,495           6,026        3,253
                                  $393,020       $83,164        $219,445      $54,215
</TABLE>
Mortgage loan fundings are restricted by state insurance regulatory
authorities 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 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
<PAGE>
PAGE 84
2.  Investments (continued)

maturities.  Commitments to purchase mortgages are made in the
ordinary course of business.  The fair value of the mortgage
commitments is $nil.

As of Jan.1, 1995, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for
Impairment of a Loan" (SFAS No. 114), as amended by Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 118, "Accounting by Creditors
for Impairment of a Loan - Income Recognition and Disclosures". 
The adoption of the new rules did not have a material impact on the
Company's results of operations or financial condition.

SFAS No. 114 applies to all loans except for smaller-balance
homogeneous loans, that are collectively evaluated for impairment. 
Impairment 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 as a reserve for investment losses.

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 until it
has been recovered.  Once the recorded investment has been
recovered, any additional payments are recognized as interest
income.

The reserve for investment losses is maintained at a level that
management believes is adequate to absorb estimated credit losses
in the portfolio.  The level of the reserve 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
reserve for investment losses.  The Company did not have a reserve
recorded at Dec. 31, 1995.

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.

<PAGE>
PAGE 85
3.  Income taxes (continued)

The income tax expense consists of the following:

                                   1995         1994       1993  

    Federal income taxes:
      Current                     $11,753     $14,454    $ 6,928
      Deferred                       (119)     (3,925)     3,089
                                   11,634      10,529     10,017

    State income taxes-current         58          45         16
    Income tax expense            $11,692     $10,574    $10,033

Increases (decreases) to the federal income tax provision
applicable to pretax income based on the statutory rate are
attributable to:
<TABLE><CAPTION>
                                   1995                         1994                      1993         
                          Provision       Rate         Provision      Rate       Provision       Rate  
    <S>                    <C>            <C>           <C>          <C> 
     Federal income
     taxes based on the
     statutory rate        $11,704        35.0%         $10,574      35.0%        $ 9,889       35.0%
    Increases (decreases)
     are attributable to:
    Deferred tax adjustment
     due to rate increase       --          --               --        --             210        0.8
    Tax-excluded interest      (69)       (0.2)             (81)     (0.3)            (86)      (0.3)
    Other, net                  (1)       (0.0)              36       0.1               4         --
    Federal income taxes   $11,634        34.8%         $10,529      34.8%        $10,017       35.5%
</TABLE>
Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and
liabilities as of Dec.31 are as follows:

                                             1995            1994  
    Deferred tax assets:
    Policy reserves                        $ 45,482         $34,732
    Investments                                  --          20,491
    Other                                     2,036           1,592
    Total deferred tax assets                47,518          56,815

    Deferred tax liabilities:
    Deferred policy acquisition costs        50,350          39,750
    Investments                              21,345              --
    Total deferred tax liabilities           71,695          39,750
    Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)  $(24,177)        $17,065

The Company is required to establish a valuation allowance for any
portion of the deferred 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.

<PAGE>
PAGE 86
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 state insurance
regulatory authorities.  Statutory unassigned surplus aggregated
$7,553 and $3,165 as of Dec.31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

Statutory net income and stockholder's equity as of Dec.31, are
summarized as follows:

                                  1995          1994         1993  

Statutory net income            $ 15,499      $  8,131     $ 10,855
Statutory stockholder's equity   187,425       148,037      112,907

5.  Related party transactions

Charges by American Express Financial Corporation for use of joint
facilities and other services aggregated $10,380, $5,581 and $4,059
for 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.  Certain of these costs are
included in deferred policy acquisition costs.

6.  Lines of credit

The Company has available lines of credit with two banks of $30,000
at 45 to 80 basis points over each bank's cost of funds.  There
were no borrowings outstanding under these agreements at Dec.31,
1995 or 1994.

7.  Commitments and contingencies

The economy and other factors have caused an increase in the number
of insurance companies that are under regulatory supervision.  This
circumstance has resulted in substantial assessments by state
guaranty associations to cover losses to policyholders of insolvent
or rehabilitated companies.  The Company expects additional future
assessments related to past insolvencies and rehabilitations. 
Management has estimated the impact of future assessments on the
Company's financial position and recorded a reserve for such future
assessments.

8.  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 manages risks
associated with these instruments as described below.  The Company
does not hold derivative instruments for trading purposes.

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 
<PAGE>
PAGE 87
8.  Derivative financial instruments (continued)

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
exposure 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.

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.

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

                       Notional   Carrying    Fair   Total Credit
Dec.31, 1995            Amount      Value    Value     Exposure

Assets
Interest rate caps      $400,000   $4,052   $1,574     $1,574

The fair values of derivative financial instruments are based on
market values, dealer quotes or pricing models.  All interest rate
caps expire in the year 2000.

Interest rate caps are used to manage the Company's exposure to
rising interest rates.  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.

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

<PAGE>
PAGE 88
9.  Fair values of financial instruments

The Company discloses fair value information for most on- and off-
balance sheet financial instruments for which it is practical to
estimate that value.  Fair value of life insurance obligations,
receivables and all non-financial instruments, such as deferred
acquisition costs are excluded.  Off-balance sheet intangible
assets are also excluded.  Management believes the value of
excluded assets is significant.  The fair value of the Company,
therefore, cannot be estimated by aggregating the amounts
presented.
<TABLE><CAPTION>
                                        1995                             1994            
                              Carrying          Fair           Carrying            Fair
    Financial Assets           Value           Value           Value              Value  
    <S>                     <C>             <C>             <C>                <C> 
    Investments:  
    Fixed maturities
     (Note 2):
    Held to maturity        $1,308,251      $1,357,977      $1,130,752         $1,040,663
    Available for sale       1,596,985       1,596,985       1,119,371          1,119,371
    Mortgage loans on real
     estate (Note 2)           393,020         419,557         219,445            204,883
    Equity securities
     (Note 2)                        3               3              28                 28
    Derivative financial
     instruments (Note 8)        4,052           1,574              --                 --
    Cash and cash
    equivalents (Note 1)        42,896          42,896          53,358             53,358
    Separate account assets
     (Note 1)                    8,483           8,483              --                 --

    Financial Liabilities
    Future policy benefits for
      fixed annuities        3,149,087       2,997,716       2,474,920          2,347,665
    Separate account
     liabilities                 8,483           8,075              --                 --
</TABLE>
At Dec. 31, 1995 and 1994, the carrying amount and fair value of
future policy benefits for fixed annuities exclude life insurance-
related contracts carried at $6,564 and $5,202, respectively.  The
fair value of these benefits is based on the status of the
annuities at Dec. 31, 1995 and 1994.  The fair value of deferred
annuities is estimated as the carrying amount less applicable
surrender charges.  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 1995 and 1994.
<PAGE>
PAGE 89
Report of Independent Auditors

The Board of Directors
American Enterprise Life Insurance Company


We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of American
Enterprise Life Insurance Company (a wholly owned subsidiary of IDS
Life Insurance Company) as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the
related statements of income and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1995.  These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
American Enterprise Life Insurance Company at December 31, 1995 and
1994, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company
changed its method of accounting for certain investments in debt
and equity securities in 1994.



Ernst & Young LLP
February 2, 1996
Minneapolis, Minnesota
<PAGE>
PAGE 90
PART C.

Item 24.    Financial Statements and Exhibits

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

The audited financial statements of the variable account including:

- - statements of net assets as of Dec. 31, 1995;
- - statements of operations for the period from Feb. 21, 1995
  (commencement of operations) to Dec. 31, 1995; and
- - statements of changes in net assets for the period from Feb. 21,
  1995 (commencement of operations) to Dec. 31, 1995.

The unaudited financial statements of the variable account
including:

- - statements of net assets as of Sept. 30, 1996;
- - statements of operations for the nine months ended Sept. 30,
  1996; and
- - statements of changes in net assets for the nine months ended
  Sept. 30, 1996.

The audited financial statements of American Enterprise Life
including:

- - balance sheets as of Dec. 31, 1995 and Dec. 31, 1994; and
- - related statements of income and cash flows for each of the
  three years in the period ended Dec. 31, 1995.

The unaudited financial statements of American Enterprise Life
including:

- - balance sheet as of Sept. 30, 1996; and
- - related statements of income and cash flows for the nine months
  ended Sept. 30, 1996.

(b)   Exhibits:

1.    Resolution of the Executive Committee of the Board of
      Directors of American Enterprise Life establishing the
      American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account dated July 15,
      1987, filed electronically as Exhibit 1 to the Initial
      Registration Statement to Registration Statement No. 33-
      54471, filed on or about July 5, 1994 is incorporated herein
      by reference.

2.    Not applicable.

3.1   Form of Variable Annuity and Life Insurance Distribution
      Agreement, filed electronically as Exhibit 3.1 to Pre-
      Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 33-
      54471 is incorporated herein by reference.

<PAGE>
PAGE 91
3.2   Form of Managing General Agent Agreement, filed
      electronically as Exhibit 3.2 to Pre-Effective Amendment No.
      1 to Registration Statement No. 33-54471 is incorporated
      herein by reference.

4.1   Form of Deferred Annuity Contract (form 34560), filed
      electronically as Exhibit 4.1 to the Initial Registration
      Statement to Registration Statement No. 33-54471, filed on or
      about July 5, 1994 is incorporated herein by reference.

4.2   Form of Tax-Qualified Endorsement (form 34563), filed
      electronically as Exhibit 4.2 to the Initial Registration
      Statement to Registration Statement No. 33-54471, filed on or
      about July 5, 1994 is incorporated herein by reference.

4.3   Form of Annuity Endorsement (form 34562), filed
      electronically as Exhibit 4.3 to the Initial Registration
      Statement to Registration Statement No. 33-54471, filed on or
      about July 5, 1994 is incorporated herein by reference.

5.1   Form of Application for American Enterprise Life Variable
      Annuity (form 34561), filed electronically as Exhibit 5.1 to
      the Initial Registration Statement to Registration Statement
      No. 33-54471, filed on or about July 5, 1994 is incorporated
      herein by reference.

6.1   Amendment and Restatement of Articles of Incorporation of
      American Enterprise Life dated July 29, 1986, filed
      electronically as Exhibit 6.1 to the Initial Registration
      Statement to Registration Statement No. 33-54471, filed on or
      about July 5, 1994 is incorporated herein by reference.

6.2   Amended By-Laws of American Enterprise Life, filed
      electronically as Exhibit 6.2 to the Initial Registration
      Statement to Registration Statement No. 33-54471, filed on or
      about July 5, 1994 is incorporated herein by reference.

7.    Not applicable.

8.1   Copy of Participation Agreement among (company) and GT Global
      Variable Investment Trust and GT Global Variable Investment
      Series and GT Global Financial Services, Inc., dated February
      10, 1995 is filed electronically as Exhibit 8.1 to Post-
      Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement No. 33-
      54471 is incorporated herein by reference.

8.2   Copy of Participation Agreement among Putnam Capital Manager
      Trust, Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. and American Enterprise Life
      Insurance Company, dated January 16, 1995, filed
      electronically as Exhibit 8.2 to Post-Effective Amendment No.
      2 to Registration Statement No. 33-54471 is incorporated
      herein by reference.

<PAGE>
PAGE 92
8.3   Copy of Participation Agreement by and among Quest for Value
      Accumulation Trust and (Insurance Company) and Quest for
      Value Distributors, dated February 21, 1995, filed
      electronically as Exhibit 8.3 to Post-Effective Amendment No.
      2 to Registration Statement No. 33-54471 is incorporated
      herein by reference.

9.    Opinion of Counsel and consent to its use as to the legality
      of the securities being registered was filed with
      Registrant's most recent 24f-2 Notice on or about Feb. 23,
      1996.

10.   Consent of Independent Auditors, is filed electronically
      herewith.

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

      Financial Statement Schedules:

      Schedule I    Summary of Investments Other Than Investments
                    In Related Parties
      Schedule V    Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
                    Report of Independent Auditors dated February
                    2, 1996.

      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.

12.   Not applicable.

13.   Copy of schedule for computation of each performance
      quotation provided in the Registration Statement in response
      to Item 21, filed electronically as Exhibit 13 to the Initial
      Registration Statement to Registration Statement No. 33-
      54471, filed on or about July 5, 1994 is incorporated herein
      by reference.

14.   Financial Data Schedules, filed electronically herewith.

15.   Power of Attorney to sign this Registration Statement dated
      June 22, 1994, filed electronically as Exhibit 14.2 to the
      Initial Registration Statement to Registration Statement No.
      33-54471, filed on or about July 5, 1994 is incorporated
      herein by reference.

<PAGE>
PAGE 93
Item 25.    Directors and Officers of the Depositor (American
            Enterprise Life Insurance Company)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Positions and
Name                     Principal Business Address     Offices with Depositor
<S>                      <C>                            <C>
James E. Choat           IDS Tower 10                   Director and Chief Executive 
                         Minneapolis, MN  55440         Officer

Douglas L. Forsberg      IDS Tower 10                   President
                         Minneapolis, MN  55440
                                                          
Morris Goodwin Jr.       IDS Tower 10                   Vice President and Treasurer
                         Minneapolis, MN  55440

Lorraine R. Hart         IDS Tower 10                   Vice President-Investments
                         Minneapolis, MN  55440

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

Paul S. Mannweiler                                      Director
                         
Stuart A. Sedlacek       IDS Tower 10                   Director and Executive
                         Minneapolis, MN  55440           Vice President-Assured
                                                          Assets

F. Dale Simmons          IDS Tower 10                   Vice President-Real Estate
                         Minneapolis, MN  55440           Loan Management

William A. Stoltzmann    IDS Tower 10                   Director and Vice
                         Minneapolis, MN  55440           President, General
                                                          Counsel and Secretary

Melinda S. Urion         IDS Tower 10                   Vice President and
                         Minneapolis, MN  55440           Controller
</TABLE>
Item 26.    Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the
            Depositor or Registrant

            American Enterprise Life Insurance 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.  

                                                  Jurisdiction
Name of Subsidiary                                of Incorporation

I.   Travel Related Services

    American Express Travel Related 
     Services Company, Inc.                          New York
<PAGE>
PAGE 94
II.  International Banking Services

    American Express Bank Ltd.                       Connecticut

III. Companies engaged in American Express Financial Corporation

    American Centurion Life Assurance Company        New York
    American Enterprise Investment Services Inc.     Minnesota
    American Enterprise Life Insurance Company       Indiana
    American Express Financial Advisors Inc.         Delaware
    American Express Financial Corporation           Delaware
    American Express Insurance Agency of Nevada Inc. Nevada
    American Express Minnesota Foundation            Minnesota
    American Express Service Corporation             Delaware
    American Express Tax and Business Services Inc.  Minnesota
    American Express Trust Company                   Minnesota
    American Partners Life Insurance Company         Arizona
    AMEX Assurance Company                           Illinois
    IDS Advisory Group Inc.                          Minnesota
    IDS Aircraft Services Corporation                Minnesota
    IDS Cable Corporation                            Minnesota
    IDS Cable II Corporation                         Minnesota
    IDS Capital Holdings Inc.                        Minnesota
    IDS Certificate Company                          Delaware
    IDS Deposit Corp.                                Utah
    IDS Fund Management Limited                      U.K.
    IDS Futures Corporation                          Minnesota
    IDS Futures III 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 Mississippi Ltd.         Mississippi
    IDS Insurance Agency of New Mexico Inc.          New Mexico
    IDS Insurance Agency of North Carolina Inc.      North Carolina
    IDS Insurance Agency of Ohio Inc.                Ohio
    IDS Insurance Agency of Texas Inc.               Texas
    IDS Insurance Agency of Utah Inc.                Utah
    IDS Insurance Agency of Wyoming Inc.             Wyoming
    IDS International, Inc.                          Delaware

Item 26.  Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the
          Depositor or Registrant (Continued)

                                                  Jurisdiction
Name of Subsidiary                                of Incorporation

    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
<PAGE>
PAGE 95
Item 27.  Number of Contractowners

          On Sept. 30, 1996, there were 673 contract owners of
          qualified contracts.  There were 437 owners of non-
          qualified contracts.

Item 28.  Indemnification

          The By-Laws of the depositor provide that the Corporation
          shall have the power to indemnify a director, officer,
          agent or employee of the Corporation pursuant to the
          provisions of applicable statues or pursuant to contract.

          The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on
          behalf of any director, officer, agent or employee of the
          Corporation against any liability asserted against or
          incurred by the director, officer, agent or employee in
          such capacity or arising out of the director's,
          officer's, agent's or employee's status as such, whether
          or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify
          the director, officer, agent or employee against such
          liability under the provisions of applicable law.

          The By-Laws of the depositor provide that it shall
          indemnify a director, officer, agent or employee of the 
          depositor pursuant to the provisions of applicable
          statutes or pursuant to contract.

          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>
PAGE 96
Item 29.     Principal Underwriters.

(a)   American Express Financial Advisors acts as principal
      underwriter for the following investment companies:

      IDS Bond Fund, Inc.; IDS California Tax-Exempt Trust; IDS
      Discovery Fund, Inc.; IDS Equity Select Fund, Inc.; IDS Extra
      Income Fund, Inc.; IDS Federal Income Fund, Inc.; IDS Global
      Series, Inc.; IDS Growth Fund, Inc.; IDS High Yield Tax-
      Exempt Fund, Inc.; IDS International Fund, Inc.; IDS
      Investment Series, Inc.; IDS Managed Retirement Fund, Inc.; 
      IDS Market Advantage Series, Inc.; IDS Money Market Series,
      Inc.; IDS New Dimensions Fund, Inc.; IDS Precious Metals
      Fund, Inc.; IDS Progressive Fund, Inc.; IDS Selective Fund,
      Inc.; IDS Special Tax-Exempt Series Trust; IDS Stock Fund, 
      Inc.; IDS Strategy Fund, Inc.; IDS Tax-Exempt Bond Fund,
      Inc.; IDS Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc.; IDS Utilities Income
      Fund, Inc. and IDS Certificate Company.

(b)   As to each director, officer or partner of the principal
      underwriter:
                                                       
                                                      Positions and
Name and Principal       Position and Offices         Offices with
Business Address         with Underwriter             Registrant   

Ronald G. Abrahamson     Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Service Quality and
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Reengineering

Douglas A. Alger         Vice President-Field         None
IDS Tower 10             Compensation and 
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Administration  

Peter J. Anderson        Senior Vice President-       Vice
IDS Tower 10             Investments                  President
Minneapolis, MN 55440                                 

Ward D. Armstrong        Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Sales and Marketing,
Minneapolis, MN  55440   IDS Institutional 
                         Retirement Services

John M. Baker            Vice President-              None
                         Plan Sponsor Services

Joseph M. Barsky III     Vice President-Senior        None
IDS Tower 10             Portfolio Manager
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Robert C. Basten         Vice President-Tax           None
IDS Tower 10             and Business Services
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Timothy V. Bechtold      Vice President-Risk          None
IDS Tower 10             Management Products
Minneapolis, MN  55440
<PAGE>
PAGE 97
Item 29(b).  As to each director, officer or partner of the
principal underwriter (American Express Financial Advisors):
(cont'd)

                                                      Positions and
Name and Principal       Position and Offices         Offices with
Business Address         with Underwriter             Registrant   

John D. Begley           Group Vice President-        None
Suite 100                Ohio/Indiana
7760 Olentangy River Rd.
Columbus, OH  43235

Jack A. Benjamin         Group Vice President-        None
Suite 200                Greater Pennsylvania
3500 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA  17011

Alan F. Bignall          Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Technology and
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Development

Brent L. Bisson          Group Vice President-        None
Ste 900 E. Westside Twr  Los Angeles Metro
11835 West Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA  90064

John C. Boeder           Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Mature Market Group
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Walter K. Booker         Group Vice President-        None
Suite 200                New Jersey
3500 Market Street
Camp Hill, NJ  17011

Bruce J. Bordelon        Group Vice President-        None
Galleria One Suite 1900  Gulf States
Galleria Blvd.
Metairie, LA  70001

Charles R. Branch        Group Vice President-        None
Suite 200                Northwest
West 111 North River Dr
Spokane, WA  99201

Karl J. Breyer           Senior Vice President-       None
IDS Tower 10             Corporate Affairs and
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Special Counsel

Daniel J. Candura        Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Marketing Support
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Cynthia M. Carlson       Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             American Express
Minneapolis, MN  55440   Securities Services
<PAGE>
PAGE 98
Item 29(b).  As to each director, officer or partner of the
principal underwriter (American Express Financial Advisors):
(cont'd)

                                                      Positions and
Name and Principal       Position and Offices         Offices with
Business Address         with Underwriter             Registrant   

Orison Y. Chaffee III    Vice President-Field         None
IDS Tower 10             Real Estate
Minneapolis, MN 55440

James E. Choat           Senior Vice President-       None
IDS Tower 10             Field Management
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Kenneth J. Ciak          Vice President and           None
IDS Property Casualty    General Manager-
1400 Lombardi Avenue     IDS Property Casualty
Green Bay, WI 54304

Roger C. Corea           Group Vice President-        None
290 Woodcliff Drive      Upstate New York
Fairport, NY  14450

Henry J. Cormier         Group Vice President-        None
Commerce Center One      Connecticut
333 East River Drive
East Hartford, CT  06108

John M. Crawford         Group Vice President-        None
Suite 200                Arkansas/Springfield/Memphis
10800 Financial Ctr Pkwy
Little Rock, AR  72211

Kevin F. Crowe           Group Vice President-        None
Suite 312                Carolinas/Eastern Georgia
7300 Carmel Executive Pk
Charlotte, NC  28226

Colleen Curran           Vice President and           None
IDS Tower 10             Assistant General Counsel
Minneapolis, MN  55440   

Luz Maria Davis          Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Communications
Minneapolis, MN 55440    

Regenia David            Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Systems Services
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Scott M. DiGiammarino    Group Vice President-        None
Suite 500                Washington/Baltimore
8045 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA  22182
<PAGE>
PAGE 99
Item 29(b).  As to each director, officer or partner of the
principal underwriter (American Express Financial Advisors):
(cont'd)

                                                      Positions and
Name and Principal       Position and Offices         Offices with
Business Address         with Underwriter             Registrant   

Bradford L. Drew         Group Vice President-        None
Two Datran Center        Eastern Florida
Penthouse One B
9130 S. Dadeland Blvd.
Miami, FL  33156

William H. Dudley        Director and Executive       Board member
IDS Tower 10             Vice President-
Minneapolis MN 55440     Investment Operations

Gordon L. Eid            Senior Vice President        None
IDS Tower 10             and General Counsel
Minneapolis, MN 55440

Robert M. Elconin        Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Government Relations
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Mark A. Ernst            Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Retail Services
Minneapolis, MN 55440

Joseph Evanovich Jr.     Group Vice President-        None
One Old Mill             Nebraska/Iowa/Dakotas
101 South 108th Avenue
Omaha, NE  68154

Louise P. Evenson        Group Vice President-        None
Suite 200                San Francisco Bay Area
1333 N. California Blvd.
Walnut Creek, CA  94596

Gordon M. Fines          Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Mutual Fund Equity
Minneapolis MN 55440     Investments

Douglas L. Forsberg      Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Institutional Products
Minneapolis, MN  55440   Group

Jeffrey P. Fox           Vice President and           None
IDS Tower 10             Corporate Controller
Minneapolis, MN  55440

William P. Fritz         Group Vice President-        None
Suite 160                Northern Missouri
12855 Flushing Meadows Dr
St. Louis, MO  63131

<PAGE>
PAGE 100
Item 29(b).  As to each director, officer or partner of the
principal underwriter (American Express Financial Advisors):
(cont'd)

                                                      Positions and
Name and Principal       Position and Offices         Offices with
Business Address         with Underwriter             Registrant   

Carl W. Gans             Group Vice President-        None
8500 Tower Suite 1770    Twin City Metro
8500 Normandale Lake Blvd.
Bloomington, MN  55437

John J. Golden           Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Human Resources Planning
Minneapolis, MN  55440   and Field Support

Morris Goodwin Jr.       Vice President and           None
IDS Tower 10             Corporate Treasurer
Minneapolis, MN 55440

Suzanne Graf             Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Systems Services
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Bruce M. Guarino         Group Vice President-        None
Suite 1736               Hawaii
1585 Kapiolani Blvd.
Honolulu, HI  96814

David A. Hammer          Vice President               None
IDS Tower 10             and Marketing
Minneapolis, MN  55440   Controller

Teresa A. Hanratty       Group Vice President-        None
Suites 6&7               Northern New England
169 South River Road
Bedford, NH  03110

John R. Hantz            Group Vice President-        None
Suite 107                Detroit Metro
17177 N. Laurel Park
Livonia, MI  48154

Robert L. Harden         Group Vice President-        None
Two Constitution Plaza   Boston Metro
Boston, MA  02129

Lorraine R. Hart         Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Insurance Investments
Minneapolis, MN 55440

Scott A. Hawkinson       Vice President-Assured       None
IDS Tower 10             Assets Product Development
Minneapolis, MN 55440    and Management

<PAGE>
PAGE 101
Item 29(b).  As to each director, officer or partner of the
principal underwriter (American Express Financial Advisors):
(cont'd)

                                                      Positions and
Name and Principal       Position and Offices         Offices with
Business Address         with Underwriter             Registrant   

Brian M. Heath           Group Vice President-        None
Suite 150                North Texas
801 E. Campbell Road
Richardson, TX  75081

James G. Hirsh           Vice President and           None
IDS Tower 10             Assistant General
Minneapolis, MN  55440   Counsel

David J. Hockenberry     Group Vice President-        None
30 Burton Hills Blvd.    Eastern Tennessee
Suite 175
Nashville, TN  37215

Michael J. Hogan         Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Variable Assets
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Kevin P. Howe            Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Government and
Minneapolis, MN  55440   Customer Relations and
                         Chief Compliance Officer

David R. Hubers          Chairman, Chief              Board member
IDS Tower 10             Executive Officer and
Minneapolis, MN 55440    President

James M. Jensen          Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Life Products
Minneapolis, MN 55440

Marietta L. Johns        Senior Vice President-       None
IDS Tower 10             Field Management
Minneapolis, MN 55440

James E. Kaarre          Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Marketing Promotions
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Matthew N. Karstetter    Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Investment Accounting
Minneapolis, MN 55440

Linda B. Keene           Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Market Development
Minneapolis, MN  55440

G. Michael Kennedy       Vice President-Investment    None
IDS Tower 10             Services and Investment
Minneapolis, MN  55440   Research<PAGE>
PAGE 102
Item 29(b).  As to each director, officer or partner of the
principal underwriter (American Express Financial Advisors):
(cont'd)

                                                      Positions and
Name and Principal       Position and Offices         Offices with
Business Address         with Underwriter             Registrant   

Susan D. Kinder          Senior Vice President-       None
IDS Tower 10             Human Resources
Minneapolis, MN 55440

Richard W. Kling         Senior Vice President-       None
IDS Tower 10             Products
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Paul F. Kolkman          Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Actuarial Finance
Minneapolis, MN 55440

Claire Kolmodin          Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Service Quality
Minneapolis, MN  55440

David S. Kreager         Group Vice President-        None
Ste 108 Trestle Bridge V Greater Michigan
5136 Lovers Lane
Kalamazoo, MI  49002

Steven C. Kumagai        Director and Senior          None
IDS Tower 10             Vice President-Field
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Management and Business
                         Systems

Mitre Kutanovski         Group Vice President-        None
Suite 680                Chicago Metro
8585 Broadway
Merrillville, IN  48410

Edward Labenski Jr.      Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Senior Portfolio
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Manager

Kurt A. Larson           Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Senior Portfolio
Minneapolis, MN  55440   Manager

Lori J. Larson           Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Variable Assets Product
Minneapolis, MN  55440   Development

Ryan R. Larson           Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             IPG Product Development
Minneapolis, MN 55440

Daniel E. Laufenberg     Vice President and           None
IDS Tower 10             Chief U.S. Economist
Minneapolis, MN  55440<PAGE>
PAGE 103
Item 29(b).  As to each director, officer or partner of the
principal underwriter (American Express Financial Advisors):
(cont'd)

                                                      Positions and
Name and Principal       Position and Offices         Offices with
Business Address         with Underwriter             Registrant   

Richard J. Lazarchic     Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Senior Portfolio 
Minneapolis, MN  55440   Manager

Peter A. Lefferts        Senior Vice President-       None
IDS Tower 10             Corporate Strategy and
Minneapolis, MN  55440   Development

Douglas A. Lennick       Director and Executive       None
IDS Tower 10             Vice President-Private
Minneapolis, MN  55440   Client Group

Mary J. Malevich         Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Senior Portfolio
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Manager

Fred A. Mandell          Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Field Marketing Readiness
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Daniel E. Martin         Group Vice President-        None
Suite 650                Pittsburgh Metro
5700 Corporate Drive
Pittsburgh, PA  15237

William J. McKinney      Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Field Management
Minneapolis, MN  55440   Support

Thomas W. Medcalf        Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Senior Portfolio Manager
Minneapolis, MN 55440

William C. Melton        Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             International Research
Minneapolis, MN 55440    and Chief International 
                         Economist

James A. Mitchell        Executive Vice President-    None
IDS Tower 10             Marketing and Products
Minneapolis, MN 55440

John P. Moraites         Group Vice President-        None
Union Plaza Suite 900    Kansas/Oklahoma
3030 Northwest Expressway
Oklahoma City, OK  73112

Pamela J. Moret          Vice President-Services      None
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440    <PAGE>
PAGE 104
Item 29(b).  As to each director, officer or partner of the
principal underwriter (American Express Financial Advisors):
(cont'd)

                                                      Positions and
Name and Principal       Position and Offices         Offices with
Business Address         with Underwriter             Registrant   

Alan D. Morgenstern      Group Vice President-        None
Suite 200                Central California/
3500 Market Street       Western Nevada
Camp Hill, NJ  17011

Barry J. Murphy          Senior Vice President-       None
IDS Tower 10             Client Service
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Mary Owens Neal          Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Mature Market Segment
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Robert J. Neis           Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Technology Services
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Operations

Ronald E. Newton         Group Vice President-        None
319 Southbridge St.      Rhode Island/Central
Auburn, MA  01501        Massachusetts

Thomas V. Nicolosi       Group Vice President-        None
Suite 220                New York Metro Area
500 Mamaroneck Avenue
Harrison, NY  10528

James R. Palmer          Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Taxes
Minneapolis, MN 55440

Carla P. Pavone          Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Specialty Service Teams
Minneapolis, MN  55440   and Emerging Business

Susan B. Plimpton        Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Segmentation Development
Minneapolis, MN 55440    and Support

Larry M. Post            Group Vice President-        None
One Tower Bridge         Philadelphia Metro
100 Front Street 8th Fl
West Conshohocken, PA  19428

Ronald W. Powell         Vice President and           None
IDS Tower 10             Assistant General
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Counsel

James M. Punch           Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Geographical Service
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Teams<PAGE>
PAGE 105
Item 29(b).  As to each director, officer or partner of the
principal underwriter (American Express Financial Advisors):
(cont'd)

                                                      Positions and
Name and Principal       Position and Offices         Offices with
Business Address         with Underwriter             Registrant   

Frederick C. Quirsfeld   Vice President-Taxable       None
IDS Tower 10             Mutual Fund Investments
Minneapolis, MN 55440

Debra J. Rabe            Vice President-Financial     None
IDS Tower 10             Planning
Minneapolis, MN 55440

R. Daniel Richardson     Group Vice President-        None
Suite 800                Southern Texas
Arboretum Plaza One
9442 Capital of Texas Hwy N.
Austin, TX  78759

Roger B. Rogos           Group Vice President-        None
One Sarasota Tower       Western Florida
Suite 700
Two N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL  34236

ReBecca K. Roloff        Vice President-Private       None
IDS Tower 10             Client Group
Minneapolis, MN  55440   

Stephen W. Roszell       Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Advisory Institutional
Minneapolis, MN  55440   Marketing

Max G. Roth              Group Vice President-        None
Suite 201 S IDS Ctr      Wisconsin/Upper Michigan
1400 Lombardi Avenue
Green Bay, WI  54304

John P. Ryan             Vice President and           None
IDS Tower 10             General Auditor
Minneapolis, MN 55440

Erven Samsel             Senior Vice President-       None
45 Braintree Hill Park   Field Management
Suite 402
Braintree, MA  02184

Russell L. Scalfano      Group Vice President-        None
Suite 201                Illinois/Indiana/Kentucky
101 Plaza East Blvd.
Evansville, IN  47715
<PAGE>
PAGE 106
Item 29(b).  As to each director, officer or partner of the
principal underwriter (American Express Financial Advisors):
(cont'd)

                                                      Positions and
Name and Principal       Position and Offices         Offices with
Business Address         with Underwriter             Registrant   

William G. Scholz        Group Vice President-        None
Suite 205                Arizona/Las Vegas
7333 E Doubletree Ranch Rd
Scottsdale, AZ  85258

Stuart A. Sedlacek       Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Assured Assets
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Donald K. Shanks         Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Property Casualty
Minneapolis, MN  55440

F. Dale Simmons          Vice President-Senior        None
IDS Tower 10             Portfolio Manager,
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Insurance Investments

Judy P. Skoglund         Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Human Resources and
Minneapolis, MN  55440   Organization Development

Julian W. Sloter         Group Vice President-        None
Ste 1700 Orlando FinCtr  Orlando/Jacksonville
800 North Magnolia Ave.
Orlando, FL  32803

Ben C. Smith             Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Workplace Marketing
Minneapolis, MN  55440

William A. Smith         Vice President and           None
IDS Tower 10             Controller-Private
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Client Group

James B. Solberg         Group Vice President-        None
466 Westdale Mall        Eastern Iowa Area
Cedar Rapids, IA  52404

Bridget Sperl            Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Human Resources
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Management Services

Paul J. Stanislaw        Group Vice President-        None
Suite 1100               Southern California
Two Park Plaza
Irvine, CA  92714
<PAGE>
PAGE 107
Item 29(b).  As to each director, officer or partner of the
principal underwriter (American Express Financial Advisors):
(cont'd)

                                                      Positions and
Name and Principal       Position and Offices         Offices with
Business Address         with Underwriter             Registrant   

Lois A. Stilwell         Group Vice President-        None
Suite 433                Outstate Minnesota Area/
9900 East Bren Road      North Dakota/Western Wisconsin
Minnetonka, MN  55343

William A. Stoltzmann    Vice President and           None
IDS Tower 10             Assistant General
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Counsel

James J. Strauss         Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Corporate Planning
Minneapolis, MN 55440    and Analysis

Jeffrey J. Stremcha      Vice President-Information   None
IDS Tower 10             Resource Management/ISD
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Barbara Stroup Stewart   Vice President-Corporate     None
IDS Tower 10             Reengineering           
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Neil G. Taylor           Group Vice President-        None
Suite 425                Seattle/Tacoma
101 Elliott Avenue West
Seattle, WA  98119

John R. Thomas           Senior Vice President-       Board member
IDS Tower 10             Information and
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Technology

Melinda S. Urion         Senior Vice President        Treasurer
IDS Tower 10             and Chief Financial
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Officer

Peter S. Velardi         Group Vice President-        None
Suite 180                Atlanta/Birmingham
1200 Ashwood Parkway
Atlanta, GA  30338

Charles F. Wachendorfer  Group Vice President-        None
Suite 100                Denver/Salt Lake City/
Stanford Plaza II        Albuquerque
7979 East Tufts Ave Pkwy
Denver, CO  80237

Wesley W. Wadman         Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Senior Portfolio
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Manager
<PAGE>
PAGE 108
Item 29(b).  As to each director, officer or partner of the
principal underwriter (American Express Financial Advisors):
(cont'd)

                                                      Positions and
Name and Principal       Position and Offices         Offices with
Business Address         with Underwriter             Registrant   

Norman Weaver Jr.        Senior Vice President-       None
1010 Main St Suite 2B    Field Management
Huntington Beach, CA  92648

Michael L. Weiner        Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Tax Research and Audit
Minneapolis, MN 55440

Lawrence J. Welte        Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Investment Administration
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Jeffry M. Welter         Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Equity and Fixed Income
Minneapolis, MN  55440   Trading

William N. Westhoff      Senior Vice President-       None
IDS Tower 10             Global Investments
Minneapolis, MN  55440   

Thomas L. White          Group Vice President-        None
Suite 200                Cleveland Metro
28601 Chagrin Blvd.
Woodmere, OH  44122

Eric S. Williams         Group Vice President-        None
Suite 250                Virginia
3951 Westerre Parkway
Richmond, VA  23233

Edwin M. Wistrand        Vice President and           None
IDS Tower 10             Assistant General
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Counsel

Michael R. Woodward      Senior Vice President-       None
32 Ellicott St Ste 100   Field Management
Batavia, NY  14020

Item 29(c).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  Net Underwriting
             Name of Principal     Discounts and        Compensation on        Brokerage
             Underwriter            Commissions           Redemption          Commissions     Compensation
             <S>                       <C>                   <C>                 <C>             <C>
             American Express     
             Financial Advisors
             Inc.                      None                  None                None            None
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PAGE 109
Item 30.   Location of Accounts and Records

           American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
           IDS Tower 10
           Minneapolis, MN  55402

Item 31.   Management Services

           Not applicable.

Item 32.   Undertakings

           (a)  Registrant undertakes that it will file a
                post-effective amendment to this registration
                statement as frequently as is necessary to ensure
                that the audited financial statements in the
                registration statement are never more than 16
                months old for so long as payments under the
                variable annuity contracts may be accepted.

           (b)  Registrant undertakes that it will include either
                (1) as part of any application to purchase a
                contract offered by the prospectus, a space that an
                applicant can check to request a Statement of
                Additional Information, or (2) a post card or
                similar written communication affixed to or
                included the prospectus that the applicant can
                remove to send for a Statement of Additional
                Information.

           (c)  Registrant undertakes to deliver any Statement of
                Additional Information and any financial statements
                required to be made available under this Form
                promptly upon written or oral request to American   
                Enterprise Life Contract Owner Service at the       
                address or phone number listed in the prospectus.

           (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>
PAGE 110
                            SIGNATURES

As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, American Enterprise Life Insurance Company, 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 13th day
of December, 1996.


                       AMERICAN ENTERPRISE VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
                                      (Registrant)

                      By American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
                                          (Sponsor)

                      By /s/ Richard W. Kling*                 
                             Richard W. Kling
                             Chairman of the Board

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on the 13th day of December, 1996.

Signature                               Title

_____________________________           Director, Chief Executive
    James E. Choat                      Officer

_____________________________           President
    Douglas L. Forsberg

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

/s/ Paul S. Mannweiler*                 Director
    Paul S. Mannweiler

/s/ Stuart A. Sedlacek*                 Director and Executive Vice
    Stuart A. Sedlacek                  President-Assured Assets

/s/ William A. Stoltzmann*              Director, Vice President,
    William A. Stoltzmann               General Counsel and 
                                        Secretary

*Signed pursuant to Power of Attorney filed electronically as
Exhibit 14.2 to the Initial Registration Statement to Registration
Statement No. 33-54471, filed on or about July 5, 1994, is
incorporated herein by reference.



______________________________
Mary Ellyn Minenko 
<PAGE>
PAGE 111
            CONTENTS OF POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 6

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.


<PAGE>
PAGE 1
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
File No. 33-54471/811-7195

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 10:   Consent of Independent Auditors.

Exhibit 11:   Financial Statement Schedules and Report of
              Independent Auditors.
             
              Financial Statement Schedules:

              Schedule I    Summary of Investments Other Than
                            Investments In Related Parties
              Schedule V    Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
                            Report of Independent Auditors dated
                            February 2, 1996.

Exhibit 14:   Financial Data Schedules.


<PAGE>
PAGE 1








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
2, 1996 on the financial statements and schedules of American
Enterprise Life Insurance Company and our report dated March 15,
1996 on the financial statements of American Enterprise Variable
Annuity Account in Post Effective Amendment No. 6 to the
Registration Statement (Form N-4, No. 33-54471) for the
registration of the American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account to
be offered by American Enterprise Life Insurance Company.



Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
December 13, 1996


<PAGE>
PAGE 1
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SCHEDULE I - SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS
OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES ($ thousands)
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995
  
   Column A                                     Column B        Column C        Column D
                                                                              Amount at which
   Type of Investment                             Cost            Value       shown in the
                                                                              balance sheet
   <S>                                          <C>            <C>              <C>
   Fixed maturities:
     Held to maturity:
       United States Government and
        government agencies and
        authorities (a)                         $  121,905     $   122,130      $  121,905
       States, municipalities and
         political subdivisions                      3,004           3,114           3,004
       All other corporate bonds                 1,183,342       1,232,733       1,183,342

             Total held to maturity              1,308,251       1,357,977       1,308,251

     Available for sale:
       United States Government and
        government agencies and
        authorities (b)                            562,537         575,242         575,242
       States, municipalities and
         political subdivisions                        999           1,024           1,024
       All other corporate bonds                   982,488       1,020,719       1,020,719
  
             Total available for sale            1,546,024       1,596,985       1,596,985
   
   Mortgage loans on real estate                   393,020      XXXXXXXXXX         393,020
   Other investments                                 4,055      XXXXXXXXXX           4,055
  
             Total investments                  $3,251,350      XXXXXXXXXX      $3,302,311

   (a) - Includes mortgage-backed securities with a cost and market value of $105,855 and $105,510,
         respectively.

   (b) - Includes mortgage-backed securities with a cost and market value of $561,994 and $574,685,
         respectively.
   </TABLE>
<PAGE>
PAGE 2
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SCHEDULE V - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS ($ thousands)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993

 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, 1995
 ------------------------------
 Reserve for
  Fixed Maturities      $ 0             $  9            $0              $0             $ 9

 For the year ended
   December 31, 1994
 ------------------------------
 Reserve for
  Fixed Maturities      $77             $(77)           $0              $0             $ 0

 For the year ended
   December 31, 1993
 ------------------------------
 Reserve for
  Fixed Maturities      $79             $ (2)           $0              $0             $77

</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PAGE 3

                 Report of Independent Auditors


The Board of Directors
American Enterprise Life Insurance Company



We have audited the financial statements of American Enterprise
Life Insurance Company (a wholly owned subsidiary of IDS Life
Insurance Company) as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995, and have
issued our report thereon dated February 2, 1996 (included
elsewhere in this Registration Statement).

Our audits also included the financial statement schedules listed
in Item 24(b) 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 2, 1996

WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE>                                 6
<CIK>
<NAME>       American Enterprise Bank Variable Annuity Account
<SERIES>
<NAME>
<NUMBER>
<MULTIPLIER>                              1                1
<CURRENCY>                      U.S. DOLLAR       U.S.DOLLAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               DEC-31-1996       DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                  JAN-01-1996       FEB-21-1995
<PERIOD-END>                    SEP-30-1996       DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    NINE-MONTH              YEAR
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                           1                 1
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>              24025999           7998915
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>             25479858           8348065
<RECEIVABLES>                         20906            134527
<ASSETS-OTHER>                            0                 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                      0                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                     25500764           8482592
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                  0                 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                   0                 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>           (55031)           (141991)
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                 (55031)           (141991)
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                           0                 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                  0                 0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>              19011056           6913568
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                     0                 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                 0                 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                    0                 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                   0                 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTIONS-GAINS>                 0                 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                  0                 0
<NET-ASSETS>                       25445733           8340601
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                    486036             63901
<INTEREST-INCOME>                         0                 0
<OTHER-INCOME>                            0                 0
<EXPENSES-NET>                      (195422)           (27708)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>              290614             36193
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>              20292              9278
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>           1104708            349151
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>               1415614            394622
<EQUALIZATION>                            0                 0
<DISTRIBUTION-OF-INCOME>                  0                 0
<DISTRIBUTION-OF-GAINS>                   0                 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                     0                 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>            13101497           7075120
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>        (1004009)          (161552)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                       0                 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>             17105132           8340601
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                   0                 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                 0                 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                   0                 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                0                 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                     0                 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                        0                 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                     (195422)           (27708)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                8557566           4170301
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                     0                 0
<PER-SHARE-NII>                           0                 0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                   0                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                 0                 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                      0                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                       0                 0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                           0                 0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                    0                 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                      0                 0
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE>                                                      7
<LEGEND>
<CIK>
<NAME>                American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
<MULTIPLIER>                                                1000
<CURRENCY>                                           U.S. DOLLAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                      DEC-31-1996   DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                         JAN-01-1996   JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                           SEP-30-1996   DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-TYPE>                           NINE-MONTH          YEAR
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                  1             1
[DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE]                       1871495       1596985
[DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE]                      1291545       1308251
[DEBT-MARKET-VALUE]                        1283488       1357977
[EQUITIES]                                       0             2
[MORTGAGE]                                  557916        393020
[REAL-ESTATE]                                    0             0
[TOTAL-INVEST]                             3724261       3302311
[CASH]                                       26297         42896
[RECOVER-REINSURE]                               0             0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISTION>                       191375        170574
[TOTAL-ASSETS]                             4023755       3570960
[POLICY-LOSSES]                            3658080       3155651
[UNEARNED-PREMIUMS]                              0             0
[POLICY-OTHER]                                   0             0
[POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS]                        28261         11641
[NOTES-PAYABLE]                                  0             0
[COMMON]                                      2000          2000
[PREFERRED-MANDATORY]                            0             0
[PREFERRED]                                      0             0
[OTHER-SE]                                  278220        294816
[TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY]               4023755       3570960
[PREMIUMS]                                       0             0
[INVESTMENT-INCOME]                         197700        223706
[INVESTMENT-GAINS]                           (4212)        (1154)
[OTHER-INCOME]                                3987          4214
[BENEFITS]                                  138006        162662
[UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION]                  22414         20459
[UNDERWRITING-OTHER]                         10002         10205
[INCOME-PRETAX]                              27053         33440
[INCOME-TAX]                                  9465         11692
[INCOME-CONTINUING]                          17588         21748
[DISCONTINUED]                                   0             0
[EXTRAORDINARY]                                  0             0
[CHANGES]                                        0             0
[NET-INCOME]                                 17588         21748
[EPS-PRIMARY]                                    0             0
[EPS-DILUTED]                                    0             0
[RESERVE-OPEN]                                   0             0
[PROVISION-CURRENT]                              0             0
[PROVISION-PRIOR]                                0             0
[PAYMENTS-CURRENT]                               0             0
[PAYMENTS-PRIOR]                                 0             0
[RESERVE-CLOSE]                                  0             0
[CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY]                          0             0


</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission