AMERICAN ENTERPRISE VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
N-4/A, 1997-05-01
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PAGE 1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C.  20549

                                    FORM N-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933        X

     Pre-Effective Amendment No.   1   (File No. 333-20217)

     Post-Effective Amendment No.

                                     and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT 1940

     Amendment No.   2   (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) 671-7981

  Colin M. Lancaster, 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: May 12, 1997
(check appropriate box)
    immediately  upon filing  pursuant to  paragraph  (b) of Rule 485
    on (date), 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 Rule 24-f of the Investment  Company Act
of 1940.




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PAGE 2
                              CROSS REFERENCE SHEET

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
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Section in
                  Section                                    Statement of
  Item No.        in Prospectus                 Item No.     Additional Information
<S> <C>           <C>                             <C>        <C>
    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
     (b)          Performance information         18(a)      NA
     (c)          Financial statements              (b)      NA
                                                    (c)      Independent auditors
    5(a)          About American                    (d)      NA
                    Enterprise Life                 (e)      NA
     (b)          The variable account              (f)      NA
     (c)          The funds
     (d)          Cover page and the funds        19(a)      Making the most of your annuity*
     (e)          Voting rights                     (b)      NA
     (f)          NA
                                                  20(a)      Principal underwriter
    6(a)          Charges                           (b)      Principal underwriter
     (b)          Expense summary                   (c)      NA
     (c)          Other information on              (d)      NA
                    charges                         (d)      NA
     (d)          Distribution of
                    contracts                     21(a)      Performance information
     (e)          NA                                (b)      Performance information
     (f)          NA
                                                  22         Calculating Annuity Payouts
    7(a)          Buying your annuity
                  Benefits in case of             23(a)      NA
                  death; The annuity                (b)      NA
                    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




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 PAGE 3
   11(a)          Withdrawals from your contract
     (b)          NA
     (c)          Receiving payment when you
                    request a withdrawal
     (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
</TABLE>

*Designates section in the prospectus, which is hereby incorporated by reference
in this Statement of Additional Information.


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PAGE 4

   
AEL PreferredSM Variable Annuity
____________________, 1997
Variable Annuity Prospectus

The AEL PreferredSM  Variable  Annuity 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  (AEFC).  Purchase
payments may be allocated among different  accounts,  providing  variable and/or
fixed returns and payouts.  The annuity is available for  individual  retirement
accounts  (IRAs),  simplified  employee  pension plans (SEPs),  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:  800-333-3437.

This Prospectus contains  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 Funds (describing IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund, IDS
Life Capital Resource Fund, IDS Life Managed Fund, IDS Life Special Income Fund,
and IDS Life Moneyshare Fund), and Putnam Variable Trust  (describing  Putnam VT
Diversified  Income Fund,  Putnam VT Growth and Income  Fund,  Putnam VT Voyager
Fund,  Putnam VT Global  Growth  Fund,  and Putnam VT New  Opportunities  Fund).
Please read these documents carefully and keep them for future reference.
    
These  securities  have not been approved or  disapproved  by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, or any state securities commission,  nor has the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission  or any state  securities  commission  passed upon the
accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.

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.

   
A Statement of Additional Information (SAI) dated _______1997,  (incorporated by
reference  into  this  prospectus)   filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission (SEC), 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.
    




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PAGE 5
                                Table of contents
   
Key terms.....................................................
The AEL PreferredSM Variable Annuity in brief.................
Expense summary...............................................
Condensed financial information (unaudited)...................
Financial statements..........................................
Performance information.......................................
The variable account..........................................
The funds.....................................................
     IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund..........................
     IDS Life Capital Resource Fund...........................
     IDS Life Managed Fund....................................
     IDS Life Special Income Fund.............................
     IDS Life Moneyshare Fund.................................
     Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund........................
     Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund.........................
     Putnam VT Voyager Fund...................................
     Putnam VT Global Growth Fund.............................
     Putnam VT New Opportunities 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.................................................
Substitution of investments...................................
Distribution of the contracts.................................
About American Enterprise Life................................
    


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PAGE 6
Regular and special reports...................................
      Services................................................
      Table of contents of the Statement of Additional
      Information.............................................




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PAGE 7
Key terms

These terms can help you understand details about your annuity.

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

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)  - 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 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.



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PAGE 8

   
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.

Systematic  Investment  Plan - A  payment  method  you set up with  your bank to
automatically  make monthly  investments  to your annuity from your bank account
(SIP).

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 separate  subaccounts  to which you may allocate
purchase payments;  each invests in shares of one mutual fund. The value of your
investment  in each  variable  subaccount  changes with the  performance  of the
particular fund.

Variable  annuity - An  insurance  contract  in which  payouts to the owner vary
depending on the performance of the subaccounts.  In a variable annuity, payouts
may increase or decrease.

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.
   
The AEL PreferredSM Variable Annuity in brief

Purpose:  The AEL PreferredSM Variable Annuity 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 to 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.)
    



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PAGE 9
Accounts:  You may allocate your purchase payments among any or all of:

   
o     ten variable subaccounts of the variable account, each of
      which invests in a mutual fund with a particular investment
      objective.  The value of each variable subaccount varies with
      the performance of the particular fund.  We cannot guarantee
      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.
   
o     Minimum initial payment - $2,000 (waived for SIPs)
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. )


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PAGE 10
   
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
be taxed on the income if you are the owner. (p. )

Charges:  Your AEL  PreferredSM  Variable  Annuity  annuity  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 upon total withdrawal or when annuity payouts begin. (p. )

Expense summary

The  purpose  of this  table is to help you  understand  the  various  costs and
expenses associated with the AEL PreferredSM Variable Annuity.

You pay no sales charge when you purchase the AEL PreferredSM  Variable Annuity.
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."

Contract Owner Expenses*

Withdrawal charge

            (contingent deferred sales
            charge as percent of payments)

            Contract Years From                 Withdrawal Charge
            Payment Receipt                       Percentage
                   1                                  8%
                   2                                  7%
                   3                                  6%
                   4                                  5%
                   5                                  4%
                   6                                  2%
               Thereafter                             0%

            Annual Contract
            Administrative Charge:                  $30

Variable Account Annual Expenses

            Variable Account Administrative Charge
            (as a percentage of daily net asset value)......0.15%

            Mortality and Expense Risk Fee
            (as a percentage of daily net asset value)......1.25%

            Total Variable Account Annual Expenses..........1.40%
    



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PAGE 11
*Premium taxes imposed by some state and local governments may be
applicable.  They are not reflected.

Annual Operating Expenses of Underlying Mutual Funds (as a
percentage of average net assets)*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                       IDS Life      IDS Life                  IDS Life
                       Aggressive    Capital      IDS Life     Special      IDS Life
                       Growth        Resource      Managed     Income       Moneyshare

<S>                       <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>            <C> 
Management fees           .60%         .60%         .59%        .59%           .50%

Other expenses            .09          .08          .07         .10            .06

Total                     .69%**       .68%**       .66%**      .69%**         .56%**

                       Putnam VT       Putnam VT
                      Diversified     Growth and    Putnam VT    Putnam VT       Putnam VT New
                        Income          Income       Voyager     Global Growth    Opportunities

Management fees          .70%            .49%          57%         .60%              .63%

Other expenses           .13             .05           .06         .16               .09

Total                    .83%+           .54%+         .63%+       .76%+             .72%+
    
  *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, 1996.
  +Operating expenses of the underlying mutual funds at Dec. 31, 1996.

Example:*

                        IDS Life       IDS Life                 IDS Life
                       Aggressive      Capital      IDS Life     Special       IDS Life
                         Growth        Resource      Managed     Income       Moneyshare

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                 $102.13        $102.03      $101.84     $102.13      $100.85

 3 years                 128.22         127.92       127.33      128.22       124.37

 5years                  156.86         156.37       155.38      156.86       150.41

10 years                 250.59         249.59       247.60      250.59       237.56
    
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                 $ 22.13        $ 22.03      $ 21.84     $ 22.13      $ 20.85

 3 years                  68.22          67.92        67.33       68.22        64.37

 5 years                 116.86         116.37       115.38      116.86       110.41

10 years                 250.59         249.59       247.60      250.59       237.56
    

                    Putnam VT         Putnam VT
                    Diversified       Growth and    Putnam VT  Putnam VT      Putnam VT New
                      Income           Income        Voyager   Global Growth  Opportunities

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                 $103.50           $100.66   $101.54     $102.82      $102.42

 3 years                 132.35            123.77    126.44      130.29       129.11

 5 years                 163.76            149.41    153.89      160.32       158.35

10 years                 264.41            235.53    244.60      257.53       253.57
</TABLE>
    


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PAGE 12
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:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
<S>                     <C>               <C>       <C>         <C>          <C>    
 1 year                 $ 23.50           $ 20.66   $ 21.54     $ 22.82      $ 22.42

 3 years                  72.35             63.77     66.44       70.29        69.11

 5 years                 123.76            109.41    113.89      120.32       118.35

10 years                 264.41            235.53    244.60      257.53       253.57
</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 .177% charge based on the estimated average contract size.

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)
                                                                             Period from
                                                      Year ended             Feb. 21 to
                                                      Dec. 31, 1996        Dec. 31, 1995*

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>                   <C>
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................     $1.47                 $1.28
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted).................................     1,324                   473
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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................     $1.27                 $1.20
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted)..........................     2,350                   818
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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................     $1.36                 $1.18
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted).................................     1,546                   589
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................     $1.24                 $1.17
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted).................................     1,377                   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................     $1.07                 $1.03
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted).................................       241                   132
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
Simple yield............................................      3.26%                 3.53%
Compound yield..........................................      3.32%                 3.59%



<PAGE>



PAGE 13
Condensed Financial Information continued

                                                                             Period from
                                                      Year ended             Feb. 21 to
                                                      Dec. 31, 1996        Dec. 31, 1995*

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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................     $1.23                 $1.15
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted).................................     1,824                   601
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................     $1.53                 $1.27
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted).................................     3,655                 1,152
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................     $1.51                 $1.39
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted).................................     2,980                   691
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
</TABLE>

Financial statements

The SAI dated ______, 1997 contains:

the audited financials of the variable account including:

- - statements of net assets as of Dec. 31, 1996;

- - statements of operations for the year ended Dec. 31, 1996 and for
the period from Feb. 21, 1995 (commencement of operations) to Dec.
31, 1995;

- - statements of changes in net assets for the year ended Dec. 31,
1996 and for the period from Feb. 21, 1995 (commencement of
operations) to Dec. 31, 1995.

the audited financial statements of American Enterprise Life
including:

- - balance sheets as of Dec. 31, 1996 and Dec. 31 1995; and

- - related statements of income and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended Dec. 31, 1996.

The SAI does not include financial statments for subaccounts EVO and EGG because
these are new subaccounts and do not have a performance history.
    



<PAGE>



PAGE 14
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 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 offered prior to  ____________,  1997, which it was not. Before the
subaccounts  EVO and EGG began  investing  in Putnam VT  Voyager  and  Putnam VT
Global Growth Funds,  the figures show what the  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.
    

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.

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 withdrawal at 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 risk fee, variable account
administrative charge, and withdrawal charge, assuming a



<PAGE>



PAGE 15
withdrawal at the end of the illustrated period. Optional aggregate 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 Capital Resource Fund                               ECR
IDS Life Managed Fund                                        EMG
IDS Life Special Income Fund                                 ESI
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund                                     EMS
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund                            EDI
Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund                             EGI
Putnam VT Voyager Fund                                       EVO
Putnam VT Global Growth Fund                                 EGG
Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund                             ENO

   
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. Each variable subaccount's net assets are held in relation
to the contracts  described in this prospectus as well as other variable annuity
contracts that we issue that are not described in this prospectus.
    

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.




<PAGE>



PAGE 16
The funds

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

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:  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.
    

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.
   
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund
Objective: high current income consistent with capital preservation by investing
in the following three sectors of the fixed income  securities  markets:  a U.S.
Government Sector, High Yield Sector which invests primarily in securities known
as "junk bonds" and an International  Sector.  Consult the Putnam Variable Trust
prospectus  for further  information  on the risks  associated  with this fund's
investments in higher-yield, higher-risk fixed income securities.

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

Putnam VT Voyager Fund
Objective:  capital  appreciation  by  investing  in common  stocks of companies
believed  to have  potential  for  capital  appreciation  that is  significantly
greater than that of market averages.

Putnam VT Global Growth Fund
Objective: capital appreciation by investing in a globally diversified portfolio
of common stocks.
    



<PAGE>



PAGE 17

   
Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund
Objective:  long-term  capital  appreciation by investing  principally in common
stocks of companies in sectors of the economy  that Putnam  Management  believes
possess above average long-term growth potential.
    

More  comprehensive  information  regarding  each fund is contained in that fund
prospectus. You should read the fund prospectus and consider carefully, and on a
continuing  basis,  which fund or  combination  of funds is best  suited to your
long-term investment needs. There is no assurance that the investment objectives
of the funds will be attained nor is there any guarantee that the contract value
will equal or exceed the total purchase  payments  made.  Some funds may involve
more risk than others. Please monitor your investment accordingly.

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  that 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.




<PAGE>



PAGE 18
   
IDS Life is the  investment  manager for each of the IDS Life funds and American
Express Financial Corporation is the investment advisor for each of the IDS Life
funds.  Putnam Investment  Management,  Inc., is the investment  manager for the
Putnam VT funds.

The investment  managers and advisors cannot  guarantee that the funds will meet
their investment  objectives.  Please read the funds'  prospectuses 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 also may 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 become an annuitant if you are 86 or older (age 76
or older for qualified annuities).

When you apply, you may select:
o  the subaccount(s) and/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.
    



<PAGE>



PAGE 19

   
If your  application  is complete,  we will  process it and apply your  purchase
payment to your  subaccount(s)  and fixed account within two business days after
we receive it at our Minneapolis  administrative  office. If your application is
accepted,  we will send you a contract.  If we cannot  accept  your  application
within five business  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  after  we  receive  and  accept  your  payments  at  our   Minneapolis
administrative office.
    

You may make monthly payments to your Annuity under a Systematic Investment Plan
(SIP). Under the SIP, you will make monthly payments into your annuity. To begin
the SIP,  you will  complete and send a form and your first  payment  along with
your  application.  You can stop your SIP payments at any time. If your contract
value is less  than  $2,000  and you have  not  made  any SIP  payments  for six
consecutive  months,  we have the right to give you 30 days written  notice that
your balance has fallen below the $2,000  threshold.  If no additional  payments
are made to your  annuity,  we may pay you the total  value of your  annuity and
cancel your contract.

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).

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; and
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.




<PAGE>



PAGE 20
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 initial payment

   
If SIP is concurrently set up:      $0 with application
If SIP is not concurrently set up:  $2,000 with application
    

Minimum additional purchase payment(s):     $50

Maximum payment(s):     $1,000,000 of cumulative payments without
                        prior approval

How to make payments

By letter

   
Send your check along with your name and contract 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

By SIP:

   
Contact your agent to complete the necessary SIP forms.
    

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.  If you make  payments  to your  annuity  under a SIP,  we will deduct the
contract  administrative  charge on any contract  anniversary when your contract
value is $2,000 or more but less than $50,000. We will waive this charge



<PAGE>



PAGE 21
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  accumulation  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 pay a death benefit and 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 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 may use any profits  realized from the mortality and expense risk 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 contract value not yet
withdrawn  this  contract  year.  There is no withdrawal  charge on  withdrawals
totaling up to 10% of your prior anniversary contract value each contract year.



<PAGE>



PAGE 22
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  purchase  payments  received  seven or more
contract years before the withdrawal and not previously  withdrawn.  There is no
withdrawal  charge on purchase  payments  received  seven or more contract years
before withdrawal.

   
4. Finally,  if necessary,  we withdraw  purchase  payments  received in the six
contract  years before the  withdrawal.  There is a  withdrawal  charge on these
payments.  We determine your  withdrawal  charges by  multiplying  each of these
payments by the applicable  withdrawal charge percentage,  and then totaling the
withdrawal charges.

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

Contract Years From                           Withdrawal Charge
  Payment Receipt                                Percentage
         1                                           8%
         2                                           7%
         3                                           6%
         4                                           5%
         5                                           4%
         6                                           2%
    Thereafter                                       0%

Withdrawal charge calculation example

   
The  following is an example of the  calculation  we would make to determine the
withdrawal charge on a contract with this history:
    

o     The contract  date is July 1, 1997 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, 1997, $8,000 Dec.
      31, 2003 and $6,000 Feb. 20, 2005

o     The owner withdraws the contract for its total withdrawal
      value of $38,101 on Aug. 5, 2007 and had not made any other
      withdrawals during that contract year

o     The prior anniversary (July 1, 2007) contract value was
      $38,488




<PAGE>



PAGE 23 is calculated this way:

Withdrawal Charge    Explanation
     $0                 $3,848.80 is 10% of the prior anniversary 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, 1997 payment was received seven
                        or more contract years before withdrawal and is
                        withdrawn without withdrawal charge; and

     $320               $8,000 Dec. 31, 2003 is in its fifth contract
                        year from receipt, withdrawn with a 4%
                        withdrawal charge; and

   
     $300               $6,000 Feb. 20, 2005 is in its fourth contract
                        year from receipt, withdrawn with a 5%
                        withdrawal charge.
     ----
     $620
    

The  withdrawal  charge  is  calculated  so that  the  total  amount  minus  the
withdrawal  charge  equals  the amount you  request  when you  request a partial
withdrawal.  If you take a full withdrawal from your contract,  the $30 contract
administrative charge also 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.

Your contract includes a "Waiver of Withdrawal Charges" provision. We will waive
withdrawal  charges that are normally assessed upon a full or partial withdrawal
if both you and the annuitant are under age 76 on the date we issue the contract
and if you provide proof 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



<PAGE>



PAGE 24
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.

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 your state of residence or the state in which the
contract was sold.  The deduction is made when you fully  withdraw your contract
or when annuity payouts begin.

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.  Please remember
that investment performance,  expenses, and deductions of certain charges affect
accumulation unit value.
    

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.




<PAGE>



PAGE 25
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 Determined each business day by:

o     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.

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
      subaccount(s);
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 net asset value of underlying mutual fund(s);
o     dividends distributed to the variable subaccount(s);
o     capital gains or losses of underlying mutual fund(s);
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.  The  benefits of
dollar cost averaging  also may be obtained by setting up regular  automatic SIP
payments.




<PAGE>



PAGE 26
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.

                               How dollar-cost averaging works
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Month       Amount       Accumulation   Number of units
                                          invested       unit value      purchased
<S>                            <C>         <C>              <C>            <C>
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>

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.
Because  this  strategy  involves  continuous   investing,   your  success  with
dollar-cost  averaging  will depend upon your  willingness to continue to invest
regularly through periods of low price levels.  Dollar-cost  averaging can be an
effective way 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 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



<PAGE>



PAGE 27

   
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 "Transfer policies.")
    

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.

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,   contract   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
       




<PAGE>



PAGE 28
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  subaccount(s) or
fixed account 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.

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



<PAGE>



PAGE 29
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 sub accounts  and/or fixed account in the
same  proportion as your value in each  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.

   
NOTE:  You will be charged a fee if you request express mail delivery.
    

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 reasonable procedures to confirm  authenticity.  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



<PAGE>



PAGE 30
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 annuity payouts begin,
and the spouse is the only beneficiary, the spouse may keep the annuity as owner
until  the  date on  which  the  spouse  reaches  age 70 1/2 or any  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;



<PAGE>



PAGE 31

   
o  payouts begin no later than one year after death, or other date
   as permitted by the Code; 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:

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 you elect. This
election will  determine the length of the payout period to the  beneficiary  if
the annuitant
    



<PAGE>



PAGE 32
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  while both the  annuitant  and a joint  annuitant  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 that you
elect.  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 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.



<PAGE>



PAGE 33
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
according to our records.
    

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  made
prior to 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  income  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:  For  nonqualified
annuities  any annual  increase in the value of annuities  held by such entities
generally will be treated as ordinary  income  received  during that 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
remain 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:



<PAGE>



PAGE 34
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 your annual tax return.

If the  payment is part of an annuity  payout  plan,  the amount of  withholding
generally is computed using payroll tables.  You may provide us with a statement
of how many  exemptions to use in calculating  the  withholding.  As long as you
have provided us with a valid Social Security number or taxpayer  identification
number, you may 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 may elect  not to have  this  withholding
occur.
    
Some  states may 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 for income tax  purposes,  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.
    

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.




<PAGE>



PAGE 35
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 a 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;
o     divided by 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 36
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  subaccount(s)  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

   
AEL PreferredSM Variable Annuity is issued by American Enterprise Life. American
Enterprise  Life  is  a  wholly-owned   subsidiary  of  IDS  Life,  which  is  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary of AEFC. AEFC is a wholly-owned  subsidiary of American
Express  Company.  American  Express  Company is a  financial  services  company
principally engaged through subsidiaries (in addition to AEFC) 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.




<PAGE>



PAGE 37

   
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  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 AEFC.

The AEFC 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 PreferredSM Variable Annuity

____ IDS Life Retirement Annuity Mutual Funds

____ Putnam Variable Trust




<PAGE>



PAGE 38
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 39
















                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                       for

   
                        AEL PREFERREDSM VARIABLE ANNUITY
    

                  AMERICAN ENTERPRISE VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT

                               ____________, 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 ______,  1997, is not a
prospectus.  It should be read together with the prospectus dated ______,  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
800-333-3437



<PAGE>



PAGE 40
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

   
Financial Statements
        American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
        American Exterprise Life Insurance Company
    


<PAGE>



PAGE 41
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 offered prior to _____, 1997, which it was not. Before the
subaccounts   began  investing  in  these  funds,  the  figures  show  what  the
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 Dec. 31, 1996

   
Subaccount investing in:      Simple Yield        Compound Yield
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund          3.26%                3.32%
    

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 investment income per accumulation unit by the value
of an  accumulation  unit  on  the  last  day of the  period,  according  to the
following formula:




<PAGE>



PAGE 42
                               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 Dec. 31, 1996

Subaccount investing in:         Yield
IDS Life Special Income           7.22%
    

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 10 year (or other) period
               at the end of the one,  five,  or 10 year (or  other)  period (or
               fractional portion thereof)
    



<PAGE>



PAGE 43
Average Annual Total Return For Period Ended Dec. 31, 1996

Average Annual Total Return with Withdrawal
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                                                               Since
Subaccount investing in:*                    1 Year     5 Year     10 Year     Inception
- -----------------------
<S>                                          <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>
IDS LIFE
  Aggressive Growth Fund (1/92)               7.49%        --%         --%       10.09%
  Capital Resource Fund (10/81)              -0.39       6.50       12.10           --
  Managed Fund (4/86)                         8.24       8.80       10.74           --
  Moneyshare Fund (10/81)                    -3.06       2.08        3.84           --
  Special Income Fund (10/81)                -1.31       7.73        7.20           --

PUTNAM VT
  Diversified Income Fund (9/93)              0.38         --          --          4.36
  Global Growth (5/97)                       10.20      11.86          --         10.09
  Growth and Income Fund (2/88)              13.10      14.02          --         13.94
  Voyager Fund (5/97)                         5.97      15.81          --         17.16
  New Opportunities Fund (5/94)               1.62         --          --         20.31

Average Annual Total Return without Withdrawal

                                                                               Since
Subaccount Investing in:*                    1 Year     5 Year     10 Year     Inception
- -----------------------
IDS LIFE
  Aggressive Growth Fund (1/92)              14.49%        --%         --%         10.64%
  Capital Resource Fund (10/81)               6.36       6.81       12.10             --
  Managed Fund (4/86)                        15.24       9.08       10.74             --
  Moneyshare Fund (10/81)                     3.48       2.45        3.84             --
  Special Income Fund (10/81)                 5.37       8.03        7.20             --

PUTNAM VT
  Diversified Income Fund (9/93)              7.18         --          --            5.66
  Global Growth (5/97)                       17.20      12.11          --           10.09
  Growth and Income Fund (2/88)              20.10      14.26          --           13.94
  Voyager Fund (5/97)                        12.97      16.03          --           17.16
  New Opportunities Fund (5/94)               8.52         --          --           22.02
</TABLE>
    
 *inception dates of the funds are shown in parentheses.

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

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



<PAGE>



PAGE 44
               10 year (or other) period at the end of the one,
               five, or 10 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 10 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.

Total return figures reflect the deduction of all applicable  charges  including
the contract  administrative charge, the variable account 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 The Bank Rate Monitor  National  Index,
Barron's, Business Week, CDA Technologies,  Donoghue's Money Market Fund Report,
Financial  Services Week,  Financial Times,  Financial World,  Forbes,  Fortune,
Global Investor,  Institutional Investor, Investor's Daily, Kiplinger's Personal
Finance, Lipper Analytical Services, Money, Morningstar, Mutual Fund Forecaster,
Newsweek,  The New  York  Times,  Personal  Investor,  Stranger  Report,  Sylvia
Porter's Personal Finance,  USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street
Journal and Wiesenberger Investment Companies Service.
    

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; then
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 45
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:

This value is determined each business day by:

o 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 46
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 AEL PreferredSM  Variable Annuity.  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 - AEL
PreferredSM Variable Annuity Subaccounts  including the statements of net assets
as of Dec. 31, 1996, and 1995,  and the related  statement of operations for the
year ended Dec. 31, 1996,  and the  statements  of changes in net assets for the
year ended Dec. 31, 1996,  and 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, 1996 and 1995 and for each of the three  years in the period  ended
Dec.  31, 1996,  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  _____,1997,  is  hereby  incorporated  in  this  SAI  by
reference.


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account -- AEL Preferred Variable Annuity Subaccounts
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Net Assets*                                                                                        Dec. 31, 1996


                                                                          Segregated Asset Subaccounts
                                                   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets                                                  EAG            ECR            EMG             ESI            EMS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>         <C>           <C>              <C>              <C>
Investments in shares of mutual funds,
at market value:
IDS Life  Aggressive Growth Fund -
124,152 shares at net asset value
of $15.66 per share (cost $1,944,162)                  $1,944,270  $             $            -   $           -    $        -
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund -
126,400 shares at net asset value
of $23.68 per share (cost $3,252,829)                           -       2,992,860             -               -             -
IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc. -
125,309 shares at net asset value
of $16.77 per share (cost $1,993,797)                           -             -       2,101,885               -             -
IDS Life Special Income Fund -
143,132 shares at net asset value
of $11.90 per share (cost $1,684,234)                           -             -               -       1,702,800             -
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund, Inc. -
256,743 shares at  net asset value
of $1.00 per share (cost $256,721)                              -             -               -               -       256,723
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund -
199,566 shares at net asset value
of $11.27 per share (cost $2,151,028)                           -             -               -               -             -
Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund -
228,348 shares at net asset value
of $24.56 per share (cost $4,944,570)                           -             -               -               -             -
Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund -
261,611 shares at net asset value
of $17.22 per share (cost $4,340,197)                           -             -               -               -             -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        1,944,270     2,992,860       2,101,885       1,702,800       256,723
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends receivable                                            -             -               -          10,373         1,085
Accounts receivable from American Enterprise Life
for contract purchase payments                                257             -           2,756           2,728             -
Receivable from mutual funds for
share redemptions                                               -         5,217               -               -             -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                            1,944,527     2,998,077       2,104,641       1,715,901       257,808
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable to American Enterprise Life for:
  Mortality and expense risk fee                            2,102         3,236           2,227           1,809           277
  Contract terminations                                         -         5,217               -               -             -
  Administrative charge                                       420           648             446             362            55
Payable to mutual funds for investments
   purchased                                                  273             -           2,756          10,930           753
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities                                           2,795         9,101           5,429          13,101         1,085
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets applicable to contracts in
   accumulation period                                 $1,941,732    $2,988,976      $2,099,212      $1,702,800      $256,723
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation units outstanding                          1,323,955     2,350,045       1,545,535       1,377,190       240,823
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value per accumulation unit                       $1.47         $1.27           $1.36           $1.24         $1.07
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Subaccounts EVO and EGG had no activity in 1996.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account -- AEL Preferred Variable Annuity Subaccounts
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Net Assets* - continued                                                             Dec. 31, 1996

                                                           Segregated Asset Subaccounts                Combined
                                                   ---------------------------------------------       Variable
Assets                                                  EDI            EGI            ENO              Combined
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>             <C>           <C>             <C>
Investments in shares of mutual funds,
at market value:
IDS Life  Aggressive Growth Fund -
124,152 shares at net asset value
of $15.66 per share (cost $1,944,162)               $           -  $          -  $            -  $     1,944,270
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund -
126,400 shares at net asset value
of $23.68 per share (cost $3,252,829)                           -             -               -        2,992,860
IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc. -
125,309 shares at net asset value
of $16.77 per share (cost $1,993,797)                           -             -               -        2,101,885
IDS Life Special Income Fund -
143,132 shares at net asset value
of $11.90 per share (cost $1,684,234)                           -             -               -        1,702,800
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund, Inc. -
256,743 shares at  net asset value
of $1.00 per share (cost $256,721)                              -             -               -          256,723
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund -
199,566 shares at net asset value
of $11.27 per share (cost $2,151,028)                   2,249,106             -               -        2,249,106
Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund -
228,348 shares at net asset value
of $24.56 per share (cost $4,944,570)                           -     5,608,219               -        5,608,219
Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund -
261,611 shares at net asset value
of $17.22 per share (cost $4,340,197)                           -             -       4,504,945        4,504,945
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        2,249,106     5,608,219       4,504,945       21,360,808
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends receivable                                            -             -               -           11,458
Accounts receivable from American Enterprise Life
for contract purchase payments                              4,148         4,488          92,319          106,696
Receivable from mutual funds for
share redemptions                                               -             -               -            5,217
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                            2,253,254     5,612,707       4,597,264       21,484,179
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable to American Enterprise Life for:
  Mortality and expense risk fee                            2,427         6,057           4,748           22,883
  Contract terminations                                         -             -               -            5,217
  Administrative charge                                       485         1,211             949            4,576
Payable to mutual funds for investments
   purchased                                                4,148         4,488          92,319          115,667
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities                                           7,060        11,756          98,016          148,343
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets applicable to contracts in
   accumulation period                                 $2,246,194    $5,600,951      $4,499,248      $21,335,836
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation units outstanding                          1,824,245     3,655,312       2,979,587
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value per accumulation unit                       $1.23         $1.53           $1.51
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Subaccounts EVO and EGG had no activity in 1996.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account -- AEL Preferred Variable Annuity Subaccounts
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Operations*                                                               Year ended Dec. 31, 1996


                                                                   Segregated Asset Subaccounts
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            EAG               ECR             EMG           ESI           EMS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>               <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Investment income:
Dividend income from mutual funds        $195,247          $ 447,677      $ 161,548      $ 92,432       $  6,603
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risk fee             16,404             26,117         17,962        14,742          1,685
Administrative charge                       3,281              5,224          3,592         2,948            337
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses                             19,685             31,341         21,554        17,690          2,022
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income (loss) - net            175,562            416,336        139,994        74,742          4,581
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments - net

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain (loss) on sales of investments in mutual funds:
Proceeds from sales                        95,714            117,410        120,540       152,258        153,012
Cost of investments sold                   90,385            119,504        113,153       153,718        153,013
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gain (loss) on investments     5,329             (2,094)         7,387        (1,460)            (1)
Net change in unrealized appreciation
or depreciation of investments            (25,579)          (287,096)        83,860         5,443              2
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain (loss) on investments            (20,250)          (289,190)        91,247         3,983              1
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase from operations             $155,312          $ 127,146      $ 231,241      $ 78,725       $  4,582
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Subaccounts EVO and EGG had no activity in the year ended Dec. 31, 1996.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account --
AEL Preferred Variable Annuity Subaccounts
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Operations* - continued                                       Year ended Dec. 31, 1996

                                                  Segregated Asset Subaccounts              Combined
                                         ------------------------------------------         Variable
                                            EDI                EGI            ENO            Account
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>               <C>            <C>            <C>
Investment income:
Dividend income from mutual funds        $ 78,310          $ 157,276      $       -      $ 1,139,093
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risk fee             19,862             45,020         37,601          179,393
Administrative charge                       3,972              9,004          7,520           35,878
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses                             23,834             54,024         45,121          215,271
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income (loss) - net             54,476            103,252        (45,121)         923,822
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments - net

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain (loss) on sales of investments in mutual funds:
Proceeds from sales                       200,600            124,207         94,415        1,058,156
Cost of investments sold                  198,770            116,565         87,298        1,032,406
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gain (loss) on investments     1,830              7,642          7,117           25,750
Net change in unrealized appreciation
or depreciation of investments             73,352            575,348         94,114          519,444
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain (loss) on investments             75,182            582,990        101,231          545,194
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase from operations             $129,658          $ 686,242      $  56,110      $ 1,469,016
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Subaccounts EVO and EGG had no activity in the year ended Dec. 31, 1996.

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account -- AEL Preferred Variable Annuity Subaccounts
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets*                                                      Year ended Dec. 31, 1996


                                                                 Segregated Asset Subaccounts
                                         -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations                                   EAG               ECR             EMG           ESI             EMS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>                <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>
Investment income (loss) - net          $   175,562        $  416,336     $   139,994    $   74,742      $   4,581
Net realized gain (loss) on investments       5,329            (2,094)          7,387        (1,460)            (1)
Net change in unrealized appreciation
or depreciation of investments              (25,579)         (287,096)         83,860         5,443              2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase from operations                155,312           127,146         231,241        78,725          4,582
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Transactions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable annuity contract
purchase payments                         1,188,007         1,819,729       1,299,140     1,330,728        277,016
Net transfers**                              44,944           160,697         (54,922)     (128,604)      (160,372)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits and contract charges     (52,750)          (96,464)        (52,330)      (45,696)           (67)
Death benefits                                    -                 -         (18,177)      (17,536)             -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase from contract transactions       1,180,201         1,883,962       1,173,711     1,138,892        116,577
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning of year             606,219           977,868         694,260       485,183        135,564
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of year               $ 1,941,732        $2,988,976     $ 2,099,212    $1,702,800      $ 256,723
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accumulation Unit Activity
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at beginning of year      473,162           817,655         588,760       413,748        131,600
Contract purchase payments                  858,107         1,485,938       1,062,502     1,131,063        263,096
Net transfers**                              32,975           129,540         (44,426)     (109,946)      (153,809)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits and contract charges     (40,289)          (83,088)        (46,345)      (42,442)           (64)
Death benefits                                    -                 -         (14,956)      (15,233)             -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end of year          1,323,955         2,350,045       1,545,535     1,377,190        240,823
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Subaccounts EVO and EGG had no activity in the year ended Dec. 31, 1996.
**Includes  transfer  activity from (to) other Accounts and transfers  (from) to
American Enterprise Life for conversion from (to) Fixed Account.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account -- AEL Preferred Variable Annuity Subaccounts
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets* - continued                              Year ended Dec. 31, 1996

                                                  Segregated Asset Subaccounts                Combined
                                         --------------------------------------------         Variable
Operations                                   EDI               EGI             ENO             Account
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>               <C>            <C>             <C>
Investment income (loss) - net           $   54,476        $  103,252     $   (45,121)    $    923,822
Net realized gain (loss) on investments       1,830             7,642           7,117           25,750
Net change in unrealized appreciation
or depreciation of investments               73,352           575,348          94,114          519,444
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase from operations                129,658           686,242          56,110        1,469,016
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Transactions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable annuity contract
purchase payments                         1,660,528         3,170,351       3,175,961       13,921,460
Net transfers**                            (184,094)          427,988         411,509          517,146
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits and contract charges     (49,780)         (140,638)       (102,255)        (539,980)
Death benefits                                    -            (9,662)              -          (45,375)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase from contract transactions       1,426,654         3,448,039       3,485,215       13,853,251
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning of year             689,882         1,466,670         957,923        6,013,569
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of year                $2,246,194        $5,600,951     $ 4,499,248     $ 21,335,836
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accumulation Unit Activity
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at beginning of year      600,567         1,151,991         690,849
Contract purchase payments                1,425,924         2,299,290       2,086,487
Net transfers**                            (156,974)          310,542         275,115
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits and contract charges     (45,272)          (99,565)        (72,864)
Death benefits                                    -            (6,946)              -
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end of year          1,824,245         3,655,312       2,979,587
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Subaccounts EVO and EGG had no activity in the year ended Dec. 31, 1996.
**Includes  transfer  activity from (to) other Accounts and transfers  (from) to
American Enterprise Life for conversion from (to) Fixed Account.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account --
AEL Preferred Variable Annuity Subaccounts
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets       For the period Feb. 21, 1995 (commencement
                                                     of operations) to Dec. 31, 1995

                                          Segregated Asset Subaccounts             
                            --------------------------------------------------------
Operations                    EAG          ECR         EMG         ESI         EMS 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Investment income
(loss) - net                $   (906)   $ 23,141    $  2,580    $  6,298    $  2,095
Net realized gain
(loss) on investments          1,049       1,094         868         403           -
Net change in unrealized
appreciation or
depreciation of
investments                   25,687      27,127      24,228      13,123           -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase from operations  25,830      51,362      27,676      19,824       2,095
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Transactions                                                              
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable annuity contract
purchase payments            557,366     906,083     668,364     465,579     192,695
Net transfers*                27,715      26,610         816         445     (59,226)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits            (4,692)     (6,187)     (2,596)       (665)          -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase from
contract transactions        580,389     926,506     666,584     465,359     133,469
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning
of period                          -           -           -           -           -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end
of period                   $606,219    $977,868    $694,260    $485,183    $135,564
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Activity                                                         
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at
beginning of period                -           -           -           -           -
Contract purchase payments   454,945     800,247     590,321     413,918     189,518
Net transfers*                22,093      22,925         767         434     (57,918)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits            (3,876)     (5,517)     (2,328)       (604)          -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at
end of period                473,162     817,655     588,760     413,748     131,600
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 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>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account --
AEL Preferred Variable Annuity Subaccounts
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets -- continued

                                    For the period Feb. 21, 1995 (commencement
                                               of operations) to Dec. 31, 1995

                                                                      Combined
                                __Segregated Asset Subaccounts__      Variable
Operations                         EDI         EGI        ENO          Account
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
Investment income
(loss) - net                   $   (685)    $ (2,627)   $ (2,738)   $   27,158
Net realized gain
(loss) on investments               272        1,557       1,494         6,737
Net change in unrealized
appreciation  or
depreciation of
investments                      24,726       88,301      70,635       273,827
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
from operations                  24,313       87,231      69,391       307,722
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Transactions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable annuity contract
purchase payments               667,230    1,410,722     887,679     5,755,718
Net transfers*                      447        9,040      20,208        26,055
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits               (2,108)     (40,323)    (19,355)      (75,926)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase from
contract transactions           665,569    1,379,439     888,532     5,705,847
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning
of period                             -            -           -             -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end
of period                      $689,882   $1,466,670    $957,923    $6,013,569
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Activity
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at
beginning of period                   -            -           -
Contract purchase
payments                        602,054    1,177,088     690,494
Net transfers*                      430        7,402      15,447
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits               (1,917)     (32,499)    (15,092) 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at
end of period                   600,567    1,151,991     690,849
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
* 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>


American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account -- 
AEL Preferred Variable Annuity Subaccounts

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

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account (the Account) was established under
Indiana law on July 15, 1987 and the  subaccounts  are 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 various  subaccounts.  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 of ten subaccounts of the Account
or the fixed account.  The purchase  payments  allocated to the  subaccounts are
then invested in shares of five funds of the IDS Life Retirement  Annuity Mutual
Funds  (collectively,  the IDS Life Funds), or in shares of five funds of Putnam
Variable  Trust  (collectively,  Putnam Funds)  formerly known as Putnam Capital
Manager Trust.

The IDS Life Funds are registered  under the 1940 Act as  diversified,  open-end
management  investment  companies.  IDS Life  Capital  Resource  Fund,  IDS Life
Special Income Fund and IDS Life Moneyshare Fund, Inc. commenced operations Oct.
13, 1981. IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc.  commenced  operations April 30, 1986. IDS
Life  Aggressive  Growth Fund  commenced  operations on Jan. 13, 1992.  Purchase
payments allocated to the EAG subaccount invest in shares of IDS Life Aggressive
Growth Fund; the ECR subaccount  invests in shares of IDS Life Capital  Resource
Fund;  the EMG  subaccount  invests  in shares  of IDS Life  Managed  Fund;  ESI
subaccount  invests  in  shares of IDS Life  Special  Income  Fund;  and the EMS
subaccount invests in shares of IDS Life Moneyshare Fund.

Putnam  Variable  Trust  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 Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund commenced
operations  on Sept.  15, 1993.  The Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund  commenced
operations  on Feb.  1, 1988.  The Putnam VT New  Opportunities  Fund  commenced
operations on May 2, 1994.  The Putnam VT Voyager Fund  commenced  operations on
Feb. 1, 1988.  The Putnam VT Global Growth Fund  commenced  operations on May 1,
1990.  Purchase payments allocated to the EDI subaccount invest in shares of the
Putnam VT Diversified  Income Fund; the EGI subaccount  invests in shares of the
Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund;  the ENO  subaccount  invests in shares of the
Putnam VT New  Opportunities  Fund; the EVO subaccount  invests in shares of the
Putnam VT Voyager Fund and the EGG subaccount invests in shares of the Putnam VT
Global Growth Fund.  The EVO and EGG  subaccounts  will  commence  operations in
1997.

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.  Putnam  Investment  Management,  Inc.  serves as the Putnam  Funds
investment  manager.  Putnam  Mutual Funds serves as  distributor  and principal
underwriter for the Putnam Funds.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Investments in Mutual Funds
Investments  in shares of the IDS Life Funds or the Putnam Funds  (collectively,
the Funds) are stated at market  value which is the net asset value per share as
determined by the respective 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 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.

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 accumulation 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
0.15  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.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.  If you
make payments to your annuity under a simplified employee pension plan (SEP), we
will deduct the contract  administrative charge on any contract anniversary when
your contract value is $2,000 or more but less than $50,000. 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.  Withdrawal Charge

American Enterprise Life will use a withdrawal charge to help it recover certain
expenses  relating to the sale of the  annuity.  The  withdrawal  charge will be
deducted for withdrawals during the first six payment years following a purchase
payment.  Charges by American  Enterprise Life for withdrawals are not available
on an individual  segregated asset subaccount basis.  Charges for all segregated
asset subaccounts amounted to $34,957 in 1996 and $nil in 1995. Such charges are
not an  expense  of the  subaccounts  or the  Account.  They are  deducted  from
contract  withdrawal benefits paid by American Enterprise Life. This charge will
be waived if the withdrawal meets certain provisions as stated in the contract.

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

The  subaccounts'   purchases  of  Fund  shares  (net  of  charges),   including
reinvestment of dividend distributions, were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Year ended Dec. 31,
Subaccount     Investment                                             1996            1995 *
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>                                                 <C>              <C>       
EAG          IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund...............      $ 1,453,339      $  606,633
ECR          IDS Life Capital Resource Fund................        2,420,544         978,959
EMG          IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc....................        1,436,211         691,443
ESI          IDS Life Special Income Fund..................        1,365,892         491,218
EMS          IDS Life Moneyshare Fund, Inc.................          274,170         199,964
EDI          Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund.............        1,683,881         683,408
EGI          Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund..............        3,681,192       1,410,167
ENO          Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund..............        3,539,234         912,517
EVO          Putnam VT Voyager Fund........................               --**            --
EGG          Putnam VT Global Growth Fund..................               --**            --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 $15,854,463      $5,974,309
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 *For the period Feb. 21, 1995 (commencement of operations) to Dec. 31, 1995.
**Subaccounts EVO and EGG had no activity in the year ended Dec. 31, 1996.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account -- 
AEL Preferred Variable Annuity Subaccounts


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 --
AEL Preferred Variable Annuity  Subaccounts  (comprised of subaccounts EAG, ECR,
EMG, ESI,  EMS,  EDI,  EGI,  ENO, EVO and EGG) as of December 31, 1996,  and the
related  statements of operations for the year then ended, and the statements of
changes in net assets for the year ended  December  31,  1996 and 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, 1996 with the  affiliated and
unaffiliated  mutual  fund  managers.  An  audit  also  includes  assessing  the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well
as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material  respects,  the individual and combined  financial  position of the
segregated asset subaccounts of American  Enterprise Variable Annuity Account --
AEL  Preferred  Variable  Annuity  Subaccounts  at  December  31,  1996  and the
individual and combined results of their operations and the changes in their net
assets for the periods  described  above, in conformity with generally  accepted
accounting principles.



ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 21, 1997

<PAGE>

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  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 SHEETS

                                                         Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,
 ASSETS                                                    1996          1995
 ------                                                  ---------     ------
                                                              (thousands)
Investments:
Fixed maturities:
Held to maturity, at amortized cost (Fair value:
1996, $1,267,947; 1995, $1,357,977)                     $1,256,143    $1,308,251
Available for sale, at fair value (Amortized cost:
1996, $2,223,457; 1995, $1,546,025)                      2,242,447     1,596,985
                                                        ----------     ---------
                                                         3,498,590     2,905,236

Mortgage loans on real estate                              582,982       393,020
Other investments                                            3,056         4,055
                                                          --------       -------
                                                         4,084,628     3,302,311

Cash and cash equivalents                                   40,829        42,896
Accrued investment income                                   51,571        41,879
Deferred policy acquisition costs                          203,225       170,574
Other assets                                                14,824         4,817
Separate account assets                                     30,760         8,483
                                                           -------    ----------

Total assets                                            $4,425,837    $3,570,960
                                                          ========      ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

Liabilities:
Future policy benefits for fixed annuities              $3,881,339    $3,155,651
Policy claims and other policyholders' funds                27,427        11,641
Amounts due to brokers                                      88,731           163
Securities sold under repurchase agreements                     --        67,000
Deferred income taxes                                       18,072        24,177
Other liabilities                                           15,650         7,029
Separate account liabilities                                30,760         8,483
                                                           -------       -------
Total liabilities                                        4,061,979     3,274,144

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                                 242,872       177,872
Net unrealized gain on investments                          12,343        33,124
Retained earnings                                          106,643        83,820
                                                          --------       -------
Total stockholder's equity                                 363,858       296,816
                                                          --------      --------

Total liabilities and stockholder's equity              $4,425,837    $3,570,960
                                                          ========      ========
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

See accompanying notes.

<PAGE>


                   AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                                       Years ended Dec. 31,
                                                    1996       1995      1994
                                                            (thousands)

Revenues:
Net investment income                            $271,719   $223,706   $162,201
Contractholder charges                              5,753      4,214      2,753
Net realized loss on investments                   (5,258)    (1,154)    (1,190)
                                                 --------    -------   --------

Total revenues                                    272,214    226,766    163,764

Benefits and expenses:
Interest credited on investment contracts         191,672    162,662    112,977
Amortization of deferred policy
acquisition costs                                  30,674     20,459     14,052
Other operating expenses                           14,133     10,205      6,523
                                                 --------    -------    -------

Total expenses                                    236,479    193,326    133,552
                                                  -------    -------    -------


Income before income taxes                         35,735     33,440     30,212

Income taxes                                       12,912     11,692     10,574
                                                  -------    -------    -------


Net income                                       $ 22,823   $ 21,748    $19,638
                                                   ======     ======     ======




See accompanying notes.


<PAGE>




                   AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
  
                                                       Years ended Dec. 31,
                                                 1996         1995         1994
                                                           (thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                                   $   22,823   $  21,748   $  19,638
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by (used in) operating 
activities:
Change in accrued investment income              (9,692)     (7,951)     (8,543)
Change in deferred policy acquisition
costs, net                                      (32,651)    (32,926)    (37,642)
Change in other assets                          (10,007)     (4,126)       (512)
Change in policy claims and other
policyholders' funds                             15,786      (4,065)      1,270
Change in deferred income taxes                   5,084        (119)     (3,925)
Change in other liabilities                       8,621       2,698         872
(Accretion of discount)
amortization of premium, net                     (2,091)     (2,321)      1,812
Net realized loss on investments                  5,258       1,154       1,190
Other, net                                         (129)         --          --
                                              ----------   --------  ----------

Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities                              3,002     (25,908)    (25,840)
                                                -------     -------     -------

Cash flows from investing activities: 
Fixed maturities held to maturity:
Purchases                                       (16,967)   (252,583)   (136,330)
Maturities                                       26,190      25,754      84,514
Sales                                            27,944      33,849       1,469
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Purchases                                      (921,914)   (485,250)   (569,459)
Maturities                                      212,212      85,629      64,116
Sales                                            47,542      57,576      54,755
Other investments:
Purchases                                      (212,182)   (183,892)   (192,488)
Sales                                            19,850       5,543         112
Change in amounts due to brokers                 88,568     (48,709)     21,181
                                               --------  -----------  ---------

Net cash used in
investing activities                          $(728,757)  $(762,083)  $(672,130)
                                              ---------   ---------   ---------

<PAGE>

                   AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                      STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

                                                     Years ended Dec. 31,
                                               1996          1995         1994
                                                       (thousands)

Cash flows from financing activities: 
Activity related to investment contracts:
Considerations received                    $  846,378   $  709,127   $  745,053
Surrenders and other benefits                (312,362)    (196,260)    (113,644)
Interest credited to
account balances                              191,672      162,662      112,977
Change in securities sold under
repurchase agreements                         (67,000)      67,000      (30,000)
Capital contribution from parent               65,000       35,000       35,000
                                              -------      -------       ------

Net cash provided by
financing activities                          723,688      777,529      749,386
                                             --------     --------      -------

Net (decrease) increase in cash 
and cash equivalents                           (2,067)     (10,462)      51,416

Cash and cash equivalents 
at beginning of year                           42,896       53,358        1,942
                                            ---------      -------        -----

Cash and cash equivalents 
at end of year                             $   40,829   $   42,896    $  53,358
                                              =======      =======       ======

See accompanying notes.


<PAGE>
                   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 47 states at Dec.
     31, 1996. 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.

     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.

     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,  net of
     deferred taxes.

     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.

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

     Impairment  of  mortgage  loans is  measured  as the  excess of the  loan's
     recorded  investment  over its  present  value of  expected  principal  and
     interest payments  discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, or the
     fair value of  collateral.  The amount of the  impairment  is recorded in a
     reserve for mortgage loan losses.  The reserve for mortgage loans losses is
     maintained  at a level  that  management  believes  is  adequate  to absorb
     estimated  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 mortgage
     loan losses.

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

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

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

     Statements of cash flows

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

     Supplementary  information to the statements of cash flows is summarized as
     follows:

                                      1996             1995            1994
                                     ------           ------          -----
     Cash paid during the year for:
       Income taxes                  $10,317          $11,389         $14,750
       Interest on borrowings            998              979             669

     Recognition of profits on fixed annuity contracts

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

     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  in relation  to  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 8.75 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 subsidiaries for all tax benefits.

     Included  in  other  liabilities  at Dec.  31,  1996  and 1995 are $787 and
     ($1,813),  respectively  receivable  from/(payable to) IDS Life for federal
     income taxes.

     Separate account business

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

     The Company makes contractual  mortality assurances to the variable annuity
     contract  owners that the net assets of the separate  accounts  will not be
     affected by future  variations in the actual life expectancy  experience of
     the  annuitants  and  the  beneficiaries  from  the  mortality  assumptions
     implicit  in  the  annuity  contracts.  The  Company  makes  periodic  fund
     transfers to, or withdrawals from, the separate accounts for such actuarial
     adjustments for variable annuities that are in the benefit payment period.

     Accounting changes

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

     Certain 1995 and 1994 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 1996
     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.

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

                               1996              1995             1994
                              -------          -------          ------
     Fixed maturities        $(2,888)          $(1,114)         $(1,198)
      Mortgage loans          (2,370)               --               --
      Other investments           --               (40)               8
                                 ---               ----       ---------
                             $(5,258)          $(1,154)         $(1,190)
                             =======           =======          =======

     Changes in net unrealized  appreciation  (depreciation)  of investments for
     the years ended Dec. 31 are summarized as follows:
                                                         
                                     1996             1995            1994
                                  ----------       ----------      -------
     Fixed maturities:
       Held to maturity            $(37,922)        $139,815       $(132,842)
       Available for sale           (31,970)         118,134         (88,775)


     The amortized  cost,  gross  unrealized  gains and losses and fair value of
     investments in fixed maturities at Dec. 31, 1996 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           $  13,536       $    415       $        --       $    13,951
     State and municipal obligations                  3,003            125                --             3,128
     Corporate bonds and obligations              1,030,649         28,013            11,022         1,047,640
     Mortgage-backed securities                     208,955          1,076             6,803           203,228
                                                -----------       --------          --------       -----------
                                                 $1,256,143        $29,629           $17,825        $1,267,947
                                                 ==========        =======           =======        ==========

     Available for sale
     U.S. Government agency obligations       $       1,666    $        --        $       63     $       1,603
     Corporate bonds and obligations                942,698         20,678             6,486           956,889
     Mortgage-backed securities                   1,279,093         16,047            11,185         1,283,955
                                                 ----------        -------          --------        ----------
      Total fixed maturities                     $2,223,457        $36,725           $17,734        $2,242,447
                                                 ==========        =======           =======        ==========
</TABLE>

     The change in net unrealized loss on available for sale securities included
     as a separate component of stockholder's equity, net of deferred taxes, was
     $20,781 in 1996.
<PAGE>
     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 obligations                    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 on available for sale securities included
     as a separate component of stockholder's equity, net of deferred taxes, was
     $76,813 in 1995.

     The amortized  cost and fair value of  investments  in fixed  maturities at
     Dec. 31, 1996 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               $      3,446            $      3,432
     Due from one to five years                 203,377                 211,070
     Due from five to ten years                 677,378                 689,663
     Due in more than ten years                 162,987                 160,555
     Mortgage-backed securities                 208,955                 203,227
                                            -----------             -----------
                                             $1,256,143              $1,267,947
                                             ==========              ==========

                                              Amortized                  Fair
     Available for sale                           Cost                   Value

     Due in one year or less                $    78,990             $    79,668
     Due from one to five years                 102,420                 105,584
     Due from five to ten years                 618,645                 627,245
     Due in more than ten years                 144,309                 145,995
     Mortgage-backed securities               1,279,093               1,283,955
                                            -----------             -----------

                                             $2,223,457              $2,242,447
                                             ==========              ==========

     During the years  ended Dec.  31,  1996,  1995 and 1994,  fixed  maturities
     classified  as held to maturity were sold with  amortized  cost of $27,969,
     $34,809 and $1,747, respectively.  Net gains and losses on these sales were
     not significant.  The sale of these fixed maturities was due to significant
     deterioration in the issuers' creditworthiness.
<PAGE>
     In addition, fixed maturities available for sale were sold during 1996 with
     proceeds of $47,542 and gross realized gains and losses of $17 and  $3,139,
     respectively.  Fixed  maturities  available  for sale were sold during 1995
     with  proceeds of $57,576 and gross  realized  gains and losses of $nil and
     $646,  respectively.  Fixed maturities  available for sale were sold during
     1994 with proceeds of $54,755 and gross  realized  gains and losses of $112
     and $1,059, respectively.

     At Dec. 31, 1996, bonds carried at $2,897 were on deposit with various 
     states as required by law.

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


                                              1996          1995          1994
                                              -------      --------      -----
     Interest on fixed maturities           $230,559       $198,829     $151,599
     Interest on mortgage loans               41,010         24,969        9,202
     Interest on cash equivalents              1,402            829        1,452
     Other                                     1,194            921          824
                                          ----------            ---       ------
                                             274,165        225,548      163,077
            Less investment expenses           2,446          1,842          876
                                          ----------         ------       ------
                                            $271,719       $223,706     $162,201
                                            ========       ========     ========

     Securities  are rated by Moody's and  Standard & Poor's  (S&P),  except for
     securities  carried  at  approximately  $349  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:

            Rating                       1996                  1995
     ----------------------           -----------           ----------
     Aaa/AAA                           $1,489,460           $1,246,755
     Aa/AA                                 32,903               39,055
     Aa/A                                  38,577               18,076
     A/A                                  445,201              435,957
     A/BBB                                204,402              148,713
     Baa/BBB                              818,545              671,896
     Baa/BB                                97,783               81,821
     Below investment grade               352,729              212,003
                                      -----------          -----------
                                       $3,479,600           $2,854,276
                                       ==========           ==========

     At Dec. 31, 1996,  approximately 93 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, 1996,  approximately  14.3  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, 1996                           Dec. 31, 1995
                                          -------------------                      ----------------
                                     On Balance       Commitments             On Balance         Commitments
          Region                    Sheet            to Purchase              Sheet             to Purchase
     ------------------           ----------         -----------             ---------          -----------
     <S>                            <C>                <C>                   <C>                 <C>    
     South Atlantic                 $139,630           $22,525               $  82,442           $25,781
     Middle Atlantic                 111,257             6,257                  73,958            20,790
     East North Central              105,666             7,508                  81,456             7,485
     Mountain                         82,389             4,380                  62,275               832
     West North Central               54,728            15,017                  34,819             9,980
     New England                      50,584                --                  30,481            13,306
     Pacific                          18,504             1,877                  15,992             4,158
     West South Central               14,927             5,006                   6,649               832
     East South Central                7,667                --                   4,948                --
                                   ---------      ------------              ----------       -----------
                                     585,352            62,570                 393,020            83,164
     Less allowance for losses         2,370                --                      --                --
                                  ----------      ------------             -----------          --------
                                    $582,982           $62,570                $393,020           $83,164
                                    ========           =======                ========           =======
<PAGE>


                                          Dec. 31, 1996                              Dec. 31, 1995
                                         ---------------                            --------------
                                   On Balance        Commitments             On Balance     Commitments
          Property type             Sheet           to Purchase                Sheet           to Purchase
     -----------------------       ---------        -----------               --------         -----------
     Department/retail stores       $184,192           $26,905                $138,378           $34,097
     Apartments                      172,208             2,816                 130,601            14,554
     Office buildings                112,430            14,391                  59,601             9,980
     Industrial buildings             54,117             2,816                  31,259             9,148
     Hotels/Motels                    28,189             6,257                   3,266            10,811
     Medical buildings                18,787             7,508                  16,408             2,495
     Nursing/retirement homes          8,080             1,877                   8,190             1,663
     Mixed Use                         7,349                --                   5,317                --
     Other                                --                --                        --             416
                                  ----------       -----------               -----------       ---------
                                     585,352            62,570                 393,020            83,164
     Less allowance for losses         2,370                --                      --                --
                                  ----------       -----------               ---------        ----------
                                    $582,982           $62,570                $393,020           $83,164
                                    ========           =======                ========           =======
</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  maturities.  Commitments  to  purchase  mortgages  are made in the
     ordinary course of business.  The fair value of the mortgage commitments is
     $nil.

     At Dec. 31, 1996, the Company's  recorded  investment in impaired loans was
     $5,515  with a reserve  of $870.  During  the year,  the  average  recorded
     investment in impaired loans was $3,577.

     There were no impaired loans prior to 1996.

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

                                                                  1996
     Balance, Jan. 1                                           $      0
     Provision for investment losses                              2,370
                                                                -------
     Balance, Dec. 31                                            $2,370
                                                                 ======

     There was no reserve prior to 1996.

3.   Income taxes

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

     The income tax expense consists of the following:

                                        1996            1995           1994
                                      --------         -------        -----
     Federal income taxes:
       Current                          $7,124        $11,753        $14,454
       Deferred                          5,084           (119)        (3,925)
                                         -----        --------       --------
                                        12,208         11,634         10,529

     State income taxes-current            704             58             45
                                           ---            ---          -----
     Income tax expense                $12,912        $11,692        $10,574
                                       =======        =======        =======
<PAGE>
     Increases  (decreases)  to the federal  income tax provision  applicable to
     pretax income based on the statutory rate are attributable to:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  1996                    1995                      1994
                                          --------------------     ------------------       ------------------
                                           Provision      Rate     Provision     Rate       Provision     Rate
     <S>                                    <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>  
     Federal income taxes based
       on the statutory rate                $12,507     35.0%        $11,704     35.0%       $10,574     35.0%
     Increases (decreases) are 
     attributable to :
         Tax-excluded interest                  (53)    (0.1)            (69)    (0.3)           (81)    (0.3)
         Other, net                            (246)    (0.7)             (1)     0.1             36      0.1
                                               ----     ----            -----     ---             --     ----
     Federal income taxes                   $12,208     34.2%        $11,634     34.8%       $10,529     34.8%
</TABLE>
     
     Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities
     as of Dec. 31 are as follows:

     Deferred tax assets:                           1996             1995
                                                   -------          -----
     Policy reserves                              $48,321          $45,482
     Other                                          1,851            2,036
                                                   -------          ------
          Total deferred tax assets                50,172           47,518
                                                   ------           ------

     Deferred tax liabilities:
     Deferred policy acquisition costs             59,162           50,350
     Investments                                    9,082           21,345
                                                  -------          -------
          Total deferred tax liabilities           68,244           71,695
                                                  -------         --------
          Net deferred tax liabilities           $(18,072)        $(24,177)
                                                 ========         ========

     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.

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 $6,103 and $7,553 as of Dec. 31,
     1996 and 1995, respectively.

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

                                             1996           1995           1994
                                            ------         ------        -------
     Statutory net income                $   9,138      $  15,499      $   8,131
     Statutory stockholder's equity        250,975        187,425        148,037

5.   Related party transactions

     Charges  by IDS  Life  for  use of  joint  facilities  and  other  services
     aggregated   $17,936,   $10,380  and  $5,581  for  1996,   1995  and  1994,
     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 and  American
     Express Financial  Corporation (AEFC) aggregating $80,000, of which $50,000
     is with AEFC.  The lines of credit are at 45 to 80 basis  points  over each
     lender's cost of funds. The $10,000 line of credit with one bank expired on
     Dec.  31, 1996 and the Company did not seek  renewal.  The $20,000  line of
     credit with the other bank expires on June 30, 1997 and the Company expects
     to  seek  renewal.   There  were  no  borrowings  outstanding  under  these
     agreements at Dec. 31, 1996 or 1995.

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

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

     Credit risk is the possibility that the  counterparty  will not fulfill the
     terms of the contract.  The Company  monitors  credit  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.

     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.

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

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

                              Notional      Carrying       Fair     Total Credit
     Dec. 31, 1996             Amount        Value         Value      Exposure
       Assets:
         Interest rate caps   $400,000      $3,056        $1,621       $1,621
                              ========      ======        ======       ======

     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 interest
     rate risk.  These  instruments  are used  primarily  to protect  the margin
     between  interest  rates  earned  on  investments  and the  interest  rates
     credited to related annuity contract holders.

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 practicable 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 and liabilities is significant. The fair value
     of the Company,  therefore, cannot be  estimated by aggregating the amounts
     presented.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                            1996                                1995
                                                          ---------                           ---------
                                                    Carrying        Fair               Carrying          Fair
      Financial Assets                                Value          Value                Value           Value
      <S>                                         <C>           <C>                   <C>             <C>       
      Investments:
      Fixed maturities (Note 2):
      Held to maturity                            $1,256,143    $1,267,947            $1,308,251      $1,357,977
      Available for sale                           2,242,447     2,242,447             1,596,985       1,596,985
      Mortgage loans on real estate
        (Note 2)                                     582,982       597,053               393,020         419,557
      Equity securities (Note 2)                          --            --                     3               3
      Derivative financial instruments
        (Note 8)                                       3,056         1,621                 4,052           1,574
      Cash and cash equivalents (Note 1)              40,829        40,829                42,896          42,896
      Separate account assets (Note 1)                30,760        30,760                 8,483           8,483

      Financial Liabilities
      Future policy benefits for fixed
        annuities                                  3,871,682     3,702,141             3,149,087       2,997,716
      Separate account liabilities                    30,760        28,990                 8,483           8,075
</TABLE>

     At Dec.  31, 1996 and 1995,  the  carrying  amount and fair value of future
     policy  benefits  for  fixed  annuities   exclude  life   insurance-related
     contracts  carried at $9,657 and  $6,564,  respectively.  The fair value of
     these benefits is based on the status of the annuities at Dec. 31, 1996 and
     1995.  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
     1996 and 1995.

<PAGE>

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, 1996 and 1995,  and the related  statements  of income and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended  December 31, 1996.  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,  1996 and  1995,  and the  results  of its
operations  and its cash flows for each of the three  years in the period  ended
December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.



Ernst & Young LLP
February 7, 1997
Minneapolis, Minnesota


<PAGE>



PAGE 47
PART C.

Item 24.    Financial Statements and Exhibits

(a)   Financial statements included in Part B of this Registration
      Statment:

      The audited  financial  statements of American  Enterprise  Life Insurance
      Company including:

      Balance sheets as of Dec. 31, 1996 and Dec. 31, 1995 and
      Related statements of income and cash flows for each of the
      three years in the period ended Dec. 31, 1996.

      Notes to Financial Statements.

      Report of Independent Auditors dated February 7, 1997.

The audited financial statements of the variable account including:

- -     Statements of net assets as of Dec. 31, 1996;
- -     Statements of operations for the year ended Dec. 31, 1996; and
- -     Statements of changes in net assets for the year ended Dec. 31
     1996 and for the period from Feb. 21, 1995 (commencement of
     operations) to Dec. 31, 1995.
- -     There are no financial statements for subaccounts EVO and EGG
     because these are new subaccounts and do not have a
     performance history.
- -     Report of Independent Auditors dated March 21, 1997.

(b)   Exhibits:

1.    Resolution  of the  Executive  Committee  of the  Board  of  Directors  of
      American  Enterprise  Life dated  April 1, 1997,  is filed  electronically
      herewith.

2.    Not applicable.

3.1  Form of Variable Annuity and Life Insurance Distribution  Agreement,  to be
     filed by Amendment.

3.2  Form of Managing General Agent Agreement, to be filed by Amendment.

4.1   Form of Deferred Annuity Contract, (form 37720), to be filed by Amendment.

4.2   Form of Tax-Qualified Endorsement (form_____), to be filed by Amendment.

4.3   Form of Annuity Endorsement (form_____), to be filed by Amendment.

5.1   Form of Application for AEL Bank Variable Annuity (form_____), to be filed
      by Amendment.




<PAGE>



PAGE 48

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 No. 1, filed on or about Jan. 23, 1997
     is incoporated herein by reference.

6.2  Amended  By-Laws of  American  Enterprise  Life,  filed  electronically  as
     Exhibit 6.2 to the Initial Registration  Statement No. 1, filed on or about
     Jan. 23, 1997 is incoporated herein by reference.

7.    Not applicable.

8.   Form of Participation  Agreement among Putnam Variable Trust, Putnam Mutual
     Funds  Corp.  and  American   Enterprise  Life  Insurance  Company,   dated
     ____________, 1997, to be filed by Amendment.

9.    Opinion  of  Counsel  and  consent  to its use as to the  legality  of the
      securites being  registered was filed with  Registrar's  most recent 24f-2
      Notice on or about February 19, 1997.

10.   Consent of Independent Auditors, filed electronically herewith.

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

      Financial Statement Schedules:

      Schedule I    Summary of Investments Other Than Investments
                    In Related Parties
      Schedule V    Valuation and Qulifying Accounts

                    Report of Independent Auditors dated February 7, 1997.

      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, therfore, have been omitted.

12.   Not applicable.




<PAGE>



PAGE 49
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 March 28,
      1997, filed electronically herewith.

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                   Director and 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 the
Board
                         Minneapolis, MN  55440

Paul S. Mannweiler       Indianapolis Power and Light   Director
                         One Monument Circle
                         P.O. Box 1595
                         Indianapolis, IN  46206-1595

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

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

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

Melinda S. Urion         IDS Tower 10                   Vice President and Controller
                         Minneapolis, MN  55440
</TABLE>




<PAGE>



PAGE 50
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

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


<PAGE>



PAGE 51
Item 26.    Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the
            Depositor or Registrant (Continued)

                                                  Jurisdiction
Name of Subsidiary                                of Incorporation

    IDS Insurance Agency of Utah Inc.                Utah
    IDS Insurance Agency of Wyoming Inc.             Wyoming
    IDS International, Inc.                          Delaware
    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

Item 27.    Number of Contractowners

            Not applicable.

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



<PAGE>



PAGE 52
            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.

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., Growth Trust;  Growth and Income Trust; Income Trust,
        Tax-Free Income Trust, World Trust 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             American Express,
Minneapolis, MN  55440   Institutional Services




<PAGE>



PAGE 53
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 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

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






<PAGE>



PAGE 54
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

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

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




<PAGE>



PAGE 55
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

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

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

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

Scott M. DiGiammarino    Group Vice President-        None
Suite 500                Washington/Baltimore
8045 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA  22182

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




<PAGE>



PAGE 56
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

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

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

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




<PAGE>



PAGE 57
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

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

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

Janis K. Heaney          Vice President-             None
IDS Tower 10             Incentive Compensation
Minneapolis, MN  55440

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

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



<PAGE>



PAGE 58
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

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

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



<PAGE>



PAGE 59
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

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

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




<PAGE>



PAGE 60
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 Miller           Vice President and           None
IDS Tower 10             Senior Portfolio Manager
Minneapolis, MN  55440

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-Retail        None
IDS Tower 10             Services
Minneapolis, MN 55440

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

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



<PAGE>



PAGE 61
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

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

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




<PAGE>



PAGE 62
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

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

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




<PAGE>



PAGE 63
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

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

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




<PAGE>



PAGE 64
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

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

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




<PAGE>



PAGE 65
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.                     673,634                  34,957                   None           None
</TABLE>

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 66
                                   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  of  Securities  Act Rule 485 for all
effectiveness  of  this   Registration   Statement  and  has  duly  caused  this
Registration  Statement to be signed on its behalf,  in the City of Minneapolis,
and State of Minnesota, on the 1st day of May, 1997.


                       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 1st day of
May, 1997.

Signature                               Title

/s/ James E. Choat*                     Director, Chief Executive
    James E. Choat                      Officer

/s/ Douglas L. Forsberg*                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

/s/ Melinda S. Urion*                   Vice President and
    Melinda S. Urion                    Controller

*Signed pursuant to Power of Attorney dated March 28, 1997, filed electronically
herewith.



- ------------------------------
Colin M. Lancaster



<PAGE>



PAGE 67
                    CONTENTS OF PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.1

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.

     Finacial Statements

Part C.

     Other Information.

     The signatures.

Exhibits.






<PAGE>



PAGE 1

AMERICAN ENTERPRISE VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
Registration Number 333-20217/811-7195

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 1.        Resolution of the Executive Committee dated April 1,
                  1997.

Exhibit 10.       Consent of Independent Auditors.

Exhibit 11.       Financial Statement Schedules and Report.

Exhibit 14.       Financial Data Schedules.
                        American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
                        American Enterprise Life Insurance Company

Exhibit 15.       Power of Attorney dated March 28, 1997.





<PAGE>



PAGE 1
TO THE SECRETARY OF
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY


By Resolution received by the Secretary on April 1, 1997, the Board of Directors
of American Enterprise Life Insurance Company:

      RESOLVED, That American Enterprise Life Insurance Company, pursuant to the
      provisions  of  Section  27-1-51  Section  1  Class  1(c)  of the  Indiana
      Insurance Code, hereby establishes a separate account designated  American
      Enterprise  Variable  Annuity  Account,  to be used for the  Corporation's
      Variable Annuity contracts; and

      RESOLVED  FURTHER,  That the proper officers of the Corporation are hereby
      authorized and directed to establish such  subaccounts  and/or  investment
      divisions  of  the  Account  in  the  future  as  they   determine  to  be
      appropriate; and

      RESOLVED  FURTHER,  That the proper officers of the Corporation are hereby
      authorized and directed to accomplish all filings,  including registration
      statements and  applications  for exemptive  relief from provisions of the
      securities laws as they deem necessary to carry the foregoing into effect.

As an officer of American Enterprise Life Insurance Company, I hereby establish,
in accordance with the above  resolutions  and pursuant to authority  granted by
the Board of  Directors,  the following two  additional  subaccounts  within the
separate account:

      A subaccount, to invest in shares of the Putnam VT Voyager
      Fund; and

      A subaccount, to invest in shares of the Putnam VT Global Growth Fund.

In accordance with the above  resolutions  and pursuant to authority  granted by
the Board of Directors of American  Enterprise Life Insurance Company,  the Unit
Investment Trust comprised of American  Enterprise  Variable Annuity Account and
consisting of 14  subaccounts  is hereby  reconstituted  as American  Enterprise
Variable Annuity Account consisting of 16 subaccounts.

                                       Received by the Secretary

/s/Stuart A. Sedlacek
   Stuart A. Sedlacek

                                       /s/William A. Stoltzmann
                                          William A. Stoltzmann





<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 7, 1997 on the financial statements
and schedules of American Enterprise Life Insurance Company and our report dated
March 21,  1997 on the  financial  statements  of American  Enterprise  Variable
Annuity Account - AEL Preferred  Variable  Annuity  Subaccounts in Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the  Registration  Statement  (Form N-4, No.  333-20217)  and
related  Prospectus for the  registration  of the American  Enterprise  Variable
Annuity Account to be offered by American Enterprise Life Insurance Company.



Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 28, 1997



<PAGE>

AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SCHEDULE I - CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS
OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES ($ thousands)
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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

Type of Investment                       Cost           Value          Amount at which
                                                                        shown in the
                                                                        balance sheet
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>             <C>               <C>                
Fixed maturities:
    Held to maturity:
        United States Government and
          government agencies and
          authorities (a)          $      208,049  $       202,824   $          208,049
        States, municipalities and
           political subdivisions           3,003            3,128                3,003
        All other corporate bonds       1,045,091        1,061,995            1,045,091
                                     -------------  ---------------   ------------------
              Total held to maturity    1,256,143        1,267,947            1,256,143

    Available for sale:
        United States Government and
          government agencies and
          authorities (b)               1,177,626        1,181,505            1,181,505
        States, municipalities and
           political subdivisions               0                0                    0
        All other corporate bonds       1,045,831        1,060,942            1,060,942
                                     -------------  ---------------   ------------------
              Total available for sale  2,223,457        2,242,447            2,242,447

Mortgage loans on real estate             582,982        XXXXXXXXX              582,982
Other investments                           3,056        XXXXXXXXX                3,056
                                     -------------                    ------------------

              Total investments    $    4,065,638 $      XXXXXXXXX  $         4,084,628
                                     =============                    ==================
</TABLE>

(a) - Includes mortgage-backed securities with a cost and market value of 
      $194,513 and $188,873, respectively.
(b) - Includes mortgage-backed securities with a cost and market value of 
      $1,175,960 and $1,179,902, respectively.

<PAGE>
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SCHEDULE V - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS ($ thousands)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      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, 1996
- ------------------------------
Reserve for Mortgage Loans     $0       $2,370            $0           $0       $2,370
Reserve for Fixed Maturities   $9           $7            $0           $0          $16

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
</TABLE>



<PAGE>







                 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, 1996 and 1995,  and for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1996,  and have issued our report  thereon dated  February 7, 1997 (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 7, 1997


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                           6
<CIK>    0000926266
<NAME>   American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
<MULTIPLIER>                                        1
<CURRENCY>                                U.S. DOLLAR
       
<S>                                       <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                     1
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        20567538
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       21360808
<RECEIVABLES>                                  123371
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                      0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               21335836
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                            0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                             0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                    (148343)
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                          (148343)
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                     0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                            0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        15296692
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         4868332
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                           0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                             0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                            0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                            0
<NET-ASSETS>                                 21335836
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                             1139093
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                   0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                      0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (215271)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        923822
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        25750
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      519444
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         1469016
<EQUALIZATION>                                      0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                           0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                               0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      11360579
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (932219)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       15322267
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                             0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                             0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                          0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                              (215271)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         13674703
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                               0
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                     0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                             0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                           0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                 0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                     0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                              0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                0
        

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                      7
<NAME>  American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
<MULTIPLIER>                                                1000
<CURRENCY>                                           U.S. DOLLAR
       
<S>                                                      <C>    
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                    DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                       JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                         DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                              YEAR
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                     2242447
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                    1256143
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                      1267947
<EQUITIES>                                                     0
<MORTGAGE>                                                582982
<REAL-ESTATE>                                                  0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                           4084628
<CASH>                                                     40829
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                             0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                                    203225
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           4425837
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                          3881339
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                            0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                                 0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                      27427
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                                0
<COMMON>                                                    2000
                                          0
                                                    0
<OTHER-SE>                                                361858
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                             4425837
                                                     0
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                       271719
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                         (5258)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                              5753
<BENEFITS>                                                191672
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                                30674
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                       14133
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                            35735
<INCOME-TAX>                                               12912
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                        22823
<DISCONTINUED>                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                               22823
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                                 0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                            0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                              0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                             0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                               0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                                0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                                        0
        

</TABLE>




<PAGE>



PAGE 1
                   AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                      American Enterprise Variable Account

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


City of Minneapolis

State of Minnesota


Each of the  undersigned,  as a director of American  Enterprise  Life Insurance
Company (AEL),  sponsor of the unit investment  trust consisting of the American
Enterprise  Variable  Account  in  connection  with the  filing of  registration
statements  on Form N-4  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933 and the  Investment
Company Act of 1940, hereby constitutes and appoints William A. Stoltzmann, Mary
Ellyn Minenko,  Sherilyn K. Beck,  Colin  Lancaster and Timothy S. Meehan or any
one of them,  as  his/her  attorney-in-fact  and agent,  to sign for  him/her in
his/her  name,  place  and stead any and all  filings,  applications  (including
applications for exemptive relief),  periodic reports,  registration  statements
(with all exhibits  and other  documents  required or  desirable  in  connection
therewith),  other documents,  and amendments  thereto and to file such filings,
applications,  periodic reports,  registration statements,  other documents, and
amendments  thereto  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  and  any
necessary states,  and grants to any or all of them the full power and authority
to do and  perform  each and every  act  required  or  necessary  in  connection
therewith.


/s/ James F. Choat                           March 10, 1997
- ------------------------------
    James F. Choat
    Chief Executive Officer
    Director


/s/ Richard W. Kling                         March 12, 1997
- ------------------------------
    Richard W. Kling
    Chairman of the Board
    Director


/s/ Douglas L. Forsberg                      March 11, 1997
- ------------------------------
    Douglas L. Forsberg
    President
    Director


/s/ Melinda S. Urion                         March 10, 1997
- ------------------------------
    Melinda S. Urion
    Vice President and Controller



<PAGE>



PAGE 2


/s/ Paul S. Mannweiler                       March 28, 1997
- ------------------------------
    Paul S. Mannweiler
    Director


/s/ Stuart A. Sedlacek                       March 7, 1997
- ------------------------------
    Stuart A. Sedlacek
    Executive Vice President-
    Assured Assets
    Director


/s/ William A. Stoltzmann                    March 12, 1997
- ------------------------------
    William A. Stoltzmann
    Vice President, General Counsel
    and Secretary
    Director




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