AMERICAN ENTERPRISE VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
485BPOS, 1997-04-23
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<PAGE>

PAGE 1
                                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                                      Washington, D.C.  20549

                                             FORM N-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

     Post-Effective Amendment No.   7   (File No. 33-54471)      X

                                              and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT
OF 1940

     Amendment No.   8   (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) 671-4085

           Sherilyn K. Beck, IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering

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

If appropriate, check the following box:
    this  post-effective  amendment  designates  a  new  effective  date  for  a
    previously filed post-effective amendment.

The Registrant has registered an indefinite number or amount of securities under
the Securities  Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 24-f of the  Investment  Company
Act of 1940.  Registrant's  Rule 24f- 2 Notice for its most  recent  fiscal year
ended was filed on or about February 19, 1997.



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

    2             Key terms                       16         Table of contents

    3(a)          Expense summary                 17(a)      NA
     (b)          In brief                          (b)      NA
                                                    (c)      About American Enterprise Life*
    4(a)          Condensed financial
                    information                   18(a)      NA
     (b)          Performance information           (b)      NA
     (c)          Financial statements              (c)      Independent auditors
                                                    (d)      NA
    5(a)          About American                    (e)      NA
                    Enterprise Life                 (f)      NA
     (b)          The variable account
     (c)          The funds                       19(a)      Making the most of your annuity*
     (d)          Cover page and the funds          (b)      NA
     (e)          Voting rights
     (f)          NA                              20(a)      Principal underwriter
                                                    (b)      Principal underwriter
    6(a)          Charges                           (c)      NA
     (b)          Expense summary                   (d)      NA
     (c)          Other information on              (d)      NA
                    charges
     (d)          Distribution of                 21(a)      Performance information
                    contracts                       (b)      Performance information
     (e)          NA
     (f)          NA                              22         Calculating Annuity Payouts

    7(a)          Buying your annuity;            23(a)      NA
                  Benefits in case of               (b)      NA
                  death; The annuity
                    payout period
     (b)          The variable account;
                  Transferring money between
                    accounts; Transfer policies
     (c)          The funds; Other information
                    on charges
     (d)          The funds

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

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

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

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



<PAGE>



PAGE 3
     (d)          If installment payments
     (e)          Ten-day free look

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

   13             NA

   14             Table of contents of the
                    Statement of Additional Information

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




<PAGE>



   
PAGE 4
AEL Personal PortfolioSM
May 1, 1997
Variable Annuity Prospectus

The AEL Personal  PortfolioSM is a flexible  premium  variable  annuity contract
offered by American  Enterprise  Life  Insurance  Company  (American  Enterprise
Life),  a  subsidiary  of IDS Life  Insurance  Company  (IDS  Life),  which is a
subsidiary of American Express Financial  Corporation (AEFC).  Purchase payments
may be allocated  among  different  accounts,  providing  variable  and/or fixed
returns  and  payouts.  The  annuity  is  available  for  individual  retirement
annuities  (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 International Equity Fund, IDS Life Capital Resource Fund, IDS Life Managed
Fund,  IDS Life Special  Income Fund,  and IDS Life  Moneyshare  Fund);  The OCC
Accumulation  Trust,  formerly  known  as Quest  for  Value  Accumulation  Trust
(describing OCC Accumulation  Trust Managed Portfolio and OCC Accumulation Trust
U.S.  Government  Income  Portfolio);  Putnam Variable Trust,  formerly known as
Putnam Capital  Manager Trust  (describing  Putnam VT  Diversified  Income Fund,
Putnam VT Growth  and Income  Fund,  Putnam VT High Yield Fund and Putnam VT New
Opportunities  Fund);  and GT Global Variable  Investment  Funds  (describing GT
Global  Variable  Latin America Fund and GT Global  Variable New Pacific  Fund).
Please 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.




<PAGE>



   
PAGE 5
A Statement of Additional Information (SAI) dated May 1, 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.
    



<PAGE>



PAGE 6
                                         Table of contents

Key terms.....................................................
The AEL Personal PortfolioSM in brief.........................
Expense summary...............................................
Condensed financial information (unaudited)...................
Financial statements..........................................
Performance information.......................................
The variable account..........................................
The funds.....................................................
     IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund..........................
     IDS Life International Equity Fund.......................
     IDS Life Capital Resource Fund...........................
     IDS Life Managed Fund....................................
     IDS Life Special Income Fund.............................
     IDS Life Moneyshare Fund.................................
     OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio.................
     OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government Income Portfolio..
     Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund........................
     Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund.........................
     Putnam VT High Yield Fund................................
     Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund.........................
     GT Global Variable Latin America Fund....................
     GT Global Variable New Pacific Fund......................
The fixed account.............................................
Buying your annuity...........................................
     The retirement date......................................
     Beneficiary..............................................
     How to make payments.....................................
Charges.......................................................
     Contract administrative charge...........................
     Variable account administrative charge...................
     Mortality and expense risk fee...........................
     Withdrawal charge........................................
     Waiver of withdrawal charges.............................
     Premium taxes............................................
Valuing your investment.......................................
     Number of units..........................................
     Accumulation unit value..................................
     Net investment factor....................................
     Factors that affect variable subaccount
         accumulation units...................................
Making the most of your annuity...............................
     Automated dollar-cost averaging..........................
     Transferring money between subaccounts...................
     Transfer policies........................................
     Two ways to request a transfer or a withdrawal...........
Withdrawals from your contract................................
     Withdrawal policies......................................
     Receiving payment when you request a withdrawal..........
Changing ownership............................................
Benefits in case of death.....................................
The annuity payout period.....................................
     Annuity payout plans.....................................
     Death after annuity payouts begin........................
Taxes.........................................................



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PAGE 7
Voting rights.................................................
Substitution of investments...................................
Distribution of the contracts.................................
About American Enterprise Life................................
Regular and special reports...................................
         Services................................................
         Table of contents of the Statement of Additional
         Information.............................................




<PAGE>



PAGE 8
Key terms

These terms can help you understand details about your annuity.

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 of these funds.
    

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

Purchase payments - Payments made to American Enterprise Life for an annuity.



<PAGE>



   
PAGE 9
Qualified  annuity - An annuity  purchased for a retirement plan that is subject
to applicable federal law and any rules of the plan itself. These plans include:
    

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

All other annuities are considered nonqualified annuities.

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

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. (See "The variable
account.") The value of your investment in each variable subaccount changes with
the performance of the particular fund.

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 Personal PortfolioSM in brief

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

   
Ten-day  free  look:  You  may  return  your  annuity  to your  agent  or 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.)
    

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

   
o        fourteen variable subaccounts of the variable account, each
         of which invests in a mutual fund with a particular
         investment objective.  The value of each variable subaccount
         varies with the performance of the particular fund.  We
    



<PAGE>



   
PAGE 10
         cannot guarantee that the value at the retirement date will
         equal or exceed the total of purchase payments allocated to
         the variable subaccounts.  (p. 15)

o        one fixed account, which earns interest at rates that are
         adjusted periodically by American Enterprise Life.  (p. 19)
    

Buying the annuity:  Your agent will help you complete and submit
an application.  Applications are subject to acceptance at our
Minneapolis administrative office.  You may buy a nonqualified
annuity or a qualified annuity.  Payment must be made in a lump sum
with the option of additional payments in the future.  In some
states there are time limitations for making additional payments.
(p. 20)

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

   
Transfers:  Subject to certain restrictions you may redistribute
your money among accounts without charge at any time until annuity
payouts begin, and once per contract year among the variable
subaccounts thereafter.  You may establish automated transfers
among the fixed account and variable subaccount(s).  (p. 29)

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. 32)

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. 33)

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. 34)

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. 35)
    

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


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PAGE 11
payouts to someone else, you will be taxed on the income if you are
the owner.  (p. 37)

Charges:  Your AEL Personal PortfolioSM Variable 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. 22)
    

Expense summary

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

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

Contract Owner Expenses:*

   
Withdrawal Charge (contingent deferred sales charge as percent of
purchase payment)

           Contract years from                Withdrawal Charge
             payment receipt                      Percentage
                   1                                  7%
                   2                                  6%
                   3                                  5%
                   4                                  4%
                   5                                  3%
                   6                                  2%
                   7                                  1%
               Thereafter                             0%

Annual Contract Administrative Charge     $30

Variable Account Annual Expenses

   Variable Account Administrative Charge
   (as a percentage of daily net assets of
   the underlying fund).............................0.15%

   Mortality and Expense Risk Fee
   (as a percentage of daily net assets of
   the underlying fund).............................1.25%

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



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PAGE 12
*Premium taxes imposed by some state and local governments may be
applicable.  They are not reflected.

Annual Operating  Expenses of Underlying Mutual Funds (management fees and other
expenses deducted as a percentage of average net assets as follows:)
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                            Accumulation
                        IDS Life       IDS Life       IDS Life                 IDS Life                     Trust Managed
                       Aggressive    International    Capital      IDS Life     Special       IDS Life      (after expense
                         Growth         Equity        Resource      Managed     Income       Moneyshare      limitations)
<S>                       <C>            <C>            <C>          <C>         <C>            <C>              <C> 
Management fees           .60%           .82%           .60%         .59%        .59%           .50%             .80%

Other expenses            .09            .16            .08          .07         .10            .06              .10

Total                     .69%**         .98%**         .68%**       .66%**      .69%**         .56%**           .90%

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

Management fees           .60%           .70%           .49%         .68%        .63%              1.00%            1.00%

Other expenses            .42            .13            .05          .08         .09                .17              .12

Total                    1.02%           .83%+          .54%+        .76%+       .72%+             1.17%+           1.12%+

*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.  ***The annual expenses of the OCC Accumulation  Trust Portfolios (the
"Portfolios")  as of Dec. 31, 1996 have been restated to reflect new  management
fee and expense limitation agreements in effect as of May 1, 1996. Additionally,
Other  Expenses  are  shown  gross  of  certain  expense  offsets  afforded  the
Portfolios which effectively lowered overall custody expenses.  Effective May 1,
1996,  the  expenses  of the  portfolios  were  contractually  limited  by OpCap
Advisors so that their  respective  annualized  operating  expenses  (net of any
expense  offsets)  do not exceed  1.25% of their  respective  average  daily net
assets. Furthermore, through Dec. 31, 1997, the annualized operating expenses of
the Managed and U.S.  Government  Income Portfolios will be voluntary limited by
OpCap  Advisors  so that  annualized  operating  expenses  (net  of any  expense
offsets) of these  Portfolios  do not exceed 1.00% of their  respective  average
daily net assets.  Without such contractual and voluntary  expense  limitations,
and without giving effect to any expense  offsets,  the Management  Fees,  Other
Expenses and Total Portfolio Annual Expenses  incurred for the fiscal year ended
Dec. 31, 1996 would have been, .60%, 1.74% and 2.34%, respectively, for the U.S.
Government  Income  Portfolio;  and .80%, .10% and .90%,  respectively,  for the
Managed  Portfolio.  +Operating  expenses of the underlying mutual funds at Dec.
31, 1996.  ++Figures in the "Other  Expenses"  and "Total"  columns are restated
from  the  amounts  you  would  have   incurred  in  1996  to  reflect  fee  and
reimbursement  or waiver  arrangements.  If there had been no  reimbursement  of
expenses by  Chancellor  LGT Asset  Management  and no expense  reductions,  the
actual  expenses of each fund,  expressed  as a percentage  of net assets,  with
"Management  fees" stated  first,  then "Other  expenses,"  followed by "Total,"
would have been as follows: GT Global Variable Latin America Fund, 1.00%, 0.42%,
1.42%; and GT Global Variable New Pacific Fund, 1.00%, 0.40%, 1.40%.
    

Example:*

                        IDS Life       IDS Life       IDS Life                 IDS Life                         OCC
                       Aggressive    International    Capital      IDS Life     Special       IDS Life      Accumulation
                         Growth         Equity        Resource      Managed     Income       Moneyshare     Trust Managed
</TABLE>

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:
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                     <C>           <C>             <C>          <C>            <C>         <C>            <C>    
 1 year                 $ 93.69       $ 96.52         $ 93.59      $ 93.40        $ 93.69     $ 92.42        $ 95.74

 3 years                 122.92        131.39          122.63       122.04         122.92      119.09         129.06

 5 years                 154.71        168.79          154.22       153.24         154.71      148.32         164.93

10 years                 266.31        294.17          265.33       263.38         266.31      253.52         286.58
</TABLE>
    




<PAGE>



PAGE 13
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>         <C>            <C>    
 1 year                 $ 23.69       $ 26.52         $ 23.59      $ 23.40        $ 23.69     $ 22.42        $ 25.74

 3 years                  72.92         81.39           72.63        72.04          72.92       69.09          79.06

 5 years                 124.71        138.79          124.22       123.24         124.71      118.32         134.93

10 years                 266.31        294.17          265.33       263.38         266.31      253.52         286.58
    

                          OCC
                      Accumulation
                       Trust U.S.      Putnam VT      Putnam VT                                     GT Global        GT Global
                       Government     Diversified     Growth and    Putnam VT     Putnam VT New      Variable         Variable
                         Income         Income          Income      High Yield    Opportunities     Latin America    New Pacific

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment,  assuming 5% annual
return and full withdrawal at the end of each time period:
   
 1 year                 $ 96.91        $ 95.06        $ 92.22      $ 94.38        $ 93.99            $ 98.36          $ 97.88

 3 years                 132.55         127.02         118.50       124.97         123.80             136.89           135.44

 5 years                 170.72         161.54         147.33       158.13         156.18             177.88           175.50

10 years                 297.93         279.88         251.53       273.12         269.24             311.91           307.28
    
You  would  pay the  following  expenses  on the  same  investment  assuming  no
withdrawal  or  selection  of an  annuity  payout  plan at the end of each  time
period:

   
 1 year                 $ 26.91       $ 25.06         $ 22.22      $ 24.38        $ 23.99            $ 28.36          $ 27.88

 3 years                  82.55         77.02           68.50        74.97          73.80              86.89            85.44

 5 years                 140.72        131.54          117.33       128.13         126.18             147.88           145.50

10 years                 297.93        279.88          251.53       273.12         269.24             311.91           307.28
    
</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 average contract size.
    




<PAGE>



PAGE 14
Condensed Financial Information (unaudited)

The following tables give per-unit  information  about the financial  history of
each variable subaccount.

   
Condensed Financial Information (unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Period from
                                                      Year ended             Feb. 21 to
                                                      Dec. 31, 1996        Dec. 31, 1995*
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>                   <C>   
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 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%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 EIE (Investing in shares of International Equity Fund)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.17                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.26                 $1.17
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted).................................       675                   220
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subaccount EAG (Investing in shares of Aggressive Growth Fund)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.28                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.47                 $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 EMD (Investing in shares of OCC Accumulation Trust
Managed Portfolio)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.31                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.58                 $1.31
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted).................................     2,462                   436
Ratio of operating expense to average net
assets..................................................      1.50%                 1.50%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subaccount EUS (Investing in shares of OCC Accumulation Trust
U.S. Government Trust Portfolio)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.09                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.10                 $1.09
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted).................................     1,252                   413
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Operations commenced on Feb. 21, 1995.
    
</TABLE>



<PAGE>



   
PAGE 15
Condensed Financial Information continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Period from
                                                      Year ended             Feb. 21 to
                                                      Dec. 31, 1996        Dec. 31, 1995*
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>                   <C>  
Subaccount EPA (Investing in shares of GT
Global Variable New Pacific Fund)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.07                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.38                 $1.07
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted).................................       530                   193
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subaccount ELA (Investing in shares of GT
Global Variable Latin America Fund)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $0.98                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.19                 $0.98
Number of accumulation units outstanding
at end of period (000 omitted)..........................       663                   303
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subaccount ENO (Investing in shares of Putnam VT
New Opportunities Fund)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.39                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.51                 $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%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 EHY  (Investing in shares of Putnam VT High Yield Fund)  Accumulation
unit value at beginning of
period..................................................     $1.14                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.27                 $1.14
Number of accumulation units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted).................................     1,270                   480
Ratio of operating expense to average net assets........      1.50%                 1.50%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subaccount EDI (Investing in shares of Putnam VT
Diversified Income Fund)
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period..........     $1.15                 $1.00
Accumulation unit value at end of period................     $1.23                 $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%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Operations commenced on Feb. 21, 1995.
    
</TABLE>

Financial Statements

The SAI dated May 1, 1997, contains:

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
    




<PAGE>



PAGE 16
- - 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.
    
       

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 Jan.  12,  1995,  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.
    

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 ten years (or
up to the life of the  account if it is less than ten years  old).  This  figure
reflects   deduction  of  all   applicable   charges,   including  the  contract
administrative charge, variable account administrative charge, mortality and
    



<PAGE>



PAGE 17
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 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 International Equity Fund                           EIE
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund                               ECR
IDS Life Managed Fund                                        EMG
IDS Life Special Income Fund                                 ESI
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund                                     EMS
OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio                     EMD
OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government
    Income Portfolio                                         EUS
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund                            EDI
Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund                             EGI
Putnam VT High Yield Fund                                    EHY
Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund                             ENO
GT Global Variable Latin America Fund                        ELA
GT Global Variable New Pacific Fund                          EPA



<PAGE>



   
PAGE 18
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.
    

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

The funds

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

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

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

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

   
IDS Life Special Income Fund
Objective: 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.

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


<PAGE>



PAGE 19
OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government Income Portfolio
Objective: high level of current income together with protection of
capital.  Invests exclusively in debt obligations, including
mortgage-backed securities, issued or guaranteed by the United
States government, its agencies or instrumentalities.

   
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund
Objective: high current income consistent with capital preservation by investing
in the following three sectors of the fixed income  securities  markets:  a U.S.
Government  Sector,  a High Yield Sector (which invests  primarily in securities
commonly 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 high yield higher-risk fixed income securities.
    

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

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

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

GT Global Variable Latin America Fund
Objective:  capital  appreciation.   Invests  primarily  in  a  broad  range  of
securities including common and preferred stock, rights, warrants and securities
convertible  into common  stock,  as well as bonds,  notes,  debentures or other
forms of indebtedness of Latin American issuers.
       

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

   
More comprehensive  information  regarding each fund is contained in that fund's
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.
    


<PAGE>



PAGE 20
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.

   
IDS Life is the investment  manager and AEFC is the investment  advisor for each
of the IDS Life funds.  IDS  International,  Inc., a wholly-owned  subsidiary of
AEFC,  is the  sub-investment  advisor for IDS Life  International  Equity Fund.
OpCap  Advisors  is the  investment  manager  for  the  OCC  Accumulation  Trust
portfolios.  Putnam Investment  Management,  Inc., is the investment manager for
the Putnam VT funds.  Chancellor LGT Asset Management is the investment  manager
for the GT Global funds.

The investment  managers and advisors cannot  guarantee that the funds will meet
their  investment  objectives.  Please read the fund  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.
    




<PAGE>



PAGE 21
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). (In Pennsylvania, the annuitant must be under
age 81.)

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.

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. In most states,  additional purchase payments may be made
to nonqualified  and qualified  annuities until the retirement date. In Maryland
and  Washington,  additional  purchase  payments  may be  made  to  nonqualified
annuities until the later of the annuitant's 63rd birthday or the third contract
anniversary, and additional purchase payments may be made to qualified annuities
until the annuitant's 63rd birthday.
    



<PAGE>



PAGE 22

The retirement date

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

For nonqualified annuities, the retirement date must be:

   
o  no earlier than the 60th day after the contract's effective
   date; and
o  no later than the annuitant's 85th birthday (or before the 10th
   contract anniversary, if purchased after age 75); or
o  no later than the  annuitant's  82nd birthday (or before the eighth  contract
   anniversary,   if  purchased  after  age  74)  for  annuities   purchased  in
   Pennsylvania.
    

For  qualified  annuities,  to avoid IRS  penalty  taxes,  the  retirement  date
generally must be:

   
o  on or after the annuitant reaches age 59 1/2; 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.  (In Pennsylvania,  annuity payouts must start
no later than the annuitant's 82nd birthday or the eighth contract anniversary.)

Beneficiary

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

Minimum payment

If single payment:

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

Minimum additional purchase payment(s):     $50

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




<PAGE>



PAGE 23
How to make payments

By letter

   
Send your check along with your name and 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

Charges

Contract administrative charge

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

Variable account administrative charge
This charge is applied  daily to the variable  subaccounts  and reflected in the
unit values of the subaccounts. Annually, it totals 0.15% of their average daily
net assets.  It covers  certain  administrative  and  operating  expenses of the
subaccounts  such as  accounting,  legal and data  processing  fees and expenses
involved in the preparation and  distribution of reports and  prospectuses.  The
variable account administrative charge cannot be increased.

   
Mortality and expense risk fee
This fee is to cover the mortality risk and expense risk and is applied daily to
the variable  subaccounts and reflected in the  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
    



<PAGE>



PAGE 24
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.
    

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

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

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

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




<PAGE>



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

Withdrawal charge calculation example
       

   
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; and

o        We received these payments - $10,000 July 1, 1997, $8,000
         Dec. 31, 2003 and $6,000 Feb. 20, 2005; and

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; and

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

Withdrawal Charge       Explanation
   $  0                             $3,848.80 is 10% of the prior anniversary
                                    contract 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 is an old
                                    payment withdrawn without withdrawal
                                    charge; and

    240                             $8,000 Dec. 31, 2003 payment is a new
                                    payment in its fifth contract year from
                                    receipt, withdrawn with a 3% withdrawal
                                    charge; and

    240                             $6,000 Feb. 20, 2005 payment is a new
                                    payment in its fourth contract year from
                                    receipt withdrawn with a 4% withdrawal
                                    charge.
- ----------
   $480
    



<PAGE>



   
PAGE 26
The  withdrawal  charge  is  calculated  so that  the  total  amount  minus  any
withdrawal  charge equals the amount you request.  If you take a full withdrawal
from your contract, the $30 contract charge 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.

If your contract includes a "Waiver of Withdrawal Charges" Annuity  Endorsement,
we will waive withdrawal charges that are normally assessed upon full or partial
withdrawal  if you provide  proof  satisfactory  to us that,  as of the date you
request  the  withdrawal,  you or the  annuitant  are  confined to a hospital or
nursing home and have been for the prior 60 days.

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

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

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

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

   
Premium taxes
Certain state and local governments impose premium taxes that may reach to 3.5%.
These taxes are dependent upon 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:



<PAGE>



PAGE 27
Fixed account: The amounts allocated to the fixed account are valued directly in
dollars and equal the sum of your  purchase  payments and transfer  amounts plus
interest  earned,  less any amounts  withdrawn or  transferred  and any contract
administrative charge.

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

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

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

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

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

Net investment factor 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:




<PAGE>



PAGE 28
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.

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.



<PAGE>


       

   
PAGE 29
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 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.



<PAGE>



PAGE 30
o        We will not accept requests for transfers from the fixed
         account at any other time.

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

Two ways to request a transfer or a withdrawal

1        By letter

   
Send  your  name,   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

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.



<PAGE>



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

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


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

Withdrawals from your contract

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

   
Withdrawal policies
If you have a balance in more than one account and request a partial withdrawal,
we will withdraw money from all your subaccounts and/or the 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


<PAGE>



   
PAGE 32
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 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.




<PAGE>



   
PAGE 33
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;
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."




<PAGE>



PAGE 34
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, ten or 15 years certain:  Monthly payouts are
made for a  guaranteed  payout  period of five,  ten or 15 years that you elect.
This election will determine the length of the payout period to the  beneficiary
if the  annuitant  should  die  before  the  elected  period  has  expired.  The
guaranteed  payout  period  is  calculated  from  the  retirement  date.  If the
annuitant outlives the elected  guaranteed payout period,  payouts will continue
until the annuitant's death.
    

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

   
o Plan D - Joint and last survivor life annuity - no refund: Monthly payouts are
made  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 ten 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.




<PAGE>



PAGE 35
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.

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.
    




<PAGE>



   
PAGE 36
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
will 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:
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've
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  also may 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.
    


<PAGE>



   
PAGE 37
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.

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.



<PAGE>



PAGE 38
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.

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  Personal  PortfolioSM  is  issued by  American  Enterprise  Life.  American
Enterprise  Life  is  a  wholly-owned   subsidiary  of  IDS  Life,  which  is  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary of 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.
    




<PAGE>



PAGE 39
American  Enterprise  Life is a stock life insurance  company  organized in 1981
under the laws of the state of Indiana. Its administrative  office is located at
80 South Eighth  Street,  Minneapolis,  MN 55402.  Its statutory  address is 100
Capitol  Center  South,  201  North  Illinois  Street,  Indianapolis,  IN 46204.
American  Enterprise  Life is licensed in the state of Indiana and it conducts a
conventional life insurance business.

   
American Express  Financial  Advisors Inc. is the principal  underwriter for the
variable account.  Its home office is IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis,  MN 55440-0010.
American  Express  Financial  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............................... 3
Calculating annuity payouts........................... 6
Rating agencies....................................... 8
Principal underwriter................................. 8
Independent auditors.................................. 8
Saving for retirement................................. 8
Prospectus............................................ 9
Financial statements -
     American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
     American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Please  check  the  appropriate  box to  receive  a copy  of  the  Statement  of
Additional Information for:
    

____ AEL Personal PortfolioSM

____ IDS Life Retirement Annuity Mutual Funds

____ The OCC Accumulation Trust


<PAGE>



   
PAGE 40
____ Putnam Variable Trust
    

____ GT Global Variable Investment Funds

Mail your request to:

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

American Enterprise Life will mail your request to:

Your name _____________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________

City __________________________ State ____________ Zip ________



<PAGE>



PAGE 41

















                                STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                                for

                                     AEL PERSONAL PORTFOLIOSM

                           AMERICAN ENTERPRISE VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT

   
                                            May 1, 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 May 1, 1997, is not a
prospectus.  It should be read together with the  prospectus  dated May 1, 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 42
                                         TABLE OF CONTENTS

Performance Information......................................3

Calculating Annuity Payouts..................................6

Rating Agencies..............................................8

Principal Underwriter........................................8

Independent Auditors.........................................8

Saving for Retirement........................................8

Prospectus...................................................9

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



<PAGE>



PAGE 43
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

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

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

Simple yield for the subaccount  investing in the IDS Life  Moneyshare Fund will
be based on the: (a) change in the value of a hypothetical investment (exclusive
of capital changes) at the beginning of a seven-day period for which yield is to
be quoted; (b) subtracting a pro rata share of subaccount  expenses accrued over
the seven-day period; (c) dividing the difference by the value of the subaccount
at the  beginning  of the  period  to obtain  the base  period  return;  and (d)
annualizing the results (i.e., multiplying the base period return by 365/7).

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

Calculation  of compound  yield begins with the same base period  return used in
the  calculation  of yield,  which is then  annualized  to  reflect  compounding
according to the following formula:

     Compound Yield = [(Base Period Return + 1) 365/7] -1

   
                         Annualized Yield based on Seven-Day Period ended
                                           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



<PAGE>



PAGE 44
investment  income per accumulation unit by the value of an accumulation unit on
the last day of the period, according to the following formula:

                                        YIELD = 2[(a-b + 1) 6 - 1]
                                                cd

   
where:     a = dividends and investment income earned during the
               period
           b = expenses accrued for the period (net of
               reimbursements)
           c = the average  daily  number of  accumulation  units  outstanding
               during the period that were entitled to receive dividends
           d = the maximum offering price per accumulation unit on
               the last day of the period
    

Yield on the  subaccount  is earned from the  increase in the net asset value of
shares of the fund in which the subaccount  invests and from dividends  declared
and paid by the fund, which are automatically invested in shares of the fund.

   
                    Annualized yield based on 30-Day Period ended 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 ten years (or,
if less, up to the life of the account),  calculated  according to the following
formula:
    

                            P(1+T)n  = ERV

   
where:     P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
           T = average annual total return
           n = number of years
         ERV   = Ending  Redeemable Value of a hypothetical  $1,000 payment made
               at the beginning of the one,  five, or ten year (or other) period
               at the end of the one,  five,  or ten year (or other)  period (or
               fractional portion thereof)
    



<PAGE>



   
PAGE 45
                    Average Annual Total Return For Period Ended Dec. 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Average Annual Total Return with Withdrawal
                                                                                             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%        --%        --%      10.23%
  Capital Resource Fund (10/81)                            -0.39       6.50      12.10          --
  International Equity Fund (1/92)                          1.07         --         --        7.53
  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          --

OCC ACCUMULATION TRUST
    Managed Portfolio (8/88)                               13.94      17.05         --       18.45

GT GLOBAL
  Variable Latin America Fund (2/93)                       13.64         --         --        7.99
  Variable New Pacific Fund (2/93)                         22.05         --         --        7.44

PUTNAM VT
  Diversified Income Fund (9/93)                            0.38         --         --        4.62
  Growth and Income Fund (2/88)                            13.10      14.02         --       13.94
  High Yield Fund (2/88)                                    4.12      11.54         --       10.92
  New Opportunities Fund (5/94)                             1.62         --         --       20.60

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          --
  International Equity Fund (1/92)                          7.93         --         --        7.99
  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          --

OCC ACCUMULATION TRUST
  Managed Portfolio (8/88)                                 20.94      17.26         --       18.45

GT GLOBAL
  Variable Latin America (2/93)                            20.64         --         --        8.82
  Variable New Pacific Fund (2/93)                         29.05         --         --        8.28

PUTNAM VT
  Diversified Income Fund (9/93)                            7.18         --         --        5.66
  Growth and Income Fund (2/88)                            20.10      14.26         --       13.94
  High Yield Fund (2/88)                                   11.12      11.80         --       10.92
  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



<PAGE>



   
PAGE 46
               payment made at the  beginning of the one,  five, or ten year (or
               other) period at the end of the one, five, or ten year (or other)
               period (or fractional portion thereof)
    

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that an assumption be made
that the contract  owner  withdraws  the entire  contract at the end of the one,
five and ten year periods (or, if less,  up to the life of the  subaccount)  for
which performance is required to be calculated. In addition, performance figures
may be shown without the deduction of a withdrawal charge.

   
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, Stanger 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 47
Subsequent Payouts:  To compute later payouts, we multiply:

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

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

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

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

   
Net Investment Factor:
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 48
RATING AGENCIES

   
The following  chart reflects the ratings given to American  Enterprise  Life by
independent rating agencies. These agencies evaluate the financial soundness and
claims-paying  ability of  insurance  companies  based on a number of  different
factors.  This  information  does not relate to the management or performance of
the variable subaccounts of AEL Personal  PortfolioSM.  This information relates
only to the fixed account and reflects  American  Enterprise  Life's  ability to
make annuity payouts and to pay death benefits and other  distributions from the
annuity.
    

Rating agency                    Rating

A.M. Best                          A+
                               (Superior)

Duff & Phelps                     AAA

Moody's                           Aa2

PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

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

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

   
The  financial  statements  of  American  Enterprise  Variable  Annuity  Account
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.




<PAGE>



PAGE 49
PROSPECTUS

   
The  prospectus  dated  May 1,  1997,  is  hereby  incorporated  in this  SAI by
reference.
    


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Net Assets                                                                                              Dec. 31, 1996

                                                                         Segregated Asset Subaccounts
                                           -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets                                          ECR         ESI         EMS          EMG           EIE         EAG          EMD     
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>          <C>            <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>          <C>       
Investments in shares of mutual funds,        
at market value:                              
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund -              
126,400 shares at net assets value            
of $23.68 per share (cost $3,252,829) ..   $2,992,860   $     --     $     --     $     --     $     --     $     --     $     --   
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         --           --           --           --   
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 International Equity -
61,807 shares at net asset value
of $13.77 per share (cost $821,651) ....         --           --           --           --        851,236         --           --   
IDS Life Aggressive Growth -
124,152 shares at net asset value
of $15.66 per share (cost $1,944,162) ..         --           --           --           --           --      1,944,270         --   
Quest for Value Accumulation Trust
Managed Portfolio -
107,698 shares at net asset value
of $36.21 per share (cost $3,425,566) ..         --           --           --           --           --           --      3,899,806 
Quest for Value Accumulation Trust
US Government Income Portfolio -
133,325 shares at net asset value
of $10.38 per share (cost $1,390,622) ..         --           --           --           --           --           --           --   
G.T. Global: Variable New Pacific -
40,532 shares at net asset value
of $18.02 per share (cost $623,536) ....         --           --           --           --           --           --           --   
G.T. Global: Variable Latin America -
53,329 shares at net asset value
of $14.80 per share (cost $701,044) ....         --           --           --           --           --           --           --   
Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund-
261,611 shares at net asset value
of $17.22 per share (cost $4,340,197) ..         --           --           --           --           --           --           --   
Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund -
228,348 shares at net asset value
of $24.56 per share (cost $4,944,570) ..         --           --           --           --           --           --           --   
Putnam VT High Yield Fund -
124,215 shares at net asset value
of $12.96 per share (cost $1,520,574) ..         --           --           --           --           --           --           --   
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund -
199,566 shares at net asset value
of $11.27 per share (cost $2,151,028) ..         --           --           --           --           --           --           --   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            2,992,860    1,702,800      256,723    2,101,885      851,236    1,944,270    3,899,806 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends receivable ...................         --         10,373        1,085         --           --           --           --   
Accounts receivable from American
Enterprise Lifefor contract purchase
payments ...............................         --          2,728         --          2,756         --            257         --   
Receivable from mutual funds for
share redemptions ......................        5,217         --           --           --          1,182         --          1,144 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets ...........................    2,998,077    1,715,901      257,808    2,104,641      852,418    1,944,527    3,900,950 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

Liabilities
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable to American Enterprise Life for:
  Mortality and expense risk fee .......        3,236        1,809          277        2,227          921        2,102        4,199 
  Contract terminations ................        5,217         --           --           --          1,182         --          1,144 
  Issue and administrative fee .........          648          362           55          446          184          420          840 
Payable to mutual funds for investments
   purchased ...........................         --         10,930          753        2,756           10          273         --   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities ......................        9,101       13,101        1,085        5,429        2,297        2,795        6,183 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets applicable to contracts in
   accumulation period .................   $2,988,976   $1,702,800   $  256,723   $2,099,212   $  850,121   $1,941,732   $3,894,767 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation units outstanding .........    2,350,045    1,377,190      240,823    1,545,535      675,237    1,323,955    2,462,112 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value per accumulation unit ..   $     1.27   $     1.24   $     1.07   $     1.36   $     1.26   $     1.47   $     1.58 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Net Assets - continued                                            Dec. 31, 1996
                                                                                       
                                                    Segregated Asset Subaccounts
                                         ----------------------------------------------------
Assets                                        EUS          EPA          ELA          ENO
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>            <C>          <C>        <C>      
Investments in shares of mutual funds,                                                               
at market value:                                                                                     
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund -                                                                     
126,400 shares at net assets value                                                                   
of $23.68 per share (cost $3,252,829) ..   $     --     $     --     $     --     $     --
IDS Life Special Income Fund -
143,132 shares at net asset value
of $11.90 per share (cost $1,684,234) ..         --           --           --           --
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund, Inc. -
256,743 shares at  net asset value
of $1.00 per share (cost $256,721) .....         --           --           --           --
IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc. -
125,309 shares at net asset value
of $16.77 per share (cost $1,993,797) ..         --           --           --           --
IDS Life International Equity -
61,807 shares at net asset value
of  $13.77 per share (cost $821,651) ...         --           --           --           --
IDS Life Aggressive Growth -
124,152 shares at net asset value
of $15.66 per share (cost $1,944,162) ..         --           --           --           --
Quest for Value Accumulation Trust
Managed Portfolio -
107,698 shares at net asset value
of $36.21 per share (cost $3,425,566) ..         --           --           --           --
Quest for Value Accumulation Trust
US Government Income Portfolio -
133,325 shares at net asset value
of $10.38 per share (cost $1,390,622) ..    1,383,923         --           --           --
G.T. Global: Variable New Pacific -
40,532 shares at net asset value
of $18.02 per share (cost $623,536) ....         --        730,367         --           --
G.T. Global: Variable Latin America -
53,329 shares at net asset value
of $14.80 per share (cost $701,044) ....         --           --        789,152         --
Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund-
261,611 shares at net asset value
of $17.22 per share (cost $4,340,197) ..         --           --           --      4,504,945
Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund -
228,348 shares at net asset value
of $24.56 per share (cost $4,944,570) ..         --           --           --           --
Putnam VT High Yield Fund -
124,215 shares at net asset value
of $12.96 per share (cost $1,520,574) ..         --           --           --           --
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund -
199,566 shares at net asset value
of $11.27 per share (cost $2,151,028) ..         --           --           --           --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1,383,923      730,367      789,152    4,504,945
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends receivable ...................           26         --           --           --
Accounts receivable from American
Enterprise Life for contract purchase
payments ...............................        6,029         --           --         92,319
Receivable from mutual funds for
share redemptions ......................         --            269          259         --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets ...........................    1,389,978      730,636      789,411    4,597,264
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

Liabilities
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable to American Enterprise Life for:
  Mortality and expense risk fee .......        1,472          791          853        4,748
  Contract terminations ................         --            269          259         --
  Issue and administrative fee .........          295          158          171          949
Payable to mutual funds for investments
   purchased ...........................        6,029         --           --         92,319
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities ......................        7,796        1,218        1,283       98,016
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets applicable to contracts in
   accumulation period .................   $1,382,182   $  729,418   $  788,128   $4,499,248
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation units outstanding .........    1,252,181      530,176      663,497    2,979,587
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value per accumulation unit ..   $     1.10   $     1.38   $     1.19   $     1.51
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Net Assets - continued                                                        Dec. 31, 1996
                                                                                                         
                                                   ---------------------------------------       Combined
                                                                                                 Variable
Assets                                                   EGI         EHY            EDI           Account
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>       
Investments in shares of mutual funds,                                                                          
at market value:                                                                                                
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund -                                                                                
126,400 shares at net assets value                                                                              
of $23.68 per share (cost $3,252,829) ...........   $      --   $        --    $       --     $ 2,992,860
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
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 International Equity -
61,807 shares at net asset value
of  $13.77 per share (cost $821,651) ............          --            --            --         851,236
IDS Life Aggressive Growth -
124,152 shares at net asset value
of $15.66 per share (cost $1,944,162) ...........          --            --            --       1,944,270
Quest for Value Accumulation Trust
Managed Portfolio -
107,698 shares at net asset value
of $36.21 per share (cost $3,425,566) ...........          --            --            --       3,899,806
Quest for Value Accumulation Trust
US Government Income Portfolio -
133,325 shares at net asset value
of $10.38 per share (cost $1,390,622) ...........          --            --            --       1,383,923
G.T. Global: Variable New Pacific -
40,532 shares at net asset value
of $18.02 per share (cost $623,536) .............          --            --            --         730,367
G.T. Global: Variable Latin America -
53,329 shares at net asset value
of $14.80 per share (cost $701,044) .............          --            --            --         789,152
Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund-
261,611 shares at net asset value
of $17.22 per share (cost $4,340,197) ...........          --            --            --       4,504,945
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 High Yield Fund -
124,215 shares at net asset value
of $12.96 per share (cost $1,520,574) ...........          --       1,609,824          --       1,609,824
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
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          5,608,219   1,609,824   2,249,106    30,625,116
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends receivable ............................          --            --            --          11,484
Accounts receivable from American Enterprise Life
for contract purchase payments ..................         4,488         2,510         4,148       115,235
Receivable from mutual funds for
share redemptions ...............................          --            --            --           8,071
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets ....................................     5,612,707     1,612,334     2,253,254    30,759,906
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

Liabilities
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable to American Enterprise Life for:
  Mortality and expense risk fee ................         6,057         1,698         2,427        32,817
  Contract terminations .........................          --            --            --           8,071
  Issue and administrative fee ..................         1,211           340           485         6,564
Payable to mutual funds for investments
   purchased ....................................         4,488         2,510         4,148       124,216
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities ...............................        11,756         4,548         7,060       171,668
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets applicable to contracts in
   accumulation period ..........................   $ 5,600,951   $ 1,607,786   $ 2,246,194   $30,588,238
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation units outstanding ..................     3,655,312     1,270,037     1,824,245
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value per accumulation unit ...........     $    1.53     $    1.27   $      1.23
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to financial statements ..
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Operations                                                                                   Year ended Dec. 31, 1996
                                                                     Segregated Asset Subaccounts
                                    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        ECR         ESI         EMS          EMG         EIE         EAG        EMD          EUS

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>      
Investment income:
Dividend income from mutual funds   $ 447,677    $ 92,432    $  6,603    $ 161,548   $  24,251   $ 195,247    $ 16,891    $  49,450
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risk fee ..      26,117      14,742       1,685       17,962       7,183      16,404      27,367       11,829
Administrative charge ...........       5,224       2,948         337        3,592       1,437       3,281       5,473        2,366
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses ..................      31,341      17,690       2,022       21,554       8,620      19,685      32,840       14,195
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income (loss) - net ..     416,336      74,742       4,581      139,994      15,631     175,562     (15,949)      35,255
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments - net
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain (loss) on sales of
investment in mutual funds:
Proceeds from sales .............     117,410     152,258     153,012      120,540      34,697      95,714      74,115       67,340
Cost of investments sold ........     119,504     153,718     153,013      113,153      33,635      90,385      67,333       67,546
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gain (loss) on
investments .....................      (2,094)     (1,460)         (1)       7,387       1,062       5,329       6,782         (206)
Net change in unrealized
appreciation or
depreciation of investments .....    (287,096)      5,443           2       83,860      19,999     (25,579)    442,091      (10,368)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain (loss) on investments ..    (289,190)      3,983           1       91,247      21,061     (20,250)    448,873      (10,574)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase from operations ....   $ 127,146    $ 78,725    $  4,582    $ 231,241   $  36,692   $ 155,312    $432,924    $  24,681
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Operations - continued                                                                  Year ended Dec. 31, 1996

                                                                  Segregated Asset Subaccounts                                
                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------    Combined
                                         EPA          ELA          ENO           EGI          EHY         EDI         Variable
                                                                                                                       Account
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>       
Investment income:
Dividend income from mutual funds   $    6,056    $   16,201   $     --      $  157,276   $   58,665   $   78,310   $1,310,607
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risk fee ..        6,126         7,097       37,601        45,020       13,724       19,862      252,719
Administrative charge ...........        1,225         1,419        7,520         9,004        2,745        3,972       50,543
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses ..................        7,351         8,516       45,121        54,024       16,469       23,834      303,262
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income (loss) - net ..       (1,295)        7,685      (45,121)      103,252       42,196       54,476    1,007,345
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments - net
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain (loss) on sales of
investment in mutual funds:
Proceeds from sales .............       38,478        36,076       94,415       124,207      187,174      200,600    1,496,036
Cost of investments sold ........       34,086        32,467       87,298       116,565      183,615      198,770    1,451,088
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gain (loss) on
investments .....................        4,392         3,609        7,117         7,642        3,559        1,830       44,948
Net change in unrealized
appreciation or
depreciation of investments .....      101,035        79,322       94,114       575,348       73,912       73,352    1,225,435
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain (loss) on investments ..      105,427        82,931      101,231       582,990       77,471       75,182    1,270,383
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase from operations ....   $  104,132    $   90,616   $   56,110    $  686,242   $  119,667   $  129,658   $2,277,728
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets                                                                     Year ended Dec. 31, 1996

                                                                        Segregated Asset Subaccounts
                                          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations                                     ECR            ESI           EMS            EMG            EIE            EAG
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>        
Investment income (loss) - net ........   $   416,336    $    74,742    $     4,581    $   139,994    $    15,631    $   175,562
Net realized gain (loss) on
investments ...........................        (2,094)        (1,460)            (1)         7,387          1,062          5,329
Net change in unrealized
appreciation or
depreciation of investments ...........      (287,096)         5,443              2         83,860         19,999        (25,579)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase from operations...........       127,146         78,725          4,582        231,241         36,692        155,312
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Transactions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable annuity contract purchase
payments ..............................     1,819,729      1,330,728        277,016      1,299,140        578,213      1,188,007
Net transfers* ........................       160,697       (128,604)      (160,372)       (54,922)           699         44,944
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits and contract charges       (96,464)       (45,696)           (67)       (52,330)       (21,597)       (52,750)
Death benefits ........................          --          (17,536)          --          (18,177)          --             --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase from contract transactions ...     1,883,962      1,138,892        116,577      1,173,711        557,315      1,180,201
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning of year .......       977,868        485,183        135,564        694,260        256,114        606,219
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of year .............   $ 2,988,976    $ 1,702,800    $   256,723    $ 2,099,212    $   850,121    $ 1,941,732
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accumulation Unit Activity
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at beginning of year        817,655        413,748        131,600        588,760        219,594        473,162
Contract purchase payments ............     1,485,938      1,131,063        263,096      1,062,502        476,859        858,107
Net transfers* ........................       129,540       (109,946)      (153,809)       (44,426)            56         32,975
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits and contract charges       (83,088)       (42,442)           (64)       (46,345)       (21,272)       (40,289)
Death benefits ........................          --          (15,233)          --          (14,956)          --             --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end of year ......     2,350,045      1,377,190        240,823      1,545,535        675,237      1,323,955
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*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
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets - continued                                                         Year ended Dec. 31, 1996

                                                            Segregated Asset Subaccounts
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations                                     EMD            EUS            EPA           ELA            ENO             EGI
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>        
Investment income (loss) - net ........   $   (15,949)   $    35,255    $    (1,295)   $     7,685    $   (45,121)   $   103,252
Net realized gain (loss)
on investments ........................         6,782           (206)         4,392          3,609          7,117          7,642
Net change in unrealized appreciation
or depreciation of investments ........       442,091        (10,368)       101,035         79,322         94,114        575,348
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase from operations...........       432,924         24,681        104,132         90,616         56,110        686,242
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Contract Transactions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable annuity contract
purchase payments .....................     2,973,800        981,238        467,758        437,491      3,175,961      3,170,351
Net transfers* ........................       (25,217)       (41,299)       (27,205)       (19,722)       411,509        427,988
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits and contract charges       (56,812)       (31,888)       (20,943)       (18,679)      (102,255)      (140,638)
Death benefits ........................          --             --             --             --             --           (9,662)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase from contract transactions ...     2,891,771        908,051        419,610        399,090      3,485,215      3,448,039
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning of year .......       570,072        449,450        205,676        298,422        957,923      1,466,670
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of year .............   $ 3,894,767    $ 1,382,182    $   729,418    $   788,128    $ 4,499,248    $ 5,600,951
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accumulation Unit Activity
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at beginning of year.       435,846        413,258        192,917        303,151        690,849      1,151,991
Contract purchase payments ............     2,078,911        909,198        377,258        396,610      2,086,487      2,299,290
Net transfers* ........................       (17,730)       (38,115)       (21,947)       (17,905)       275,115        310,542
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits and contract charges       (34,915)       (32,160)       (18,052)       (18,359)       (72,864)       (99,565)
Death benefits ........................          --             --             --             --             --           (6,946)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end of year ......     2,462,112      1,252,181        530,176        663,497      2,979,587      3,655,312
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*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
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets - continued               Year ended Dec. 31, 1996
                                                                                      
                                      -----------------------------------     Combined
Operations                                     EHY            EDI             Variable
                                                                               Account
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>             <C>             <C>         
Investment income (loss) - net ........   $     42,196    $     54,476    $  1,007,345
Net realized gain (loss) on
investments ...........................          3,559           1,830          44,948
Net change in unrealized
appreciation or
depreciation of investments ...........         73,912          73,352       1,225,435
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase from operations...........        119,667         129,658       2,277,728
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Contract Transactions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable annuity contract purchase
payments ..............................      1,223,297       1,660,528      20,583,257
Net transfers* ........................       (249,459)       (184,094)        154,943
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits and contract charges        (33,017)        (49,780)       (722,916)
Death benefits ........................           --              --           (45,375)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase from contract transactions ...        940,821       1,426,654      19,969,909
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning of year .......        547,298         689,882       8,340,601
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of year .............   $  1,607,786    $  2,246,194    $ 30,588,238
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accumulation Unit Activity
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at beginning of year         480,470         600,567
Contract purchase payments ............      1,030,697       1,425,924
Net transfers* ........................       (210,240)       (156,974)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits and contract charges        (30,890)        (45,272)
Death benefits ........................           --              --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end of year ......      1,270,037       1,824,245
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
*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
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets                               For the period Feb. 21, 1995 (commencement
                                                                             of operations) to Dec. 31, 1995

                                                       Segregated Asset Subaccounts                        .
Operations                    ECR          ESI         EMS         EMG         EIE         EAG         EMD
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>      
Investment income
(loss) - net                $ 23,141    $  6,298    $  2,095    $  2,580   $  1,526    $   (906)    $ (2,005)
Net realized gain
(loss) on investments          1,094         403           -         868        322       1,049        1,569
Net change in unrealized
appreciation or
depreciation of
investments                   27,127      13,123           -      24,228      9,586      25,687       32,149
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase from operations  51,362      19,824       2,095      27,676     11,434      25,830       31,713
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Transactions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable annuity contract
purchase payments            906,083     465,579     192,695     668,364    248,520     557,366      549,262
Net transfers*                26,610         445     (59,226)        816        665      27,715        3,794
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits (Note 6)   (6,187)       (665)          -      (2,596)    (4,505)     (4,692)     (14,697)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase from
contract transactions        926,506     465,359     133,469     666,584    244,680     580,389      538,359
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning
of period                          -           -           -           -          -           -            -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end
of period                   $977,868    $485,183    $135,564    $694,260   $256,114    $606,219     $570,072
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Activity
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at
beginning of period                -           -           -           -          -           -            -
Contract purchase payments   800,247     413,918     189,518     590,321    223,000     454,945      444,358
Net transfers*                22,925         434     (57,918)        767        597      22,093        3,027
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits            (5,517)       (604)          -      (2,328)    (4,003)     (3,876)     (11,539)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at
end of period                817,655     413,748     131,600     588,760    219,594     473,162      435,846
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Includes  transfer  activity from (to) other  Accounts and transfers from (to)
American Enterprise Life for conversion from (to) the fixed account.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)                            For the period Feb. 21, 1995 (commencement
                                                                                      of operations) to Dec. 31, 1995
                         ______________________Segregated Asset Subaccounts_____________________________     Variable
Operations                  EUS        EPA        ELA         ENO         EGI          EHY        EDI         Account
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>         <C>       
Investment income
(loss) - net            $  6,938   $   (704)   $  2,481   $ (2,738)   $   (2,627)   $    799   $   (685)   $   36,193
Net realized gain
(loss) on investments        154        158         (85)     1,494         1,557         423        272         9,278
Net change in unrealized
appreciation  or
depreciation of
investments                3,669      5,796       8,786     70,635        88,301      15,338     24,726       349,151
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase
from operations           10,761      5,250      11,182     69,391        87,231      16,560     24,313       394,622
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Transactions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable annuity contract
purchase payments        439,825    201,104     288,402    887,679     1,410,722     555,962    667,230     8,038,793
Net transfers*               347        657         202     20,208         9,040     (24,548)       447         7,172
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits
(Note 6)                  (1,483)    (1,335)     (1,364)   (19,355)      (40,323)       (676)    (2,108)      (99,986)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase from
contract transactions    438,689    200,426     287,240    888,532     1,379,439     530,738    665,569     7,945,979
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning
of period                      -          -           -          -             -           -          -             -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end
of period               $449,450   $205,676    $298,422   $957,923    $1,466,670    $547,298   $689,882    $8,340,601
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Activity
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at
beginning of period            -          -           -          -             -           -          -
Contract purchase
payments                 414,325    193,497     304,194    690,494     1,177,088     502,860    602,054
Net transfers*               340        627         212     15,447         7,402     (21,772)       430
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits        (1,407)    (1,207)     (1,255)   (15,092)      (32,499)       (618)    (1,917)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at
end of period            413,258    192,917     303,151    690,849     1,151,991     480,470    600,567
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Includes  transfer  activity from (to) other  Accounts and transfers from (to)
American Enterprise Life for conversion from (to) the fixed account.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account

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

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account (the Account) was established under
Indiana law on July 15, 1987 and with the subaccounts 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 fourteen  subaccounts.  Each  subaccount  invests
exclusively  in shares of six funds of the IDS Life  Retirement  Annuity  Mutual
Funds (collectively,  the IDS Life Funds), or in shares of two portfolios of OCC
Accumulation Trust (collectively, the OCC Portfolios), or in shares of two funds
of G.T. Global (collectively, the G.T. Global Funds), or in shares of four funds
of Putnam Variable Trust  (collectively,  Putnam Funds) formerly known as Putnam
Capital  Manager  Trust.  The assets of each  subaccount  of the Account are not
chargeable with liabilities  arising out of the business  conducted by any other
subaccount,  account or by  American  Enterprise  Life.  Purchase  payments  are
allocated  to any or all  fourteen  subaccounts  or in the  fixed  account.  The
purchase  payments  allocated to the  subaccounts are then invested in shares of
the specific Portfolio or Fund selected.

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

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

Putnam  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 New Opportunities Fund, formerly
PCM New Opportunities Fund,  commenced  operations on May 2, 1994. The Putnam VT
Growth and Income Fund,  formerly PCM Growth and Income Fund,  and the Putnam VT
High Yield Fund, formerly PCM High Yield Fund,  commenced  operations on Feb. 1,
1988. The Putnam VT Diversified  Income Fund,  formerly PCM  Diversified  Income
Fund, commenced operations on Sept. 15, 1993. Purchase payments allocated to the
Putnam VT New  Opportunities  (ENO) subaccount invest in shares of the Putnam VT
New Opportunities Fund, the Putnam VT Growth and Income (EGI) subaccount invests
in shares of the Putnam VT Growth and


Income Fund, the Putnam VT High Yield (EHY) subaccount  invests in shares of the
Putnam VT High Yield Fund and the Putnam VT Diversified  Income (EDI) subaccount
invests in shares of the Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund.

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

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

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

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

Putnam  Mutual Funds serves as  distributor  and prinicpal  underwriter  for the
Putnam Funds.  Putnam  Investment  Management,  Inc.  serves as the Putnam Funds
investment  manager.  Putnam  Fiduciary Trust Company serves as the Putnam Funds
custodian.  

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

Investments in Mutual Funds
Investments in shares of the IDS Life Funds, the OCC Portfolios, the G.T. Global
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 portfolio
or fund.  Investment  transactions  are accounted for on the date the shares are
purchased and sold. The cost of  investments  sold and redeemed is determined on
the average cost method.  Dividend distributions received from the Portfolios or
the Funds are  reinvested,  net of any expenses  payable to American  Enterprise
Life,  in  additional  shares  of the Funds  and are  recorded  as income by the
subaccounts on the ex-dividend date.

Unrealized  appreciation  or  depreciation  of investments  in the  accompanying
financial   statements   represents  the   subaccounts'   share  of  the  Funds'
undistributed net investment income, undistributed realized gain or loss and the
unrealized appreciation or depreciation on their investment securities.

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


<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 unit values of the  subaccounts.  The  subaccounts  pay this fee at the time
dividends are distributed  from the Funds in which they invest.  It is equal, on
an annual basis,  to 1.25 percent of the  subaccounts  average daily net assets.
This fee does not apply to the fixed account.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------           
4. Administrative Charge

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

- -------------------------------------------------------------------
5.  Contract Administrative Charge

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

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

- ------------------------------------------------------------------- 
6. SurrenderCharge

American  Enterprise Life will use a surrender charge to help it recover certain
expenses  relating  to the sale of the  annuity.  The  surrender  charge will be
deducted  for  surrenders  during the first  seven  payment  years  following  a
purchase  payment.  Charges by American  Enterprise  Life for surrenders are not
available on an  individual  segregated  asset  account  basis.  Charges for all
segregated  asset  accounts  amounted to $34,957 in 1996 and $nil in 1995.  Such
charges are not an expense of the subaccounts or Account. They are deducted from
contract surrender benefits paid by American Enterprise Life.


<PAGE>


- -------------------------------------------------------------------
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>       
  ECR          IDS Life Capital Resource Fund                       $2,420,544      $  978,959
  ESI          IDS Life Special Income Fund                          1,365,892         491,218
  EMS          IDS Life Moneyshare Fund                                274,170         199,964
  EMG          IDS Life Managed Fund                                 1,436,211         691,443
  EIE          IDS Life International Equity Fund                      608,493         257,070
  EAG          IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund                       1,453,339         606,633
  EMD          OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio              2,954,380         557,379
  EUS          OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government Portfolio      1,012,684         472,031
  EPA          GT Global Variable New Pacific Fund                     457,523         207,291
  ELA          GT Global Variable Latin America Fund                   443,537         301,238
  ENO          Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund                      3,539,234         912,517
  EGI          Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund                      3,681,192       1,410,167
  EHY          Putnam VT High Yield Fund                             1,171,624         558,172
  EDI          Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund                     1,683,881         683,408
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   $22,502,704      $8,327,490
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 *For the period Feb. 21, 1995 (commencement of operations) to Dec. 31, 1995.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account


Annual Financial Information

Report of Independent Auditors

The Board of Directors
American Enterprise Life Insurance Company

We have  audited the  individual  and combined  statements  of net assets of the
segregated  asset  subaccounts of American  Enterprise  Variable Annuity Account
(comprised of subaccounts ECR, ESI, EMS, EMG, EIE, EAG, EMD, EUS, EPA, ELA, ENO,
EGI,  EHY and EDI) 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 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 50
PART C.

Item 24.          Financial Statements and Exhibits

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

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

2.       Not applicable.

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

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

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

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



<PAGE>



PAGE 51
4.3      Form of Annuity  Endorsement  (form  34562),  filed  electronically  as
         Exhibit  4.3 to the  Initial  Registration  Statement  to  Registration
         Statement No. 33-54471,  filed on or about July 5, 1994 is incorporated
         herein by reference.

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

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

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

7.       Not applicable.

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

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

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

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

10.      Consent of Independent Auditors, filed electronically
         herewith.

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




<PAGE>



PAGE 52
         Financial Statement Schedules:

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

                       Report of  Independent  Auditors  dated February 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, therefore, have been omitted.

12.      Not applicable.

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

14.      Financial Data Schedules, filed electronically herewith.

15.      Power of Attorney to sign this Registration Statement dated
         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



<PAGE>



PAGE 53
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>

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



<PAGE>



PAGE 54
Item 26.       Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the
               Depositor or Registrant (continued)

                                                  Jurisdiction
Name of Subsidiary                                of Incorporation

    IDS Futures III Corporation                      Minnesota
    IDS Insurance Agency of Alabama Inc.             Alabama
    IDS Insurance Agency of Arkansas Inc.            Arkansas
    IDS Insurance Agency of Massachusetts Inc.       Massachusetts
    IDS Insurance Agency of Mississippi Ltd.         Mississippi
    IDS Insurance Agency of New Mexico Inc.          New Mexico
    IDS Insurance Agency of North Carolina Inc.      North Carolina
    IDS Insurance Agency of Ohio Inc.                Ohio
    IDS Insurance Agency of Texas Inc.               Texas
    IDS Insurance Agency of Utah Inc.                Utah
    IDS Insurance Agency of Wyoming Inc.             Wyoming
    IDS International, Inc.                          Delaware
    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

               On Jan. 31, 1997, there were 858 contract owners of
               qualified contracts and there were 551 owners of non-
               qualified contracts.

Item 28.       Indemnification

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

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

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



<PAGE>



PAGE 55
               Insofar  as  indemnification  for  liability  arising  under  the
               Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to director, officers and
               controlling  persons of the registrant  pursuant to the foregoing
               provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in
               the  opinion  of the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  such
               indemnification  is against public policy as expressed in the Act
               and is, therefore,  unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for
               indemnification  against such liabilities (other than the payment
               by the  registrant  of  expenses  incurred or paid by a director,
               officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful
               defense of any action,  suit or  proceeding)  is asserted by such
               director,  officer or controlling  person in connection  with the
               securities being  registered,  the registrant will, unless in the
               opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
               precedent,  submit  to a court of  appropriate  jurisdiction  the
               question  whether such  indemnification  by it is against  public
               policy as  expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
               adjudication of such issue.



<PAGE>



PAGE 56
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

John M. Baker            Vice President-              None
                         Plan Sponsor Services

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

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

Timothy V. Bechtold      Vice President-Risk          None
IDS Tower 10             Management Products
Minneapolis, MN  55440


<PAGE>



PAGE 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cynthia M. Carlson       Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             American Express
Minneapolis, MN  55440   Securities Services


<PAGE>



PAGE 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


<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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


<PAGE>



PAGE 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

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

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


<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

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

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


<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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daniel E. Laufenberg     Vice President and           None
IDS Tower 10             Chief U.S. Economist
Minneapolis, MN  55440

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


<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

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

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


<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

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

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

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

James M. Punch           Vice President-              None
IDS Tower 10             Geographical Service
Minneapolis, MN 55440    Teams


<PAGE>



PAGE 65
Item 29(b).  As to each director, officer or partner of the
principal underwriter (American Express Financial Advisors):
(cont'd)
                                                      Positions and
Name and Principal       Position and Offices         Offices with
Business Address         with Underwriter             Registrant

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Russell L. Scalfano      Group Vice President-        None
Suite 201                Illinois/Indiana/Kentucky
101 Plaza East Blvd.
Evansville, IN  47715

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


<PAGE>



PAGE 66
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paul J. Stanislaw        Group Vice President-        None
Suite 1100               Southern California
Two Park Plaza
Irvine, CA  92714

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


<PAGE>



PAGE 67
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


<PAGE>



PAGE 68
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Item 29(c).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                  Net Underwriting
             Name of Principal     Discounts and        Compensation on        Brokerage
             Underwriter            Commissions           Redemption          Commissions     Compensation

             <S>                     <C>                    <C>                  <C>             <C>   
             American Express
             Financial Advisors
             Inc.                    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.




<PAGE>



PAGE 69
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 70
                                            SIGNATURES

As  required by the  Securities  Act of 1933 and the  Investment  Company Act of
1940,  American  Enterprise Life Insurance Company,  on behalf of the Registrant
certifies that it meets the requirements for  effectiveness of this Amendment to
its Registration  Statement  pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of
1933 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf,
in the City of  Minneapolis,  and State of Minnesota,  on the 23rd day of April,
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 23rd day of
April, 1997.

Signature                               Title

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

/s/ Douglas L. Forsberg*                Director, 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
herein.



- ------------------------------
Sherilyn K. Beck


<PAGE>



PAGE 71
                            CONTENTS OF POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 7

This Registration Statement is comprised of the following papers and documents:

The Cover Page.

Cross-reference sheet.

Part A.

     The prospectus.

Part B.

     Statement of Additional Information.

     Financial Statements.

Part C.

     Other Information.

     The signatures.

Exhibits.





<PAGE>



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

EXHIBIT INDEX

10.   Consent of Independent Auditors.

11.   Financial Statement Schedules and Report of Independent
      Auditors.

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

15.   Power of Attorney.




<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 in Post-Effective  Amendment No. 7 to the Registration Statement
(Form N-4, No.  33-54471) 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 21, 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>
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                  FEB-21-1996
<PERIOD-END>                    DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-TYPE>                          YEAR
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                           1
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>              29050533
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>             30625116
<RECEIVABLES>                        134790
<ASSETS-OTHER>                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                     30759906
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>          (171668)
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                (171668)
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>              22149132
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>               6913568
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                   0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                  0
<NET-ASSETS>                       30588238
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                   1310607
<INTEREST-INCOME>                         0
<OTHER-INCOME>                            0
<EXPENSES-NET>                     (303262)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>             1007345
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>              44948
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>           1225435
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>               2277728
<EQUALIZATION>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                  0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                   0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                     0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>            16630168
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>      (1393804)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                       0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>             22588238
<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>                     (303262)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>               19464420
<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>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                      7
<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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