AMERICAN ENTERPRISE VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
485BPOS, 1998-08-24
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM N-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

         Pre-Effective Amendment No.                                     [ ]

         Post-Effective Amendment No.     11     (File No. 33-54471)     [X]

                                   and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

         Amendment No.             12       (File No. 811-7195)          [X]

                     (Check appropriate box or boxes)

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

                American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             (Name of Depositor)

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

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

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

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
    [ ]  immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
    [X]  on August 24, 1998 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  prospectus  and Statement of Additional  Information  filed  electronically
herewith  are  not  intended  to  supersede  the  prospectus  and  Statement  of
Additional   Information   filed  with   Post-Effective   Amendment  No.  10  to
Registration Statement No. 33-54471, filed on or about April 30, 1998.


<PAGE>

                                 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 the  prospectus  and  Statement  of  Additional
Information are so indicated.

                       PART A

Item No.          Section in Prospectus
1                 Cover page
2                 Key terms
3  (a)            Expense summary
   (b)            The annuities in brief
4  (a)            Condensed financial information
   (b)            Performance information
   (c)            Financial statements
5  (a)            Cover page; About American Enterprise Life
   (b)            The variable account
   (c)            The funds
   (d)            Cover page; The funds
   (e)            Voting rights
   (f)            NA
   (g)            NA
6  (a)            Charges
   (b)            Expense summary; Charges
   (c)            Charges
   (d)            Distribution of the contracts
   (e)            The funds
   (f)            NA
7  (a)            Buying your annuity; Benefits in case of death; The annuity
                  payout period
   (b)            The variable account; Transferring money between subaccounts;
                  Transfer policies
   (c)            The funds; Charges
   (d)            Cover page
8  (a)            The annuity payout period
   (b)            Buying your annuity
   (c)            The annuity payout period
   (d)            The annuity payout period
   (e)            The annuity payout period
   (f)            The annuity payout period
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
   (d)            Buying your annuity
   (e)            The annuities in brief
12 (a)            Taxes
   (b)            Key terms
   (c)            NA
13                NA
14                Table of contents of the Statement of Additional Information


                          PART B

Item No.          Section in Statement of Additional Information
15(a)             Cover Page
  (b)             NA
16                Table of Contents
17 (a)            NA
   (b)            NA
   (c)            About American Enterprise Life*
18 (a)            NA
   (b)            NA
   (c)            Independent Auditors
   (d)            NA
   (e)            NA
   (f)            NA
19 (a)            Distribution of the contracts*
   (b)            NA
20 (a)            Principal Underwriter
   (b)            Principal Underwriter
   (c)            NA
   (d)            NA
21 (a)            Performance Information
   (b)            Performance Information
22                Calculating Annuity Payouts
23 (a)            Financial Statements
   (b)            Financial Statements

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

<PAGE>
   
AEL Personal Portfolio Plus2
Aug. 24, 1998
Variable Annuity Prospectus

The flexible premium variable annuity contract described in the prospectus is
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), Roth IRAs and
nonqualified retirement plans.
    
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account

Sold by: American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
Administrative Offices: 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. As in
the case of other annuities, it may not be advantageous to purchase this annuity
as a replacement for, or in addition to an existing annuity.

   
The prospectus is accompanied or preceded by the following prospectuses: AIM
Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.; American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc.; IDS
Life Retirement Annuity Mutual Funds; Janus Aspen Series; OCC Accumulation
Trust; Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds; and Putnam Variable Trust-Class IB
Shares. 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 bank or financial institution, and the
securities it offers are not deposits or obligations of, backed or guaranteed or
endorsed by any bank or financial institution nor are they insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other
agency. Investments in this annuity involve investment risk including the
possible loss of principal.


<PAGE>


   
A Statement of Additional Information (SAI), dated Aug. 24, 1998 (incorporated
by reference into this prospectus) and 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>


                                            Table of contents
   
Key terms......................................................................
The annuity in brief...........................................................
Expense summary................................................................
Condensed financial information (Unaudited)....................................
Financial statements...........................................................
Performance information........................................................
The variable account...........................................................
The funds......................................................................

     AIM V.I. Growth and Income Fund...........................................
     AIM V.I. International Equity Fund........................................
     AIM V.I. Value Fund.......................................................
     American Century VP Income and Growth.....................................
     American Century VP Value.................................................
     IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund...........................................
     IDS Life Capital Resource Fund............................................
     IDS Life Growth Dimensions Fund...........................................
     IDS Life International Equity Fund........................................
     IDS Life Managed Fund.....................................................
     IDS Life Moneyshare Fund..................................................
     IDS Life Special Income Fund..............................................
     Janus Aspen Series Balanced Portfolio.....................................
     Janus Aspen Series Worldwide Growth Portfolio.............................
     OCC Accumulation Trust Equity Portfolio.................................
     OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio................................
     OCC Accumulation Trust Small Cap Portfolio..............................
     OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government Income Portfolio.................
     Oppenheimer Variable Account Growth Fund................................
     Oppenheimer Variable Account High Income Fund...........................
     Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund - Class IB Shares.....................
     Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund - Class IB Shares......................
     Putnam VT High Yield Fund - Class IB Shares.............................
     Putnam VT Voyager Fund - Class IB Shares................................
    
The fixed account............................................................
Buying your annuity..........................................................

     The retirement date......................................................
     Beneficiary.............................................................
     How to make payments.....................................................


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Charges.................................................................
     Contract administrative charge.....................................
     Variable account administrative charge.............................
     Mortality and expense risk fee.....................................
     Withdrawal charge..................................................
     Waiver of withdrawal charge........................................
     Premium taxes......................................................

Valuing your investment.................................................
     Number of units....................................................
     Accumulation unit value............................................
     Net investment factor..............................................
     Factors that affect variable subaccount
     accumulation units.................................................

Making the most of your annuity.........................................
     Automated dollar-cost averaging....................................
     Transferring money between subaccounts.............................
     Transfer policies..................................................
     Two ways to request a transfer or a withdrawal.....................

Withdrawals from your contract..........................................
     Withdrawal policies................................................
     Receiving payment when you request a withdrawal....................

Changing ownership......................................................
Benefits in case of death...............................................
The annuity payout period...............................................

     Annuity payout plans...............................................
     Death after annuity payouts begin..................................

Taxes...................................................................
Voting rights...........................................................
Substitution of investments.............................................
Distribution of the contracts...........................................
About American Enterprise Life..........................................
Year 2000 ..............................................................
Regular and special reports.............................................

     Services...............................................................
     Table of contents of the Statement of Additional Information...........


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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. You may allocate your purchase payments into variable
subaccounts investing in shares of any or all of these funds (See "The 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


<PAGE>


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.

Qualified annuity - An annuity purchased for one of the following retirement
plans that is subject to applicable federal law and any rules of the plan
itself:

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

All other annuities are considered nonqualified annuities.

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

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

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 subaccount 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 underlying mutual 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 annuity in brief

Purpose: The annuity is designed to allow you to accumulate money 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 offices within 10 days after it is delivered to you
and receive a full refund


<PAGE>


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        the 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
         in which it invests. We cannot guarantee that the value at the
         retirement date will equal or exceed the total of purchase payments
         allocated to the variable subaccounts. (p. )

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


<PAGE>


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 may include amounts from each variable subaccount
and the fixed account. (p. )

Taxes: Generally, your annuity grows tax-deferred until you fully withdraw it or
begin to receive payouts.  (Under certain  circumstances,  IRS penalty taxes may
apply.)  Even if you direct  payouts to someone  else,  you will be taxed on the
income if you are the owner. Roth IRAs,  however,  may grow tax free if you meet
certain distribution requirements. (p.)

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

Expense summary

The purpose of this table is to help you understand the various costs and
expenses associated with your annuity.

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

Contract owner expenses:*

Withdrawal charge (contingent  deferred sales charge as a percentage 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


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Variable account annual expenses

Variable account administrative charge
(as a percentage of average daily net assets of the underlying fund).......0.15%

Mortality and expense risk fee
(as a percentage of average daily net assets of the underlying fund).......1.25%

Total variable account annual expenses.....................................1.40%
   
Annual operating expenses of mutual funds underlying AEL Personal Portfolio
Plus2 (management fees and other expenses deducted as a percentage of average
net assets as follows:)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                    AIM V.I.                            American
                    Growth     AIM V.I.                 Century VP      American        IDS Life    IDS Life   IDS Life
                    and        International AIM V.I.   Income and      Century VP      Aggressive  Capital    Growth
                    Income+    Equity+       Value+     Growth          Value           Growth      Resource   Dimensions

<S>                  <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>             <C>             <C>         <C>        <C>  
Management fees      0.63%      0.75%         0.62%      0.70%           1.00%           0.60%       0.60%      0.63%

12b-1 fees           -          -             -          -               -               -           -          -

Other expenses       0.06       0.18          0.08       0.00            0.00            0.07        0.07       0.08

Total                0.69%+     0.93%+        0.70%+     0.70%           1.00%           0.67%**     0.67%**    0.71%**

                                                                   Janus        Janus Aspen
                                                                   Aspen        Series
                                                                   Series       Worldwide                   OCC
                    IDS Life                             IDS Life  Balanced     Growth       OCC            Accumulation
                    International IDS Life  IDS Life     Special   (after fee   (after  fee  Accumulation   Trust
                    Equity        Managed   Moneyshare   Income    reductions)  reductions)  Trust Equity   Managed

Management fees      0.83%         0.59%     0.51%        0.60%     0.76%        0.66%        0.80%          0.80%

12b-1 fees           -             -         -            -         -            -            -              -

Other expenses       0.11          0.05      0.06         0.07      0.07         0.08         0.19           0.07

Total                0.94%**       0.64%**   0.57%**      0.67%**   0.83%++      0.74%++      0.99%***       0.87%***

<PAGE>

                                 OCC                                                        Putnam VT Putnam
                                 Accumulation                                               Growth    VT High
                                 Trust U.S.                                    Putnam VT    and       Yield
                   OCC           Government    Oppenheimer    Oppenheimer      Diversified  Income    Fund -
                   Accumulation  Income        Variable       Variable         Income Fund  Fund -    Class IB Putnam VT
                   Trust Small   (after        Account Growth Account High     - Class IB   Class IB           Voyager Fund
                   Cap           expense                      Income                                           - Class IB
                                 limitations)

Management fees     0.80%         0.47%         0.73%          0.75%            0.69%        0.47%     0.66%    0.54%

12b-1 fees          -             -             -              -                0.15         0.15      0.15     0.15

Other expenses      0.17          0.46          0.02           0.07             0.11         0.04      0.06     0.05

Total               0.97%***      0.93%***      0.75%+         0.82%+           0.95%+       0.66%+    0.87%+   0.74%+
</TABLE>
    
+    Operating expenses of the underlying funds at Dec. 31, 1997. A I M
     Advisers, Inc. ("AIM") may from time to time voluntarily waive or reduce
     its respective fees. Effective May 1, 1998, the Funds reimburse AIM in an
     amount up to 0.25% of the average net asset value of each Fund, for
     expenses incurred in providing, or assuring that participating insurance
     companies provide, certain administrative services. Currently, the fee only
     applies to the average net asset value of each Fund in excess of the net
     asset value of each Fund as calculated on April 30, 1998.
   
*    Premium taxes imposed by some state and local governments are not reflected
     in this table.
**   Annualized operating expenses of underlying funds at Dec. 31, 1997.
***  Total Portfolio Expenses of the OCC Accumulation Trust Portfolios are
     limited by OpCap Advisors so that their
     respective annualized operating expenses (net of any expense offsets) do
     not exceed 1.00% of average daily net assets for the Equity, Managed, Small
     Cap and U.S. Government Income Portfolios. Without such limitation and
     without giving effect to any expense offsets, the Management Fees, Other
     Expenses and Total Portfolio Expenses would have been: .80%, .19% and .99%,
     respectively, for the Equity Portfolio, .80%, .07% and .87%, respectively,
     for the Managed Portfolio, .80%, .17% and .97%, respectively, for the Small
     Cap Portfolio and .60%, .46% and 1.06%, respectively, for the U.S.
     Government Income Portfolio for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.

+    Operating expenses of the underlying funds at Dec. 31, 1997.

++   The figures given above are based on gross expenses before expense offset
     arrangements, if any, during 1997, for these funds. As of the date of this
     prospectus, certain fees are being reduced by the respective investment
     managers or service providers for certain of the underlying funds, in each
     case on a voluntary basis. Without such reductions, the "Management fees",
     "Other expenses" and "Total" that would have been incurred for the last
     completed fiscal year would be: .77%, .06% and .83%, respectively, for
     Janus Aspen Series Balanced Portfolio, and .72%, .09% and .81%,
     respectively, for Janus Aspen Series Worldwide Growth Portfolio. See the
     Portfolios' prospectuses for a discussion of fee reductions.
    

<PAGE>

Example:*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                                    American
             AIM V.I.      AIM V.I.                 Century VP   American      IDS Life      IDS Life    IDS Life
             Growth and    International AIM V.I.   Income and   Century VP    Aggressive    Capital     Growth
             Income        Equity        Value      Growth       Value         Growth        Resource    Dimensions

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

<S>           <C>           <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>    
1 year        $ 92.72       $ 95.18       $ 92.83    $ 92.83      $ 95.90       $ 92.52       $ 92.52     $ 92.93

3 years        120.05        127.44        120.36     120.36       129.59        119.43        119.43      120.67

5 years        149.99        162.33        150.51     150.51       165.90        148.96        148.96      151.02

10 years       257.26        281.91        258.30     258.30       288.99        255.18        255.18      259.34

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

1 year        $ 22.72       $ 25.18       $ 22.83    $ 22.83      $ 25.90       $ 22.52       $ 22.52     $ 22.93

3 years         70.05         77.44         70.36      70.36        79.59         69.43         69.43       70.67

5 years        119.99        132.33        120.51     120.51       135.90        118.96        118.96      121.02

10 years       257.26        281.91        258.30     258.30       288.99        255.18        255.18      259.34
    
                                                              Janus      Janus Aspen                  OCC
             IDS Life                               IDS Life  Aspen      Series        OCC            Accumulation
             International  IDS Life   IDS Life     Special   Series     Worldwide     Accumulation   Trust  Managed
             Equity         Managed    Moneyshare   Income    Balanced   Growth        Trust Equity

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        $ 95.29        $ 92.21    $ 91.49      $ 92.52   $ 94.16    $ 93.24       $ 95.80        $ 94.57

3 years        127.75         118.50     116.34       119.43    124.37     121.59        129.29         125.60

5 years        162.84         147.40     143.78       148.96    157.20     152.57        165.39         159.26

10 years       282.92         252.05     244.72       255.18    271.71     262.45        287.98         275.80

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        $ 25.29        $ 22.21    $ 21.49      $ 22.52   $ 24.16    $ 23.24       $ 25.80        $ 24.57

3 years         77.75          68.50      66.34        69.43     74.37      71.59         79.29          75.60

5 years        132.84         117.40     113.78       118.96    127.20     122.57        135.39         129.26

10 years       282.92         252.05     244.72       255.18    271.71     262.45        287.98         275.80

<PAGE>
   
                                                                        Putnam VT
                             OCC                                        DiversifiedPutnam VT   Putnam VT
             OCC             Accumulation  Oppenheimer   Oppenheimer    Income     Growth and  High       Putnam VT
             Accumulation    Trust U.S.    Variable      Variable       Fund  -    Income      Yield      Voyager
             Trust Small Cap Government    Account       Account High   Class IB   Fund -      Fund -     Fund -
                             Income        Growth        Income                    Class IB    Class IB   Class IB

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        $ 95.59         $ 95.18       $ 93.34       $ 94.06        $ 95.39    $ 92.42     $ 94.57    $ 93.65

3 years        128.67          127.44        121.90        124.06         128.06     119.12      125.60     122.83

5 years        164.37          162.33        153.09        156.69         163.35     148.44      159.26     154.63

10 years       285.96          281.91        263.48        270.69         283.94     254.14      275.80     266.57

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        $ 25.59         $ 25.18       $ 23.34       $ 24.06        $ 25.39    $ 22.42     $ 24.57    $ 23.65

3 years         78.67           77.44         71.90         74.06          78.06      69.12       75.60      72.83

5 years        134.37          132.33        123.09        126.69         133.35     118.44      129.26     124.63

10 years       285.96          281.91        263.48        270.69         182.94     254.14      275.80     266.57
</TABLE>

*    In this example, the $30 annual contract administrative charge is
     approximated as a .127% charge based on the average contract size. American
     Enterprise Life has entered into certain arrangements under which it is
     compensated by the funds' advisers and/or distributors for the
     administrative services it provides to the funds.
    
This example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses. Actual expenses may be more or less than those shown.


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
Condensed financial information (Unaudited)

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

Year ended Dec. 31,

                                                                             1997          1996         1995

Subaccount EGN3 (Investing in shares of AIM V.I. Growth and Income Fund)
<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>          <C>
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.00         -            -

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.03         -            -

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      69            -            -

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         -            -

Subaccount EIN3 (Investing in shares of AIM V.I. International Equity Fund)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.00         -            -

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.02         -            -

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      57            -            -

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         -            -

Subaccount EVA3 (Investing in shares of AIM V.I. Value Fund)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.00         -            -

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.03         -            -

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      66            -            -

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         -            -

Subaccount EIG4 (Investing in shares of American Century VP Income and

Growth)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               -             -            -

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     -             -            -

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      -             -            -

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             -             -            -

Subaccount EVL4 (Investing in shares of American Century VP Value)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               -             -            -

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     -             -            -

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      -             -            -

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             -             -            -
    

<PAGE>

Year ended Dec. 31,

                                                                             1997          1996         1995

Subaccount EAG1 (Investing in shares of IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.47         $1.28        $1.00

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.63         $1.47        $1.28

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      2,434         1,324        473

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         1.50%        1.50%

Subaccount ECR1 (Investing in shares of IDS Life Capital Resource Fund)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.27         $1.20        $1.00

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.56         $1.27        $1.20

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      3,813         2,350        818

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         1.50%        1.50%

Subaccount EGD2 (Investing in shares of IDS Life Growth Dimensions Fund)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.00         -            -

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.05         -            -

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      69            -            -

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         -            -

Subaccount EIE1 (Investing in shares of IDS Life International Equity Fund)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.26         $1.17        $1.00

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.28         $1.26        $1.17

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      1,413         675          220

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         1.50%        1.50%

Subaccount EMG1 (Investing in shares of IDS Life Managed Fund)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.36         $1.18        $1.00

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.60         $1.36        $1.18

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      2,944         1,546        589

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         1.50%        1.50%
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
<TABLE><CAPTION>
   
Year ended Dec. 31,

                                                                             1997          1996         1995

Subaccount EMS1 (Investing in shares of IDS Life Moneyshare Fund)
<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>          <C>  
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.07         $1.03        $1.00

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.12         $1.07        $1.03

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      231           241          132

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         1.50%        1.50%

Simple Yield                                                                 3.71%         3.26%        3.53%

Compound Yield                                                               3.78%         3.32%        3.59%

Subaccount ESI1 (Investing in shares of IDS Life Special Income Fund)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.24         $1.17        $1.00

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.33         $1.24        $1.17

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      2,544         1,377        414

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         1.50%        1.50%

Subaccount ESB3 (Investing in shares of Janus Aspen Series Balanced
Portfolio)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.00         -            -

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.02         -            -

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      69            -            -

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         -            -

Subaccount EWG3 (Investing in shares of Janus Aspen Series Worldwide Growth Portfolio)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.00         -            -

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.03         -            -

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      62            -            -

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         -            -

Subaccount EEQ3 (Investing in shares of OCC Accumulation Trust Equity
Portfolio)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.00         -            -

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.07         -            -

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      63            -            -

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         -            -


<PAGE>

Year ended Dec. 31,

                                                                             1997          1996         1995

Subaccount EMD1 (Investing in shares of OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.58         $1.31        $1.00

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.91         $1.58        $1.31

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      4,134         2,462        436

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         1.50%        1.50%

Subaccount ESC3 (Investing in shares of OCC Accumulation Trust Small Cap Portfolio)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.00         -            -

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.01         -            -

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      87            -            -

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         -            -

Subaccount EUS1 (Investing in shares of OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government Income

Portfolio)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.10         $1.09        $1.00

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.17         $1.10        $1.09

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      2,253         1,252        413

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         1.50%        1.50%

Subaccount EGR3 (Investing in shares of Oppenheimer Variable Account Growth Fund)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.00         -            -

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.02         -            -

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      67            -            -

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         -            -

Subaccount EHI3 (Investing in shares of Oppenheimer Variable Account High Income Fund)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               $1.00         -            -

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     $1.01         -            -

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      77            -            -

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             1.40%         -            -
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Year ended Dec. 31,

                                                                             1997          1996         1995

Subaccount EPD4 (Investing in shares of Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund -
Class IB)

<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>          <C>
Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               -             -            -

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     -             -            -

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      -             -            -

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             -             -            -

Subaccount EPG4 (Investing in shares of Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund - Class
IB)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               -             -            -

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     -             -            -

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      -             -            -

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             -             -            -

Subaccount EPH4 (Investing in shares of Putnam VT High Yield Fund - Class IB)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               -             -            -

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     -             -            -

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      -             -            -

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             -             -            -

Subaccount EPV4 (Investing in shares of Putnam VT Voyager Fund - Class IB)

Accumulation unit value at beginning of period                               -             -            -

Accumulation unit value at end of period                                     -             -            -

Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of period (000 omitted)      -             -            -

Ratio of operating expense to average net assets                             -             -            -
</TABLE>

1    Inception date was Feb. 21, 1995.
2    Inception date was Oct. 29, 1997.
3    Inception date was Oct. 30, 1997.
4 Inception date was Aug. 24, 1998, therefore there is no financial information
for these subaccounts.
    

<PAGE>

Financial statements

   
The SAI dated Aug. 24, 1998 contains:
    

the audited financials of the variable account including:
   
- -        statements of net assets as of Dec. 31, 1997;
- -        statements of operations for the year ended Dec. 31, 1997;
- -        statements of changes in net assets for the years ended Dec. 31, 1997
         and 1996.

Note:    These statements do not include financial information for the
         subaccounts that began operations on Aug. 24, 1998 investing in
         American Century VP Income and Growth, American Century VP Value,
         Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund - Class IB Shares, Putnam VT Growth
         and Income Fund - Class IB Shares, Putnam VT High Yield Fund - Class IB
         Shares, and Putnam VT Voyager Fund - Class IB Shares.

the audited financial statements of American Enterprise Life including:

- -        balance sheets as of Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996; and
- -        related statements of income, stockholder's equity and cash flows for
         the years ended Dec. 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995.
    
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 subaccount
during a particular time period. We show actual performance from the date the
subaccounts began investing in funds. We also show performance from the
commencement date of the funds as if the annuity had existed at that time.

Calculations are performed as follows:

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

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


<PAGE>

Yield - For subaccounts investing in income funds: Net investment income (income
less expenses) per accumulation unit during a given 30-day period is divided by
the value of the unit on the last day of the period. The result is converted to
an annual percentage.

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

Aggregate total return: Represents the cumulative change in the value of an
investment over a specified period of time (reflecting change in a subaccount's
accumulation unit value). The calculation assumes reinvestment of investment
earnings and reflects the deduction of all applicable charges, including the
contract administrative charge, mortality and expense risk fee, variable account
administrative charge and withdrawal charge, assuming a 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 annuity charges that have 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

   
Under your AEL Personal Portfolio Plus2 contract, purchase payments can be
allocated to any or all of the subaccounts of the variable account that invest
in shares of the following funds:
    


<PAGE>

                                                                    Subaccount

   
AIM V.I. Growth and Income Fund                                          EGN
AIM V.I. International Equity Fund                                       EIN
AIM V.I. Value Fund                                                      EVA
American Century VP Income and Growth                                    EIG
American Century VP Value                                                EVL
IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund                                          EAG
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund                                           ECR
IDS Life Growth Dimensions Fund                                          EGD
IDS Life International Equity Fund                                       EIE
IDS Life Managed Fund                                                    EMG
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund                                                 EMS
IDS Life Special Income Fund                                             ESI
Janus Aspen Series Balanced Portfolio                                    ESB
Janus Aspen Series Worldwide Growth Portfolio                            EWG
OCC Accumulation Trust Equity Portfolio                                  EEQ
OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio                                 EMD
OCC Accumulation Trust Small Cap Portfolio                               ESC
OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government Income Portfolio                  EUS
Oppenheimer Variable Account Growth Fund                                 EGR
Oppenheimer Variable Account High Income Fund                            EHI
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund - Class IB Shares                      EPD
Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund - Class IB Shares                       EPG
Putnam VT High Yield Fund - Class IB Shares                              EPH
Putnam VT Voyager Fund - Class IB Shares                                 EPV
    

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

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


<PAGE>

The funds

AIM V.I. Growth and Income Fund

Objective: growth of capital, with current income as a secondary objective. The
fund seeks to achieve its objective by generally investing at least 65% of its
net assets in stocks of companies believed by management to have the potential
for above average growth in revenues and earnings.

AIM V.I. International Equity Fund

Objective:   long-term  growth  of  capital.  Invests  in  international  equity
securities,  the issuers of which are considered by AIM to have strong  earnings
momentum.

AIM V.I. Value Fund

Objective:  long-term growth of capital.  Invests primarily in equity securities
judged by AIM to be undervalued relative to the current or projected earnings of
the  companies  issuing  the  securities  or  relative  to  the  equity  markets
generally. Income is a secondary objective.
   
American Century VP Income and Growth

Objective:  dividend growth,  current income and capital  appreciation.  Invests
primarily in common stocks.

American Century VP Value

Objective:  long-term  capital  growth  with  income as a  secondary  objective.
Invests  primarily in securities that  management  believes to be undervalued at
the time of purchase.
    
IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund

Objective: capital appreciation. Invests primarily in common stock of small- and
medium-size companies.

IDS Life Capital Resource Fund

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

IDS Life Growth Dimensions Fund

Objective:  long-term growth of capital.  Invests  primarily in common stocks of
U.S. and foreign companies showing potential for significant growth.

IDS Life International Equity Fund

Objective:  capital  appreciation.  Invests primarily in common stock of foreign
issuers and foreign securities convertible into common stock.


<PAGE>

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 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.

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.

Janus Aspen Series Balanced Portfolio

Objective:  long-term  growth  of  capital,  balanced  by  current  income.  The
Portfolio normally invests 40-60% of its assets in securities selected primarily
for their  growth  potential  and  40-60% of its assets in  securities  selected
primarily for their income potential.

Janus Aspen Series Worldwide Growth Portfolio

Objective:  long-term  growth  of  capital  in  a  manner  consistent  with  the
preservation  of  capital.  Invests  primarily  in common  stocks of foreign and
domestic issuers.

OCC Accumulation Trust Equity Portfolio

Objective: long term capital appreciation. Invests in a diversified portfolio of
equity  securities  selected  on  the  basis  of a  value-oriented  approach  to
investing.

OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio

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

OCC Accumulation Trust Small Cap Portfolio

Objective:  capital  appreciation.  Invests in a diversified portfolio of equity
securities of companies with market capitalizations of under $1 billion.

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.


<PAGE>

Oppenheimer Variable Account Growth Fund

Objective: capital appreciation. Invests in securities of well-known established
companies.

Oppenheimer Variable Account High Income Fund

Objective: high level of current income. Invests in high-yield, fixed-income
securities, including unrated securities or high-risk securities in the lower
rating categories, commonly known as "junk bonds". These securities are subject
to a greater risk of loss of principal and nonpayment of interest than
higher-rated securities.
   
Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund - Class IB Shares

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-Class IB Shares 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 - Class IB Shares
    
Objective:  capital growth and current  income by investing  primarily in common
stocks that offer potential for capital growth, current income or both.
   
Putnam VT High Yield Fund - Class IB Shares

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. See the special considerations for
investments in high yield securities described in the Putnam Variable Trust -
Class IB Shares prospectus.

Putnam VT Voyager Fund - Class IB Shares

Objective:  capital  appreciation  by investing  primarily  in common  stocks of
companies   that  Putnam   Management   believes  have   potential  for  capital
appreciation that is significantly greater than that of market averages.
    
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>

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 and qualified plans. It is
conceivable that in the future it may be disadvantageous for variable annuity
separate accounts and variable life insurance separate accounts and/or qualified
plans to invest in the available funds simultaneously.

Although American Enterprise Life and the funds do not currently foresee any
such disadvantages, the boards of directors or trustees of the appropriate funds
will monitor events in order to identify any material conflicts between such
contract owners, policy owners and qualified plans 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 the variable annuity, variable
life insurance and qualified plan separate accounts, the variable annuity
contract holders would not bear any expenses associated with establishing
separate funds. Please refer to the fund prospectuses for risk disclosure
regarding mixed and shared funding.

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 each 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.

The investment managers for the funds are as follows:

o        AIM Variable Insurance Funds - A I M Advisors, Inc.

   
o        American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. - American Century
         Investment Management, Inc.
    

o        IDS Life Retirement Annuity Mutual Funds - IDS Life. American Express
         Financial Corporation is the investment advisor for the IDS Life
         Retirement Annuity Mutual Funds. American Express Asset Management
         International Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEFC, is the
         sub-investment advisor for IDS Life International Equity Fund.


<PAGE>

o        Janus Aspen Series Portfolios - Janus Capital Corporation.

o        OCC Accumulation Trust Portfolios - OpCap Advisors.

o        Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds - OppenheimerFunds, Inc.

o        Putnam Variable Trust - Putnam Investment Management, Inc.

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

The fixed account

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

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.
Your 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.)


<PAGE>

When you apply, you may select:

o the fixed account and/or subaccount(s) 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 the fixed account and subaccount(s) you selected within two business
days after we receive it at our Minneapolis administrative offices. 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 your payments at our Minneapolis
administrative offices.

You may make monthly payments to your annuity under a Systematic Investment Plan
(SIP). To begin the SIP, you will complete and send a form and your first
payment along with your application. There is no charge for SIP. You can stop
your SIP payments at any time.

   
In most states, additional purchase payments may be made to nonqualified and
qualified annuities until the retirement date. In Maryland, 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.
    

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 and Roth IRAs, 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 the 10th contract
         anniversary, if purchased after age 75); or

o        no later than the annuitant's 82nd birthday (or the eighth contract
         anniversary, if purchased after age 74) for annuities purchased in
         Pennsylvania.


<PAGE>

For qualified annuities (except Roth IRAs), 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 amounts

Initial payment (includes SIPs): $2,000 (We reserve the right to decrease the
minimum payment.)

Minimum additional purchase payment(s)(includes SIPs): $50

Maximum payment(s): $1,000,000 of cumulative payments (We reserve the right to
increase the maximum payment.)

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


<PAGE>

By SIP:

Contact your agent to complete the necessary SIP paperwork.

Charges

Contract administrative charge

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

Variable account administrative charge

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

Mortality and expense risk fee

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

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

We may use any profits realized from the mortality and expense risk fee for any
proper corporate purpose, including, among others, payment of distribution
(selling) expenses. We do not expect that the withdrawal charge, discussed in
the following paragraphs, will cover sales and distribution expenses.


<PAGE>

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, we withdraw purchase payments received eight or more contract years
before the withdrawal and not previously withdrawn. There is no withdrawal
charge on purchase payments received eight or more contract years before
withdrawal.

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

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

Contract years from payment    Withdrawal charge
receipt                        percentage

              1                           7%
              2                           6%
              3                           5%
              4                           4%
              5                           3%
              6                           2%
              7                           1%
         Thereafter                       0%


<PAGE>

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,  1998  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, 1998,  $8,000 Dec. 31,
          2004 and $6,000 Feb. 20, 2006; and

o         The owner  withdraws  the contract for its total  withdrawal  value of
          $38,101 on Aug. 5, 2008 and had not made any other withdrawals  during
          that contract year; and

o        The prior anniversary July 1, 2008 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, 1998 payment was received eight or
                          more contract years before withdrawal and is withdrawn
                          without withdrawal charge;  and

       240                $8,000 Dec. 31, 2004 payment is in its fifth contract
                          year from receipt, withdrawn with a 3% withdrawal
                          charge; and

       240                $6,000 Feb. 20, 2006 payment is in its fourth contract
                          year from receipt withdrawn with a 4% withdrawal
                          charge.

- -----------------------

      $480

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.


<PAGE>

Waiver of withdrawal charge 
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 the
  annuities described in this prospectus); 
o contracts settled using an annuity payout plan; and 
o death benefits.

If your contract includes a "Waiver of Withdrawal Charges" Annuity Endorsement
or provision, 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 (up 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>

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

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

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

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

Number of units

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

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 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>

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 will 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, or from the fixed
account to one or more variable subaccounts. The benefits of dollar-cost
averaging also may be obtained by setting up regular automatic SIP payments.
There is no charge for dollar-cost averaging.

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.


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 How dollar-cost averaging works

                                      Amount          Accumulation       Number of units
                      Month          invested          unit value           purchased

<S>                   <C>              <C>                 <C>                 <C> 
By investing an       Jan              $100                $20                 5.00
equal number of
dollars each          Feb              100                 18                  5.56
month...

                      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 high  Oct              100                 20                  5.00
</TABLE>

You have paid an average price of only $17.91 per unit over the 10 months, while
the average market price actually was $18.10.

Dollar-cost averaging does not guarantee that any variable subaccount will gain
in value nor will it protect against a decline in value if market prices fall.
Because this strategy involves continuous investing, your success with
dollar-cost averaging will depend upon your willingness to continue to invest
regularly through periods of low price levels. Dollar-cost averaging can be an
effective way to help meet your long-term goals.

* Some restrictions may apply.

Transferring money between subaccounts

You may transfer money from any one subaccount, or the fixed account, to another
before annuity payouts begin. (Certain restrictions apply to transfers involving
the fixed account.) We will process your transfer request at the next close of
business after we receive it. 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

<PAGE>

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
         certain transfer periods subject to certain minimums).

o        If we receive your request on or within 30 days before or after the
         contract anniversary date, the transfer from the fixed account to the
         variable subaccount(s) will be effective on the day we receive it.

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

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

Two ways to request a transfer or a withdrawal

1        By letter

Send your name, contract number, Social Security number or taxpayer
identification number and signed request for a transfer or withdrawal to:

Regular mail:

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

Express mail:

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


<PAGE>

Minimum amount

Transfers or withdrawals: $500 or entire variable subaccount or fixed account
                          balance

Maximum amount

Transfers or 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 12 months.

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

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

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

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 next
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.


<PAGE>

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 to our Minneapolis
administrative offices. 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.


<PAGE>

Benefits in case of death

   
Your AEL Personal Portfolio Plus2 contract includes the death benefit described
below.
    

If you or the annuitant die before annuitization while this contract is in
force, and both you and the annuitant are age 80 or younger on the date of
death, we will pay the beneficiary the greatest of:

 1.   the contract value; or

 2. the total purchase payments paid less any "adjusted partial withdrawals"; or

 3.  the highest contract value on any prior contract anniversary, plus any
     purchase payments paid and less any "adjusted partial withdrawals" since
     that contract anniversary.

The "adjusted partial withdrawal" is calculated for each partial withdrawal as
the product of (a) times (b) where:

         (a) is the ratio of the amount of the partial withdrawal to the
         contract value immediately before the partial withdrawal; and

         (b) is the death benefit immediately before the partial withdrawal.

If either you or the annuitant is age 81 or older on the date of death, we will
pay the beneficiary the contract value.

Example:

o The contract is purchased with a payment of $20,000 on January 1, 1999.
o On January 1, 2000 (the first contract anniversary) the contract value has
grown to $24,000. 
o On March 1, 2000 the contract value has fallen to $22,000,
at which point the owner takes a $1,500 partial withdrawal, leaving a contract
value of $20,500.

The death benefit on March 1, 2000 is calculated as follows:

The highest contract value on any prior contract anniversary:         $24,000.00

plus any purchase payments paid since that anniversary:            +        0.00

less any "adjusted partial withdrawal" taken since that anniversary,

calculated as:                    1,500        x   24,000     =    -    1,636.36
                                  -----                            -------------
                                 22,000

for a death benefit of:                                               $22,363.64
       


<PAGE>

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

Under a qualified annuity, if the annuitant dies before annuity payouts begin,
and the spouse is the only beneficiary, the spouse may keep the annuity as owner
until the date on which the spouse reaches age 70 1/2 or any other date
permitted by the Code. To do this, the spouse must give us written instructions
within 60 days after we receive proof of death.

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

o the beneficiary asks us in writing within 60 days after we receive proof of
death; and 
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.


<PAGE>

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

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

Annuity payout plans

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

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

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

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

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

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


<PAGE>

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

o        over the life of the annuitant;
o        over the joint lives of the annuitant and a designated beneficiary;
o        for a period not exceeding the life expectancy of the annuitant; or
o        for a period not exceeding the joint life expectancies of the annuitant
         and a designated  beneficiary.

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

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

Death after annuity payouts begin

If you or the annuitant die 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. Roth IRAs may grow tax free if you meet certain
distribution requirements.

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.


<PAGE>

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

Withdrawals: If you withdraw part or all of your contract before your annuity
payouts begin, your withdrawal payment will be taxed to the extent that the
value of your contract immediately before the withdrawal exceeds your
investment. You also may have to pay a 10% IRS penalty for withdrawals made
prior to age 59 1/2. For qualified annuities, other penalties may apply if you
make withdrawals from your annuity before your plan specifies that you can
receive payouts.

Death benefits to beneficiaries: The death benefit under an annuity (except a
Roth IRA) is not tax exempt. Any amount received by the beneficiary that
represents previously deferred earnings within the contract is taxable as
ordinary income to the beneficiary in the year(s) he or she receives the
payments. The death benefit under a Roth IRA generally is not taxable as
ordinary income to the beneficiary.

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.


<PAGE>

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 have 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 also may have state withholding deducted. The
withholding requirements may differ if payment is being made to a non-U.S.

citizen or if the payment is being delivered outside the United States.

Transfer of ownership of a nonqualified annuity: If you make such a transfer
without receiving adequate consideration, the transfer is considered a gift, and
also may be considered a withdrawal for federal income tax purposes. If the gift
is a currently taxable event for income tax purposes, the amount of deferred
earnings at the time of the transfer will be taxed to the original owner, who
also may be subject to a 10% IRS penalty as discussed earlier. In this case, the
new owner's investment in the annuity will be the value of the annuity at the
time of the transfer.

Collateral assignment of a nonqualified annuity: If you collaterally assign or
pledge your contract, earnings on purchase payments you made after Aug. 13, 1982
will be taxed to you like a withdrawal.

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

Each contract is intended to qualify as an annuity for federal income tax
purposes. To that end, the provisions of the contracts 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 contracts to any applicable changes in the tax
qualification requirements. We will send you a copy of any such amendments.


<PAGE>

Voting rights

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

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

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

o        the reserve held in each subaccount for your contract

o        divided by the net asset value of one share of the applicable
         underlying mutual fund.

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

We calculate votes separately for each account. Notice of these meetings, proxy
materials and a statement of the number of votes to which the voter is entitled
will be sent. We will vote shares for which we have not received instructions in
the same proportion as the votes for which we have received instructions. We
also will vote the shares for which we have voting rights in the same proportion
as the votes for which we have received instructions.

Substitution of investments

If shares of any mutual 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,
another registered open-end management investment company may be substituted for
mutual fund shares held in the subaccount(s) when American Enterprise Life
believes it would be in the best interest of persons having voting rights under
the contract. American Enterprise Life also reserves the right to change the
mutual funds in which the subaccounts invest and to create new subaccounts that
invest in additional funds.

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.


<PAGE>

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 Inc. These commissions will not be more than 7.5% of purchase
payments received on the contracts.

From time to time, American Enterprise Life will pay or permit other promotional
incentives, in cash or credit or other compensation.

About American Enterprise Life

The annuities are issued by American Enterprise Life. American Enterprise Life
is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IDS Life, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
AEFC. AEFC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express Company. American
Express Company is a financial services company principally engaged through
subsidiaries (in addition to AEFC) in travel related services, investment
services and international banking services.

American Enterprise Life is a stock life insurance company organized in 1981
under the laws of the state of Indiana. Its administrative offices are 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.


<PAGE>

Year 2000

The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs having been written using
two digits rather than four to define a year. Any programs that have
time-sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather
than 2000. This could result in the failure of major systems or miscalculations,
which could have a material impact on the operations of the variable account.
The variable account has no computer systems of its own but is dependent upon
the systems maintained by AEFC and certain other third parties.

A comprehensive review of AEFC's computer systems and business processes has
been conducted to identify the major systems that could be affected by the Year
2000 issue. Steps are being taken to resolve any potential problems including
modification to existing software and the purchase of new software. These
measures are scheduled to be completed and tested on a timely basis. AEFC's goal
is to complete internal remediation and testing of each system by the end of
1998 and to continue compliance efforts through 1999. The Year 2000 readiness of
unaffiliated investment managers and other third parties whose system failures
could have an impact on the variable account's operations currently is being
evaluated. The potential materiality of any such impact is not known at this
time.

Regular and special reports

Services

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

Quarterly statements showing the value of your investment.

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

Table of contents of the Statement of Additional Information

Performance Information................................................
Calculating Annuity Payouts............................................
Rating Agencies........................................................
Principal Underwriter..................................................
Independent Auditors...................................................
Saving for Retirement..................................................
Prospectus.............................................................
Financial Statements -
         American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account
         American Enterprise Life Insurance Company

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>

Please check the appropriate box to receive a copy of the Statement of
Additional Information for:
   
          AEL Personal Portfolio Plus2

          AIM Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.

          American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc.
    
          IDS Life Retirement Annuity Mutual Funds

          Janus Aspen Series Portfolios

          OCC Accumulation Trust Portfolios

          Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds

   
          Putnam Variable Trust-Class IB Shares
    

Mail your request to:

American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
80 South Eighth Street
P.O. Box 534
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0534
800-333-3437

American Enterprise Life will mail your request to:

Your name

Address

City                                         State                    Zip

<PAGE>

                    STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                   for

   
                      AEL PERSONAL PORTFOLIO PLUS2
    

              AMERICAN ENTERPRISE VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT

   
                              Aug. 24, 1998
    


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 Aug. 24, 1998, is not a
prospectus.  It should be read together with the prospectus dated Aug. 24, 1998,
which may be  obtained  from your  agent,  or by  writing  or  calling  American
Enterprise Life at the address or telephone number below.
    

American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
80 South Eighth Street
P.O. Box 534
Minneapolis, MN  55440-0534
800-333-3437


<PAGE>

                                     TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

Calculating Annuity Payouts.....................................7

Rating Agencies.................................................9

Principal Underwriter...........................................9

Independent Auditors............................................9

Saving for Retirement..........................................10

Prospectus.....................................................10

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


<PAGE>

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

We show actual performance from the date the subaccounts began investing in
funds. We also show performance from the commencement date of the funds as if
the annuity had existed at that time.

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) x (365/7)] - 1

            Annualized Yields based on Seven-Day Period ended Dec. 31, 1997

Subaccount investing in:              Simple Yield             Compound Yield
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund                  3.71%                     3.78%

Calculation of Yield for the subaccounts investing in income funds

For the subaccounts investing in income funds quotations of yield will be based
on all investment income earned during a particular 30-day period, less expenses
accrued during the period (net investment income) and will be computed by
dividing net investment income per accumulation unit by the value of an
accumulation unit on the last day of the period, according to the following
formula:

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


<PAGE>

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, 1997

Subaccount investing in:                               Yield
IDS Life Special Income Fund                           6.83%

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 either annuity over a period of one, five and 10 years (or, if
less, up to the life of the account), calculated according to the following
formula:

                                   P(1+T)n = ERV

where:            P   =    a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
                  T   =    average annual total return
                  n   =    number of years
                EVR   =    Ending Redeemable Value of a hypothetical $1,000
                           payment made at the beginning of the one-, five-, or
                           10-year (or other) period at the end of the one-,
                           five-, or 10-year (or other) period (or fractional
                           portion thereof)


<PAGE>
<TABLE><CAPTION>
                        Average Annual Total Return For Period Ended Dec. 31, 1997
   
Average Annual Total Return with Withdrawal

                                              Performance Since
                                               Commencement of the                       Performance Since
                                                   Subaccount                       Commencement of the Fund**
                                                       Since                                             Since
                                                       Commencement                                      Commencement
Subaccount investing in:                   1 Year      (Subaccount)     1 Year     5 Year     10 Year    (Fund)
- -----------------------
AIM V.I.
<S>                                          <C>         <C>              <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>   
  Growth and Income Fund (10/97;5/94)*       --          -3.48%           16.82%     --         --         19.68%
  International Equity Fund (10/97;5/93)     --          -4.73%           -1.37%     --         --         10.47%
  Value Fund (10/97;5/93)                    --          -3.82%           14.87%     --         --         17.45%

AMERICAN CENTURY

  VP Income and Growth (8/98; 10/97)         --          --               --         --         --          0.72%
  VP Value (8/98; 5/96)                      --          --               17.22%     --         --         15.29%

IDS LIFE

  Aggressive Growth Fund (2/95;1/92)          3.90%      17.20%            3.90%     10.66%     --         10.42%
  Capital Resource Fund (2/95;10/81)         15.24%      15.30%           15.24%     10.17%     12.92%     --
  Growth Dimensions Fund (10/97;4/96)        --          -2.54%           15.46%     --         --         17.20%
  International Equity Fund (2/95;1/92)      -5.27%       7.23%           -5.27%      8.19%     --          6.49%
  Managed Fund (2/95;4/86)                   10.67%      16.44%           10.67%     10.95%     11.91%     --
  Moneyshare Fund (2/95;10/81)               -3.02%       1.78%           -3.02%      2.20%      3.65%     --
  Special Income Fund (2/95;10/81)            0.34%       8.77%            0.34%      7.40%      7.96%     --

JANUS ASPEN SERIES

  Balanced Portfolio (10/97;9/93)            --          -4.55%           13.28%     --         --         13.07%
  Worldwide Growth Portfolio (10/97;9/93)    --          -4.13%           13.33%     --         --         20.05%

OCC ACCUMULATION TRUST

  Equity Portfolio (10/97;8/88)              --           0.46%           17.74%     17.27%     --         16.22%
  Managed Portfolio (2/95;8/88)              13.42%      24.05%           13.42%     17.60%     --         18.61%
  Small Cap Portfolio (10/97;8/88)           --          -5.51%           13.42%     12.40%     --         14.05%
  U.S. Government Income Portfolio           -1.29%       3.75%           -1.29%     --         --          4.16%
(2/95;1/95)

OPPENHEIMER VARIABLE ACCOUNT

  Growth Fund (10/97;4/85)                   --          -5.02%           17.80%     16.47%     14.53%     --
  High Income Fund (10/97;4/86)              --          -5.18%            3.56%     11.62%     12.36%     --

PUTNAM VT - Class IB Shares

  Diversified Income Fund (8/98; 9/93)       --          --               -1.08%     --         --          5.05%
  Growth and Income Fund (8/98; 2/88)        --          --               15.12%     16.50%     --         14.63%
  High Yield Fund (8/98; 2/88)               --          --                5.47%     10.23%     --          9.55%
  Voyager Fund (8/98; 2/88)                  --          --               17.45%     16.89%     --         16.03%
    
* (Commencement date of the subaccount; Commencement date of the fund)
** Current applicable charges deducted from fund performance include a 1.25% mortality and expense
 risk fee and a 0.15% variable account administrative charge.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
Average Annual Total Return without Withdrawal
<TABLE><CAPTION>
   
                                               Performance Since
                                               Commencement of the                       Performance Since
                                                   Subaccount                       Commencement of the Fund**
                                                       Since                                             Since
                                                       Commencement                                      Commencement
Subaccount investing in:                   1 Year      (Subaccount)     1 Year     5 Year     10 Year    (Fund)
- -----------------------

AIM V.I.

<S>                                          <C>          <C>             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>   
  Growth and Income Fund (10/97;5/94)*       --           3.20%           23.82%     --         --         20.37%
  International Equity Fund (10/97;5/93)     --           1.85%            5.30%     --         --         10.92%
  Value Fund (10/97;5/93)                    --           2.83%           21.87%     --         --         17.81%

AMERICAN CENTURY

  VP Income and Growth (8/98; 10/97)         --          --               --         --         --          7.54%
  VP Value (8/98; 5/96)                      --          --               24.22%     --         --         21.29%

IDS LIFE

  Aggressive Growth Fund (2/95;1/92)         10.90%      18.49%           10.90%     11.06%     --         10.63%
  Capital Resource Fund (2/95;10/81)         22.24%      16.63%           22.24%     10.58%     12.92%     --
  Growth Dimensions Fund (10/97;4/96)        --           4.20%           22.46%     --         --         20.62%
  International Equity Fund (2/95;1/92)       1.11%       8.75%            1.11%      8.63%     --          6.74%
  Managed Fund (2/95;4/86)                   17.67%      17.75%           17.67%     11.34%     11.91%     --
  Moneyshare Fund (2/95;10/81)                3.52%       3.45%            3.52%      2.75%      3.65%     --
  Special Income Fund (2/95;10/81)            7.14%      10.25%            7.14%      7.85%      7.96%     --

JANUS ASPEN SERIES

  Balanced Portfolio (10/97;9/93)            --           2.05%           20.28%     --         --         13.54%
  Worldwide Growth Portfolio (10/97;9/93)    --           2.49%           20.33%     --         --         20.43%

OCC ACCUMULATION TRUST

  Equity Portfolio (10/97;8/88)              --           7.43%           24.74%     17.59%     --         16.22%
  Managed Portfolio (2/95;8/88)              20.42%      25.22%           20.42%     17.91%     --         18.61%
  Small Cap Portfolio (10/97;8/88)           --           1.01%           20.42%     12.77%     --         14.05%
  U.S. Government Income Portfolio            5.39%       5.37%            5.39%     --         --          5.72%
(2/95;1/95)

OPPENHEIMER VARIABLE ACCOUNT

  Growth Fund (10/97;4/85)                   --           1.53%           24.80%     16.79%     14.53%     --
  High Income Fund (10/97;4/86)              --           1.37%           10.56%     12.01%     12.36%     --

PUTNAM VT - Class IB Shares

  Diversified Income Fund (8/98; 9/93)       --          --                5.61%     --         --          5.64%
  Growth and Income Fund (8/98; 2/88)        --          --               22.12%     16.83%     --         14.63%
  High Yield Fund (8/98; 2/88)               --          --               12.47%     10.64%     --          9.55%
  Voyager Fund (8/98; 2/88)                  --          --               24.45%     17.21%     --         16.03%
    
*(Commencement date of the subaccount; Commencement date of the fund)
**Current applicable charges deducted from fund performance include a 1.25% mortality and expense
 risk fee and a 0.15% variable account administrative charge.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

Aggregate Total Return

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

                                               ERV - P
                                                  P

where:        P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
            ERV = Ending Redeemable Value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment
                  made at the beginning of the one-, five-, or 10- year (or
                  other) period at the end of the one-, five-, or 10- year (or
                  other) period (or fractional portion thereof)

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that an assumption be made
that the contract owner withdraws the entire contract at the end of the one-,
five- and 10- year periods (or, if less, up to the life of the subaccount) for
which performance is required to be calculated. In addition, performance figures
may be shown without the deduction of a withdrawal charge.

Total return figures reflect the deduction of all applicable charges including
the contract administrative charge, the variable account administrative charge,
and mortality and expense risk fee.

Performance of the subaccount may be quoted or compared to rankings, yields, or
returns or used in variable annuity accumulation or settlement illustrations 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.


<PAGE>

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.

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 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 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.


<PAGE>

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 values in the table will be equal
   to or greater than the table in your  contract.

RATING AGENCIES

The following chart reflects the ratings given to American Enterprise Life by
independent rating agencies. These agencies evaluate the financial soundness and
claims-paying ability of insurance companies based on a number of different
factors. This information does not relate to the management or performance of
the variable subaccounts of the annuities. 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 annuities.

            Rating agency                         Rating

              A.M. Best                             A+
                                                (Superior)

            Duff & Phelps                           AAA

               Moody's                              Aa2

PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

The principal underwriter for the variable 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 December 31, 1997 and the related
statements of operations for the year then ended, and the statements of changes
in net assets for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the financial
statements of American Enterprise Life Insurance Company (a wholly-owned
subsidiary of IDS Life Insurance Company) as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and
for each of the three years in the period ended
    


<PAGE>

December 31, 1997 appearing in this Statement of Additional Information have
been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their
reports appearing herein.

SAVING FOR RETIREMENT

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

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

PROSPECTUS

   
The  prospectus,  dated Aug. 24,  1998,  is hereby  incorporated  in this SAI by
reference.
    

<PAGE>

American  Enterprise  Variable  Annuity  Account - AEL Personal  Portfolio Plus2
Variable Annuity Subaccounts

Annual Financial Information

Report of Independent Auditors

The Board of Directors
American Enterprise Life Insurance Company

We have  audited the  individual  and combined  statements  of net assets of the
segregated asset subaccounts of American  Enterprise  Variable Annuity Account -
AEL  Personal  Portfolio  Plus2  Variable  Annuity  Subaccounts   (comprised  of
subaccounts  ECR,  ESI,  EMS,  EMG, EIE, EAG, EMD, EUS, EGD, ESC, EEQ, EGR, EHI,
EIN, EVA, EGN, EWG and ESB) as of December 31, 1997, and the related  statements
of  operations  for the year then ended,  and the  statements  of changes in net
assets for each of the two years in the period ended  December 31, 1997,  except
for  subaccounts  EGD,  ESC, EEQ, EGR, EHI, EIN, EVA, EGN, EWG and ESB which are
for the period  October 30, 1997  (commencement  of  operations) to December 31,
1997.  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, 1997 with the  affiliated and
unaffiliated  mutual  fund  managers.  An  audit  also  includes  assessing  the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well
as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material  respects,  the individual and combined  financial  position of the
segregated asset subaccounts of American  Enterprise  Variable Annuity Account -
AEL Personal Portfolio Plus2 Variable Annuity  Subaccounts at December 31, 1997,
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.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 13, 1998



<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Net Assets                                                                                       Dec. 31, 1997

Assets                                                                     Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     ECR            ESI              EMS                 EMG             EIE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments in shares of mutual funds,
at market value(identified cost, $5,428,208,
$3,387,074, $259,264, $4,499,557 and
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>        
$1,835,588, respectively)                            $ 5,948,360   $ 3,374,186     $ 259,264        $ 4,718,524     $ 1,808,618
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends receivable                                           -        20,265         1,249                  -               -
Accounts receivable from American Enterprise Life
for contract purchase payments                            23,164         4,750             -             16,619             803
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                           5,971,524     3,399,201       260,513          4,735,143       1,809,421
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable to American Enterprise Life for:
Mortality and expense risk fee                             6,603         3,705           298              5,175           1,974
Issue and administrative fee                                 792           444            36                621             237
Payable to mutual funds for investments
purchased                                                 23,164        20,866           914             16,619             813
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities                                         30,559        25,015         1,248             22,415           3,024
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets applicable to contracts in
accumulation period                                  $ 5,940,965   $ 3,374,186     $ 259,265        $ 4,712,728     $ 1,806,397
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation units outstanding                         3,812,754     2,543,718       231,256          2,944,208       1,413,420
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value per accumulation unit                     $ 1.56        $ 1.33        $ 1.12             $ 1.60          $ 1.28
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Net Assets - continued                                                                                Dec. 31, 1997

Assets                                                                        Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                                      ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                      EAG                EMD                  EUS           EGD           ESC
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments in shares of mutual funds,
at market value (identified cost, $3,921,718,
$6,612,376, $2,609,097, $70,723 and
<S>                                                   <C>               <C>                <C>              <C>           <C>     
$86,338, respectively)                                $ 3,974,790       $ 7,900,201        $ 2,637,088      $ 72,101      $ 87,741
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends receivable                                            -                 -                  -             -             -
Accounts receivable from American Enterprise Life
for contract purchase payments                             24,010                 -                  3           358             -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                            3,998,800         7,900,201          2,637,091        72,459        87,741
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable to American Enterprise Life for:
Mortality and expense risk fee                              4,380             8,797              2,914            47            64
Issue and administrative fee                                  525             1,056                350             6             8
Payable to mutual funds for investments
purchased                                                  24,026                 -                  3           358             -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities                                          28,931             9,853              3,267           411            72
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets applicable to contracts in
accumulation period                                   $ 3,969,869       $ 7,890,348        $ 2,633,824      $ 72,048      $ 87,669
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation units outstanding                          2,434,211         4,133,891          2,252,972        68,572        86,771
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value per accumulation unit                      $ 1.63            $ 1.91             $ 1.17        $ 1.05        $ 1.01
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Net Assets - continued                                                                             Dec. 31,1997

                                                                            Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets                                                     EEQ               EGR            EHI           EIN           EVA
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments  in shares  of  mutual  funds, 
at  market  value (identified  cost,
$65,479, $67,321, $78,673, $58,904 and 68,804,
<S>                                                      <C>               <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>     
respectively)                                            $ 67,253          $ 67,843       $ 78,069      $ 58,594      $ 67,813
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends receivable                                            -                 -              -             -             -
Accounts receivable from American Enterprise Life
for contract purchase payments                                  -                 -              -             -             -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                               67,253            67,843         78,069        58,594        67,813
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable to American Enterprise Life for:
Mortality and expense risk fee                                 50                50             59            43            50
Issue and administrative fee                                    6                 6              7             5             6
Payable to mutual funds for investments
purchased                                                       -                 -              -             -             -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities                                              56                56             66            48            56
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets applicable to contracts in
accumulation period                                      $ 67,197          $ 67,787       $ 78,003      $ 58,546      $ 67,757
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation units outstanding                             62,532            66,744         76,928        57,468        65,875
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value per accumulation unit                      $ 1.07            $ 1.02         $ 1.01        $ 1.02        $ 1.03
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Net Assets - continued                                                                      Dec. 31, 1997

                                                                          Segregated Asset Subaccount                    
                                                       ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                                               Combined
Combined Assets                                              EGN                EWG               ESB          Variable
                                                                                                                Account
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments in shares of mutual funds,
at market value (identified cost, $70,635,
<S>         <C>                                        <C>               <C>                <C>            <C>         
$62,556 and $70,424, respectively)                     $ 71,349          $ 63,446           $ 70,839       $ 31,326,079
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends receivable                                          -                 -                  -             21,514
Accounts receivable from American Enterprise Life
for contract purchase payments                                -                 -                  -             69,707
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                             71,349            63,446             70,839         31,417,300
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable to IDS Life for:
Mortality and expense risk fee                               53                46                 53             34,361
Issue and administrative fee                                  6                 5                  6              4,122
Payable to mutual funds for investments
purchased                                                     -                 -                  -             86,763
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities                                            59                51                 59            125,246
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets applicable to contracts in
accumulation period                                    $ 71,290          $ 63,395           $ 70,780       $ 31,292,054
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation units outstanding                           69,062            61,836             69,342
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value per accumulation unit                    $ 1.03            $ 1.03             $ 1.02
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Operations                                                                         Year ended Dec. 31, 1997

                                                                          Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      ECR           ESI            EMS             EMG              EIE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income (loss)
<S>                                                <C>          <C>              <C>            <C>               <C>     
Dividend income from mutual funds                  $ 153,199    $ 240,646        $ 14,597       $ 422,131         $ 51,846
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risk fee                        56,486       30,448           3,632          41,336           15,037
Administrative charge                                  6,805        3,668             438           4,984            1,811
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses                                        63,291       34,116           4,070          46,320           16,848
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income (loss) - net                        89,908      206,530          10,527         375,811           34,998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments - net
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain (loss) on sales of investments
in mutual funds:
Proceeds from sales                                  158,773      112,045         540,740          89,104           95,716
Cost of investments sold                             149,918      111,089         540,740          79,682           93,841
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                8,855          956               -           9,422            1,875
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of investments                          780,121      (31,454)             (2)        110,879          (56,555)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain (loss) on investments                       788,976      (30,498)             (2)        120,301          (54,680)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations                          $ 878,884    $ 176,032        $ 10,525       $ 496,112        $ (19,682)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See accompanying notes to financial statements.


</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Operations - continued                                                              Year ended Dec. 31, 1997

                                                                            Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   EAG                EMD               EUS              EGD*          ESC*
Investment income (loss)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>               <C>                <C>                 <C>            <C>
Dividend income from mutual funds               $ 332,337         $ 194,154          $ 112,380           $ 30           $ -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risk fee                     36,264            75,498             24,979             51            72
Administrative charge                               4,361             9,082              3,005              6             8
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses                                     40,625            84,580             27,984             57            80
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income (loss) - net                    291,712           109,574             84,396            (27)          (80)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) 
on investments - net
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain (loss) on sales of investments 
in mutual funds:
Proceeds from sales                                84,947           904,854            136,389              -             -
Cost of investments sold                           79,228           727,329            137,102              -             -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gain (loss) on investments             5,719           177,525               (713)             -             -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of investments                        52,964           813,585             34,690          1,378         1,403
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain (loss) on investments                     58,683           991,110             33,977          1,378         1,403
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations                       $ 350,395       $ 1,100,684          $ 118,373        $ 1,351       $ 1,323
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*For the period Oct. 30, 1997 (commencement of operations) to Dec. 31, 1997.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Operations - continued                                                         Year ended Dec. 31, 1997

                                                                         Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         EEQ*         EGR*            EHI*           EIN*         EVA*
Investment income (loss)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>         <C>              <C>         <C>    
Dividend income from mutual funds                        $ -          $ -         $ 1,098          $ 713       $ 1,468
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risk fee                            55           55              60             47            54
Administrative charge                                      6            6               7              6             6
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses                                            61           61              67             53            60
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income (loss) - net                           (61)         (61)          1,031            660         1,408
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) 
on investments - net
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain (loss) on sales of investments 
in mutual funds:
Proceeds from sales                                        -            -               -              -             -
Cost of investments sold                                   -            -               -              -             -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gain(loss) on investments                     -            -               -              -             -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of investments                            1,774          522            (604)          (310)         (991)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain (loss) on investments                         1,774          522            (604)          (310)         (991)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations                            $ 1,713        $ 461           $ 427          $ 350         $ 417
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*For the period Oct. 30, 1997 (commencement of operations) to Dec. 31, 1997.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Operations - continued                                                         Year ended Dec. 31, 1997

                                                                     Segregated Asset Subaccount             
                                                        -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             Combined
                                                          EGN*              EWG*               ESB*          Variable
Investment income (loss)                                                                                      Account
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>              <C>                <C>          <C>        
Dividend income from mutual funds                        $ 57             $ 133              $ 593        $ 1,525,382
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risk fee                             56                49                 55            284,234
Administrative charge                                       7                 6                  7             34,219
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses                                             63                55                 62            318,453
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income (loss) - net                             (6)               78                531          1,206,929
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) 
on investments - net
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain (loss) on sales of investments 
in mutual funds:
Proceeds from sales                                         -                 -                  -          2,122,568
Cost of investments sold                                    -                 -                  -          1,918,929
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized gain(loss) on investments                      -                 -                  -            203,639
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of investments                               714               890                415          1,709,419
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain (loss) on investments                            714               890                415          1,913,058
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations                               $ 708             $ 968              $ 946        $ 3,119,987
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*For the period Oct. 30, 1997 (commencement of operations) to Dec. 31, 1997.

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, 1997

                                                                               Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Operations                                              ECR               ESI            EMS             EMG             EIE

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>             <C>            <C>              <C>     
Investment income (loss) - net                       $ 89,908         $ 206,530       $ 10,527       $ 375,811        $ 34,998
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                 8,855               956              -           9,422           1,875
Net change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of investments                           780,121           (31,454)            (2)        110,879         (56,555)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations                             878,884           176,032         10,525         496,112         (19,682)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Transactions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract purchase payments                          2,409,335         1,670,135        327,812       2,390,284         978,359
Net transfers**                                       (33,041)          (29,630)      (234,808)        (72,853)         62,561
Annuity payments                                         (138)                -              -               -            (133)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits and contract charges              (297,350)         (139,046)      (100,987)       (192,773)        (63,562)
Death benefits                                         (5,701)           (6,105)             -          (7,254)         (1,267)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from contract transactions      2,073,105         1,495,354         (7,983)      2,117,404         975,958
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning of period                   2,988,976         1,702,800        256,723       2,099,212         850,121
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of period                       $ 5,940,965       $ 3,374,186      $ 259,265     $ 4,712,728     $ 1,806,397
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Activity
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at beginning of period            2,350,045         1,377,190        240,823       1,545,535         675,237
Contract purchase payments                          1,696,748         1,304,174        302,938       1,581,579         746,548
Net transfers**                                       (18,567)          (24,030)      (215,723)        (49,221)         44,803
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits  and contract charges             (211,339)         (108,787)       (96,782)       (128,743)        (52,181)
Death benefits                                         (4,133)           (4,829)             -          (4,942)           (987)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end of period                  3,812,754         2,543,718        231,256       2,944,208       1,413,420
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Includes transfer activity from (to) other subaccounts 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, 1997

                                                                             Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations                                             EAG                EMD           EUS           EGD*           ESC*

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>               <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>   
Investment income (loss) - net                      $ 291,712         $ 109,574       $ 84,396         $ (27)          $ (80)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                 5,719           177,525           (713)            -               -
Net change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of investments                            52,964           813,585         34,690         1,378           1,403
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations                             350,395         1,100,684        118,373         1,351           1,323
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Transactions
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract purchase payments                          1,753,076         3,105,291      1,258,037        70,697          86,346
Net transfers**                                       110,988           106,370         45,942             -               -
Annuity payments                                         (140)             (139)          (280)            -               -
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits and contract charges              (182,947)         (309,146)      (161,220)            -               -
Death benefits                                         (3,235)           (7,479)        (9,210)            -               -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from contract transactions      1,677,742         2,894,897      1,133,269        70,697          86,346
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning of period                   1,941,732         3,894,767      1,382,182             -               -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of period                       $ 3,969,869       $ 7,890,348    $ 2,633,824      $ 72,048        $ 87,669
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Activity
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at beginning of period            1,323,955         2,462,112      1,252,181             -               -
Contract purchase payments                          1,158,663         1,773,647      1,120,325        68,572          86,771
Net transfers**                                        75,131            58,720         39,842             -               -
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits and contract charges              (121,302)         (156,347)      (151,142)            -               -
Death benefits                                         (2,236)           (4,241)        (8,234)            -               -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end of period                  2,434,211         4,133,891      2,252,972        68,572          86,771
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*For the period Oct. 30, 1997 (commencement of operations) to Dec. 31, 1997.
**Includes transfer activity from (to) other subaccounts 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, 1997

                                                                              Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations                                                 EEQ*           EGR*            EHI*            EIN*          EVA*

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>            <C>           <C>               <C>          <C>    
Investment income (loss) - net                            $ (61)         $ (61)        $ 1,031           $ 660        $ 1,408
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                       -              -               -               -              -
Net change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of investments                               1,774            522            (604)           (310)          (991)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations                                 1,713            461             427             350            417
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Transactions
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract purchase payments                               65,484         67,326          77,576          58,196         66,156
Net transfers**                                               -              -               -               -          1,184
Annuity payments                                              -              -               -               -              -
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits and contract charges                       -              -               -               -              -
Death benefits                                                -              -               -               -              -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from contract transactions           65,484         67,326          77,576          58,196         67,340
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning of period                             -              -               -               -              -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of period                            $ 67,197       $ 67,787        $ 78,003        $ 58,546       $ 67,757
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Activity
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at beginning of period                      -              -               -               -              -
Contract purchase payments                               62,532         66,744          76,928          57,468         64,716
Net transfers**                                               -              -               -               -          1,159
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits and contract charges                       -              -               -               -              -
Death benefits                                                -              -               -               -              -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end of period                       62,532         66,744          76,928          57,468         65,875
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*For the period Oct. 30, 1997 (commencement of operations) to Dec. 31, 1997.
**Includes transfer activity from (to) other subaccounts 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, 1997

                                                           Segregated Asset Subaccount                     Combined
                                                       --------------------------------------------------  Variable
Operations                                             EGN*              EWG*               ESB*           Account

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>               <C>               <C>          <C>        
Investment income (loss) - net                         $ (6)             $ 78              $ 531        $ 1,206,929
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                   -                 -                  -            203,639
Net change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of investments                             714               890                415          1,709,419
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations                               708               968                946          3,119,987
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Transactions
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract purchase payments                           70,582            59,091             69,834         14,583,617
Net transfers**                                           -             3,336                  -            (39,951)
Annuity payments                                          -                 -                  -               (830)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits and contract charges                   -                 -                  -         (1,447,031)
Death benefits                                            -                 -                  -            (40,251)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) from contract transactions       70,582            62,427             69,834         13,055,554
Net assets at beginning of period                         -                 -                  -         15,116,513
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of period                        $ 71,290          $ 63,395           $ 70,780       $ 31,292,054
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Activity
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at beginning of period                  -                 -                  -
Contract purchase payments                           69,062            58,509             69,342
Net transfers**                                           -             3,327                  -
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits                                        -                 -                  -
Death benefits                                            -                 -                  -
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end of period                   69,062            61,836             69,342
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*For the period Oct. 30, 1997 (commencement of operations) to Dec. 31, 1997.
**Includes transfer activity from (to) other subaccounts 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                                                                   Year ended Dec. 31, 1996
                                                                                                      
                                                                           Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations                                                ECR            ESI           EMS            EMG           EIE

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

Accumulation Unit Activity
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at beginning of period                    817,655       413,748        131,600       588,760        219,594
Contract purchase payments                                1,485,938     1,131,063        263,096     1,062,502        476,859
Net transfers**                                             129,540      (109,946)      (153,809)      (44,426)            56
Contract terminations:                                                                                          
Surrender benefits and contract charges                     (83,088)      (42,442)           (64)      (46,345)       (21,272)
Death benefits                                                    -       (15,233)             -       (14,956)             -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units outstanding at end of period                        2,350,045     1,377,190        240,823     1,545,535        675,237
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Includes transfer activity from (to) other subaccounts and transfers (from)
 to American Enterprise Life for conversion from (to) fixed account.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.




<PAGE>
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets - continued                                                       Year ended Dec. 31, 1996

                                                                           Segregated Asset Subaccount
                                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations                                                EAG            EMD           EUS            Combined
                                                                                                      Variable
                                                                                                       Account
                                                                                                 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income (loss) - net                            $ 175,562     $ (15,949)      $ 35,255     $ 846,152
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                       5,329         6,782           (206)       16,799
Net change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of investments                                 (25,579)      442,091        (10,368)      228,352
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
resulting  from operations                                  155,312       432,924         24,681     1,091,303
                                                                                                 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Transactions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract purchase payments                                1,188,007     2,973,800        981,238    10,447,871
Net transfers**                                              44,944       (25,217)       (41,299)     (204,074)
Contract terminations:
Surrender benefits and contract charges                     (52,750)      (56,812)       (31,888)     (357,604)
Death benefits                                                    -             -              -       (35,713)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 
Increase (decrease) from contract transactions            1,180,201     2,891,771        908,051     9,850,480
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at beginning of period                           606,219       570,072        449,450     4,174,730
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of period                             $ 1,941,732   $ 3,894,767    $ 1,382,182   $15,116,513
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accumulation Unit Activity
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     
Units outstanding at beginning of period                    473,162       435,846        413,258
Contract purchase payments                                  858,107     2,078,911        909,198
Net transfers**                                              32,975       (17,730)       (38,115)
Contract terminations:                                                             
Surrender benefits and contract charges                     (40,289)      (34,915)       (32,160)
Death benefits                                                    -             -              -
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------          
Units outstanding at end of period                        1,323,955     2,462,112      1,252,181
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------          

</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 as a separate  account of American  Enterprise Life
Insurance Company (American Enterprise Life). The Account is registered together
as a single unit investment  trust under the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as
amended. Operations of the Account commenced on Feb. 21, 1995.

The  Account  is  comprised  of various  subaccounts.  Each  subaccount  invests
exclusively in shares of the following funds or portfolios, which are registered
under the Investment  Company Act of 1940 as  diversified,  open-end  management
investment companies and have the following investment managers.

Subaccount Invests exclusively in shares of         Investment Manager
    ECR    IDS Life Capital Resource Fund           IDS Life Insurance Company*
    ESI    IDS Life Special Income Fund             IDS Life Insurance Company*
    EMS    IDS Life Moneyshare Fund, Inc.           IDS Life Insurance Company*
    EMG    IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc.              IDS Life Insurance Company*
    EIE    IDS Life International Equity Fund       IDS Life Insurance Company**
    EAG    IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund          IDS Life Insurance Company*
    EMD    OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio OpCap Advisors
    EUS    OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government   OpCap Advisors
           Income Portfolio
    EGD    IDS Life Growth Dimensions Fund ***      IDS Life Insurance Company*
    ESC    OCC Accumulation Trust Small Cap         OpCap Advisors
           Portfolio
    EEQ    OCC Accumulation Trust Equity Portfolio  OpCap Advisors
    EGR    Oppenheimer Variable Account Growth Fund OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
    EHI    Oppenheimer Variable Account High Income OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
           Fund
    EIN    AIM V.I. International Equity Fund       A I M Advisors, Inc.
    EVA    AIM V.I. Value Fund                      A I M Advisors, Inc.
    EGN    AIM V.I. Growth and Income Fund          A I M Advisors, Inc.
    EWG    Janus Aspen Series Worldwide Growth      Janus Capital Corporation
           Portfolio
    ESB    Janus Aspen Series Balanced Portfolio    Janus Capital Corporation

* American Express Financial Corporation is the investment advisor.
** American Express Financial  Corporation is the investment  advisor.  American
Express Asset Management International Inc. is the sub-investment advisor.
*** Commencement of operations was April 30, 1996.

The assets of each subaccount of the Account are not chargeable with liabilities
arising out of the business  conducted by any other segregated asset accounts or
by American Enterprise Life.

American  Enterprise Life issues the contracts that are distributed by banks and
financial  institutions  either  directly  or through a network  of  third-party
marketers.


<PAGE>



2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Investments in Mutual Funds

Investments in shares of the IDS Life Funds, the OCC Portfolios,  the AIM Funds,
the Janus Portfolios,  and the Oppenheimer Funds  (collectively,  the Funds) are
stated at market value which is the net asset value per share as  determined  by
the respective fund.  Investment  transactions are accounted for on the date the
shares are  purchased  and sold.  The cost of  investments  sold and redeemed is
determined on the average cost method.  Dividend distributions received from the
Funds are  reinvested  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.

Use of Estimates

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  disclosures  of
contingent  assets and  liabilities at the date of the financial  statements and
the  reported  amounts of increase  and  decrease in net assets from  operations
during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Federal Income Taxes

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

3. Mortality and Expense Risk Fee

American  Enterprise  Life makes  guarantees to the Account that possible future
adverse  changes in  administrative  expenses and  mortality  experience  of the
annuitants will not affect the Account.  The mortality and expense risk fee paid
to American  Enterprise Life is computed daily and is equal, on an annual basis,
to 1.25 percent of the average daily net assets of the Account.


<PAGE>


4. Administrative Charge

American Enterprise Life deducts a daily charge equal, on an annual basis, to
0.15 percent of the average daily net assets of each subaccount as an
administrative charge.  This charge 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 Charge

American  Enterprise  Life  deducts  a  contract  charge of $30 per year on each
contract  anniversary.  This charge cannot be increased and does not apply after
annuity payouts begin.  American  Enterprise Life does not expect to profit from
this  charge.  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.

6. Surrender Charge

American  Enterprise Life will use a surrender charge to help it recover certain
expenses  relating  to the sale of the  annuity.  The  surrender  charge will be
deducted for surrenders up to the first seven payment years following a purchase
payment.  Charges by American  Enterprise Life for surrenders are not identified
on an individual  segregated  asset account  basis.  Charges for all  segregated
asset accounts amounted to $79,195 in 1997 and $34,957 in 1996. Such charges are
not  treated  as a  separate  expense of the  subaccounts.  They are  ultimately
deducted from contract surrender benefits paid by American Enterprise Life.


<PAGE>



7.  Investment in Shares of Mutual Funds

The  subaccounts'  investment  in shares of mutual funds as of December 31, 1997
were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Subaccount   Mutual Fund                                                Shares      NAV

<S>          <C>                                                        <C>       <C>   
ECR          IDS Life Capital Resource Fund                             208,159   $28.58
ESI          IDS Life Special Income Fund                               286,067    11.80
EMS          IDS Life Moneyshare Fund, Inc.                             259,286     1.00
EMG          IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc.                                261,594    18.04
EIE          IDS Life International Equity Fund                         132,704    13.63
EAG          IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund                            247,332    16.07
EMD          OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio                   186,413    42.38
EUS          OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government Income Portfolio    250,912    10.51
EGD          IDS Life Growth Dimensions Fund                              5,265    13.69
ESC          OCC Accumulation Trust Small Cap Portfolio                   3,327    26.37
EEQ          OCC Accumulation Trust Equity Portfolio                      1,842    36.52
EGR          Oppenheimer Variable Account Growth Fund                     2,091    32.44
EHI          Oppenheimer Variable Account High Income Fund                6,777    11.52
EIN          AIM V.I. International Equity Fund                           3,421    17.13
EVA          AIM V.I. Value Fund                                          3,256    20.83
EGN          AIM V.I. Growth and Income Fund                              3,781    18.87
EWG          Janus Aspen Series Worldwide Growth Portfolio                2,713    23.39
ESB          Janus Aspen Series Balanced Portfolio                        4,055    17.47
</TABLE>



<PAGE>

8. Investment Transactions

The  subaccounts'  purchases of Fund shares  including  reinvestment of dividend
distributions, were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    Year ended Dec. 31,
<S>                                                                  <C>            <C> 
  Subaccount   Investment                                                   1997           1996
  ECR      IDS Life Capital Resource Fund                             $2,325,297     $2,420,544
  ESI      IDS Life Special Income Fund                                1,813,929      1,365,892
  EMS      IDS Life Moneyshare Fund, Inc.                                543,283        274,170
  EMG      IDS Life Managed Fund, Inc.                                 2,585,442      1,436,211
  EIE      IDS Life International Equity Fund                          1,107,778        608,493
  EAG      IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund                             2,056,784      1,453,339
  EMD      OCC Accumulation Trust Managed Portfolio                    3,914,139      2,954,380
  EUS      OCC Accumulation Trust U.S. Government Income Portfolio     1,355,577      1,012,684
  EGD      IDS Life Growth Dimensions Fund                                70,723             --
  ESC      OCC Accumulation Trust Small Cap Portfolio                     86,338             --
  EEQ      OCC Accumulation Trust Equity Portfolio                        65,479             --
  EGR      Oppenheimer Variable Account Growth Fund                       67,321             --
  EHI      Oppenheimer Variable Account High Income Fund                  78,673             --
  EIN      AIM V.I. International Equity Fund                             58,904             --
  EVA      AIM V.I. Value Fund                                            68,804             --
  EGN      AIM V.I. Growth and Income Fund                                70,635             --
  EWG      Janus Aspen Series Worldwide Growth Portfolio                  62,556             --
  ESB      Janus Aspen Series Balanced Portfolio                          70,424             --
             Combined Variable Account                               $16,402,086    $11,525,713

</TABLE>

<PAGE>


9. Year 2000 Issue (Unaudited)

The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs having been written using
two  digits  rather  than  four  to  define  a  year.  Any  programs  that  have
time-sensitive  software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather
than 2000. This could result in the failure of major systems or miscalculations,
which could have a material  impact on the  operations of the Variable  Account.
The Variable  Account has no computer  systems of its own but is dependent  upon
the systems maintained by AEFC and certain other third parties.

A  comprehensive  review of AEFC's computer  systems and business  processes has
been  conducted to identify the major systems that could be affected by the Year
2000 issue.  Steps are being taken to resolve any potential  problems  including
modification  to  existing  software  and the  purchase of new  software.  These
measures are scheduled to be completed and tested on a timely basis. AEFC's goal
is to  complete  internal  remediation  and testing of each system by the end of
1998 and to continue compliance efforts through 1999.

The Year 2000  readiness  of  unaffiliated  investment  managers and other third
parties  whose  system  failures  could  have an  impact on  Variable  Account's
operations is currently being evaluated.  The potential  materiality of any such
impact is not known at this time.

<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,  1997  and  1996,  and  the  related   statements  of  income,
stockholder's  equity and cash  flows for each of the three  years in the period
ended December 31, 1997. 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,  1997 and  1996,  and the  results  of its
operations  and its cash flows for each of the three  years in the period  ended
December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Ernst & Young LLP
February 5, 1998
Minneapolis, Minnesota


<PAGE>

                                    AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                                  BALANCE SHEETS
                                                   December 31,
<TABLE><CAPTION>
ASSETS                                                                          1997                       1996
- ------                                                                       ----------                 ----------
<S>                                                                         <C>                        <C>
Investments:
  Fixed maturities:
        Held to maturity, at amortized cost (Fair value:
           1997, $1,223,108; 1996, $1,267,947)                              $1,186,682                 $1,256,143
        Available for sale, at fair value (Amortized cost:
           1997, $2,609,621; 1996, $2,223,457)                               2,685,799                  2,242,447
                                                                           -----------                 ----------
                                                                             3,872,481                  3,498,590

  Mortgage loans on real estate                                                738,052                    582,982
  Other investments                                                             16,024                      3,056
                                                                           -----------                 ----------
          Total investments                                                  4,626,557                  4,084,628

Cash and cash equivalents                                                           --                     40,829

Other accounts receivable                                                          563                      9,867

Accrued investment income                                                       59,588                     51,571
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                              224,501                    203,225
Other assets                                                                       117                      4,957
Separate account assets                                                         62,087                     30,760
                                                                           -----------                 ----------

          Total assets                                                      $4,973,413                 $4,425,837
                                                                           ===========                 ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

Liabilities:
  Future policy benefits for fixed annuities                                $4,343,213                 $3,881,339
  Policy claims and other policyholders' funds                                  11,328                     27,427
  Deferred income taxes                                                         35,601                     18,072
  Amounts due to brokers                                                        34,935                     88,731
  Other liabilities                                                             16,905                     15,650
  Separate account liabilities                                                  62,087                     30,760
                                                                          ------------                 ----------
          Total liabilities                                                  4,504,069                  4,061,979

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                                                   282,872                    242,872
  Net unrealized gain on investments                                            49,516                     12,343
  Retained earnings                                                            134,956                    106,643
                                                                          ------------                 ----------
          Total stockholder's equity                                           469,344                    363,858
                                                                          ------------                 ----------

Total liabilities and stockholder's equity                                  $4,973,413                 $4,425,837
                                                                          ============                 ==========
                                            See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                                   AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                            Years ended December 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                1997                    1996                   1995
                                                               ------                  ------                 -----
                                                                                   (thousands)
<S>                                                          <C>                     <C>                    <C>
Revenues:
  Net investment income                                      $332,268                $271,719               $223,706
  Contractholder charges                                        5,688                   5,450                  4,186
  Management and other fees                                       641                     303                     28
  Net realized loss on investments                               (509)                 (5,258)                (1,154)
                                                            ---------              ----------              ---------

          Total revenues                                      338,088                 272,214                226,766
                                                            ---------              ----------              ---------

Benefits and expenses:
  Interest credited on investment contracts                   231,437                 191,672                162,662
  Amortization of deferred policy
    acquisition costs                                          36,803                  30,674                 20,459
  Other operating expenses                                     24,890                  14,133                 10,205
                                                            ---------              ----------              ---------

          Total benefits and expenses                         293,130                 236,479                193,326
                                                            ---------              ----------              ---------


Income before income taxes                                     44,958                  35,735                 33,440

Income taxes                                                   16,645                  12,912                 11,692
                                                            ---------              ----------              ---------


Net income                                                  $  28,313                $ 22,823               $ 21,748
                                                            =========              ==========              =========

                                            See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                   AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                       STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
                       Three years ended December 31, 1997
                                   (thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                          Additional     Net Unrealized
                                               Capital     Paid-In       Gain (Loss) on        Retained
                                                Stock      Capital        Investments          Earnings           Total
<S>                                             <C>        <C>               <C>                <C>               <C>
Balance, December 31, 1994                      $2,000     $ 142,872         $  (43,689)        $ 62,072          $163,255
   Net income                                       --            --                 --           21,748            21,748
   Change in net unrealized
          gain (loss) on  investments               --            --             76,813               --            76,813
   Capital contribution from parent                 --        35,000                 --               --            35,000
                                              --------     ---------        -----------        ---------        ----------

Balance, December 31, 1995                       2,000       177,872             33,124           83,820           296,816
   Net income                                       --            --                 --           22,823            22,823
   Change in net unrealized
          gain (loss) on investments                --            --            (20,781)              --           (20,781)
   Capital contribution from parent                 --        65,000                 --               --            65,000
                                              --------     ---------        -----------        ---------        ----------

Balance, December 31, 1996                       2,000       242,872             12,343          106,643           363,858
   Net income                                       --            --                 --           28,313            28,313
   Change in net unrealized
          gain (loss) on investments                --           --              37,173               --            37,173
   Capital contribution from parent                 --        40,000                 --               --            40,000
                                              --------     ---------         ----------        ---------        ----------

Balance, December 31, 1997                      $2,000      $282,872           $ 49,516         $134,956          $469,344
                                              ========     =========         ==========        =========        ==========

                             See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>



<PAGE>

                                   AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                            Years ended December 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          1997             1996             1995
                                                                        --------         --------         ------
                                                                                      (thousands)
<S>                                                                 <C>               <C>              <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                                        $   28,313        $   22,823       $  21,748
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to
    net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
      Change in accrued investment income                               (8,017)           (9,692)         (7,951)
      Change in other accounts receivable                                9,304                --              --
      Change in deferred policy acquisition
          costs, net                                                   (21,276)          (32,651)        (32,926)
      Change in other assets                                             4,840           (10,007)         (4,126)
      Change in policy claims and other
          policyholders' funds                                         (16,099)           15,786          (4,065)
      Deferred income tax (benefit) provision                           (2,485)            5,084            (119)
      Change in other liabilities                                        1,255             8,621           2,698
      (Accretion of discount)
          amortization of premium, net                                  (2,316)           (2,091)         (2,321)
      Net realized loss on investments                                     509             5,258           1,154
      Other, net                                                           959              (129)             --
                                                                    ----------         ---------       ---------

          Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities           (5,013)            3,002         (25,908)
                                                                    ----------         ---------       ---------

Cash flows from investing activities: Fixed maturities held to maturity:
        Purchases                                                       (1,996)          (16,967)       (252,583)
        Maturities                                                      41,221            26,190          25,754
        Sales                                                           30,601            27,944          33,849
    Fixed maturities available for sale:
        Purchases                                                     (688,050)         (921,914)       (485,250)
        Maturities                                                     231,419           212,212          85,629
        Sales                                                           73,366            47,542          57,576
    Other investments:
        Purchases                                                     (199,593)         (212,182)       (183,892)
        Sales                                                           29,139            19,850           5,543
    Change in amounts due to brokers                                   (53,796)           88,568         (48,709)
                                                                     ---------         ---------       ---------

          Net cash used in investing activities                      $(537,689)        $(728,757)      $(762,083)
                                                                     ---------         ---------       ---------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                   AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                      STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
                                            Years ended December 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           1997             1996             1995
                                                                         --------         --------         ------
                                                                                      (thousands)

Cash flows from financing activities: Activity related to investment contracts:
  <S>                                                                <C>               <C>             <C>
    Considerations received                                          $  783,339        $  846,378      $  709,127
    Surrenders and other benefits                                      (552,903)         (312,362)       (196,260)
    Interest credited to account balances                               231,437           191,672         162,662
  Change in securities sold under
    repurchase agreements                                                    --           (67,000)         67,000
  Capital contribution from parent                                       40,000            65,000          35,000
                                                                     ----------         ---------       ---------

          Net cash provided by financing activities                     501,873           723,688         777,529
                                                                     ----------         ---------       ---------

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                               (40,829)           (2,067)        (10,462)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                           40,829            42,896          53,358
                                                                     ----------         ---------       ---------

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

                                             See accompanying notes.

</TABLE>

<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 a stock life
     insurance  company that is domiciled in Indiana and is licensed to transact
     insurance  business  in 47  states.  The  Company's  principal  product  is
     deferred  annuities which are issued  primarily to  individuals.  It offers
     single  premium and annual premium  deferred  annuities on both a fixed and
     variable dollar basis. Immediate annuities are offered as well.

     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  (AEFC).  AEFC 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 are classified as available
     for  sale and  carried  at fair  value.  Unrealized  gains  and  losses  on
     securities  classified  as  available  for sale are  reported as a separate
     component of stockholder's equity, net of deferred income 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 an
     allowance  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 an
     allowance for mortgage loan losses.  The allowance for mortgage loan losses
     is  maintained  at a level that  management  believes is adequate to absorb
     estimated  losses in the portfolio.  The level of the allowance  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 allowance for mortgage
     loan losses.

<PAGE>

1.   Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

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

     The cost of interest rate caps and floors 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 and floors 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 for the years
     ended December 31, is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                              1997            1996            1995
                                                            ------          ------           -----
     <S>                                                   <C>             <C>             <C>
     Cash paid during the year for:
        Income taxes                                       $19,456         $10,317         $11,389
        Interest on borrowings                               1,832             998             979
</TABLE>

     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.

     Contractholder  charges  include  fees  collected  regarding  the issue and
     administration of annuity contracts.

     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.


<PAGE>

     Liabilities for future policy benefits

     Liabilities for deferred 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.

1.   Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

     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
     AEFC 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 AEFC and its subsidiaries  that AEFC will reimburse  subsidiaries
     for all tax benefits.

     Included in other  liabilities at December 31, 1997 and 1996 are $1,289 and
     $787, respectively receivable from 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.

     Reclassifications

     Certain 1996 and 1995 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 1997
     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.

     The amortized  cost,  gross  unrealized  gains and losses and fair value of
     investments in fixed maturities at December 31, 1997 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           $   11,120         $   710       $   --       $   11,830
      State and municipal obligations                   3,003             173           --            3,176
      Corporate bonds and obligations                 970,498          38,176        2,763        1,005,911
      Mortgage-backed securities                      202,061           1,497        1,367          202,191
                                                   ----------         -------       ------       ----------
                                                   $1,186,682         $40,556       $4,130       $1,223,108
                                                   ==========         =======       ======       ==========

      Available for sale
      U.S. Government agency obligations           $    2,077         $    13       $   --       $    2,090
      Corporate bonds and obligations               1,273,217          52,207        8,020        1,317,404
      Mortgage-backed securities                    1,334,327          33,017        1,039        1,366,305
                                                   ----------         -------       ------       ----------
                                                   $2,609,621         $85,237       $9,059       $2,685,799
                                                   ==========         =======       ======       ==========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

2.   Investments (continued)

     The amortized  cost,  gross  unrealized  gains and losses and fair value of
     investments in fixed maturities and equity  securities at December 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         6,487        956,889
      Mortgage-backed securities                    1,279,093          16,047        11,185      1,283,955
                                                   ----------         -------       -------     ----------
                                                   $2,223,457         $36,725       $17,735     $2,242,447
                                                   ==========         =======       =======     ==========
</TABLE>

     The amortized  cost and fair value of  investments  in fixed  maturities at
     December  31,  1997 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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      Amortized                  Fair
      Held to maturity                                 Cost                      Value

      <S>                                            <C>                      <C>

      Due in one year or less                        $   21,818               $   22,085
      Due from one to five years                        156,874                  163,378
      Due from five to ten years                        647,127                  671,734
      Due in more than ten years                        158,802                  163,720
      Mortgage-backed securities                        202,061                  202,191
                                                     ----------               ----------
                                                     $1,186,682               $1,223,108
                                                     ==========               ==========

                                                      Amortized                  Fair
      Available for sale                               Cost                      Value

      Due in one year or less                        $   37,804               $   37,930
      Due from one to five years                         56,938                   60,498
      Due from five to ten years                        689,418                  715,717
      Due in more than ten years                        491,134                  505,349
      Mortgage-backed securities                      1,334,327                1,366,305
                                                     ----------               ----------
                                                     $2,609,621               $2,685,799
                                                     ==========               ==========
</TABLE>

     During the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,  fixed  maturities
     classified  as held to maturity were sold with  amortized  cost of $29,561,
     $27,969 and $34,809, respectively. Net gains and losses on these sales were
     not  significant.   The  sales  of  these  fixed  maturities  were  due  to
     significant deterioration in the issuers' credit worthiness.




<PAGE>

2.   Investments (continued)

     In addition, fixed maturities available for sale were sold during 1997 with
     proceeds  of  $73,366  and gross  realized  gains and  losses of $1,081 and
     $1,440, respectively.  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.

     At December 31, 1997,  bonds carried at $3,307 were on deposit with various
     states as required by law.

     At December 31, 1997,  investments in fixed maturities comprised 84 percent
     of the Company's  total  invested  assets.  These  securities  are rated by
     Moody's  and  Standard & Poor's  (S&P),  except for  securities  carried at
     approximately  $461 million which are rated by AEFC internal analysts using
     criteria  similar to Moody's  and S&P.  A summary of  investments  in fixed
     maturities, at amortized cost, by rating on December 31 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             Rating                                     1997                   1996
      ----------------------                         ----------            ----------
      <S>                                            <C>                   <C>

      Aaa/AAA                                        $1,531,588            $1,489,460
      Aa/AA                                              34,167                32,903
      Aa/A                                               69,775                38,577
      A/A                                               421,733               445,201
      A/BBB                                             222,022               204,402
      Baa/BBB                                           954,962               818,545
      Baa/BB                                             84,053                97,783
      Below investment grade                            478,003               352,729
                                                    -----------            ----------
                                                     $3,796,303            $3,479,600
                                                    ===========            ==========
</TABLE>

     At December  31, 1997,  approximately  95 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 December 31, 1997,  approximately  16 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>

                                         December 31, 1997                     December 31, 1996
                                      -----------------------               --------------------
                                       On Balance         Commitments      On Balance             Commitments
           Region                        Sheet           to Purchase         Sheet                to Purchase
      ------------------              -----------      --------------      ----------             -----------
      <S>                                <C>                <C>              <C>                      <C>

      South Atlantic                     $186,714              $9,199        $139,630                 $22,525
      Middle Atlantic                     128,239              10,167         111,257                   6,257
      East North Central                  125,018               6,294         105,666                   7,508
      Mountain                             94,061              11,620          82,389                   4,380
      West North Central                   96,701              11,135          54,728                  15,017
      New England                          50,932                  --          50,584                      --
      Pacific                              33,052                  --          18,504                   1,877
      West South Central                   19,573                  --          14,927                   5,006
      East South Central                    7,480                  --           7,667                      --
                                      -----------      --------------      ----------             -----------
                                          741,770              48,415         585,352                  62,570
      Less allowance for losses             3,718                  --           2,370                      --
                                      -----------      --------------      ----------             -----------
                                         $738,052             $48,415        $582,982                 $62,570
                                      ===========      ==============      ==========             ===========


<PAGE>

2.   Investments (continued)
                                                December 31, 1997                      December 31, 1996
                                               -------------------                    ------------------
                                       On Balance          Commitments       On Balance           Commitments
           Property type                 Sheet            to Purchase          Sheet              to Purchase
      -----------------------          ----------         -----------        --------             -----------
      Department/retail stores           $242,307              $9,683        $184,192                 $26,905
      Apartments                          189,752              10,167         172,208                   2,816
      Office buildings                    169,177               7,262         112,430                  14,391
      Industrial buildings                 60,195              17,430          54,117                   2,816
      Hotels/Motels                        33,508                  --          28,189                   6,257
      Medical buildings                    30,103               3,873          18,787                   7,508
      Nursing/retirement homes
                                            9,552                  --           8,080                   1,877
      Mixed Use                             7,176                  --           7,349                      --
                                       ----------         -----------       ---------             -----------
                                          741,770              48,415         585,352                  62,570
      Less allowance for losses             3,718                  --           2,370                      --
                                       ----------         -----------       ---------             -----------
                                         $738,052             $48,415        $582,982                 $62,570
                                       ==========         ===========       =========             ===========
</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 it 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 December 31, 1997, the Company's  recorded  investment in impaired loans
     was $4,443 with an allowance of $718.  At December 31, 1996,  the Company's
     recorded investment in impaired loans was $5,515 with an allowance of $870.
     During 1997 and 1996, the average recorded investment in impaired loans was
     $6,473 and $3,577, respectively.

     There were no impaired loans prior to 1996.

     The following table presents changes in the allowance for investment losses
     related to all loans:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1997                 1996
                                                           ------               ------
      <S>                                                  <C>                  <C>

      Balance, January 1                                   $2,370               $   --
      Provision for investment losses                       1,805                2,370
      Loan payoffs                                           (457)                  --
                                                           ------               ------
      Balance, December 31                                 $3,718               $2,370
                                                           ======               ======

</TABLE>

     There was no allowance prior to 1996.

     Net  investment  income for the years ended  December 31 is  summarized  as
     follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   1997               1996              1995
                                                                ---------           ---------         -------
      <S>                                                        <C>                 <C>              <C>

      Interest on fixed maturities                               $278,736            $230,559         $198,829
      Interest on mortgage loans                                   55,085              41,010           24,969
      Interest on cash equivalents                                  1,544               1,402              829
      Other                                                           704               1,194              921
                                                                ---------            --------         --------
                                                                  336,069             274,165          225,548
      Less investment expenses                                      3,801               2,446            1,842
                                                                ---------            --------         --------
                                                                 $332,268            $271,719         $223,706
                                                                =========            ========         ========

</TABLE>

2.   Investments (continued)

     Net realized gain (loss) on investments  for the years ended December 31 is
     summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    1997              1996             1995
                                                  --------          --------         ------
      <S>                                         <C>              <C>              <C>

      Fixed maturities                            $1,638           $(2,888)         $(1,114)
      Mortgage loans                              (1,348)           (2,370)              --
      Other investments                             (799)               --              (40)
                                                  -------          -------          -------
                                                  $ (509)          $(5,258)         $(1,154)
                                                  =======          =======          =======

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

                                                     1997             1996             1995
                                                 ------------     ------------     --------
       Fixed maturities available for sale       $57,188          $(31,970)        $118,134
</TABLE>

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  (benefit) for the years ended December 31, consists
     of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   1997              1996             1995
                                                 --------          --------         -------
      <S>                                       <C>                 <C>             <C>
      Federal income taxes:
        Current                                 $17,668             $7,124          $11,753
        Deferred                                 (2,485)             5,084             (119)
                                                 ------            -------           -------
                                                 15,183             12,208           11,634

      State income taxes-current                  1,462                704               58
                                                 ------            -------           ------
      Income tax expense                        $16,645            $12,912          $11,692
                                                 ======            =======           ======
</TABLE>
     Increases  (decreases)  to the federal  income tax provision  applicable to
     pretax income based on the statutory rate, for the years ended December 31,
     are attributable to:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       1997                      1996                     1995
                                                   -----------                --------                  ------
                                           Provision      Rate     Provision     Rate       Provision     Rate
     <S>                                    <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>

     Federal income taxes based
       on the statutory rate                $15,735     35.0%        $12,507     35.0%       $11,704     35.0%
     Increases (decreases) are attributable to :
         Tax-excluded interest                  (46)    (0.1)            (53)    (0.1)           (69)    (0.2)
           State tax, net benefit               951      2.1             459      1.3             38      0.1
     Other, net                                   5       --              (1)      --             19      0.1
                                            -------     ----         -------     ----        -------     ----
Federal income taxes                        $16,645     37.0%        $12,912     36.2%       $11,692     35.0%
                                            =======     ====         =======     ====        =======     ====
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

3.   Income taxes (continued)

     Significant  components  of the  Company's  deferred  income tax assets and
     liabilities as of December 31 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

      Deferred income tax assets:                          1997               1996
                                                         -------           -------
      <S>                                                <C>               <C>

      Policy reserves                                    $54,468           $48,321
      Other                                                1,736             1,851
                                                         -------           -------
           Total deferred income tax assets               56,204            50,172
                                                         -------           -------

      Deferred income tax liabilities:
      Deferred policy acquisition costs                   63,630            59,162
      Investments                                         28,175             9,082
                                                         -------           -------
           Total deferred income tax liabilities          91,805            68,244
                                                         -------           -------
           Net deferred income tax liabilities           $35,601           $18,072
                                                         =======           =======
</TABLE>

     The Company is required to establish a valuation  allowance for any portion
     of the  deferred  income 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  income tax assets and,
     therefore, no such valuation allowance has been established.

4.   Stockholder's equity

     Retained  earnings  available for distribution as dividends to IDS Life are
     limited  to  the  Company's   surplus  as  determined  in  accordance  with
     accounting practices prescribed by state insurance regulatory  authorities.
     Statutory  unassigned  surplus aggregated $17,392 and $6,103 as of December
     31,  1997 and  1996,  respectively.  In  addition,  dividends  in excess of
     $23,589 would require approval by the Insurance  Department of the state of
     Indiana.

     Statutory  net  income  and  stockholder's  equity as of  December  31, are
     summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    1997             1996            1995
                                                 --------         --------        -------
      <S>                                     <C>               <C>             <C>

      Statutory net income                    $   23,589        $   9,138       $  15,499
      Statutory stockholder's equity             302,264          250,975         187,425
</TABLE>

5.   Related party transactions

     On December 31, 1997, the Company  purchased  interest rate floors from IDS
     Life and  entered  into an  interest  rate swap with IDS Life to manage its
     exposure to interest rate risk. The interest rate floors had an outstanding
     balance of $8,400 at December  31, 1997.  The interest  rate swap is an off
     balance sheet transaction.

     The Company has no  employees.  Charges by IDS Life for services and use of
     other joint facilities  aggregated  $24,535,  $17,936 and $10,380 for 1997,
     1996 and  1995,  respectively.  Certain  of these  costs  are  included  in
     deferred policy acquisition costs.

6.   Lines of credit

     The Company has an available line of credit with AEFC aggregating  $50,000.
     The rate for the line of credit is the parent's cost of funds, ranging from
     20 to 45 basis points over an  established  index. A $20,000 line of credit
     with a bank expired on June 30, 1997 and the Company did not seek  renewal.
     There were no borrowings outstanding under these agreements at December 31,
     1997 or 1996.

<PAGE>

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  risk  related  to
     derivative  financial  instruments through established approval procedures,
     including  setting  concentration  limits by  counterparty,  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  risk  related  to  interest  rate caps and  floors 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:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                   Notional         Carrying           Fair          Total Credit
      December 31, 1997              Amount           Amount           Value           Exposure
      -----------------              ------           ------           -----         ------------
        <S>                         <C>            <C>               <C>                   <C> 

        Assets:
          Interest rate caps        $  900,000     $  7,624          $  5,340              $ 5,340
          Interest rate              1,000,000        8,400             8,400                8,400
          floors
          Interest rate swaps        1,000,000           --               n/a                  n/a
                                                    -------           -------              -------
                                                    $16,024           $13,740              $13,740
                                                    =======           =======              =======

                                    Notional        Carrying           Fair            Total Credit
      December 31, 1996              Amount           Amount           Value              Exposure
      -----------------              ------          ------            -----              --------
        Assets:
          Interest rate caps          $400,000       $3,056            $1,621              $ 1,621
                                                     ======            ======               ======
</TABLE>

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



<PAGE>

8.   Derivative financial instruments (continued)

     Interest  rate  caps,  floors  and swaps 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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1997                                1996
                                                            -------                        ---------
                                                  Carrying            Fair            Carrying            Fair
      Financial Assets                             Amount              Value           Amount              Value
      Investments:
      <S>                                        <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>

      Fixed maturities (Note 2):
      Held to maturity                           $1,186,682        $1,223,108        $1,256,143        $1,267,947
      Available for sale                          2,685,799         2,685,799         2,242,447         2,242,447
      Mortgage loans on real estate
        (Note 2)                                    738,052           775,869           582,982           597,053
      Derivative financial instruments
        (Note 8)                                     16,024            13,740             3,056             1,621
      Cash and cash equivalents (Note 1)                 --               --             40,829            40,829
      Separate account assets (Note 1)               62,087            62,087            30,760            30,760

      Financial Liabilities
      Future policy benefits for fixed
        annuities                                 4,330,173         4,152,471         3,871,682         3,702,141
      Separate account liabilities                   62,087            58,116            30,760            28,990
</TABLE>

     At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the carrying amount and fair value of future
     policy  benefits  for  fixed  annuities   exclude  life   insurance-related
     contracts  carried at $13,040 and $9,657,  respectively.  The fair value of
     these benefits is based on the status of the annuities at December 31, 1997
     and 1996.  The fair  values of  deferred  annuities  and  separate  account
     liabilities are 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 1997 and 1996.




<PAGE>

10.      Year 2000 Issue (unaudited)

         The Year 2000  issue is the result of  computer  programs  having  been
written  using two digits  rather than four to define a year.  Any programs that
have  time-sensitive  software may  recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900
rather  than  2000.   This  could  result  in  the  failure  of   majsystems  or
miscalculations,  which could have a material  impact on the  operations  of the
Company.  All of the systems used by the Company are  maintained by AEFC and are
utilized by multiple subsidiaries and affiliates of AEFC. The Company's business
is  heavily   dependent  upon  AEFC's  computer   systems  and  has  significant
interactions with systems of third parties.

         A  comprehensive   review  of  AEFC's  computer  systems  and  business
processes,  including  those  specific to the  Company,  has been  conducted  to
identify the major systems that could be affected by the Year 2000 issue.  Steps
are being taken to resolve any  potential  problems  including  modification  to
existing software and the purchase of new software. These measures are scheduled
to be  completed  and  tested  on a timely  basis.  AEFC's  goal is to  complete
internal  remediation  and  testing  of each  system  by the end of 1998  and to
continue compliance efforts through 1999.

         AEFC is evaluating  the Year 2000 readiness of advisors and other third
parties whose system failures could have an impact on the Company's  operations.
The potential materiality of any such impact is not known at this time.


<PAGE>

PART C.

Item 24.          Financial Statements and Exhibits

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

The audited financial statements of the variable account including:

         -Statements of net assets as of Dec. 31, 1997;
         -Statements of operations for the year ended Dec. 31, 1997; and
         -Statements of changes in net assets for the years ended Dec. 31, 1997
          and 1996.
         -Notes to Financial Statements.
         -Report of Independent Auditors dated March 13, 1998.

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

         -Balance sheets as of Dec. 31, 1997 and 1996; and
         -Related statements of income, stockholder's equity and cash flows for
                  the years ended Dec. 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995.
         -Notes to Financial Statements.
         -Report of Independent Auditors dated February 5, 1998.

(b)      Exhibits:

1.1      Resolution 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 No. 33-54471, filed on or about July 5, 1994, is
         incorporated herein by reference.

1.2       Resolution  of the Board of  Directors  of  American  Enterprise  Life
          establishing  ten additional  subaccounts  within the separate account
          dated  Aug.  21,  1997,  filed   electronically   as  Exhibit  1.2  to
          Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to Registration Statement No. 33-54471,
          is incorporated herein by reference.

1.3      Resolution of the Board of Directors of American Enterprise Life
         establishing six additional subaccounts within the separate account
         dated June 17, 1998, is filed electronically herewith.

2.       Not applicable.

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


<PAGE>

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 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 No. 33-54471, filed
         on or about July 5, 1994, is incorporated herein by reference.

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

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

7.       Not applicable.

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

8.1(b)    Form  of  Amendment  1  to  Participation   Agreement  among  American
          Enterprise Life Insurance Company and G.T. Global Variable  Investment
          Trust and G.T. Global Variable  Investment Series and GT Global,  Inc.
          (formerly G.T. Global Financial Services,  Inc.), filed electronically
          as Exhibit 8.1(b) to  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 9 to  Registration
          Statement No. 33-54471, is incorporated herein by reference.


<PAGE>

8.2(a)    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.

8.2(b)    Copy of  Amendment 1 to Schedule A to  Participation  Agreement  among
          Putnam Capital  Manager Trust,  Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. and American
          Enterprise  Life  Insurance  Company,  dated  April  30,  1997,  filed
          electronically as Exhibit 8.2(b) to Post-Effective  Amendment No. 9 to
          Registration   Statement  No.  33-54471,  is  incorporated  herein  by
          reference.

8.2(c)    Copy of  Amendment 2 to Schedule A to  Participation  Agreement  among
          Putnam Capital  Manager Trust,  Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. and American
          Enterprise  Life  Insurance  Company,  dated  October 30, 1997,  filed
          electronically as Exhibit 8.2(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to
          Registration   Statement  No.  33-54471,  is  incorporated  herein  by
          reference.

8.2(d)    Form of  Amendment 3 to Schedule A to  Participation  Agreement  among
          Putnam Capital  Manager Trust,  Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. and American
          Enterprise Life Insurance Company, is filed electronically herewith.

8.3(a)   Copy of Participation Agreement by and among Quest for Value
         Accumulation Trust and American Enterprise Life 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.

8.3(b)   Copy of Amendment 1 to Schedule A to Participation Agreement among OCC
         Accumulation Trust, American Enterprise Life Insurance Company and OCC
         Distributors, dated October 15, 1997, filed electronically as Exhibit
         8.3(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Registration Statement No.
         33-54471, is incorporated herein by reference.

8.4       Copy of Participation  Agreement among  Oppenheimer Trust and American
          Enterprise  Life  Insurance  Company,  dated  October 30, 1997,  filed
          electronically  as Exhibit 8.4 to  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 10 to
          Registration   Statement  No.  33-54471,  is  incorporated  herein  by
          reference.

8.5      Copy of Participation Agreement among AIM Variable Insurance Funds and
         American Enterprise Life Insurance Company, dated October 30, 1997,
         filed electronically as Exhibit 8.5 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10
         to Registration Statement No. 33-54471, is incorporated herein by
         reference.


<PAGE>

8.6       Copy of Participation  Agreement among Janus Aspen Series and American
          Enterprise  Life  Insurance  Company,  dated  October 8,  1997,  filed
          electronically  as Exhibit 8.6 to  Post-Effective  Amendment  No. 9 to
          Registration   Statement  No.  33-54471,  is  incorporated  herein  by
          reference.

8.7       Form of Fund  Participation  Agreement among American  Enterprise Life
          Insurance  Company,  American  Century Variable  Portfolios,  Inc. and
          American Century Investment Management,  Inc., is filed electronically
          herewith.

8.8       Copy  of  Reinsurance   Agreement,   dated  October  16,  1997,  filed
          electronically  as Exhibit 8.7 to  Post-Effective  Amendment  No. 9 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 is filed electronically herewith.

10.       Consent of Independent Auditors is filed electronically herewith.

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

         Financial Statement Schedules:

         Schedule I  -    Consolidated Summary Of Investments Other Than
                          Investments In Related Parties

         Schedule V  -    Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

         Report of Independent Auditors dated February 5, 1998.

         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 No.
         33-54471, filed on or about July 5, 1994, is incorporated herein by
         reference.

14.      Financial Data Schedules are filed electronically herewith.

15.1.    Power of Attorney to sign Amendments to this Registration Statement,
         dated March 28, 1997, filed electronically as Exhibit 15 to
         Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Registration Statement No. 33-54471,
         is incorporated herein by reference.


<PAGE>

15.2.    Power of Attorney to sign Amendments to this Registration Statement,
         dated April 9, 1998, filed electronically as Exhibit 15.2 to
         Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Registration Statement No.
         33-54471, is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 25.   Directors and Officers of the Depositor (American Enterprise Life
           Insurance Company)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Name                                 Principal Business Address             Positions and Offices with Depositor
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------

<S>                                  <C>                                    <C>
James E. Choat                       IDS Tower 10                           Director, President and Chief
                                     Minneapolis, MN  55440                 Executive Officer

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

Jeffrey S. Horton                    IDS Tower 10                           Vice President and Treasurer
                                     Minneapolis, MN  55440

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

Bruce A. Kohn                        IDS Tower 10                           Vice President, Group Counsel and
                                     Minneapolis, MN  55440                 Assistant Secretary

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

Paula R. Meyer                       IDS Tower 10                           Executive Vice President, Assured
                                     Minneapolis, MN  55440                 Assets

Mary Ellyn Minenko                   IDS Tower 10                           Vice President, Group Counsel and
                                     Minneapolis, MN  55440                 Assistant Secretary

Stuart A. Sedlacek                   IDS Tower 10                           Executive Vice President
                                     Minneapolis, MN  55440

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

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

Philip C. Wentzel                    IDS Tower 10                           Vice President and Controller
                                     Minneapolis, MN 55440
</TABLE>



<PAGE>

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

                  American Enterprise Life Insurance Company 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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                        Jurisdiction of
Name of Subsidiary                                                                      Incorporation

I. Travel Related Services
<S>                                                                                     <C>
     American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.                             New York

II. International Banking Services

     American Express Bank Ltd.                                                         Connecticut

III. Companies engaged in Financial Services

     Advisory Capital Strategies Group Inc.                                             Minnesota
     American Centurion Life Assurance Company                                          New York
     American Enterprise Investment Services Inc.                                       Minnesota
     American Enterprise Life Insurance Company                                         Indiana
     American Express Asset Management Group Inc.                                       Minnesota
     American Express Asset Management International Inc.                               Delaware
     American Express Asset Management International (Japan) Ltd.                       Japan
     American Express Asset Management Ltd.                                             England
     American Express Client Service Corporation                                        Minnesota
     American Express Corporation                                                       Delaware
     American Express Financial Advisors Inc.                                           Delaware
     American Express Financial Corporation                                             Minnesota
                                                                                        Delaware
     American Express Insurance Agency of Arizona Inc.                                  Arizona
     American Express Insurance Agency of Idaho Inc.                                    Idaho
     American Express Insurance Agency of Nevada Inc.                                   Nevada
     American Express Insurance Agency of Oregon Inc.                                   Oregon
     American Express Minnesota Foundation                                              Minnesota
     American Express Property Casualty Insurance Agency of Kentucky Inc.               Kentucky
     American Express Property Casualty Insurance Agency of Maryland Inc.               Maryland
     American Express Property Casualty Insurance Agency of Pennsylvania Inc.           Pennsylvania
     American Express Trust Company                                                     Minnesota
     American Partners Life Insurance Company                                           Arizona
     IDS Cable Corporation                                                              Minnesota
     IDS Cable II Corporation                                                           Minnesota
     IDS Capital Holdings Inc.                                                          Minnesota
     IDS Certificate Company                                                            Delaware


<PAGE>

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

                                                                                        Jurisdiction of
Name of Subsidiary                                                                      Incorporation

     IDS Futures 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 New Mexico Inc.                                            New Mexico
     IDS Insurance Agency of North Carolina Inc.                                        North Carolina
     IDS Insurance Agency of Utah Inc.                                                  Utah
     IDS Insurance Agency of Wyoming Inc.                                               Wyoming
     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
     North Dakota Public Employee Payment Company                                       Minnesota
</TABLE>

Item 27. Number of Contract owners

                  As of May 31, 1998, there were 347 contract owners of
                  qualified contracts and there were 414 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>
                  Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the
                  Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, 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.

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       $1,798,969           $79,195               None                  None
Financial Advisors
Inc.
</TABLE>

Item 30.     Location of Accounts and Records

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

Item 31.     Management Services

             Not applicable.

Item 32. Undertakings

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

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


<PAGE>

         (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>

                              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  all of 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  Amendment to its  Registration
Statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized in the City of Minneapolis,  and State of Minnesota,  on the 24th day
of August, 1998.

                           AMERICAN ENTERPRISE VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
                                           (Registrant)

                           By American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
                                            (Sponsor)

                           By /s/   James E. Choat*
                                    James E. Choat
                                    President and Chief Executive Officer

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to the Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated
on the 24th day of August, 1998.

Signature                                       Title

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

/s/  Jeffrey S. Horton**                        Vice President and Treasurer
     Jeffrey S. Horton

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

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

                                                Director and Executive Vice
     Paula R. Meyer                             President-Assured Assets
                                                    

     Stuart A. Sedlacek                         Executive Vice President

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

/s/  Philip C. Wentzel**                       Vice President and Controller
     Philip C. Wentzel


<PAGE>

*Signed   pursuant  to  Power  of  Attorney,   dated  March  28,   1997,   filed
electronically as Exhibit 15 to  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 7 to Registration
Statement No. 33-54471, filed on or about April 23, 1997, incorporated herein by
reference.

**Signed   pursuant  to  Power  of   Attorney,   dated  April  9,  1998,   filed
electronically   as  Exhibit  15.2  to   Post-Effective   Amendment  No.  10  to
Registration  Statement  No.  33-54471,  filed  on  or  about  April  30,  1998,
incorporated herein by reference.



By: /s/ Mary Ellyn Minenko
        Mary Ellyn Minenko


<PAGE>

CONTENTS  OF  POST-EFFECTIVE  AMENDMENT  NO. 11 TO  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  NO.
33-54471

This Amendment to the 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>

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 1.3:     Resolution of the Board of Directors of American Enterprise
                 Life.

Exhibit 8.2(d):  Form of Amendment 3 to Schedule A to Participation Agreement
                 among Putnam Capital Manager Trust, Putnam Mutual Funds Corp.
                 and American Enterprise Life Insurance Company.

Exhibit 8.7:     Form of Fund Participation Agreement among American Enterprise
                 Life Insurance Company, American Century Variable Portfolios,
                 Inc. and American Century Investment Management, Inc.

Exhibit 9:       Opinion of counsel and consent.

Exhibit 10:      Consent of Independent Auditors.

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

Exhibit 14:      Financial Data Schedules.



<PAGE>


TO THE SECRETARY OF
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

By Resolution received by the Secretary on July 15, 1987, the Board of Directors
of American Enterprise Life Insurance Company:

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

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

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

As President of American Enterprise Life Insurance Company, I hereby establish,
in accordance with the above resolutions and pursuant to authority granted by
the Board of Directors, six additional subaccounts within the separate account
to invest in the following funds or portfolios:

         American Century VP Income and Growth

         American Century VP Value

         Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund - Class IB

         Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund - Class IB

         Putnam VT High Yield Fund - Class IB

         Putnam VT Voyager Fund - Class IB


<PAGE>


In accordance with the above resolutions and pursuant to authority granted by
the Board of Directors of American Enterprise Life Insurance Company, the Unit
Investment Trust comprised of American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account and
consisting of 24 subaccounts is hereby reconstituted as American Enterprise
Variable Annuity Account consisting of 30 subaccounts.

/s/ James E. Choat

Received by the Secretary:

/s/ William A. Stoltzmann
William A. Stoltzmann

Date:  6/17/98



<PAGE>


                                 AMENDMENT 3 TO
                             PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

                                      Among

                          PUTNAM CAPITAL MANAGER TRUST
                      (now known as Putnam Variable Trust)

                            PUTNAM MUTUAL FUNDS CORP.

                                       and

                   AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY


THIS AMENDMENT 3 TO PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT ("Amendment 3") is made and entered
into this day of , 1998 by and among Putnam Variable Trust (formerly Putnam
Capital Manager Trust) (the "Fund"); Putnam Mutual Funds Corp. (the
"Distributor"); and American Enterprise Life Insurance Company (the "Company").

WHEREAS, the Company, the Fund and the Distributor are parties to the
Participation Agreement dated January 16, 1995, as amended April 30, 1997 and
October 30, 1997 (the "Agreement"); and

WHEREAS, the parties now desire to amend the Agreement so that an enhanced
flexible premium variable annuity contract may invest in the Authorized Funds
and to provide that such annuity will invest in Class IB Shares of the
Authorized Funds;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company, the Fund
and the Distributor agree as follows:


<PAGE>

 1.      Amendment to Schedule A. In accordance with the terms of the Agreement,
         the parties hereby amend Schedule A to read as follows:

                                   Schedule A

                                    Contracts

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account, established July 15, 1987.

         AEL Personal Portfoliosm and AEL Personal Portfolio Plus offer the
         following Authorized Funds as investment options:

                  Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund - Class IA Shares
                  Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund - Class IA Shares
                  Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund - Class IA Shares
                  Putnam VT High Yield Fund - Class IA Shares

         AEL Personal Portfolio Plus2 offers the following Authorized Funds as
         investment options:

                  Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund - Class IB Shares
                  Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund - Class IB Shares
                  Putnam VT High Yield Fund - Class IB Shares
                  Putnam VT Voyager Fund - Class IB Shares

         AEL Preferredsm, distributed through TCF, offers the following
         Authorized Funds as investment options:

                  Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund - Class IA Shares
                  Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund - Class IA Shares
                  Putnam VT New Opportunities Fund - Class IA Shares
                  Putnam VT Voyager Fund - Class IA Shares
                  Putnam VT Global Growth Fund - Class IA Shares

 2. Service Fees. With respect to any investment in Class IB Shares of the
    Authorized Funds:

          a)      Provided the Company complies with its obligations under the
                  Agreement, the Distributor will pay the Company a service fee
                  (the "Service Fee") on shares of the Authorized Funds held in
                  the Account at the rate of 0.15% per annum.

          b)      The Company understands and agrees that all Service Fee
                  payments are subject to the limitations contained in each
                  Authorized Fund's Distribution Plan, which may be varied or
                  discontinued at any time, and understands and agrees that it
                  will cease to receive such Service Fee Payments with respect
                  to an Authorized Fund if the Authorized Fund ceases to pay
                  fees to the Distributor pursuant to its Distribution Plan.

          c)      The Company's failure to provide the services described in
                  Section 2(e) below or otherwise to comply with the terms of
                  the Agreement will render it ineligible to receive Service
                  Fees.


<PAGE>

d)        Except as described in Sections 2(b) and 2(c) above,  the  Distributor
          will pay the Company the Service Fees unless it is not  permissible to
          continue such Service Fee arrangement  under applicable laws, rules or
          regulations.  The Service Fee  arrangement  may be terminated:  (A) in
          writing by either party upon sixty (60) days' advance  written  notice
          to the other party;  or (B) if the Agreement is  terminated,  however,
          the Service Fee will  continue to be due and payable  with  respect to
          shares of the Authorized Funds  attributable to Contracts in effect on
          the effective date of termination of the Service Fee arrangement.

          e)      The Company will provide the following services to Contract
                  owners who allocate purchase payments to subaccounts of the
                  Account investing in the Authorized Funds:

                    i)     Maintain  regular contact with Contract owners and
                           assist in answering inquiries concerning the
                           Authorized Funds;

                   ii)     Assist in printing and/or distributing shareholder
                           reports, prospectuses, service literature and sales
                           literature or other promotional materials provided by
                           the Distributor;

                   iii)    Assist the Distributor and its affiliates in the
                           establishment and maintenance of Contract owner and
                           shareholder accounts and records;

                   iv)     Assist Contract owners in effecting administrative
                           changes, such as exchanging into or out of the
                           subaccounts of the Account investing in shares of the
                           Authorized Funds;

                   v)       Assist in processing purchase and redemption
                            transactions; and

                   vi)     Provide any other information or services as the
                           Contract owners of the Distributor may reasonably
                           request.

                   The Company will support the Distributor's marketing and
                  servicing efforts for granting reasonable requests for visits
                  to the Company's offices by representatives of the
                  Distributor.

          f)      The Company's compliance with the service requirement set
                  forth in this Amendment 3 will be evaluated from time to time
                  by the Distributor's monitoring of redemption levels of
                  Authorized Fund shares held in the Account and by such other
                  methods as the Distributor deems appropriate.

 3.      Definitions. Terms not defined in this Amendment 3 will have the
         meaning as those terms defined in the Agreement.

 4.      Counterparts. This Amendment 3 may be executed simultaneously in two or
         more counterparts, each of which taken together will constitute one and
         the same instrument.


<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Amendment 3 to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representatives as of the
date specified above.

PUTNAM VARIABLE TRUST                                  PUTNAM MUTUAL FUNDS CORP.

By:                                                    By:

Name:                                                  Name:

Title:                                                 Title:


AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY             ATTEST:

By:                                                    By:

Name:                                                  Name:

Title:                                                 Title:



<PAGE>

                          FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

         THIS FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of
________, 1998 by and among AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANC COMPANY (the
"Company") AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC. (the "Issuer") and the
investment adviser of the Issuer, AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.
("ACIM").

         WHEREAS, the Company offers to the public certain qualified and
nonqualified variable annuity contracts (each, a "Contract," collectively, the
"Contracts"), which the Company has registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "1933 Act"); and

         WHEREAS, the Company wishes to offer as investment options under the
Contracts, American Century VP Income and Growth and American Century VP Value
(each, a "Fund," collectively the "Funds"), each a series of mutual fund shares
registered under the Investment Company act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
Act"), and issued by the Issuer; and

         WHEREAS, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, ACIM and
the Issuer desire to make shares of the Funds available as investment options
under the Contracts;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the Company, the Issuer and ACIM agree as follows:

         1. Transactions in the Funds. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, the Issuer will make shares of the Funds available to be
purchased, exchanged, or redeemed, by the Company on behalf of the Account
(defined in Section 6(a) below) through a single account per Fund at the net
asset value applicable to each order. The Funds' shares shall be purchased and
redeemed on a net basis in such quantity and at such time as determined by the
Company to satisfy the requirements of the Contracts for which the Funds serve
as underlying investment media. Dividends and capital gains distributions will
be automatically reinvested in full and fractional shares of the Funds.

         2. Administrative Services. The Company shall be solely responsible for
providing all administrative services for the Contract owners. The Company
agrees that it will maintain and preserve all records as required by law to be
maintained and preserved, and will otherwise comply with all laws, rules and
regulations applicable to the marketing of the Contracts and the provision of
administrative services to the Contract owners.

         3.  Processing and Timing of Transactions.

         (a) The Issuer hereby appoints the Company as its agent for the limited
purpose of accepting purchase and redemption orders for Fund shares from the
Contract owners. On each day the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") is
open for business (each, a "Business Day"), the Company may receive instructions
from the Contract owners for the purchase or redemption of shares of the Funds
("Orders"). Orders received and accepted by the Company prior to the close of
regular trading on the Exchange (the "Close of Trading") on any given Business
Day (currently, 3:00 p.m. Central time) and transmitted to the Issuer by 9:00
a.m. Central time on the next following Business Day will be executed by the
Issuer at the net asset value determined as of the Close of Trading on the
previous Business Day ("Day 1"). Any Orders received by the Company after the
Close of Trading, and all Orders that are transmitted to the Issuer after 9:00
a.m. Central time on the next following Business Day, will be executed by the
Issuer at the net asset value determined following receipt by the Issuer of such
Order. The day as of which an Order is executed by the Issuer pursuant to the
provisions set forth above is referred to herein as the "Effective Trade Date".

          (b) By 5:30 p.m. Central time on each Business Day, ACIM will provide
to the Company via facsimile or other electronic transmission acceptable to the
Company the Funds' net asset value, dividend and capital gain information and,
in the case of income funds, the daily accrual for interest rate factor (mil
rate), determined at the Close of Trading.

         (c) By 9:00 a.m. Central time on each Business Day, the Company will
provide to ACIM via facsimile or other electronic transmission acceptable to
ACIM a report (referred to in subsection (a) above) stating whether the Orders
received by the Company from Contract owners by the Close of Trading on the
preceding Business Day resulted in the Account being a net purchaser or net
seller of shares of the Funds. As used in this Agreement, the phrase "other
electronic transmission acceptable to ACIM" includes the use of remote computer
terminals located at the premises of the Company, its agents or affiliates,
which terminals may be linked electronically to the computer system of ACIM, its
agents or affiliates (hereinafter, "Remote Computer Terminals").

         (d) Upon the timely receipt from the Company of the report described in
subsection (c) above, ACIM will execute the purchase or redemption transactions
(as the case may be) at the net asset value computed as at the Close of Trading
on Day 1. Payment for net purchase transactions shall be made by wire transfer
by the Company to the custodial account designated by the Funds on the Business
Day next following the Effective Trade Date. Such wire transfers shall be
initiated by the Company's bank prior to 3:00 p.m. Central time and received by
the Funds prior to 5:00 p.m. Central time on the Business Day next following the
Effective Trade Date. If payment for a purchase Order is not timely received,
such Order will be executed at the net asset value next computed following
receipt of payment. Payments for net redemption transactions shall be made by
wire transfer by the Issuer to the account designated by the Company within the
time period set forth in the applicable Fund's then-current prospectus;
provided, however, ACIM will use all reasonable efforts to settle all
redemptions on the Business Day next following the Effective Trade Date. On any
Business Day when the Federal Reserve Wire Transfer System is closed, all
communication and processing rules will be suspended for the settlement of
Orders. Orders will be settled on the next Business Day on which the Federal
Reserve Wire Transfer System is open and the Effective Trade Date will apply.

         4.  Prospectus and Proxy Materials.

         (a) ACIM shall provide to the shareholder of record copies of the
Issuer's proxy materials, periodic reports to shareholders and other materials
that are required by law to be sent to the Issuer's shareholders. In addition,
ACIM shall provide the Company copies of the Funds' prospectuses and periodic
reports to shareholders in sufficient quantity to distribute to each Contract
owner, together with such additional copies of the Funds' prospectuses as may be
reasonably requested by Company. If the Company provides for pass-through voting
by the Contract owners, ACIM will provide the Company with a sufficient quantity
of proxy materials for each Contract owner.

         (b) The cost of preparing, typesetting, printing and shipping to the
Company the Fund's separate prospectuses, proxy materials, periodic reports to
shareholders and other materials shall be paid by ACIM or its agents or
affiliates. If the Company elects to print a prospectus that combines the
prospectuses of the Funds with the prospectuses of other investment options
under the Contracts, ACIM shall provide the Company a copy of the Fund's
prospectus in camera ready and/or electronic format. The cost of preparing,
typesetting and printing the combined prospectus shall be borne by the Company.

         (c) The cost of mailing prospectuses, proxy materials, periodic fund
reports and other materials of the Issuer to the Contract owners and prospective
Contract owners shall be paid by the Company and shall not be the responsibility
of ACIM or the Issuer.

         5.  Compensation and Expenses.

         (a) ACIM will pay no fee or other compensation to the Company under
this Agreement.

         (b) All expenses incident to performance by the Issuer of its duties
under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the cost of registration
and qualification of the Funds' shares, will be paid by ACIM to the extent
permitted by law. All expenses incident to performance by the Company of its
duties under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the cost of
providing the administrative services to Contract owners, shall be paid by the
Company.

         6.  Representations and Warranties.

         (a) The Company represents and warrants that: (i) this Agreement has
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and, when executed and
delivered, shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms; (ii) it has established the
American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account (the "Account"), which is a
separate account under Indiana Insurance law, and has registered the Account as
a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act to serve as an investment vehicle for
the Contracts; (iii) each Contract provides for the allocation of net amounts
received by the Company to the Account for investment in the shares of one or
more specified investment companies selected among those companies available
through the Account to act as underlying investment media; (iv) selection of a
particular investment company is made by the Contract owner under a particular
Contract, who may change such selection from time to time in accordance with the
terms of the applicable Contract; and (v) the activities of the Company
contemplated by this Agreement are intended to comply in all material respects
with all provisions of federal and state insurance, securities, and tax laws
applicable to such activities.

         (b) ACIM represents that: (i) this Agreement has been duly authorized
by all necessary corporate action and, when executed and delivered, shall
constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of ACIM and Issuer,
enforceable in accordance with its terms; and (ii) the investments of the Funds
will at all times be adequately diversified within the Section 817(h) of the
Internal Revenue Service Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the
regulations thereunder, and that at all times while this Agreement is in effect,
all beneficial interests in each of the Funds will be owned by one or more
insurance companies or by any other party permitted under Section 1.817-5(f)(3)
of the Regulations promulgated under the Code. In the event of a breach, ACIM
will take reasonable steps to notify the Company of such breach and to
adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace
period afforded by Regulation 1.817-5.

         (c) ACIM represents that each Fund's investment objectives, policies,
and restrictions comply in all material respects with applicable state
investment laws as they may apply to the Fund. Neither the Issuer nor ACIM makes
any representation as to whether any aspect of any Fund's operations (including,
but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment policies, objections and
restrictions) complies with the insurance laws and regulations of any state.
ACIM agrees that it will use reasonable effort to furnish such information
regarding the Funds as may be reasonably required by state insurance laws so
that the Company may obtain the authority needed to issue the Contracts in any
applicable state.

         7.  Additional Covenants and Agreements.

         (a) Each party shall comply with all provisions of federal and state
laws applicable to its respective activities under this Agreement.

         (b) Each party shall promptly notify the other parties in the event
that it is, for any reason, unable to perform any of its obligations under this
Agreement.

         (c) The Company covenants and agrees that all Orders accepted and
transmitted by it hereunder with respect to the Account on any Business Day will
be based upon instructions that it received from the Contract owners in proper
form prior to the Close of Trading of the Exchange on the previous Business Day.

         (d) The Company covenants and agrees that all Orders transmitted to the
Issuer, whether by telephone, telecopy, or other electronic transmission
acceptable to ACIM, shall be sent by or under the authority and direction of a
person designated by the Company as being duly authorized to act on behalf of
the owner of the Account. Absent actual knowledge to the contrary, ACIM shall be
entitled to rely on the existence of such authority and to assume that any
person transmitting Orders for the purchase, redemption or transfer of Fund
shares on behalf of the Company is "an appropriate person" as used in Sections
8-308 and 8-404 of the Uniform Commercial Code with respect to the transmission
of instructions regarding Fund shares on behalf of the owner of such Fund
shares. The Company shall maintain the confidentiality of all passwords and
security procedures issued, installed or otherwise put in place with respect to
the use of Remote Computer Terminals and assumes full responsibility for the
security therefor. The Company further agrees to be solely responsible for the
accuracy, propriety, and consequences of all data transmitted to ACIM by the
Company by telephone, telecopy, or other electronic transmission acceptable to
ACIM.

         (e) The Company agrees to make every reasonable effort to market its
Contracts. It will use its best efforts to give equal emphasis and promotion to
shares of the Funds as is given to other underlying investments of the Account.

         (f) The Company or its employees or agents will not give any
information or advice, or make any representations or statements on behalf of or
concerning the Issuer or the Funds, in connection with the sale of the Contracts
unless based upon information or representations contained in the registration
statement for the Funds' shares, as such registration statement may be amended
or supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy statements of the
Funds, or in published reports for the Funds that are published in reputable
financial publications or approved by ACIM for distribution, or in sales
literature or other material provided by ACIM. ACIM agrees to use reasonable
efforts to respond to any request for approval on a prompt and timely basis.

         (g) Notwithstanding anything in Section 7(f) above, the Company will
furnish, or will cause to be furnished, to the Issuer or ACIM, each piece of
sales literature or other promotional material in which the Funds or the Issuer
or ACIM is named, at least ten (10) business days prior to its use. No such
material will be used if ACIM reasonably objects to such use. ACIM agrees to use
reasonable efforts to respond to any request for approval on a prompt and timely
basis.

         (h) ACIM will furnish or will cause to be furnished to the Company or
its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in
which the Company or its Account is named, at least ten (10) business days prior
to its use. No such material will be used if the Company reasonably objects to
such use. The Company agrees to use reasonable efforts to respond to any request
for approval on a prompt and timely basis.

         (i) ACIM will not give any information or make any representations or
statements on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, the Account, or
the Contracts unless based upon information or representations contained in the
registration statement for the Contracts, as such registration statement may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, or in reports for the Contracts, or
in published reports for the Account or the Contracts that are published in
reputable financial publications or are approved by the Company for
distribution, or in sales literature or other material provided by the Company.
The Company agrees to use reasonable efforts to respond to any request for
approval on a prompt and timely basis.

         (j) The Company will provide to ACIM at least on complete copy of all
registration statements, annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements, and
all amendments or supplements to any of the above that include a description of
or information regarding the Funds promptly after the filing of such document
with the SEC or other regulatory authority.

         (k) For purposes of this Section 7, the phrase "sales literature or
other promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements
(such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or
other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape
display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media (e.g.,
online networks such as the Internet or other electronic messages), sales
literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of
any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees, registration statements,
shareholder reports, and proxy materials and any other material constituting
sales literature or advertising under the rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), the 1933 Act or the 1940 Act.

         8. Use of Names. Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this
Agreement, neither ACIM nor the Funds shall use any trademark, trade name,
service mark or logo of the Company, or any variation of any such trademark,
trade name, service mark or logo, without the Company's prior written consent,
the granting of which shall be at the Company's sole option. Except as otherwise
expressly provided for in this Agreement, the Company shall not use any
trademark, trade name, service mark or logo of the Issuer or ACIM, or any
variation of any such trademarks, trade names, service marks, or logos, without
the prior written consent of either the Issuer or ACIM, as appropriate, the
granting of which shall be at the sole option of ACIM and/or the Issuer.

         9.  Proxy Voting.

         (a) The Company shall provide pass-through voting privileges to all
Contract owners so long as the SEC continues to interpret the 1940 Act as
requiring such privileges. It shall be the responsibility of the Company to
assure that it and the separate accounts of the other Participating Companies
(as defined in Section 11(a) below) participating in any Fund calculate voting
privileges in a consistent manner.

         (b) The Company will distribute to Contract owners all proxy material
furnished by ACIM and will vote shares in accordance with instructions received
from such Contract owners. The Company shall vote Fund shares for which no
instructions have been received in the same proportion as shares for which such
instructions have been received. The Company and its agents shall not oppose or
interfere with the solicitation of proxies for Fund shares held for such
Contract owners.

         10. Indemnity.

         (a) ACIM agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each
person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act, and
any officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates of the foregoing
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 10(a))
against any losses, claims, expenses, damages or liabilities (including amounts
paid in settlement thereof) or litigation expenses (including reasonable legal
and other expenses) (collectively, "Losses"), to which the Indemnified Parties
may become subject, insofar as such Losses (i) result from a breach by ACIM of a
material provision of this Agreement, including the incorrect calculation or
reporting of the daily net asset value per share or dividend or capital gain
distribution rate, or (ii) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration
statement or any prospectus of the Funds or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. ACIM
will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the
Indemnified Parties in connection with investigating or defending any such
Losses. ACIM shall not be liable for indemnification hereunder if such Losses
are attributable to the negligence or misconduct of the Company performing its
obligations under this Agreement or as a result of a breach of Section 21.

         (b) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless ACIM and the
Issuer and each person, if any, who controls the Issuer or ACIM within the
meaning of the 1933 Act, and their respective officers, directors, employees,
agents, and affiliates of the foregoing (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties"
for purposes of this Section 10(b)) against any Losses to which the Indemnified
Parties may become subject, insofar as such Losses (i) result from a breach by
the Company of a material provision of this Agreement, or (ii) arise out of or
are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material
fact contained in the sales literature of the Company or in a registration
statement or any prospectus of the Company regarding the Contracts or the
Account, if any, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or arise out of or as a
result of conduct, statements or representations of the Company or its agents
(other than statements or representations contained in the prospectuses or sales
literature of the Funds), with respect to the sale and distribution of Contracts
for which the Funds' shares serve as the underlying investments, or (iii) result
from the use by any person of a Remote Computer Terminal. The Company will
reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Indemnified
Parties in connection with investigating or defending any such Losses. The
Company shall not be liable for indemnification hereunder if such Losses are
attributable to the negligence or misconduct of ACIM or the Issuer in performing
their obligations under this Agreement.

         (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party hereunder of notice
of the commencement of action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in
respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party hereunder, notify
the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to
notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it
may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 10. In case
any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies the
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be
entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish to, assume
the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party, and
after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its
election to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be
liable to such indemnified party under this Section 10 for any legal or other
expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.

         (d) If the indemnifying party assumes the defense of any such action,
the indemnifying party shall not, without the prior written consent of the
indemnified parties in such action, settle or compromise the liability of the
indemnified parties in such action, or permit a default or consent to the entry
of any judgement in respect thereof, unless in connection with such settlement,
compromise or consent, each indemnified party receives from such claimant an
unconditional release from all liability in respect of such claim.

         11. Potential Conflicts.

         (a) The Company has received a copy of an application for exemptive
relief, as amended, filed by ACIM (then known as Investors Research Corporation)
on December 21, 1987, with the SEC and the order issued by the SEC in response
thereto (the "Shared Funding Exemptive Order"). The Company has reviewed the
conditions to the requested relief set forth in such application for exemptive
relief. As set forth in such application, the Board of Directors of the Issuer
(the "Board") will monitor the Issuer for the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all
separate accounts ("Participating Companies") investing in funds of the Issuer.
An irreconcilable material conflict may arise for a variety of reasons,
including: (i) an action by any state insurance regulatory authority; (ii) a
change in applicable federal or state insurance, tax, or securities laws or
regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling, no-action or
interpretative letter, or any similar actions by insurance, tax or securities
regulatory authorities; (iii) an administrative or judicial decision in any
relevant proceeding; (iv) the manner in which the investments of any portfolio
are being managed; (v) a difference in voting instructions given by variable
annuity contract owners and variable life insurance contract owners; or (vi) a
decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of contract owners.
The Board shall promptly inform the Company if it determines that an
irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof.

         (b) The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of
which it is aware to the Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying
out its responsibilities under the Shared Funding Exemptive Order by providing
the Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board to consider
any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an obligation by the
Company to inform the Board whenever contract owner voting instructions are
disregarded.

         (c) If a majority of the Board, or a majority of its disinterested
Board members, determines that a material irreconcilable conflict exists with
regard to Contract owner investments in a Fund, the Board shall give prompt
notice to all Participating Companies. If the Board determines that the Company
is responsible for causing or creating said conflict, the Company shall at its
sole cost and expense, and to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined
by a majority of the disinterested Board members), take such action as is
necessary to remedy or eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict. Such
necessary action may include but shall not be limited to:

                           (i) withdrawing the assets allocable to the Account
                           from the Fund and reinvesting such assets in a
                           different investment medium or submitting the
                           question of whether such segregation should be
                           implemented to a vote of all affected contract owners
                           and as appropriate, segregating the assets of any
                           appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners,
                           life insurance contract owners, or variable contract
                           owners of one or more Participating Companies) that
                           votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to
                           the affected contract owners the option of making
                           such a change; and/or

                           (ii) establishing a new registered management
                           investment company or managed separate account.

         (d) If a material irreconcilable conflict arises as a result of a
decision by the Company to disregard its contract owner voting instructions and
said decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote
by all of its contract owners having an interest in the Issuer, the Company at
its sole cost, may be required, at the Board's election, to withdraw an
Account's investment in the Issuer and terminate this Agreement; provided,
however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent
required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a
majority of the disinterested members of the Board.

         (e) For the purpose of this Section 11, a majority of the disinterested
Board members shall determine whether or not any proposed action adequately
remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event the Issuer be
required to establish a new funding medium for any Contract. The Company shall
not be required by this Section 11 to establish a new funding medium for any
Contract if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a majority of the
Contract owners materially adversely affected by the irreconcilable material
conflict.

         12. Termination. This agreement shall terminate as to the sale and
issuance of new Contracts:

         (a) at the option of either the Company, ACIM or the Issuer upon six
months' advance written notice, except that if exemptive relief or an exemptive
order from the SEC is required in connection with such termination, at such
later date as may be necessary to obtain such exemptive relief, or such other
date agreed to by the parties;

         (b) at the option of the Company if the Funds' shares are not available
for any reason to meet the requirement of Contracts as determined by the
Company. Reasonable advance notice of election to terminate shall be furnished
by Company;

         (c) at the option of either the Company, ACIM or the Issuer, upon
institution of formal proceedings against the broker-dealer or broker-dealers
marketing the Contracts, the Account, the Company, or the Issuer by NASDR, the
SEC or any other regulatory body;

         (d) upon termination of the Management Agreement between the Issuer and
ACIM. Notice of such termination shall be promptly furnished to the Company.
This Section 12(d) shall not be deemed to apply if contemporaneously with such
termination a new contract of substantially similar terms is entered into
between the Issuer and ACIM;

         (e) upon the requisite vote of Contract owners having an interest in
the Issuer to substitute for the Issuer's shares the shares of another
investment company in accordance with the terms of Contracts for which the
Issuer's shares had been selected to serve as the underlying investment medium.
The Company will give 60 days' written notice to the Issuer and ACIM of any
proposed vote to replace the Funds' shares;

         (f) upon assignment of this Agreement unless made with the written
consent of all other parties hereto;

         (g) if the Issuer's shares are not registered, issued or sold in
conformance with Federal law or such law precludes the use of Fund shares as an
underlying investment medium of Contracts issued or to be issued by the Company.
Prompt notice shall be given by either party should such situation occur; or

         (h) at the option of the Issuer, if the Issuer reasonably determines in
good faith that the Company is not offering shares of the Fund in conformity
with the terms of this Agreement or applicable law.

         (i) at the option of any party hereto upon a determination that
continuing to perform under this Agreement would, in the reasonable opinion of
the terminating party's counsel, violate any applicable federal or state law,
rule, regulation or judicial order.

         (j) at the option of the Company, if the Company determines, in its
sole judgement exercised in good faith, that ACIM has suffered a material
adverse change in its business, operations or financial condition since the date
of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity that is likely
to have a material adverse impact upon the business and operations of the
Company, such termination to be effective sixty (60) days' after receipt by ACIM
of written notice of the Company's election to terminate this Agreement.

         (k) at the option of ACIM, if ACIM determines, in its sole judgment
exercised in good faith, that the Company has suffered a material adverse change
in its business, operations or financial condition since the date of this
Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity that is likely to have
a material adverse impact upon the business and operations of the Fund or ACIM,
such termination to be effective sixty (60) days' after receipt by the Company
of written notice of ACIM's election to terminate this Agreement.

         13. Continuation of Agreement. Termination as the result of any cause
listed in Section 12 shall not affect the Issuer's obligation to furnish, under
the terms of this Agreement, its shares to Contracts then in force for which its
shares serve or may serve as the underlying medium (unless such further sale of
Fund shares is proscribed by law or the SEC or other regulatory body).

         14. Non-Exclusivity. Each of the parties acknowledges and agrees that
this Agreement and the arrangement described herein are intended to be
non-exclusive and that each of the parties is free to enter into similar
agreements and arrangements with other entities.

         15. Survival. The provisions of Section 8 (use of names) and Section 10
(indemnity) of this Agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement.

         16. Amendment. Neither this Agreement, nor any provision hereof, may be
amended, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in
writing signed by all of the parties hereto.

         17. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be
given or made in writing and shall be delivered personally, or sent by telex,
telecopier, express delivery or registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,
return receipt requested, to the party or parties to whom they are directed at
the following addresses, or at such other addresses as may be designated by
notice from such party to all other parties.

         To the Company:

                           American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
                           c/o American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
                           IDS Tower 10
                           Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440
                           Attention: President

         With a simultaneous copy to:

                           American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
                           c/o  American Express Financial Advisors Inc.
                           IDS Tower 10
                           Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440
                           Attention: Mary Ellyn Minenko, Vice President and
                           Group Counsel
                           (612) 671-3767 (telecopy number)


<PAGE>

         To the Issuer or ACIM:

                           American Century Investments
                           4500 Main Street
                           Kansas City, Missouri 64111
                           Attention: Charles A. Etherington, Esq.
                           (816) 340-4964 (telecopy number)

Any notice, demand or other communication given in a manner prescribed in this
Section 17 shall be deemed to have been delivered on receipt.

         18. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement may not be assigned without
the written consent of all parties to the Agreement at the time of such
assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

         19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one agreement, and
any party hereto may execute this Agreement by signing any such counterpart.

         20. Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained
in this Agreement should be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect,
the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained
herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

         21. Confidentiality.

         (a) ACIM acknowledges that the identities of the customers of the
Company or any of its affiliates (collectively, the "Protected Parties" for
purposes of this Section 21), information maintained regarding those customers,
and all computer programs and procedures or other confidential information
developed or used by the Protected Parties or any of their employees or agents
in connection with the Company's performance of its duties under this Agreement
are the valuable property of the Protected Parties. ACIM agrees that if in
connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement it comes into
possession of any list or compilation of the identities of or other confidential
information about the Protected Parties' customers, or any other confidential
information or property of the Protected Parties, other than such information as
may be independently developed, compiled or obtained by ACIM, whether from
information supplied by the Protected Parties' customers who also maintain
accounts directly with the Issuer or another affiliate of ACIM or otherwise,
ACIM will hold such information or property in confidence and refrain from
using, disclosing or distributing any of such information or other property
except: (a) with the Company's prior written consent; or (b) as required by law
or judicial process. ACIM acknowledges that any breach of this Section 21(a)
would result in immediate and irreparable harm to the Protected Parties for
which there would be no adequate or quantifiable remedy at law. As a result, the
parties agree that in the event of a breach, as their sole remedy, the Protected
Parties will be entitled to equitable relief by way of temporary and permanent
injunctions, as well as such other equitable relief as a court of competent
jurisdiction deems appropriate.

         (b) The parties acknowledge that it is not contemplated that any
confidential information of the Protected Parties is necessary for the
performance by ACIM or the Issuer of their respective duties under this
Agreement. If the parties determine that the communication of such confidential
information is necessary or desirable, the parties agree to cooperate in the
establishment of procedures to identify such information as confidential in
order to ensure its protection.

         22. Access to Books and Records. Each party to this Agreement agrees to
cooperate with each other party and all appropriate government authorities
(including without limitation the SEC, NASDR and state insurance regulators) and
will permit each other and such authorities reasonable access to its books and
records in connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Each party agrees to permit
the other party or the appropriate governmental authority to make copies of
portions of its books and records that relate to the party's performance of its
duties under this Agreement and which are the subject matter of the
investigation or inquiry.

         23. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Attachments hereto,
constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the matters
dealt with herein, and supersedes all previous agreements, written or oral, with
respect to such matters.


<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of
the date set forth above.

AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT              AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE
MANAGEMENT, INC.                         COMPANY

By:                                      By:

AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE                Attest:
PORTFOLIOS INC.

By:                                      By:



<PAGE>



August 24, 1998



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

RE:      Registration Statement on Form N-4
         File No.: 33-54471

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am familiar with the establishment of the American Enterprise Variable Annuity
Account  ("Account"),  which is a separate  account of American  Enterprise Life
Insurance  Company  ("Company")  established by the Company's Board of Directors
according  to   applicable   insurance   law.  I  also  am  familiar   with  the
above-referenced  Registration  Statement  filed by the Company on behalf of the
Account with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

I have made such  examination  of law and examined such documents and records as
in my judgment are necessary and  appropriate to enable me to give the following
opinion:

1.        The  Company  is  duly  incorporated,  validly  existing  and in  good
          standing under  applicable state law and is duly licensed or qualified
          to do business in each jurisdiction where it transacts  business.  The
          Company has all corporate powers required to carry on its business and
          to issue the contracts.

2.        The Account is a validly created and existing  separate account of the
          Company and is duly authorized to issue the securities registered.

3.        The  contracts  issued  by the  Company,  when  offered  and  sold  in
          accordance with the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement
          and in compliance  with  applicable  law,  will be legally  issued and
          represent binding  obligations of the Company in accordance with their
          terms.

I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.

Sincerely,

/s/ Mary Ellyn Minenko

Mary Ellyn Minenko
Senior Counsel



<PAGE>





                           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 5, 1998 on the financial statements
and schedules of American Enterprise Life Insurance Company and our report dated
March 13,  1998 on the  financial  statements  of American  Enterprise  Variable
Annuity Account - AEL Personal  Portfolio Plus2 Variable Annuity  Subaccounts in
Post-Effective  Amendment No. 11 to the  Registration  Statement  (Form N-4, No.
33-54471)  and  related  Prospectus  for the  registration  of the AEL  Personal
Portfolio Plus2 for American  Enterprise  Variable Annuity Account to be offered
by American Enterprise Life Insurance Company.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
August 19, 1998



<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, 1997 and 1996,  and for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1997,  and have issued our report  thereon dated  February 5, 1998 (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  statements  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.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Ernst & Young LLP
February 5, 1998
Minneapolis, Minnesota

<PAGE>

AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SCHEDULE I - CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS
OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES ($ thousands)
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997


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

Type of Investment                    Cost        Value      Amount at which
                                                              shown in the
                                                              balance sheet
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed maturities:
    Held to maturity:
        United States Government and
          government agencies and
          authorities (a)         $   198,733 $    199,401 $         198,733
        States, municipalities and
          political subdivisions        3,003        3,176             3,003
        All other corporate bonds (b) 984,946    1,020,531           984,946
                                   ----------  -----------  ----------------
             Total held to maturity 1,186,682    1,223,108         1,186,682

    Available for sale:
        United States Government and
          government agencies and
          authorities (c)           1,245,323    1,274,729         1,274,729
        States, municipalities and
           political subdivisions           0            0                 0
        All other corporate bonds   1,364,298    1,411,070         1,411,070
                                    ---------- -----------  ----------------
           Total available for sale 2,609,621    2,685,799         2,685,799

Mortgage loans on real estate         738,052    XXXXXXXXX           738,052
Other investments                      16,024    XXXXXXXXX            16,024
                                   ----------               ----------------

             Total investments    $ 4,550,379   $XXXXXXXXX   $     4,626,557
                                   ==========               ================

(a)- Includes mortgage-backed securities with a cost and market value of
     $187,613 and $187,571,  respectively.
(b)- Includes  mortgage-backed  securities  with  a cost  and  market  value  of
     $14,448 and $14,620, respectively.
(c)- Includes mortgage-backed  securities with a cost and market value of
     $1,243,246 and $1,272,639, respectively.
(d)- Includes mortgage-backed securities with a cost and market value of $91,081
     and $93,666, respectively.



<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SCHEDULE V - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS ($ thousands)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        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, 1997
- ---------------------------
Reserve for Mortgage Loans .     $2,370      $1,348        $    0        $    0        $3,718
Reserve for Fixed Maturities     $   16      $  799        $    0        $    0        $  815

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
</TABLE>


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                 6
<CIK>                        0000926266
<NAME>                       American Enterprise Account--AEL Personal Portfolio
<MULTIPLIER>                              1
<CURRENCY>                      U.S. DOLLAR
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                  FEB-21-1997
<PERIOD-END>                    DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                           1
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>              29252739
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>             31326079
<RECEIVABLES>                         91221
<ASSETS-OTHER>                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                     31417300
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>           (125246)
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                 (125246)
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>              20451560
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>              11227078
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                   0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                  0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                  0
<NET-ASSETS>                       31292054
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                   1525382
<INTEREST-INCOME>                         0
<OTHER-INCOME>                            0
<EXPENSES-NET>                      (318453)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>             1206929
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>             203639
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>           1709419
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>               3119987
<EQUALIZATION>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                  0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                     0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>            10588248
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>        (1363766)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                       0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>             16175541
<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>                     (318453)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>               23204284
<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                     JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                       DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-TYPE>                             YEAR
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                              1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                   2685799
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                  1186682
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                    1223108
<EQUITIES>                                   0
<MORTGAGE>                              738052
<REAL-ESTATE>                                0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                         4626557
<CASH>                                       0
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                           0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                  224501
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                         4973413
<POLICY-LOSSES>                        4343213
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                          0
<POLICY-OTHER>                               0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                    11328
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                              0
<COMMON>                                  2000
                        0
                                  0
<OTHER-SE>                              467344
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>           4973413
                                   0
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                     332268
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                       (509)
<OTHER-INCOME>                            6329
<BENEFITS>                              231437
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>              36803
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                     24890
<INCOME-PRETAX>                          44958
<INCOME-TAX>                             16645
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      28313
<DISCONTINUED>                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                              0
<CHANGES>                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                             28313
<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>


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