AMERICAN ENTERPRISE VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
N-4/A, 1999-02-23
Previous: TELE COMMUNICATIONS INC /CO/, 424B3, 1999-02-23
Next: MERRILL LYNCH MUNICIPAL STRATEGY FUND INC, 497, 1999-02-23




                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM N-4


REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933                   [ ]

Pre-Effective Amendment No.                 1        (File No. 333-67595) [X]
                                        ---------

Post-Effective Amendment No.                                              [ ]

                                                  and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

         Amendment No.              2       (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  February 16, 1999 or as
soon as possible.

<PAGE>

Prospectus
February          , 1999

   
Goldman Sachs Variable Annuity
Individual flexible premium deferred combination fixed/variable annuity
    

American Enterprise Variable Annuity Account

Issued 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 that you should know before investing.  You
also will  receive the  prospectuses  relating to all  investment  series of the
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.  Please read the prospectuses  carefully
and keep them for future reference.  This contract is available for nonqualified
annuities,  IRAs  (including Roth IRAs) and Simplified  Employee  Pensions Plans
(SEPs).
    

The  Securities and Exchange  Commission  has not approved or disapproved  these
securities or passed upon the accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to
the contrary is a criminal offense.

An  investment  in  this  annuity  is  not a  deposit  of a  bank  or  financial
institution  and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal  Deposit  Insurance
Corporation  or any other  government  agency.  An  investment  in this  annuity
involves investment risk including the possible loss of principal.

A Statement of Additional Information (SAI), dated February , 1999, 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.................................................................
Financial statements............................................................
Performance information.........................................................
The variable account............................................................
The funds.......................................................................
     Goldman Sachs Conservative Strategy Portfolio..............................
     Goldman Sachs Balanced Strategy Portfolio..................................
     Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Strategy Portfolio.........................
     Goldman Sachs Growth Strategy Portfolio....................................
     Goldman Sachs Aggressive Growth Strategy Portfolio.........................
     Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Fund.......................................
     Goldman Sachs CORE Large Cap Value Fund....................................
     Goldman Sachs CORE U.S. Equity Fund........................................
     Goldman Sachs CORE Large Cap Growth Fund...................................
     Goldman Sachs CORE Small Cap Equity Fund...................................
     Goldman Sachs Capital Growth Fund..........................................
     Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Equity Fund..........................................
     Goldman Sachs CORE International Equity Fund...............................
     Goldman Sachs International Equity Fund....................................
     Goldman Sachs Short Duration Government Fund...............................
     Goldman Sachs Global Income Fund...........................................
The fixed account...............................................................
Buying your annuity.............................................................
     The retirement date........................................................
     Beneficiary................................................................
     Purchase payment amounts...................................................
     How to make payments.......................................................
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.................
    

<PAGE>

Making the most of your annuity.................................................
     Automated dollar-cost averaging............................................
     Asset rebalancing..........................................................
     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...........................................................................
     Tax qualification..........................................................
Voting rights...................................................................
Substitution of investments.....................................................
Distribution of the contract....................................................
About American Enterprise Life..................................................
     Legal proceedings..........................................................
     Year 2000..................................................................
Regular and special reports.....................................................
     Services...................................................................
Appendix A - Example of Dollar Cost Averaging ..................................
Table of contents of the Statement of Additional Information....................

<PAGE>

Key terms

These terms can help you understand details about your annuity.

Accumulation unit - An accounting unit of measure used to calculate the variable
account contract value before annuity payouts begin.

American  Enterprise Life - In this prospectus,  "we," "us," "our" and "American
Enterprise Life" refer to American Enterprise Life Insurance Company.

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

Annuity payouts - An amount paid at regular intervals under one of several plans
available  to the owner  and/or  any other  payee.  We can pay this  amount on a
variable or fixed basis or a combination of both.

Annuity unit - An  accounting  unit of measure  used to  calculate  the value of
annuity payments from the variable account on or after annuity payouts begin.

Beneficiary  - The  person you  designate  to  receive  benefits  in case of the
owner's or  annuitant's  death while the contract is in force and before annuity
payouts begin.

Close of business - When the New York Stock Exchange  (NYSE) closes,  normally 4
p.m. Eastern time.

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
you  allocate  to  this   account  earn   interest  at  rates  that  we  declare
periodically.

   
Funds - Funds that are investment  options under your annuity.  You may allocate
your purchase payments into variable  subaccounts  investing in shares of any or
all of these funds.  Each fund is an investment series of Goldman Sachs Variable
Insurance Trust, an open-end management investment company.

o    Five of the  funds are  asset  allocation  funds  (Goldman  Sachs  Strategy
     Portfolios).  Each Goldman Sachs  Strategy  Portfolio  seeks to achieve its
     investment  objectives by investing in a combination of underlying  equity,
     fixed income  and/or money market  mutual funds for which  Goldman Sachs or
     its  affiliates  serve  as  investment  adviser  or  principal  underwriter
     (underlying mutual funds).

o    Each of the other  funds  seeks to achieve  its  investment  objectives  by
     investing directly in fixed income securities, in equity securities or in a
     combination of both. (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 annuitant.  The owner is responsible for taxes,  regardless of
whether he or she receives the annuity's benefits.

Qualified  annuity  - An  annuity  that you  purchase  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 nonqualified annuities.

Retirement date - The date when annuity payouts are scheduled to begin.

   
Trust - Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

Valuation date - Any normal business day,  Monday through Friday,  that the NYSE
is open.  Each  valuation  date ends at the close of business.  We calculate the
value of each  variable  subaccount  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 fund (See "The
variable  account").  The value of your  investment in each variable  subaccount
changes with the performance of the fund.

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

<PAGE>

The annuity in brief

Purpose:  The  purpose of the  annuity is 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.  The  annuity
provides  lifetime or other  forms of payouts to you or to anyone you  designate
beginning at a specified  date (the  retirement  date).  As in the case of other
annuities,  it may not be  advantageous  for you to purchase  this  annuity as a
replacement for, or in addition to an existing annuity.

Issuer:  American Enterprise Life Insurance Company,  the issuer of the annuity,
is a subsidiary of IDS Life Insurance Company (IDS Life),  which is a subsidiary
of American Express Financial Corporation (AEFC).

   
Free look period:  You may return your annuity to your  financial  advisor or to
our Minneapolis  administrative offices within the time stated on the first page
of your  contract and receive a full refund of the contract  value.  We will not
deduct  any  charges.  However,  you bear the  investment  risk from the time of
purchase  until you return the  contract;  the refund amount may be more or less
than the payment you made.  (Exception:  If the law requires, we will refund all
of your purchase payments.)
    

Accounts:  Currently,  you may allocate your purchase  payments among any or all
of:

o    the  subaccounts of the variable  account,  each of which invests in a 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    the  fixed  account,  which  earns  interest  at  a  rate  that  we  adjust
     periodically. (p. )

   
Buying the annuity:  Your financial advisor 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.  You must make an  initial  lump-sum  payment.  You have the  option of
making additional  payments in the future. Some states have time limitations for
making additional payments. (p. )
    

o    Minimum initial purchase payment - $1,000

o    Minimum additional purchase payment - $100

o    Maximum first-year  purchase payments (without prior approval) - $2,000,000
     (for issue ages 0 to 85) $50,000 (for issue ages 86 to 90)

o    Maximum  additional  annual  purchase  payments  (without prior approval) -
     $50,000

Transfers:  Subject to certain  restrictions you currently may redistribute your
money among accounts without charge at any time until annuity payouts begin, and
once per contract  year among the variable  subaccounts  after  annuity  payouts
begin.  You may  establish  automated  transfers  among  the fixed  account  and
variable   subaccount(s).   Fixed  account  transfers  are  subject  to  special
restrictions. (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,  but  this  may  have  federal  income  tax  consequences.
Restrictions apply to changes 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. )

Annuity payouts: You can apply the contract value 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 you like.  If you  purchased a qualified
annuity,  the payout schedule must meet the  requirements of the qualified plan.
We can make payouts 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 make withdrawals
from 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  and be
distributed tax free if you meet certain distribution requirements. (p.)
    

Charges: Your annuity is subject to a:

o    $30 annual contract administrative charge;
o    0.15% variable account administrative charge;
o    1.25% mortality and expense risk fee;
o    withdrawal charge; and
o    any premium taxes that may be imposed on us by state or local  governments.
     Currently,  we  deduct  any  applicable  premium  tax when you make a total
     withdrawal  or when  annuity  payouts  begin,  but we reserve  the right to
     deduct this tax at other times such as when you make purchase payments.(p.)

<PAGE>

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.  We show all costs that
you bear directly or indirectly  for the variable  subaccounts  and funds below.
Some expenses may vary as we explain under "Charges."

Contract owner expenses:

Withdrawal charge (contingent  deferred sales charge as a percentage of purchase
payment withdrawn)

               Years from                          Withdrawal charge
            payment receipt                            percentage
                   1                                       6%
                   2                                       6%
                   3                                       5%
                   4                                       5%
                   5                                       4%
                   6                                       3%
                   7                                       2%
               Thereafter                                  0%

Annual contract administrative charge                $30

Variable account annual expenses

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

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

Total variable account annual expenses..............................1.40%

<PAGE>

Annual operating expenses of the funds
(management  fees and other  expenses  deducted as a  percentage  of average net
assets as follows:)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   
                      Conservative   Balanced    Growth and     Growth    Aggressive   Growth and    CORE Large   CORE U.S.
                        Strategy     Strategy      Income      Strategy   Growth         Income      Cap Value     Equity
                      Portfolio+(1)Portfolio+(1)  Strategy   Portfolio+(1)Strategy       Fund(2)      Fund(1)      Fund(2)
                                                Portfolio+(1)             Portfolio+(1)

<S>                      <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>  
Management fees          0.15%        0.15%        0.15%        0.15%        0.15%       0.75%         0.70%        0.70%

Other expenses           0.10         0.10         0.10         0.10         0.10        0.15          0.10         0.10
(after applicable
limitations)*

Underlying mutual        0.73         0.83         0.87         0.90         0.95          -             -            -
fund expenses+

Total                    0.98%        1.08%        1.12%        1.15%        1.20%       0.90%         0.80%        0.80%
(after applicable
limitations)*

                       CORE Large   CORE Small    Capital      Mid Cap       CORE      International   Short       Global
                       Cap Growth   Cap Equity    Growth       Equity    International    Equity      Duration     Income
                        Fund(2)       Fund(2)     Fund(1)      Fund(1)      Equity       Fund(2)     Government    Fund(2)
                                                                           Fund(1)                    Fund(1)

Management fees          0.70%        0.75%        0.75%       0.80%        0.85%         1.00%        0.55%        0.90%

Other expenses           0.10         0.15         0.15        0.15         0.25          0.25         0.15         0.15
(after applicable
limitations)*

Underlying mutual          -            -            -           -            -             -            -            -
fund expenses+

Total                    0.80%        0.90%        0.90%       0.95%        1.10%         1.25%        0.70%        1.05%
(after applicable
limitations)*
</TABLE>

*  Goldman  Sachs  Asset   Management   and  Goldman   Sachs  Asset   Management
International,  the investment  advisers,  have voluntarily  agreed to reduce or
limit  certain other  expenses  (excluding  management  fees,  taxes,  interest,
brokerage fees, litigation, indemnification and other extraordinary expenses) to
the extent such  expenses  exceed the  percentage  stated in the above table (as
calculated per annum) of each fund's  respective  average daily net assets.  The
investment  advisers may modify or discontinue  any of the limitations set forth
above in the  future at their  discretion.  Without  the  limitations  described
above, "Other expenses" and "Total" of the funds would be as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      Conservative   Balanced    Growth and     Growth    Aggressive   Growth and    CORE Large   CORE U.S.
                        Strategy     Strategy      Income      Strategy   Growth         Income      Cap Value     Equity
                      Portfolio+(1)Portfolio+(1)  Strategy   Portfolio+(1)Strategy      Fund (2)      Fund(1)      Fund(2)
                                                Portfolio+(1)             Portfolio+(1)

<S>                      <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>  
Other expenses           0.40%        0.27%          -            -          0.24%       1.94%         0.18%        2.13%
Total                    1.28%        1.25%          -            -          1.34%       2.69%         0.88%        2.83%

                       CORE Large   CORE Small    Capital      Mid Cap       CORE      International   Short       Global
                       Cap Growth   Cap Equity    Growth       Equity    International    Equity      Duration     Income
                        Fund(2)       Fund(2)     Fund(1)      Fund(1)      Equity       Fund(2)     Government    Fund(2)
                                                                           Fund(1)                    Fund(1)

Other expenses           2.17%        3.17%        1.03%       0.57%        0.50%         1.97%        0.39%        2.40%
Total                    2.87%        3.92%        1.78%       1.37%        1.35%         2.97%        0.94%        3.30%
</TABLE>

+ Underlying mutual fund expenses for each Goldman Sachs Strategy  Portfolio are
based  upon the  strategic  allocation  of each  Portfolio's  investment  in the
underlying mutual funds and upon the total operating  expenses of the underlying
mutual funds as in effect on December 31, 1998.  Actual  underlying  mutual fund
expenses incurred by each Goldman Sachs Strategy Portfolio may vary with changes
in the allocation of each Portfolio's  assets among the underlying  mutual funds
and with other events that directly affect the expenses of the underlying mutual
funds.  For  additional  information  on the total  operating  expenses  of each
underlying  mutual fund,  please refer to the  prospectus  for the Goldman Sachs
Strategy  Portfolios.  

(1) The fund's  expenses are estimated due to the fund not being  operational as
of  December  31,  1998 or being in  existence  for less  than 10  months  as of
December 31, 1998.

(2) The fund's  expenses  are based on actual  expenses  for  fiscal  year ended
December 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Example:#

              Conservative    Balanced    Growth and  Growth       Aggressive     Growth and   CORE Large   CORE U.S.
                Strategy      Strategy      Income    Strategy       Growth      Income Fund   Cap Value   Equity Fund
                Portfolio     Portfolio    Strategy   Portfolio     Strategy                      Fund
                                           Portfolio                Portfolio

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

<S>            <C>            <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>             <C>        <C>           <C>    
1 year         $ 85.07        $ 86.10      $ 86.51    $ 86.81      $ 87.33         $ 84.25    $ 83.23       $ 83.23

3 years         127.10         130.17       131.40     132.32       133.85          124.64    121.56         121.56

5 years         171.56         176.87       178.90     180.43       182.97          167.66    162.51         162.51

10 years        280.78         290.89       294.91     297.91       302.89          272.62    262.33         262.33


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        $ 25.07       $ 26.10        $ 26.51    $ 26.81     $ 27.33        $ 24.25      $ 23.23      $ 23.23

3 years         77.10         80.17          81.40      82.32       83.85          74.64       71.56         71.56

5 years        131.76        136.87         138.90     140.43      142.97         127.66      122.51        122.51

10 years       280.78        290.89         294.91     297.91      302.89         272.62      262.33        262.33


               CORE Large    CORE Small     Capital     Mid Cap       CORE       International      Short      Global
               Cap Growth    Cap Equity   Growth Fund Equity Fund International   Equity Fund      Duration    Income
                  Fund          Fund                               Equity Fund                    Government     Fund
                                                                                                     Fund

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         $ 83.23        $ 84.25      $ 84.25    $ 84.76      $ 86.30         $ 87.84      $ 82.20         $ 85.79

3 years         121.56         124.64       124.64     126.18       130.79          135.38      118.47           129.25

5 years         162.51         167.66       167.66     170.22       177.88          185.50      157.35           175.34

10 years        262.33         272.62       272.62     277.73       292.90          307.85      251.94           287.87

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        $ 23.23       $ 24.25        $ 24.25    $ 24.76     $ 26.30        $ 27.84        $ 22.20       $ 25.79

3 years         71.56         74.64          74.64      76.18       80.79          85.38         68.47          79.25

5 years        122.51        127.66         127.66     130.22      137.88         145.50        117.35         135.34

10 years       262.33        272.62         272.62     277.73      292.90         307.85        251.94         287.87

</TABLE>

# In this example, the $30 annual contract administrative charge is approximated
as a 0.066% charge based on the average estimated  contract size.  Premium taxes
imposed by some state and local governments are not reflected in this example.
    

You should not consider  this example to be a  representation  of past or future
expenses. Actual expenses may be more or less than those shown

Financial statements

The SAI contains 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.
    

The SAI does not include  financial  statements of the subaccounts  because they
are new and do not have any assets.

Performance information

In the future,  performance  information for the variable subaccounts may appear
from time to time in  advertisements  or sales  literature.  In all cases,  this
information  will reflect the  performance  of a  hypothetical  investment  in a
particular  subaccount  during a particular  time period.  Currently,  we do not
provide any performance information for the subaccounts because they are new and
have not had any activity to date. Past  performance  does not guarantee  future
results.

   
We perform calculations as follows:

Yield - for  subaccounts  investing in income  funds:  We divide net  investment
income (income less expenses) per accumulation unit during a given 30-day period
by the value of the unit on the last day of the period. We convert the result 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).
    

Cumulative  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.

   
Average annual and cumulative  total return figures reflect 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).  We also may show
optional  average  annual and  cumulative  total return  quotations  that do not
reflect a withdrawal  charge  deduction  (assuming no  withdrawal).  We may show
average  annual and  cumulative  total return by means of  schedules,  charts or
graphs.

You  should  consider  performance   information  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.  This
information does not indicate future performance.  Because advertised yields and
total  return  figures  include  all  annuity  charges  that have the  effect of
decreasing advertised performance, you should not compare subaccount performance
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 total return for the
subaccounts.)

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

The variable account

   
You may  allocate  purchase  payments  to any or all of the  subaccounts  of the
variable  account  that  invest  in  shares  of the  following  funds,  each  an
investment series of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust:

     Goldman Sachs Conservative Strategy Portfolio
     Goldman Sachs Balanced Strategy Portfolio
     Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Strategy Portfolio
     Goldman Sachs Growth Strategy Portfolio
     Goldman Sachs Aggressive Growth Strategy Portfolio
     Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Fund
     Goldman Sachs CORE Large Cap Value Fund
     Goldman Sachs CORE U.S. Equity Fund
     Goldman Sachs CORE Large Cap Growth Fund
     Goldman Sachs CORE Small Cap Equity Fund
     Goldman Sachs Capital Growth Fund
     Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Equity Fund
     Goldman Sachs CORE International Equity Fund
     Goldman Sachs International Equity Fund
     Goldman Sachs Short Duration Government Fund
     Goldman Sachs Global Income Fund
    

We reserve the right to limit the maximum number of subaccounts to which you can
allocate purchase payments or contract value at any time.

   
The variable  account also includes other  subaccounts  that are available under
annuities  not  described in this  prospectus.  The variable  account  meets the
definition of a separate  account under  federal  securities  laws. We credit or
charge income,  capital gains and capital losses of each subaccount only to that
subaccount.  State  insurance  law  provides  that we will not charge a variable
subaccount with  liabilities of any other variable  subaccount or of our general
business.
    

The  U.S.  Treasury  and the IRS  indicated  that  they may  provide  additional
guidance on investment control.  This concerns how many variable  subaccounts an
insurance company may offer and how many exchanges among variable subaccounts it
may allow  before the owner would be  currently  taxed on income  earned  within
variable  subaccount  assets.  At this time, we do not know what the  additional
guidance  will be or when action  will be taken.  We reserve the right to modify
the annuity,  as  necessary,  so that the contract  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 so that the annuity  continues  to
qualify as an annuity for federal  income tax purposes.  We reserve the right to
modify the annuity as necessary to comply with any new tax laws.

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

The funds

   
Goldman Sachs Conservative  Strategy Portfolio seeks current income,  consistent
with the  preservation of capital and  secondarily  also considers the potential
for capital appreciation.

Goldman Sachs  Balanced  Strategy  Portfolio  seeks current income and long-term
capital appreciation.

Goldman  Sachs Growth and Income  Strategy  Portfolio  seeks  long-term  capital
appreciation and current income.

Goldman  Sachs  Growth  Strategy   Portfolio  seeks  capital   appreciation  and
secondarily current income.

Goldman Sachs Aggressive Growth Strategy Portfolio seeks capital appreciation.

Goldman  Sachs  Growth and Income  Fund seeks  long-term  growth of capital  and
growth of income through investments in equity securities that are considered to
have  favorable  prospects  for  capital  appreciation  and/or  dividend  paying
ability.

Goldman  Sachs CORE Large Cap Value Fund seeks  long-term  growth of capital and
dividend income through a broadly diversified  portfolio of equity securities of
large cap U.S. issuers that are selling at low to modest valuations  relative to
general market  measures and that are expected to have  favorable  prospects for
capital appreciation and/or dividend-paying ability.

Goldman  Sachs CORE U.S.  Equity  Fund  seeks  long-term  growth of capital  and
dividend  income through a broadly  diversified  portfolio of large cap and blue
chip equity securities representing all major sectors of the U.S. economy.

Goldman  Sachs  CORE Large Cap Growth  Fund  seeks  long-term  growth of capital
through a broadly  diversified  portfolio of equity securities of large cap U.S.
issuers that are expected to have better  prospects for earnings growth than the
growth  rate of the general  domestic  economy.  Dividend  income is a secondary
consideration.

Goldman  Sachs  CORE Small Cap Equity  Fund  seeks  long-term  growth of capital
through a broadly  diversified  portfolio of equity  securities of U.S.  issuers
which are included in the Russell 2000 Index at the time of investment.

Goldman  Sachs Capital  Growth Fund seeks  long-term  growth of capital  through
diversified investments in equity securities of companies that are considered to
have long-term capital appreciation potential.

Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Equity Fund seeks long-term appreciation primarily through
investments  in  equity   securities  of  companies  with  public  stock  market
capitalizations  within  the range of the  market  capitalization  of  companies
constituting  the  Russell  Midcap  Index at the time of  investment  (currently
between $400 million and $16 billion).

Goldman Sachs CORE  International  Equity Fund seeks long-term growth of capital
through a  broadly  diversified  portfolio  of  equity  securities  of large cap
companies  that  are  organized   outside  the  U.S.  or  whose  securities  are
principally traded outside the U.S.

Goldman Sachs  International  Equity Fund seeks long-term  capital  appreciation
through investments in equity securities of companies that are organized outside
the U.S. or whose securities are principally traded outside the U.S.

Goldman  Sachs  Short  Duration  Government  Fund  seeks a high level of current
income and  secondarily,  in  seeking  current  income,  may also  consider  the
potential  for capital  appreciation.  The Fund invests  primarily in securities
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies,  instrumentalities or
sponsored enterprises.

Goldman Sachs Global Income Fund seeks a high total return,  emphasizing current
income  and,  to  a  lesser   extent,   providing   opportunities   for  capital
appreciation.  The  Fund  invests  primarily  in a  portfolio  of  high  quality
fixed-income securities of U.S. and foreign issuers and foreign currencies.

The  investment  objectives and policies of some of the funds are similar to the
investment  objectives  and policies of other mutual funds that GSAM,  GSAMI and
their  affiliates  manage.  Although the objectives and policies may be similar,
the  investment  results of the funds may be higher or lower than the results of
such other mutual funds. GSAM, GSAMI and their affiliates cannot guarantee,  and
make no  representation,  that the  investment  results of similar funds will be
comparable  even though the funds have the same investment  adviser,  manager or
sponsor.

The five Goldman Sachs  Strategy  Portfolios  are asset  allocation  funds.  The
assets of each Goldman  Sachs  Strategy  Portfolio  are  invested in  underlying
mutual  funds for which  Goldman  Sachs or its  affiliates  serve as  investment
adviser or principal underwriter (underlying mutual funds). For this reason, the
investment  performance  of each Goldman  Sachs  Strategy  Portfolio is directly
related to the investment performance of the underlying mutual funds in which it
invests.  The  ability of each  Goldman  Sachs  Strategy  Portfolio  to meet its
investment  objectives  is  directly  related to the  ability of the  underlying
mutual funds to meet their  objectives as well as to the allocation  among those
underlying mutual funds.

Goldman  Sachs  Asset  Management  (GSAM),  New York,  New  York,  serves as the
investment  adviser to all funds except the Goldman Sachs  International  Equity
and Global Income Funds. Goldman Sachs Asset Management  International  (GSAMI),
London,  England,  serves  as  the  investment  adviser  to  the  Goldman  Sachs
International  Equity and Global  Income Funds.  As of November 30, 1998,  GSAM,
together with its  affiliates,  acted as investment  adviser or distributor  for
assets in excess of $191 billion.  The investment advisers cannot guarantee that
the funds (or any of the  underlying  mutual  funds in which the  Goldman  Sachs
Strategy Portfolios invest) will meet their investment  objectives.  Also, there
is not any  guarantee  that your  contract  value will equal or exceed the total
purchase  payments you made.  Please read the Goldman Sachs  Variable  Insurance
Trust prospectuses  relating to the funds for complete information on investment
risks,  deductions,  expenses and other facts you should know before  investing.
You should consider  carefully,  and on a continuing basis, which funds are best
suited to your  long-term  investment  needs.  Some funds involve more risk than
others, so please monitor your investment.  The Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance
Trust prospectuses are available by contacting us at our administrative  offices
address or telephone number on the front of this prospectus.

All funds are available to serve as investment options under variable annuities,
variable life insurance policies and qualified plans. It is possible that in the
future it may be  disadvantageous  for variable annuity accounts,  variable life
insurance  accounts  and/or  qualified  plans to invest in the  available  funds
simultaneously. Although American Enterprise Life and the funds currently do not
foresee any such  disadvantages,  the trust's  Board of  Trustees  will  monitor
events in order to identify any material  conflicts between such annuity owners,
policy owners and qualified  plans and to determine what action,  if any, should
be taken in response to a conflict. If the Board were to conclude that it should
establish  separate funds for the variable annuity,  variable life insurance and
qualified plan accounts,  the variable  annuity  contract holders would not bear
any expenses  associated with establishing  separate funds.  Please refer to the
Goldman  Sachs  Variable   Insurance  Trust  prospectuses  for  risk  disclosure
regarding simultaneous investments by variable annuity,  variable life insurance
and qualified plan accounts.
    

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued final regulations  relating to the
diversification  requirements  under Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (Code). Each fund intends to comply with these requirements.

The fixed account

   
You also may  allocate  purchase  payments  to the  fixed  account.  We back the
principal and interest  guarantees  relating to the fixed account.  The value of
the fixed  account  increases  as we credit  interest 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.  We
credit and compound interest daily to produce an effective annual interest rate.
We may change the interest rate from time to time.  However,  we guarantee  that
the rate will not be less than a 3% effective  annual interest rate. We will not
change the rate we credit to any  portion of the fixed  account  contract  value
more than once each year.

Because of exemptive and exclusionary provisions, interests in the fixed account
have not been  registered  under the  Securities Act of 1933 (1933 Act), and the
fixed account is not  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.  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.  (See "Transfer  policies" for restrictions on transfers involving
the fixed account).
    

Buying your annuity

   
Your financial  advisor 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. You can own a nonqualified annuity in joint tenancy
with  rights of  survivorship  only in  spousal  situations.  You  cannot  own a
qualified  annuity  in  joint  tenancy.  You can buy an  annuity  or  become  an
annuitant  if you are 90 or  younger  (63 or  younger  for  qualified  annuities
purchased in Maryland and Washington).
    

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 we accept
your  application,  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 you make to your accounts
on the valuation date we receive them. We will value the additional  payments at
the next  accumulation  unit value  calculated 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,  you may make additional  purchase  payments to nonqualified and
qualified annuities until the retirement date.

The retirement date
Annuity  payouts are scheduled to begin on the  retirement  date.  You can align
this date 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
also can 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 later).

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, if later.

   
Beneficiary
If death benefits  become payable before the retirement  date while the contract
is in force and before annuity payouts begin, we will pay your named beneficiary
all or part of the contract value. If there is no named beneficiary, then you or
your estate will be the  beneficiary.  (See "Benefits in case of death" for more
about beneficiaries.)
    

Purchase payment amounts
Minimum initial purchase payment (includes SIPs):  $1,000

Minimum additional purchase payment (includes SIPs):  $100

Maximum first-year purchase payments:
         $2,000,000 (for issue ages 0 to 85 without prior approval) $50,000 (for
         issue ages 86 to 90 without prior approval)

Maximum annual purchase payments after the first year:  $50,000 (without prior
approval)

How to make payments
By letter

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

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

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

         By SIP:

   
Contact your financial advisor to complete the necessary SIP paperwork.
    

Charges

   
Contract administrative charge
We charge this fee 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 prorate this charge among the  subaccounts and the fixed account in the
same  proportion  your  interest in each  account  bears to your total  contract
value.  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,  we will  deduct  the $30  annual  charge  at the  time of  withdrawal
regardless of contract  value. We cannot increase the annual contract charge and
it does not apply after annuity payouts begin or when we pay death benefits.
    

Variable account administrative charge
We apply this charge daily to the variable  subaccounts.  It is reflected in the
unit values of the  subaccounts  and it totals 0.15% of their  average daily net
assets on an  annual  basis.  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. We cannot increase the variable account administrative charge.

   
Mortality and expense risk fee
We charge this fee daily to the  variable  subaccounts.  The unit values of your
subaccounts  reflect this charge and it totals 1.25% of their  average daily net
assets on an annual  basis.  This fee covers the mortality and expense risk that
we assume.  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  we cannot  increase  the  contract  administrative  charge  and
variable  account  administrative  charge  and these  charges  may not cover our
expenses. We would have to make up any deficit from our general assets.

   
The  subaccounts  pay us the mortality and expense risk fee they have accrued as
follows:  first, to the extent  possible,  the subaccounts pay this fee from any
dividends  distributed from the funds in which they invest;  then, if necessary,
the funds redeem  shares to cover any  remaining  fees  payable.  We may use any
profits we realize  from the  subaccounts'  payment to us of the  mortality  and
expense risk fee for any proper  corporate  purpose,  including,  among  others,
payment of distribution (selling) expenses. We do not expect that the withdrawal
charge, discussed in the following paragraphs, will cover sales and distribution
expenses.

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

1. First,  we withdraw up to 10% of your prior  anniversary  contract value that
you have not yet  withdrawn  during this contract  year.  There is no withdrawal
charge on this amount.

2. Next, we withdraw contract earnings, if any, that are greater than the annual
10% free withdrawal  amount described in number 1 above.  Contract  earnings are
contract  value  minus  all  purchase   payments  received  and  not  previously
withdrawn. There is no withdrawal charge on this amount.

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

4. Finally,  if necessary,  we withdraw  purchase payments received in the seven
years before the withdrawal on a "first-in,  first-out" (FIFO) basis. There is a
withdrawal  charge on these  payments.  We determine your  withdrawal  charge 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 years since you made
the payment(s) withdrawn.

          Years from                Withdrawal charge
       payment receipt                 percentage
              1                            6%
              2                            6%
              3                            5%
              4                            5%
              5                            4%
              6                            3%
              7                            2%
          Thereafter                       0%

Withdrawal charge calculation example

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


o    The  contract  date is July 1, 1999 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, 1999, $8,000 Dec. 31, 2005 and
     $6,000 Feb. 20, 2007; and

o    The owner withdraws the contract for its total  withdrawal value of $38,101
     on Aug. 5, 2009 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, 1999 payment was received
                                      eight or more years before  withdrawal and
                                      is withdrawn  without  withdrawal  charge;
                                      and

                400                   $8,000 Dec. 31, 2005 payment is in its
                                      fourth year from receipt, withdrawn with a
                                      5% withdrawal charge; and

                300                   $6,000 Feb. 20, 2007 payment is in its
                                      third year from receipt withdrawn with a 
                                      5% withdrawal charge.

- -------------------------------------
                $700

   
For a partial  withdrawal that is subject to a withdrawal  charge, the amount we
actually  withdraw from your contract  value will be the amount you request plus
any applicable  withdrawal  charge. We apply the withdrawal charge to this total
amount. We pay you the amount you requested.  If you take a full withdrawal from
your contract, we also will deduct the $30 contract charge.
    

Waiver of withdrawal charge There are no withdrawal charges for:

o    withdrawals  during  the year  totaling  the  greater  of 10% of your prior
     contract anniversary contract value or contract earnings;
o    required minimum  distributions from a qualified annuity (for those amounts
     required to be distributed from the annuity described in this prospectus);
o    contracts settled using an annuity payout plan;
o    death benefits;
o    withdrawals you make under your contract's  "Waiver of Withdrawal  Charges"
     provision. To the extent permitted by state law, your contract will include
     this provision when the owner and annuitant are under age 76 on the date we
     issue the  contract.  We will waive  withdrawal  charges that  normally are
     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. (See your annuity contract for additional conditions and restrictions
     on this waiver.)
o    withdrawals you make if you or the annuitant are diagnosed in the second or
     later  contract  years as  disabled  with a  medical  condition  that  with
     reasonable  medical certainty will result in death within 12 months or less
     from the date of the licensed  physician's  statement.  You must provide us
     with a licensed  physician's  statement  containing  the  terminal  illness
     diagnosis and the date the terminal illness was initially diagnosed.

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 depend upon your state of residence or the state in which the contract was
sold.  Currently,  we deduct  any  applicable  premium  tax when you make a full
withdrawal from your contract or when annuity payouts begin,  but we reserve the
right to deduct this tax at other times such as when you make purchase payments.

Valuing your investment

Here is how we value your fixed account and variable subaccounts:

Fixed account:  We value the amounts  allocated to the fixed account directly in
dollars. The fixed account value equals:

o    the sum of your  purchase  payments and transfer  amounts  allocated to the
     fixed account; plus
o    interest credited; minus
o    the sum of amounts withdrawn (including any applicable  withdrawal charges)
     and amounts transferred out; and minus
o    any prorated contract administrative charge.

Variable  subaccounts:   We  convert  amounts  you  allocated  to  the  variable
subaccounts into  accumulation  units.  Each time you make a purchase payment or
transfer  amounts  into one of the  variable  subaccounts,  we  credit a certain
number of accumulation  units to your contract for that subaccount.  Conversely,
each time you take a partial  withdrawal,  transfer  amounts  out of a  variable
subaccount or we assess a contract  administrative charge, we subtract a certain
number of accumulation units from your contract.

The  accumulation  units  are the  true  measure  of  investment  value  in each
subaccount during the accumulation period. They are related to, but not the same
as, the net asset value of the fund in which the subaccount invests.  The dollar
value of each accumulation unit can rise or fall daily depending on the variable
account expenses,  performance of the fund and on certain fund expenses. Here is
how we calculate accumulation unit values:

Number of units
To calculate the number of accumulation  units for a particular  subaccount,  we
divide your investment 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
The net investment factor is determined by:

o    adding the fund's current net asset value per share,  plus per-share amount
     of any  accrued  income  or  capital  gain  dividends  to  obtain a current
     adjusted net asset value per share; then
o    dividing that sum by the previous adjusted 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 fund may  fluctuate,  the unit  value  may
increase or decrease. You bear all the investment risk in a variable subaccount.

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

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

o    additional purchase payments you allocate to the variable subaccount(s);
o    transfers into or out of the variable subaccount(s);
o    partial withdrawals;
o    withdrawal charges; and/or
o    prorated portions of the contract administrative charge.

Accumulation unit values will fluctuate due to:

o    changes in net asset value of fund(s);
o    dividends distributed to the variable subaccount(s);
o    capital gains or losses of fund(s);
o    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
Currently,  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.  You also can  obtain the
benefits of dollar-cost  averaging 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 values of the underlying funds.
Since you invest the same amount each  period,  you  automatically  acquire more
units when the market value falls and fewer units when it rises.  The  potential
effect is to lower your average cost per unit.

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.  For specific  features contact
your financial  advisor.  Some  restrictions  may apply.  (See Appendix A for an
example of how dollar cost averaging works.)

   
Asset rebalancing
You can ask us in writing to  automatically  rebalance  the variable  subaccount
portion of your contract value either quarterly,  semi-annually or annually. The
period you select will start to run on the date we record your  request.  On the
first valuation date of each of these periods,  we automatically  will rebalance
your  contract  value so that the  value in each  variable  suabaccount  account
matches  your  current  variable  subaccount   percentage   allocations.   These
percentage  allocations  must be in whole numbers.  Asset  rebalancing  does not
apply to the fixed account. There is no charge for asset rebalancing.

You can change your  percentage  allocations or your  rebalancing  period at any
time by contacting  us in writing.  We will restart the  rebalancing  period you
selected as of the date we record your change. You also can ask us in writing to
stop  rebalancing  your contract value.  You must allow 30 days for us to change
any  instructions  that  currently are in place.  For more  information on asset
rebalancing, contact your financial advisor.
    

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 on the valuation date
we receive it. We will value your transfer at the next  accumulation  unit value
calculated  after we receive  your  request.  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. In addition,  we may
modify or restrict the right to transfer contract values between the subaccounts
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:

   
o    the requirement of a minimum time period between each transfer;
o    not accepting transfer requests of a financial advisor acting under a power
     of attorney on behalf of more than one contract owner; or
o    limiting the dollar amount that a contract  owner can transfer  between the
     subaccounts and the fixed account at any one time.
    

We may apply these  modifications  or restrictions  in any reasonable  manner to
prevent  transfers  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, you may not make transfers to or from the fixed
     account,  but you may make  transfers  once per  contract  year  among  the
     variable  subaccounts.  During the annuity  payout  period,  we reserve the
     right to limit the number of subaccounts in which you may invest.

Two ways to request a transfer or a withdrawal
1        By letter

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

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

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

Minimum amount
Transfers or withdrawals:           $100 or entire variable subaccount or fixed
                                    account balance

Maximum amount
Transfers or withdrawals:           Contract value or the entire variable
                                    subaccount or fixed account balance

2        By automated transfers and automated partial withdrawals

   
Your  financial  advisor  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 us.  You must  allow  30 days  for us 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 unless we agree otherwise.

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.
We will process your withdrawal  request on the valuation date we receive it. We
will  compute  the value of your  contract at the next  accumulation  unit value
calculated after we receive your request.  For total  withdrawals 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").  You cannot make withdrawals
after annuity payouts begin.
    

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

Receiving payment when you request a withdrawal By regular or express mail:

o    Payable to owner.

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

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

   
NOTE: We will charge you a fee if you request express mail delivery.
    

<PAGE>

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 do not take  responsibility for the validity of the
change.

If you have a  nonqualified  annuity,  you may incur  income  tax  liability  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  except as required or
permitted by the Code.

Benefits in case of death

If you or the annuitant die before annuity  payouts begin while this contract is
in force, we will pay the beneficiary the greatest of:

     1.   the contract value; or
     2.   the total  purchase  payments paid less any  "adjustments  for partial
          withdrawals;" or
     3.   the "maximum  anniversary  value"  immediately  preceding  the date of
          death  increased  by the  dollar  amount of any  payments  since  that
          anniversary  and reduced by any  adjustments  for partial  withdrawals
          since that anniversary.

   
If you own the contract in joint  tenancy with rights of  survivorship,  we will
pay benefits upon the first to die of either owner or of the annuitant.
    

We calculate  "adjustments for partial  withdrawals" for each partial withdrawal
as the product of (a) times (b) where:

     (a)  is the ratio of the amount of the partial  withdrawal  (including  any
          applicable  withdrawal  charge) to the  contract  value on the date of
          (but prior to) the partial withdrawal; and

     (b)  is the  death  benefit  on the  date of  (but  prior  to) the  partial
          withdrawal.

Each contract  anniversary  prior to the earlier of your or the annuitant's 81st
birthday, we calculate the anniversary value which is the greater of:

     (a)  the contract value on that anniversary; or

     (b)  total  payments  made to the contract  minus  adjustments  for partial
          withdrawals.

The "maximum  anniversary  value" is equal to the greatest of these  anniversary
values.

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 "maximum anniversary value:"                                      $24,000.00
(the greatest of the anniversary values which was the
contract value on January 1, 2000)

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

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 the Code  requires
distributions to 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:  Under a nonqualified annuity, we will pay the beneficiary in a single
sum  unless  you  have  given  us  other  written  instructions.  We must  fully
distribute  the death  benefit  within  five years of your death.  However,  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 your  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 process the death claim on the  valuation
date that our death claim  requirements  are  fulfilled.  We will  determine the
contract's value at the next  accumulation unit value calculated after our death
claim requirements are fulfilled. We will pay interest, if any, 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.

Other rules may apply to qualified annuities. (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 may mutually agree on other payout
arrangements.  We do not deduct withdrawal charges under the payout plans listed
below.

You also  decide  whether we will make  annuity  payouts on a fixed or  variable
basis, or a combination of fixed and variable.  The amount available to purchase
payouts under the plan you select is the contract value on your  retirement date
(less any applicable premium tax). You may reallocate this contract value to the
fixed account to provide fixed dollar  payouts  and/or among the  subaccounts to
provide variable annuity payouts.  During the annuity payout period,  we reserve
the right to limit the number of subaccounts in which you may invest.
    

Amounts of fixed and variable payouts depend on:
o        the annuity payout plan you select;
o        the annuitant's age and, in most cases, sex;
o        the annuity table in the contract; and
o        the amounts you allocated to the account(s) at settlement.

In  addition,  for  variable  payouts  only,  amounts  depend on the  investment
performance of the subaccount(s) you select.  These payouts will vary from month
to month because the performance of the underlying 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:  We  make  monthly  payouts  until  the
annuitant's  death.  Payouts  end with the last  payout  before the  annuitant's
death;  we will not make any further  payouts.  This means that if the annuitant
dies  after we have  made  only one  monthly  payout,  we will not make any more
payouts.
    

o Plan B - Life  annuity  with five,  10 or 15 years  certain:  We make  monthly
payouts 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.  We calculate
the guaranteed payout period from the retirement date. If the annuitant outlives
the elected guaranteed payout period, we will continue to make payouts until the
annuitant's death.

o Plan C - Life annuity - installment  refund: We make monthly payouts until the
annuitant's death, with our guarantee that payouts will continue for some period
of time.  We will make payouts 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:  We make monthly
payouts  while both the annuitant  and a joint  annuitant are living.  If either
annuitant  dies,  we will  continue to make  monthly  payouts 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:  We make  monthly  payouts  for a
specific  payout  period of 10 to 30 years that you elect.  We will make payouts
only for the number of years  specified  whether the annuitant is living or not.
Depending on the selected time period,  it is foreseeable  that an annuitant can
outlive the payout  period  selected.  In addition,  a 10% IRS penalty tax could
apply under this payout plan. (See "Taxes.")

Restrictions for some qualified plans: If you purchased a qualified annuity, you
may be required to 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.

You have the  responsibility  for electing a payout plan the complies  with your
contract and with applicable law.

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.
Contract  values that you have allocated to the fixed account will provide fixed
dollar payouts and contract values that you have allocated among the subaccounts
will provide variable annuity payouts.

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, we will pay any amount
payable to the beneficiary as 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 normally are taxable.  We will send you a
tax  information  reporting  form  for any  year  in  which  we  made a  taxable
distribution according to our records. Roth IRAs may grow and be distributed tax
free if you meet certain distribution requirements.

Qualified annuities:  We designed this contract for use with an IRA, Roth IRA or
SEP. Special rules apply to these retirement  plans. Your rights to benefits may
be subject to the terms and conditions of these  retirement  plans regardless of
the terms of the contract.

o    An IRA permits eligible  individuals to make deductible and  non-deductible
     contributions  of up to $2,000  annually  that will grow on a  tax-deferred
     basis.
o    A Roth IRA allows eligible  individuals to make after-tax  contributions of
     up to $2,000 and, if certain holding period and distribution rules are met,
     permits the contributions to grow and be distributed tax-free.
o    A SEP  permits  employers  to make IRA  contributions  on  behalf  of their
     employees, subject to certain limitations.

Adverse tax  consequences  may result if you do not ensure  that  contributions,
distributions  and other  transactions  under the contract  comply with the law.
Qualified  annuities have minimum  distribution rules that govern the timing and
amount of  distributions  during your life (except for Roth IRAs) and after your
death.  You should  refer to your  retirement  plan or  adoption  agreement,  or
consult a tax adviser for more information about these distribution rules.

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 you receive 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 (and possibly its  affiliates)  to the same owner during a calendar
year be taxed as a single, unified contract when you take distributions from any
one of those contracts.

Annuity payouts under qualified  annuities (except Roth IRAs): Under a qualified
annuity,  the entire  payout  generally  is  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  deductible or
pre-tax  dollars as part of an IRA or SEP, 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 you make
prior to age 59 1/2 unless certain  exceptions  apply. 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  your  beneficiary  receives  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 if certain distribution requirements are met.
    

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,  we may deduct  withholding  against the taxable  income portion of the
payment.  Any withholding  represents a prepayment of your tax due for the year.
You take credit for these amounts on your annual tax return.

If the  payment is part of an annuity  payout  plan,  we  generally  compute the
amount of withholding 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) we compute withholding 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,  we may deduct state
withholding  from any  payment  from which we deduct  federal  withholding.  The
withholding requirements may differ if we are making payment to a non-U.S.
citizen or if we deliver the payment outside the United States.

   
Transfer of ownership of a nonqualified  annuity: If you transfer a nonqualified
annuity without receiving  adequate  consideration,  the transfer is a gift, and
also may be a  withdrawal  for  federal  income tax  purposes.  If the gift is a
currently  taxable  event for income tax  purposes,  the original  owner will be
taxed on the amount of deferred  earnings at the time of the  transfer  and also
may be subject to the 10% IRS penalty 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
current   interpretations   of  these   laws.   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 adviser if you have any questions about taxation of your contract.

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

Voting rights

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

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

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

o the reserve held in each  subaccount for your  contract;  divided by o the net
asset value of one share of the applicable 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.  We will send notice of these
meetings,  proxy  materials  and a statement of the number of votes to which the
voter  is  entitled.  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

We may change the funds from which the subaccounts buy shares if:

o    laws or regulations change;
o    the existing funds become unavailable; or
o    in the  judgment  of  American  Enterprise  Life,  the funds no longer  are
     suitable for the subaccounts.

If any of these situations occur, we have the right to substitute the funds held
in the subaccounts for other registered open-end management investment companies
when  American  Enterprise  Life  believes  it would be in the best  interest of
persons having voting rights under the contracts.

We may also:

     o    add new subaccounts;
     o    combine any two or more subaccounts;
     o    make additional subaccounts investing in additional funds;
     o    transfer assets to and from the  subaccounts or the variable  account;
          and
     o    eliminate or close any subaccounts.

In the event of substitution or any of these changes,  American Enterprise Life,
without the consent or approval of the owners,  may amend the  contract and take
whatever  action is necessary  and  appropriate.  However,  we will not make any
substitution  or change  without  the  necessary  approval  of the SEC and state
insurance  departments.  American  Enterprise  Life  will  notify  owners of any
substitution or change.

   
Distribution of the contract

American Express Service Corporation (AESC), serves as the principal underwriter
for the  contract.  Its  administrative  offices are located at 80 South  Eighth
Street,  Minneapolis,  MN 55402.  AESC is a wholly-owned  subsidiary of American
Express Travel Related  Services  Company which is a wholly-owned  subsidiary of
American Express Company.

The contracts  will be  distributed  by  broker-dealers  which have entered into
distribution  agreements  with  AESC  and  American  Enterprise  Life.  AESC and
American  Enterprise  Life have  contracted  with Goldman Sachs & Co. to provide
marketing and wholesaling  services and they will compensate Goldman Sachs & Co.
for these services.

American  Enterprise  Life will pay commissions for sales of the contracts of up
to 6.5% of purchase payments to the  broker-dealers,  or the insurance  agencies
affiliated  with  the  broker-dealers,  which  have  entered  into  distribution
agreements with AESC and American  Enterprise Life.  Sometimes AESC and American
Enterprise  Life will  enter  into an  agreement  with a  broker-dealer  and its
affiliated  insurance  agencies to pay the  commissions  as a  combination  of a
certain  amount  of the  commission  at the time of sale and a trail  commission
(which,  when  totaled,  could exceed 6.5% of purchase  payments).  In addition,
American  Enterprise Life may pay certain sellers  additional  compensation  for
selling and distribution  activities under certain  circumstances.  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

American  Enterprise  Life issues the annuities.  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.

Legal Proceedings

A number of  lawsuits  have been  filed  against  life and  health  insurers  in
jurisdictions in which American  Enterprise Life and AEFC do business  involving
insurers'  sales  practices,  alleged  agent  misconduct,  failure  to  properly
supervise  agents and other matters.  American  Enterprise  Life and AEFC,  like
other  life  and  health  insurers,  from  time to  time  are  involved  in such
litigation.  On October 13, 1998, an action entitled Richard W. And Elizabeth J.
Thoresen vs. American Express  Financial  Corporation,  American  Centurion Life
Assurance Company, American Enterprise Life Insurance Company, American Partners
Life  Insurance  Company,  IDS Life  Insurance  Company  and IDS Life  Insurance
Company of New York was  commenced  in  Minnesota  State  Court.  The action was
brought by individuals who purchased an annuity in a qualified plan. They allege
that the sale of annuities in tax-deferred  contributory  retirement  investment
plans (e.g., IRAs) is never  appropriate.  The plaintiffs purport to represent a
class consisting of all persons who made similar purchases.  The plaintiffs seek
damages in an unspecified  amount.  American Enterprise Life also is a defendant
in various other lawsuits.  In American Enterprise Life's opinion, none of these
lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

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 of 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
target  date  for  substantially  completing  corrective  measures  on  business
critical systems was December 31, 1998. Testing of these systems is targeted for
completion early in 1999. AEFC currently is on track with this schedule and also
is on track to finish the work on  non-critical  systems by June 30,  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
continues to be evaluated.  The potential  materiality of any such impact is not
known at this time.

   
AEFC's Year 2000 project includes  establishing  Year 2000 contingency plans for
all key business  units.  These plans are being developed and are expected to be
substantially complete by the end of the first quarter of 1999. These plans will
continue to be refined  throughout  1999 as  additional  information  related to
potential Year 2000 exposure is gathered.
    

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.

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Appendix A
Example of Dollar Cost Averaging
                                 How dollar-cost averaging works

                        Month          Amount          Accumulation        Number of units
                                      invested          unit value            purchased
<S>                     <C>             <C>                 <C>                 <C>
By investing an         Jan             $100                $20                 5.00
equal number of
dollars each month...   Feb              100                18                  5.56

                        Mar              100                17                  5.88

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

                        Jul              100                17                  5.88

                        Aug              100                19                  5.26

and fewer units         Sep              100                21                  4.76
when the per unit
market price is 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 dollar-cost averaging involves continuous  investing,  your success 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.

<PAGE>


Table of contents of the Statement of Additional Information

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

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

   
___        Goldman Sachs Variable Annuity

___        Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust
    

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

                         GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE ANNUITY

   
                  AMERICAN ENTERPRISE VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
    

                                 __________, 1999


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 __________, 1999, is not a
prospectus.  It should be read together with the  prospectus  dated  __________,
1999, which you can obtain from your financial advisor, 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.............................................

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

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

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

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

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

Financial Statements -
 .........American Enterprise Life Insurance Company



<PAGE>



PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Calculation of yield for the subaccounts investing in income funds

For the  subaccounts  investing in income funds,  we base quotations of yield on
all investment  income earned during a particular  30-day period,  less expenses
accrued during the period (net investment income) and compute it 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

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

The subaccount earns yield 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.

Calculation of Average Annual Total Return

We will express  quotations  of average  annual total return for a subaccount in
terms  of the  average  annual  compounded  rate  of  return  of a  hypothetical
investment  in the 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>

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). We compute aggregate total return using 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)

When we calculate  average annual or aggregate total return,  the Securities and
Exchange  Commission (SEC) requires that we make an assumption 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).  In addition,  we may
show performance figures without the deduction of a withdrawal charge. All total
return  figures  reflect the deduction of all applicable  charges  including the
contract  administrative  charge, the variable account administrative charge and
the mortality and expense risk fee.

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 may quote  subaccount  performance,  compare it to  rankings,
yields or returns,  or use it in variable  annuity  accumulation  or  settlement
illustrations they publish or prepare.

CALCULATING ANNUITY PAYOUTS

The Variable Account

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

<PAGE>

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

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

Annuity Units: We then convert the value of your subaccount to annuity units. To
compute the number of units 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 fund.

Subsequent Payouts: To compute later payouts, we multiply:

o        the annuity unit value on the valuation date on (or next day 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 4% rate of return,  which is reinvested
and helps to support future payouts.

Annuity Unit Values: This value originally was 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 4%, the neutralizing  factor
         is 0.999893 for a one day valuation period.

Net Investment Factor: We determine this value by:

o        adding the  underlying  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.

<PAGE>

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

The Fixed Account

Your fixed annuity payout amounts are  guaranteed by American  Enterprise  Life.
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.

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 annuity.  This information  relates only to the
fixed account and reflects  American  Enterprise  Life's ability to make annuity
payouts and to pay death benefits and other distributions from the 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 Service
Corporation which offers the variable contracts on a continuous basis.
    

<PAGE>

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

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

PROSPECTUS

The prospectus,  dated  _________,  1999, is hereby  incorporated in this SAI by
reference.

<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.



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.

     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.
<PAGE>

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 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 Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of American
     Enterprise  Life  establishing  the American  Enterprise  Variable  Annuity
     Account  dated  July 15,  1987,  filed  electronically  as Exhibit 1 to the
     Initial  Registration  Statement  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  sixteen  additional  subaccounts  within the separate account
     dated January 20, 1999, is filed electronically herewith.

2.   Not applicable.

3.1  Form of Master General Agent Agreement to be filed by amendment.

3.2  Form of General Agent Agreement to be filed by amendment.

4.1  Form of Deferred  Annuity Contract (form 43350) filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the
     Registration  Statement No. 333-6795,  filed on or about November 20, 1998,
     is incorporated herein by reference.

4.2  Form of Roth IRA  Endorsement  (form  43353)  filed as  Exhibit  4.2 to the
     Registration  Statement No. 333-6795,  filed on or about November 20, 1998,
     is incorporated herein by reference.

4.3  Form of  SEP-IRA  Endorsement  (form  43352)  filed as  Exhibit  4.3 to the
     Registration  Statement No. 333-6795,  filed on or about November 20, 1998,
     is incorporated herein by reference.

5.   Form of Variable Annuity Application (form 43351) filed as Exhibit 5 to the
     Registration  Statement No. 333-6795,  filed on or about November 20, 1998,
     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    Copy of Participation Agreement to be filed by amendment



<PAGE>


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.

     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 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.

15.2 Power of Attorney to sign 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.



<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


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

<S>                                   <C>                                    <C>
Name                                  Principal Business Address             Positions and Offices with Depositor
- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- --------------------------------------

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                           Director and Executive Vice
                                      Minneapolis, MN  55440                 President, Assured 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>
<S>                                                                                     <C>
                                                                                        Jurisdiction of
Name of Subsidiary                                                                      Incorporation

I. Travel Related Services

     American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.                             New York

II. International Banking Services

     American Express Bank Ltd.                                                         Connecticut

III. Companies engaged in 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                                             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
     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


<PAGE>


     IDS Realty Corporation                                                             Minnesota
     IDS Sales Support Inc.                                                             Minnesota
     IDS Securities Corporation                                                         Delaware
     Investors Syndicate Development Corp.                                              Nevada
     Public Employee Payment Company                                                    Minnesota
</TABLE>

Item 27.          Number of Contract owners

                  Not applicable.

Item 28.          Indemnification

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

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

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

                  Insofar as  indemnification  for  liability  arising under the
                  Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to 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.


<PAGE>


Item 29      Principal Underwriters

             To be filed by amendment

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.

         (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,
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 16th day of February, 1999.

                           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 16th day of February, 1999.

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

/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


*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  PRE-EFFECTIVE  AMENDMENT  NO.  1  TO  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  NO.
333-67595

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.




Exhibit Index

1.2       Resolution of the Board of Directors of American Enterprise Life.

9.        Opinion of counsel.

10.       Consent of Independent Auditors

11.       Financial Statement Schedules and Report of Independent Auditors

14.       Financial Data Schedules



TO THE SECRETARY OF
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSRUANCE 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  provision 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,  sixteen  additional  subaccounts  within the  separate
account to invest in the following funds or portfolios:

         Goldman Sachs  Conservative  Strategy  Portfolio Goldman Sachs Balanced
         Strategy  Portfolio Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Strategy  Portfolio
         Goldman Sachs Growth Strategy Portfolio Goldman Sachs Aggressive Growth
         Strategy Portfolio Goldman Sachs CORE International Equity Fund Goldman
         Sachs CORE Small Cap Equity  Fund  Goldman  Sachs CORE Large Cap Growth
         Fund Goldman  Sachs CORE Large Cap Value Fund  Goldman  Sachs CORE U.S.
         Equity Fund Goldman  Sachs  Capital  Growth Fund Goldman  Sachs Mid Cap
         Equity  Fund  Goldman  Sachs  Growth  and  Income  Fund  Goldman  Sachs
         International  Equity Fund Goldman Sachs Short Duration Government Fund
         Goldman Sachs Global Income Fund



<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 32  subaccounts  is hereby  reconstituted  as American  Enterprise
Variable Annuity Account consisting of 48 subaccounts.


/s/ James E. Choat         
James E. Choat


Received by the Secretary:


/s/ William A. Stoltzmann  
William A. Stoltzmann


Date: January 20, 1999     



February 16, 1999


American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
80 South Eighth Street
P.O. Box 435
Minneapolis, MN  55440-0534

RE:      Registration Statement on Form N-4
         File No. 333-67595

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













                         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 in  Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the  Registration  Statement  (Form N-4, No.  333-67595)  and
related  Prospectus for the  registration  of the American  Enterprise  Variable
Annuity Account to be offered by American Enterprise Life Insurance Company.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 16, 1999



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 statement schedules referred to above, when
considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.



Ernst & Young LLP
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>                                    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>


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